Tummy Tuck in Later Life, Raleigh, NC*

Tummy tuck is a common operation typically performed after childbearing years are over. It can address some of the issues that result from pregnancy such as diastases rectus, loose skin and stretch marks and weight gain during motherhood and life in general! A typical patient has this performed in their late 30s and early 40s. Many women ask whether it is too late to have an abdominoplasty after age 50. In general, as long as the patient has good health and reasonable expectations, middle-age is no barrier to abdominoplasty. This 55-year-old mother of 3 had hoped that diet and exercise would help her excess skin and fat and loose tissue of her abdomen. She was unable to lose much weight so she came in for consultation for tummy tuck. Dr. Lyle felt she was a good candidate. Her body mass index was just a touch over 30 but she was otherwise very healthy. She underwent a full abdominoplasty with diastases repair as well as a Vaser assisted liposuction of the flanks and abdomen. She recovered nicely. Dr. Lyle uses Exparel -A long-lasting local anesthetic-during the surgery which helps decrease the postoperative pain and makes it manageable. The patient was very pleased with her results and felt she fits into her clothing much better and was comfortable with her new figure.