168 As a patient suffering from unremitting low back pain, if at least six months of aggressive conservative (nonsurgical) treatment has failed to help, and especially if the pain and other symptoms are making it difficult to complete everyday activities, then back surgery may be an option to bring about pain relief and restore one’s ability to function. For patients in this situation, this article provides an overview of the two types of back surgery now available: spinal fusion and artificial disc replacement (ADR, sometimes referred to as total disc replacement or TDR).
In artificial disk replacement, worn or damaged disk material between the small bones in the spine (vertebrae) is removed and replaced with a synthetic or "artificial" disk. The goal of the procedure is to relieve back pain while maintaining more normal motion than is allowed with some other procedures, such as spinal fusion.
As a person ages, the skin loses some of its natural elasticity and the muscles gradually weaken. The aging process often has a pronounced impact on the abdominal region, resulting in a flabby, sagging midsection. For some, the loss of definition in the stomach area is a source of self-consciousness, as they begin to appear older and less fit than they feel. In such cases, a tummy tuck can have a rejuvenating effect on the entire body.
The overall shape of one's body and the areas where pockets of fat tend to accumulate are largely determined by genetics. For some people, the bothersome flab that gathers in the abdominal region may not be reflective of their true level of activity and fitness. Even a person in his or her 20s, 30s, or 40s may be genetically predisposed to stubborn abdominal roundness; fortunately, plastic surgery can address this.
Traditional tummy tucks are the most commonly performed type of tummy tuck surgery. They involve the creation of a hip-to-hip incision, as well as incisions around the belly button. Because they address the patient's entire abdominal area, they often involve moving the belly button to ensure natural looking results. Traditional tummy tucks are commonly combined with abdominal liposuction.
Mini tummy tucks (also called partial abdominoplasties) are intended for patients who are within 10 percent of their ideal body weight and are content with making alterations only to the part of the abdomen that is below the navel. Mini tummy tucks require only a single small incision. They usually do not involve repositioning the navel. Partial abdominoplasties result in less dramatic changes to the appearance of the abdomen.
