Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Tummy tuck surgery for a flatter and more slender abdomen.
Model
When a person loses a lot of weight after bariatric surgery or dieting (extreme weight loss) or after pregnancy, excess skin and fat develops in the abdomen. Tummy tuck surgery, also known as “abdominoplasty,” is a procedure that produces a flatter and more slender abdomen, smaller waistline by removing excess skin and fat. This creates a more harmonious figure. Your surgeon can also tighten stretched abdominal muscles to achieve a more toned midsection. If you’re considering abdominoplasty surgery, consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. It’s important to understand what abdominoplasty surgery entails, including possible risks and complications as well as set realistic expectations.
Model
Am I a candidate for a tummy tuck?
If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, a tummy tuck may be right for you:
- Are diet and exercise unable to achieve the abdominal appearance you desire?
- Do you have excess fat and hanging skin following weight loss or pregnancy?
- Does your abdomen have a loss of skin elasticity or diastasis recti (stretched or separated abdominal muscles) due to pregnancy or aging?
- Do you want to remove unsightly skin and fat deposits, as well as properly align your abdominal muscles, to produce a more flattering appearance?
Abdominoplasty Before & After Photos
Details
10 month postop 7-9-23 (DOS 9-2-22)
- Procedure: Abdominoplasty with liposuction of abdomen
- Age: 45-55 yo female
45-55 year old female is 10 months postop from surgery. She had an abdominoplasty, rectus muscle plication and umbilical repositioning with liposuction of the abdomen.
How can a tummy tuck help?
Tighten Abdominal Muscles
Pregnancy, natural aging, and weight gain can cause the abdominal muscles to become stretched and separated in the midline. This is sometimes evident by a bulging midsection (not to be confused with a hernia). It is impossible to completely repair these muscles through exercise. During the tummy tuck procedure, after the skin and underlying tissues are separated from the abdominal wall, your abdominal muscles are tightened with suture to improve definition and shape in the midsection.
Remove Stretch Marks
Weight gain and pregnancy are nearly always accompanied by stretch marks. This occurs from damage to the layers of the skin from rapid expansion. Stretch marks that appear in the lower abdomen are eliminated as this excess skin is removed.
Eliminate Stubborn Fat
Patients who have achieved a healthy weight through diet and exercise are often left with areas of fat deposits that are difficult to eliminate. These fat deposits can be removed with a tummy tuck if located in the lower abdomen. For areas away from the lower abdomen such as upper abdomen, flanks and back, liposuction can be performed to remove this stubborn fat and produce a more slender midsection and provide a better contour to your torso.
Improved Confidence
Sagging skin, excess fat, and weak muscles in the abdominal region can cause embarrassment and detract from a person’s self-confidence. It can affect your activity level along with what clothing you wear. Tummy tuck surgery eliminates these problems to produce a flatter and more attractive abdominal area that you won’t be afraid to show off.
Abdominoplasty Before & After Photos
Details
9 weeks postop
- Procedure: Abdominoplasty with liposuction of abdomen
- Age: 60-70 yo female
60-70 year old female is 9 weeks postop from surgery. 2 children. She had an abdominoplasty, rectus muscle plication and umbilical repositioning with liposuction.
Model
Tummy Tuck Options
Mini-abdominoplasty
A shorter incision above the pubis ~12-16cm. Ideally for patients with excess skin and fat isolated below the umbilicus. The umbilicus remains attached to the skin of the abdomen, detached from the abdominal wall and shifted down a short distance. Candidates have good skin tone with muscle separation.
Extended abdominoplasty
Incision extends beyond standard abdominoplasty incision, it can wrap around the sides and into the back, but never meets the other side. Ideally for patients with significant excess skin and fat not confined to below the umbilicus. The excess skin and fat extends to the flanks and lower back. Candidates have fair to poor skin tone with muscle separation.
Abdominoplasty with liposuction
Liposuction can be added to any abdominoplasty technique. Ideally for patients with mild excess fat and minimal to no excess skin. Candidates have good skin tone.
