Tummy Tuck

What is a tummy tuck?

Just as a facelift tightens loose skin on the face, a tummy tuck addresses loose skin and tissue in the abdominal area. It’s often performed on patients after bariatric surgery or as part of a post pregnancy 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.

A tummy tuck is not intended to achieve weight loss, but is most suitable for people who are very near their ideal weight and dealing with loose, sagging belly skin; weakened abdominal muscles; and a small amount of stubborn fat that does not respond to diet or exercise efforts.
The surgery involves making an incision in the lower abdomen, removing excess skin, and then stretching the skin that is left back together. Sometimes the tissue that needs to be removed is just below the navel, and sometimes it spans the entire abdomen. A tummy tuck may also involve some liposuction to remove stubborn fat cells to help achieve natural-looking, slim contours. In patients who have weak or stretched abdominal muscles, which is common after pregnancy, we also tighten the abs during surgery.

Types of tummy tuck procedures

The type of tummy tuck you undergo will depend on your aesthetic preferences as well as factors such as individual body type, anatomy, skin quality, and the location of the excess skin and fat. There are three main variations of tummy tuck procedures:
Full 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 lower abdomen.
With this procedure, one incision is made across the lower abdomen, from hip to hip along the bikini line, and another is made around the belly button. Excess skin is removed from the lower abdomen, the abdominal muscles are tightened, and the incisions are closed. In many cases, the navel will need to be repositioned as well.
Mini tummy tuck
Many women find that after pregnancy and childbirth, they develop lax skin and muscle in their lower abdomen. A mini tummy tuck may be the best choice to eliminate flab below the navel and achieve a tighter post-baby belly. Unlike a full tummy tuck, the mini version only involves a small incision in the lower abdomen to remove excess skin and tighten lower abdominal muscles. It requires less recovery time and results in less scarring than traditional tummy tuck surgery.
Fleur-de-lis
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.

Your tummy tuck consultation

The choice to have a tummy tuck is a serious and personal one. Before finalizing any decision, patients should educate themselves on all of the variables involved, seeking out reliable sources of accurate information. Finding a physician who has significant, relevant experience in this specific type of surgery, is essential.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons will consult with you to listen to your questions, examine your midsection, note your medical history and stats, and tell you what a tummy tuck can reasonably accomplish. We will then go over risks of the procedure, how to prepare for surgery, and what to expect from recovery.

How to prepare for a tummy tuck

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. 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.
One very important recommendation is to maintain a stable body weight in the months leading up to the tummy tuck surgery. You will also need to 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.

What to expect from tummy tuck surgery

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, patients spend one night recovering in our surgery center before heading home.
Before the tummy tuck operation begins, anesthesia 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.
If also targeting skin, muscle, or fat in the upper abdomen, a second incision will be made around the belly button.
Liposuction may also be performed to remove any excess fat from the area.
In some cases, the belly button may be repositioned. Surgeons use skin adhesives, tapes, and sutures to close the wound.

What to expect while recovering from a tummy tuck

Recovery after tummy tuck surgery is relatively quick, and most patients find they are able to resume a regular work or home schedule after about two weeks of recuperation. Most can return to strenuous activity levels in about six weeks after surgery.
The post-op period typically involves some bruising, soreness, and swelling. You may also find it hard to walk completely straight for the first few days. To lower the risk of infection, your physician may prescribe an antibiotic. You can take pain medication to manage any discomfort, but keep in mind that some mild residual swelling will remain for a few weeks to months. You can also expect the skin between the navel and the wound to feel numb. After these effects subside, the result is a flatter, firmer, smoother tummy and trimmer waistline.
Your abdominal incisions are likely to be wrapped in surgical dressings or bandages to provide support and reduce swelling. In some cases, thin tubes or drains may be placed at the time of a tummy tuck to collect excess fluid as you heal, and you may be instructed to wear a compression garment for up to six weeks. If drains are used, they will be removed along with your sutures during a postoperative visit with your plastic surgeon.
During your recovery period, it is important to get enough rest and avoid positions that stretch or strain the fresh incisions or sutured abdominal muscles. Some patients have found that having supplies such as extra pillows, a body pillow, a recliner, ice packs, and gauze pads helps them to feel more comfortable and accelerates the healing process during this time.
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure and will not prevent patients from gaining weight in the future. Once your surgeon clears you to resume all activities, it is important to make habits of healthy eating and regular exercise to sustain the results of your tummy tuck long-term.

Complementary procedures and nonsurgical alternatives to a tummy tuck

As noted above, liposuction may be an element of a tummy tuck, but the surgical fat removal can also be performed as a standalone procedure on many areas of the body, from the belly to the buttocks to the pocket that causes a double chin.
In fact, your plastic surgeon may recommend liposuction as a standalone procedure instead of a tummy tuck if you experience larger deposits of diet- and exercise-resistant fat in the abdominal area but do not have much excess, loose skin.
Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight frequently find there is loose, hanging tissue on other parts of their body they would like to have addressed as well. An arm lift targets lax skin on the upper arms while a thigh lift or comprehensive lower body lift can tighten up tissues on the bottom half.
We also offer nonsurgical options for patients who need “a little something” to help contour an ideal physique. EMSCULPT® triggers thousands of muscle contractions in a short time period to reduce fat and improve definition in the abdomen. Coolsculpting essentially freezes the fat cells and causes them to crystalize, after which they gradually die off. This leads to a reduction in volume in the treatment area, resulting in a slimmer and sleeker appearance.