If you are considering tummy tuck surgery (also known as abdominoplasty), our experienced plastic surgeons have a long history of success and aim to provide the safest surgery with the best results.
For many people, one of the hardest areas of the body to keep trim and toned is the belly. If you have stubborn, loose abdominal skin that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck.
Tummy tuck is a common type of plastic surgery that helps smooth out and reshape your tummy. We do this by:
- Removing extra skin from your abdominal area
- Tightening any relaxed or separated abdominal muscles
- Repositioning your belly button
Our plastic surgeons have helped many patients achieve firmer, flatter stomachs — and improve their self-confidence.
Tummy tuck may be a good option for you if:
- You have excess skin hanging around the belly after significant weight loss
- They have lost the elasticity and firmness of the skin due to normal aging
- You have loose, loose skin caused by pregnancy (with or without weakened abdominal muscles)
A full menu of options
At MU Health Care, you can choose to have a tummy tuck as a single, stand-alone procedure. Or, depending on your goals, you can do it at the same time as other cosmetic procedures.
Procedures we often do along with abdominoplasty include:
- Breast Augmentation: We increase your breast size by placing silicone or saline implants under your breast tissue or chest muscles.
- Breast lift: We lift your breasts higher on your chest, giving them a more youthful appearance.
- Breast reduction surgery: We reduce the size of your breasts by removing a certain amount of skin, tissue and fat.
- Liposuction: We suction fat and fluid from other areas you want to tighten and tone (such as the hips, buttocks or arms).
Who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty?
As with any surgery, abdominoplasty is not for everyone. You are more likely to have a safe, positive result if you meet the following criteria:
- You are healthy enough to receive anesthesia and have surgery.
- Your weight is stable (gaining or losing significant weight after abdominoplasty can affect your results).
- You’re done having kids.
- You are a non-smoker (or you can stop smoking before the operation and during your recovery). Smoking makes it harder for your body to heal.
Even if you’re not a good candidate for a tummy tuck right now, that doesn’t mean you can’t be in the future. We can offer advice or suggest lifestyle changes that increase your suitability for this procedure.
What to expect
Here’s what you can expect if you’re considering abdominoplasty surgery at MU Health Care:
A thorough consultation
Your first appointment is important because it gives us time to learn more about you (and why you’re considering a tummy tuck). We will discuss factors such as:
- Your medical history: We will look at any factors that could affect your ability to undergo tummy tuck surgery or your long-term results. These may include pregnancy history, weight gain or loss and any previous abdominal surgeries.
- Your goals: We will examine your abdomen and discuss your desired results. This helps us set realistic expectations about the look you want — and determine the best way to achieve it.
- Your budget: Cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance. We’ll give you upfront cost estimates for a tummy tuck so you know how much you’ll have to pay if you go ahead with the surgery.
- Your health: We’ll also make sure you understand the benefits and risks of a tummy tuck and how much downtime you can expect during your recovery.
The day of surgery
If you choose to have abdominoplasty at MU Health Care, we will work hard to provide a smooth, seamless experience. On the day of your procedure, you can expect the following:
- Tummy tuck surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. This means you will go home the same day.
- Your surgery will probably take two to three hours from start to finish.
- You will receive general anesthesia, which keeps you completely asleep during the procedure. Because the anesthesia may take some time to wear off, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home.
After surgery
For most people, it takes two to four weeks to recover from a tummy tuck. During this time, you will feel pain or soreness in your core that makes it harder to bend and move. This is especially true if your surgery involved muscle tightening.
The good news is that you can improve your recovery—and minimize or avoid complications—by following some guidelines.
For example:
- You may need to wear a compression garment around your waist for several weeks. This minimizes swelling and supports your abdomen while it heals.
- You may go home with small, thin tubes placed near your surgical incision. These tubes drain excess fluid and are usually left in place for several days. We will show you how to empty and clean them until they are removed.
- You will need to avoid straining or making sudden movements that could stretch your surgical incision (and reopen it).
We will give you a detailed set of instructions and answer all your questions before you return home.
The safety and quality you deserve
Tummy tuck is considered major surgery, which means it comes with certain risks. These risks include fluid accumulation under the skin, poor wound healing, and loss of sensation caused by nerve damage.
That’s why it’s important to choose an experienced plastic surgeon.
Every plastic surgeon at MU Health Care is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). In order to earn (and maintain) ABPS board certification, plastic surgeons must complete continuing education. This ensures that their skills remain up to date as the field evolves.
When you choose one of our plastic surgeons, you can expect a higher level of safety and quality. And at MU Health Care, you can also expect exceptional service and support before, during and after your abdominoplasty.
