• Life-changing procedure
• Restores a youthful, healthy sculpted appearance
• Flattens the abdomen
• Eliminates protuberance after pregnancy
• Tightens the muscles
• Removes excess skin
• May reduce the appearance of stretch marks
• Narrows the waist
• Removes excess fat
• Restores body harmony

How do I know if I need a tummy tuck or liposuction?

Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Discuss what your goals are.

Your plastic surgeon will examine your abdomen and assess the following:

• Skin elasticity
• Your waist area
• Abdominal wall muscles—is there a separation, a diastasis
• Is a hernia present
• Is there excess skin that needs to be removed
• Where, and to what extent, do fat deposits exist
• Has the mons pubis area descended
• Is there loose skin in the groin area
• Stretch marks—will they be removed with a tummy tuck

If you have good skin elasticity and localized fat deposits then liposuction may be the best treatment. If you have a protruding abdomen, excess skin, a separation of the muscles, then a tummy tuck would be necessary to rejuvenate your abdomen.

Where is a tummy tuck performed?

Tummy tucks can be performed either in a certified outpatient facility (Surgeons certified office operating room or hospital outpatient center). Patients with underlying medical problems usually have tummy tucks performed in the hospital.

Can other procedures be performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck?

Liposuction of the abdomen is often performed as an integral part of a tummy tuck. Whether or not other procedures can be done at the time of a tummy tuck is at the surgeon’s discretion and a matter of patient safety.

What limitations will I have after the surgery?

While you will be out of bed and walking the evening of your procedure, you will, for the most part, relax.  A recliner type chair that flexes at the hips, elevating the back and thighs, and places the patient in a “beach chair” position is recommended.  If a recliner is not available, placing pillows under the back and thighs can simulate a recliner position. You will experience some pain and discomfort that can be relieved by medication. After the first few days, you will feel much more comfortable. Nevertheless, it’s a time to hand off household and parenting responsibilities. Depending on the type of abdominoplasty, modified or full, you will be able to return to work anywhere from one to three weeks.

What about the scar? Will I be able to wear a bikini afterward?

You should look much better in your bikini after a tummy tuck, once the swelling has subsided. While the length of the scar varies with the amount of excess skin that is removed, the incision can usually be planned so that the scar can be hidden within a bikini. Most patients feel that a well-hidden scar is a small trade-off for a rejuvenated, youthful, firm abdomen.

I’ve noticed that my pubic area seems to have dropped, and I have loose skin in my groin. Can that be addressed during a tummy tuck?

Treatment of the mon pubis (pubic area) and loose groin skin are often an integral part of a tummy tuck procedure.  The mons pubis is elevated to a more youthful position with improved shape.  The groin area is recontoured as well.

What about men with protuberant abdomens?

Usually, these men have internal fat which is referred to as visceral fat. This is fat that surrounds their internal organs—liver, stomach, and intestines, making the abdomen appear round and protuberant. A tummy tuck is contraindicated. In some instances, there may be fat beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat) that exacerbates the protuberance. Whether or not it is beneficial to perform liposuction is based on the judgment of the surgeon and the expectations of the patient.

How do I know when is the right time for me to consider undergoing a tummy tuck?

You should be at a stable weight that is appropriate for your height and body structure. If you are planning additional children, then you should wait. If you have undergone a surgical procedure to lose weight, make sure your weight is stable and that you do not plan to lose additional weight. Of course, there should be appropriate and realistic expectations regarding the outcome of any planned surgery.

Are there different degrees of Tummy Tucks?

Tummy tucks are performed to improve the overall appearance of the abdomen resulting in a more firm toned appearance. This often requires surgically removing excess skin, and in most instances tightening the underlying muscles. Liposuction of the abdomen is often combined to remove excess fat and improve the overall contour. When the incision length is minimal, not much longer than a c-section scar, and the tightening of the muscle is limited to the muscle between the umbilicus and pubic hairline this may be called a mini tummy tuck. When the incision extends from hip to hip and the muscle is tightened from the upper abdomen to the pubic hair line that is a full tummy tuck. Some patients need more than a mini and less than a full tummy tuck, or a modified tummy tuck. This may require removing the skin from the lower abdomen requiring a long incision, but the patient may need muscle repair limited to the lower abdomen.