Dr. Catherine Bergeret-Galley

Catherine Bergeret-Galley is one of the few female plastic surgeons in Paris. She is married, with three children. Dr. Bergeret Galley is passionate about her work in plastic and reconstructive surgery. "Enhancing, and making patients more attractive is my goal. I take the time to listen to their deepest concerns, to evaluate the defect they are worried about and often see as a handicap. I want to enhance the lives of my patients.

I started training as a plastic surgeon during my internship in 1984, first in general surgery, then specializing in cervico facial surgery, microsurgery, plastic and reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, both in France and in the United States." More...

Address: 36 rue Penthièvre, 75008, Paris
Telephone: +33(0)1 42 89 62 02

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), is a surgical procedure to remove excess of skin and fat from the abdomen, and tighten the abdominal muscles as well. A tummy tuck is considered one of the classical surgical procedures, with a great improvement for the patient, and is one of the more common plastic surgical procedures in Paris.

Women are particularly affected in this sensitive area following pregnancies and weight loss. A Tummy tuck makes it possible to correct this deformity of the abdominal wall. In some cases liposuction may prove sufficient but in most cases after multiple pregnancies or obesity, a tummy tuck is needed.

During abdominoplasty, the surgeon removes the excess of skin and fat between the navel and the upper pubic zone. Usually this is combined with a liposuction of the areas above the navel The abdominal wall is repaired by tightening the muscles. The healthy skin is then stretched down and closed .Liposuction is used as first step to defat the abdomen and improve the aesthetic final result of a tummy tuck.

THE TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURE

Precautions

Before performing an abdominoplasty patients must avoid all medications not approved by your surgeon, especially aspirin related medication, for fifteen days prior to the operation. Smoking is absolutely prohibited during 4 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after.

The abdominoplasty operation

It is done under general anaesthesia. Hospitalization varies from one to two days.

The operation takes usually 2 hours. The intervention consists of:

• Liposuction of excess fat
• Treatment of and tightening of the abdominal muscles that have stretched out and separated.
• Excision of excess skin.

Postoperative care after a tummy tuck

In addition to the dressing, it will be necessary to wear a support garment, day and night, for at least three weeks. The convalescence after a tummy tuck takes between two to four weeks. The scar of the abdominoplasty can vary in length and will be more or less hidden. In general it is located at the higher edge of the pubic hairs and continues in the folds of the groin. Often red at the beginning, it will gradually and visibly fade after six month, but will not completely vanish. Exposure to the sun and ultraviolet rays must be avoided for three months after a tummy tuck. After a month and a half, the patient can resume sports.

The Complications of a tummy tuck

Complications in surgery are always possible even if they are exceptional (infection, anaesthesia problems).

Specific complications:

1. Trombosis, pulmonary emboli
2. Hematoma
3. Skin necrosis and loss of skin
4. Loss of sensitivity on the skin of the abdomen
5. Bad scarring (can be improved and corrected)
6. Asymmetry
7. Collection of fluid (seroma) under the skin

THE RESULT OF THE TUMMY TUCK

The improvement after an abdominoplasty is immediately visible and is not short lived: the stomach is flat; one can come down several trouser sizes, which is very gratifying. Regular exercise and a proper diet are two good ways to ensure this longevity. The final result can be truly appreciated a year after the operation. Imperfections in the result are possible and generally relate to scars and the umbilical point. They can be corrected later on, but not before the third month following the tummy tuck .This is one of the most gratifying surgeries for women after childbirth, it give them their body back as they knew it before, boosts the self confidence, and making it possible to wear a bikini again. As an interesting side effect, many of my patients have told me after their surgery, that persistent bowel problems has vanished after surgery, as well as backpain that has been improved. This is due to the strengthening of the abdominal wall.