The Body Beautiful Surgeon

Get a smoother, flatter abdomen with a tummy tuck in Boston, Mass. Compare the results of Dr. Richard Moss, Boston cosmetic surgeon.

Dr. Moss has performed abdominoplasty surgery for twenty five years. During those twenty five years he has obtained excellent results for many of his patients. Two years ago, while at a conference, he learned about a modification to the standard abdominoplasty procedure, referred to as the progressive tension suturing technique.

Immediately, Dr. Moss was struck with the thought that this could improve an already excellent procedure. Abdominoplasty surgery is one of my favorite procedures to perform, and one of the most popular surgeries with my patients, explained Dr. Moss. The reason for the popularity of the abdominoplasty procedure is that as a surgeon, you can really deliver on results. The overhang of skin and fat is removed, and the patient is left with a much flatter abdomen. In fact, Dr. Moss elaborates, many of the mothers whom I perform this surgery on, tell me that their abdomen is flatter after an abdominoplasty, than it was before she had children. This is also a surgery that is effective, even when the patient is overweight.

I realized that the progressive tension suturing technique could eliminate the need for drains, which is something the patients frequently complain about. In addition, the progressive tension suturing technique usually allows the patient to straighten up more quickly, which is another thing they appreciate. There is also a long-term benefit, in that the progressive tension suturing technique can result in a better scar. Because the tension is distributed over the entire abdomen and not just at the incision site, (as is the case with the traditional technique), the scar is usually of a finer, thinner quality. Since the scar from an abdominoplasty is relatively long in length to start with, patients appreciate having the thickness of the scar be as little as possible. I was enthusiastic about this surgical technique, as soon as I learned about it, stated Dr. Moss. And two years later, I am even more enthusiastic. I would not even consider performing an abdominoplasty without the progressive tension suturing technique.

In order to understand the difference between an abdominoplasty performed using the progressive tension suturing technique and the traditional abdominoplasty, a patient needs to have a basic understanding of how an abdominoplasty is performed. Dr. Moss utilizes anatomical drawings during his consultation with each patient. He will explain during the consultation, An incision is made in the lower portion of the abdomen, and the surgeon releases the skin and fat from the underlying structure, over much of the abdominal area. He then pulls down on this released skin and fat (referred to as a flap), and excises the excess portion, which is usually of considerable size. The surgeon then sutures each remaining portion of skin together, in order to close the incision. There is a fair amount of tension on this incision, and the area where the flap has been released from the abdomen is no longer attached to the underlying structure. This is where the drains are inserted in the additional style abdominoplasty. With the progressive tension suturing technique, drains are completely unnecessary and there is essentially no tension on the incision.

Dr. Moss also is quick to point out that an additional benefit from abdominoplasty surgery is that the midline of the abdomen is tightened using plication sutures, further narrowing the waist. All abdominoplasty patients receive this additional benefit, regardless of whether they are having the traditional abdominoplasty or the progressive tension suturing technique abdominoplasty.

After two years of only performing abdominoplasty surgery utilizing the progressive tension suturing technique, it would be very hard for me to go back to the traditional method, of performing this procedure, states an enthusiastic Dr. Moss. The results and recovery are so much better. The extra work for me, during the surgery is well worth it.

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