Who is a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

 

• Patients with loose skin on the abdomen, especially under the belly button

• Women who have had children with resultant stretching of abdominal muscles 

• Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight

 

 

 

What should a patient expect during and after a Tummy Tuck?

 

After a tummy tuck, you will be encouraged to walk but should not perform heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. Your results will continue to improve with time as swelling subsides, with final results in 3-6 months. 

 

 

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What results can a patient expect from a Tummy Tuck?

 

A standard tummy tuck can:

• Remove excess tissue under the belly button.

• Tighten the abdomen by bringing the ab muscles together.

• Remove stretch marks in the boundaries of the tissue that is removed.

• Remove previous scars, such as C section scars, in the boundaries of the tissue that is removed.

 

What a tummy tuck does not do:

• It does not remove all the fullness in the upper abdomen, especially if there are skin folds in this location. This is addressed by a reverse abdominoplasty.

• It will not remove scars or stretch marks outside of the area of planned resection.

• It will improve the waistline, but it will not improve significant back rolls or affect the shape of the buttocks. To address excess tissue on the lower or upper back or buttocks, an Upper or Lower Body Lift is required. 
   

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Does a Tummy Tuck ​address the upper abdomen and/or back?

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A traditional Abdominoplasty can address excess fat and sagging skin on the abdomen. However, it can improve but cannot completely remove a large amount of sagging skin in the upper abdomen under the pecs or breasts. This must be addressed by a separate procedure called a Reverse Abdominoplasty. This procedure removes excess sagging skin below the breasts/pecs and hides the majority of the scar in the natural curve under the breast/pecs.

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While an abdominoplasty only addresses tissue in the front of the abdomen, and a butt lift only addresses excess tissue on the lower back and upper buttocks, a Lower Body Lift addresses the front and back in one procedure, contouring the abdomen, flanks, outer thighs, and buttocks through one continuous tissue removal all the way around. This can rejuvenate all of these areas and is a powerful tool to lift the buttocks and thighs and contour the waist to a more youthful look.

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