Abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck”, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdominal area while reshaping and tightening the abdominal wall. In most cases, it repairs weakened or separated muscles to create an abdominal profile that is smoother, flatter and more firm. A tummy tuck can be performed in conjunction with liposuction to contour the waistline for a shapelier midsection.
Tummy tucks are most commonly performed after pregnancy, but are beneficial for abdominal contour improvement in both men and women. Patients who experience sagging skin and loss of muscle tone due to significant weight loss, aging, or genetics will benefit from a tummy tuck as well as those who have stubborn abdominal fat not responsive to diet and exercise.
Patients who want to enhance their appearance by shaping their abdominal area are good candidates for abdominoplasty surgery. Ideal candidates are healthy and have a stable body weight.
Women should not be pregnant or breastfeeding before considering a tummy tuck procedure. Non-smokers are preferred, since smoking can negatively affect recovery.
If patients want to enjoy the lasting results of a tummy tuck procedure, they must have no plans to get pregnant or gain significant weight in the near future. The best candidates for tummy tuck are those planning to fully commit themselves to healthy lifestyle changes after the surgery.
After performing an exam and reviewing pertinent health history, your surgeon may order lab work and other pre-operative tests as deemed necessary. Lastly, you will meet with a surgery coordinator to discuss fees, surgery scheduling options, and make a pre-operative appointment to meet with the nurse for final preparation prior to surgery.
During your initial consultation for a tummy tuck you will meet with our board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and expectations. Your surgeon will provide you with a detailed explanation of the tummy tuck procedure, answer your questions, and determine a surgical plan of care based on your expected outcome. You will also be able to look at before-and-after photos to see your plastic surgeon’s past results.
You will receive instructions regarding tummy tuck preparation and aftercare. A safe and smooth recovery will require assistance to ensure that your daily needs and the needs of your children are taken care of.
Your abdominoplasty surgery will be performed in our AAAASF accredited office surgical suite with a qualified anesthesia provider. Operative time in most cases is approximately two hours. Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, and patients are discharged home the same day.
At the start of the procedure, either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation will be administered. This choice will depend on the details of the case and will be made with the help of your plastic surgeon during a consultation.
An incision will then be made from hipbone to hipbone, allowing the plastic surgeon access to the underlying tissues. In many cases, a second incision will be made around the bellybutton. The skin of the abdomen will then be lifted.
Excess skin will be trimmed away with the help of a scalpel, and deposits of excess fat will be removed with a cannula. The sagging muscles of the abdominal wall will be rejoined and tightened using internal sutures. Finally, the skin will be redraped and the incisions will be closed with stitches.
Patients requiring a hysterectomy often desire to have a tummy tuck performed in conjunction. Careful coordination between gynecologic and plastic surgeons is necessary to determine if this combination is feasible and safe. In this case your surgery will be performed at an area hospital with an overnight stay.
Pricing for Tummy Tuck includes doctor fees, hospital fees, and anesthesia. If the surgery will include liposuction and other cosmetic procedures, these will be included in the overall cost of the tummy tuck procedure.
*Prices may vary based on the specific needs of the patient and scope of the procedure
We also offer financing options to our patients through CareCredit.
Your nurse will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions at your pre-operative visit and will review them again prior to your discharge home. Recovery time for a tummy tuck is about two weeks, and most patients take pain medication for 3-5 days.
There will be swelling and bruising in the operative area for a time. Cold compresses can be used to treat them, and they will fade as the healing process continues. Additionally, a post-surgical garment must be worn, which will help to control the swelling.
Patients can typically return to work within 1-2 weeks, but heavy lifting, pushing or pulling should be completely avoided for the first 10-12 weeks following your surgery. Activities like these can damage the incisions while they are healing.
It will be important to avoid smoking while you are healing from a tummy tuck. Smoking negatively affects the health of the injured skin, causing a need for a longer recovery process.
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to evaluate your recovery and assess the results of the tummy tuck surgery. Sutures will be removed at this time. If you have any concerns, we will address them.
If you have been considering a tummy tuck and want to find out whether it is right for you, it’s time to take the next step. Arrange a helpful consultation with a skilled medical professional by contacting Associates in Plastic Surgery today. We will be happy to answer your questions and tell you more about the procedure in greater detail.
““OMG!!! I cannot believe these reviews. I am a patient of Dr. John Dean. I had a breast reduction 5 weeks ago and it is totally awesome! 2 years ago I also had a tummy tuck and my stomach is flat as a board to this day. I am a 50 year old wife, mother of 3, and grandmother. The staff there are so professional. They went above and beyond to make each surgery and recovery smooth. I Would Highly recommend Dr. Dean to perform any procedure you might be considering.😍 Also my husband is Loving it too!!!”
Read More Reviews
