TUMMY TUCK

A tummy tuck is often performed on patients after bariatric surgery or as part of a postpregnancy Mommy Makeover to eliminate lax tissue unable to conform to new, slimmer contours. Male patients also visit our practice with concerns of a “spare tire” or “beer belly” as their abdominal muscles become weaker (to the point where they are no longer responsive to exercise) and skin loosens with age.

The procedure performed is unique to each patient and requires an expert eye and skilled assessment to consider which elements may be the appropriate combination to deliver the desired results. When handled by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, a tummy tuck can be a very effective way to contour, flatten and tone the abdominal area to impact a patient’s entire physique for the better.

After your first visit with your plastic surgeon, there are a number of steps you may be asked to take in order to get yourself ready for surgery. To enjoy the best results from a tummy tuck, patients are advised to make themselves well aware of all of the steps involved. Our physicians recommend that you start planning strategically months in advance (some say a full six months is ideal) and follow all instructions for rigorous follow-up self-care to ensure the tummy tuck recovery process goes smoothly.

Our plastic surgeons also recommend that patients maintain a stable body weight in the months leading up to the tummy tuck surgery and avoid taking certain medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, to achieve optimal outcomes. Smoking is detrimental to the healing process, as the chemicals inhaled interfere with the supply of blood and oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Ceasing smoking is critical in the weeks leading up to and after the tummy tuck operation.

A tummy tuck typically takes one to two hours, depending on how much skin needs to be removed and tightened and is performed in a hospital or outpatient facility. Most often, Waldorf Center patients spend one night recovering in our accredited surgery center before heading home.

Before the tummy tuck operation begins, a combination of medical treatments is administered to put the patients into a temporary, sleep-like state. This ensures their continued comfort by rendering them unable to feel pain.

For a tummy tuck, the curved, horizontally oriented or elliptical-shaped incision is generally low on the abdomen: below the belly button and near the pubic hairline. The resulting scar will stay hidden under most bathing suit bottoms and underwear. Excess skin and fat may be removed, and stretched-out or separated abdominal muscles are repaired as needed. In some cases, the belly button may be repositioned. Surgeons use skin adhesives, tapes, and sutures to close the wound.

Liposuction may also be performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck to remove any excess fat from the area.

Depending on the concerns being addressed, a second incision may be made around the belly button to target skin, muscle, or fat in the upper abdomen.

The type of tummy tuck you undergo will depend on patient and surgeon preference, as well as factors such as individual body type, anatomy, skin quality, and the location of the excess skin and fat. There are two main variations of tummy tuck procedures: a classic or “full” abdominoplasty and a partial abdominoplasty (otherwise known as a mini tummy tuck).

A full tummy tuck encompasses the entire abdominal and navel area. It can be used to create a smooth profile while contouring both the upper and the lower abdomen.

Many women find that after pregnancy and childbirth, they develop lax skin and muscle in their lower abdomen. A mini tummy tuck may be all that is required for some patients to achieve their desired results, especially if they only need a small amount of contouring and their main concern is a flab that has accumulated below the navel. Unlike a standard tummy tuck, the mini version only addresses the lower abdominal area, removing its excess skin and tightening lower abdominal muscles. It requires less recovery time and results in less scarring than traditional tummy tuck surgery.

Patients who have experienced significant weight loss (whether with the assistance of bariatric surgery or otherwise) may opt to receive a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck. This procedure includes the typical lower abdominal incision along with a second one made vertically down the midsection to address lax abdominal tissue more comprehensively.

The length of this second incision depends on the extent of correction required but typically does not extend above the breastbone. The belly button may also be repositioned to a more proportionate level on the abdomen.