The Abdominoplasty Process
Consultation
Once you fill out the online questionnaire, you will be contacted to confirm an appointment for a one-on-one consultation with the surgeon. You may also provide photos through our HIPAA compliant system and during your visit your surgeon can provide a personal 3D simulation using your own photos. This tool is a powerful education tool that helps identify what can and cannot be performed.
This appointment also includes an analysis of your health history, any medications you are taking, and what you desire to achieve with the procedure. Please have all of this information with you when you come to your appointment. All of which can be submitted electronically through our HIPAA compliant patient portal.
Your surgeon will discuss the techniques that will best provide you with the results you desire and answer any questions you may have.
Preoperative Instructions
Your surgeon will review in detail all of the information you need to know prior to surgery.
Generally, patients should avoid nicotine products six weeks before surgery and stop taking anti-inflammatory medication (e.g., aspirin and ibuprofen) for at least two weeks before surgery. Some vitamins and supplements may also cause problems during or after surgery, so it is best to avoid them or to talk to your surgeon about potential side effects.
You may be asked to bathe using an antibacterial soap before your procedure.
Eating and drinking restrictions include:
- 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods, such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.
You may be asked to obtain blood tests.
Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home and care for you for the first 48 hours after your procedure.
Model
During the Procedure
Abdominoplasty is performed with general anesthesia, in a surgery center, and takes approximately three hours to complete. An IV will be inserted into one of your veins. Based on the techniques agreed upon during your consultation, the surgeon will place the incisions as described above. Incisions are closed with absorbable sutures and covered with surgical tape. In most cases drains are used. Liposuction is a tool that helps shape your body and will be discussed during your consultation.
Abdominoplasty Before & After Photos
Details
9 weeks postop
- Procedure: Abdominoplasty with liposuction, removal of saline implants (ruptured left implant), mastopexy with placement of cc silicone implants
- Age: 60-70 yo female
60-70 year old female is 1 month postop from surgery. She had an abdominoplasty, rectus muscle plication and umbilical repositioning with liposuction, removal of saline implants (ruptured left implant), mastopexy with placement of cc silicone implants
Recovery
After surgery, your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until you leave the surgical center. You may continue to receive fluids and pain medicines through an IV.
You will have to wear compression stockings and portable sequential compression devices to help prevent blood clots and reduce swelling in your legs. You will be advised to wear a girdle or bodysuit with mild compression to aid in decreasing the swelling and to keep you comfortable. Swelling will typically subside after about a few months but may last as long as 6 months if liposuction performed.
Expect pain, bruising, and tenderness for which you will be provided pain medications as needed.
For the first few days after surgery you will need to get plenty of rest. Most patients are able to return to work in two weeks and resume regular exercise after about six weeks. If a muscle repair is performed core exercises are discouraged for one year.
Your surgeon will give you more detailed information about what you can expect during your recovery.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
Q. How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
A. The results of a tummy tuck are generally permanent and will last as long as you maintain a healthy weight and do not have a future pregnancy. Which is why it is important to be at or near your goal weight prior to surgery.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A. The exact cost of a tummy tuck procedure will depend on the severity of your condition and several other factors such as the need for muscle tightening and liposuction. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate you and your desires to help determine the cost of your procedure.
Q. Is a tummy tuck covered by insurance?
A. Health insurance companies do not cover the cost of a tummy tuck if it is undergone solely for cosmetic purposes. However, your surgeon will physically examine you to determine if there is any medical reason, such as an extraordinary amount of skin after extreme weight loss, that may qualify you for insurance coverage. You may wish to contact your health insurance provider to learn the details of your coverage.
Q. Will scarring exist?
A. The incision for tummy tuck surgery is strategically placed along the lower abdomen so that the resulting scar can easily be hidden beneath undergarments and bathing suits. Your scar will continue to improve and fade over time, and protecting it from the sun will help prevent it from darkening. Scarring around the belly button is also present but with proper care can also be inconspicuous.