TUMMY TUCK BENEFITS
The benefits of a tummy tuck procedure include:
- A smoother, flatter, and firmer midsection
- A defined and contoured waistline
- Repaired abdominal muscles
- Boosted confidence!
Body Aesthetic Center’s board-certified plastic surgeons will transform your appearance in just a few hours. After a successful tummy tuck, you will see your newly shaped and contoured waistline, and your loved ones will experience the vibrant new you!
TUMMY TUCK METHODS
Traditional or Full Tummy Tuck
A traditional tummy tuck, also known as a full abdominoplasty, flattens and firms the lower abdominal area. The surgeon places a horizontal incision above the pubic area and below the belly button. The surgeon removes fat, mends the muscles if necessary, and draws the skin downwards, removing the excess. A new belly button is created, and the patient’s incision is stitched close for a speedy recovery.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck is similar to the traditional method, but instead of the incision spanning from hip to hip, it extends from the hips to the back. This tummy tuck method is ideal for patients who have lost considerable weight and carry ample excess skin around the abdomen but do not need a total body lift.
Circumferential Tummy Tuck
A circumferential tummy tuck is the ultimate re-contouring tummy tuck method that targets the patient’s entire midsection, 360 degrees around. The surgeon created a belt-like incision around the abdominal area, removing fat from the waistline, back, and hips. The surplus of skin is removed, and the waist is tightened and smoothed for a complete transformation!
Mini Tummy Tuck
Tummy tucks are not just for patients with significant body fat. A mini tummy tuck is ideal for slender patients struggling to attain a taut abdomen, even with diet and exercise. The mini tummy tuck method addresses the lower belly pooch, located below the belly button and above the pubic region. The surgeon removes excess skin and fat during a mini tummy tuck procedure and tightens the lower abdominal area for an overall streamlined waist.
TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURAL STEPS
During tummy tuck surgery, your Miami Aesthetic plastic surgeon diligently removes unwanted skin and fat from the abdomen and repairs separated abdominal muscles if needed. A tummy tuck operation takes anywhere from 1 to 5 hours depending on the abdominoplasty method but tends to follow these general procedural steps:
1. Anesthesia - Every tummy tuck surgery at Body Aesthetic Center begins with general anesthesia to ensure a painless procedure for our patients. We enlist only the finest licensed anesthesiologists in South Florida to ensure the patient’s comfort throughout the process. The anesthesiologist will also oversight their blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate before and during the operation.
2. Incision and Fat Extraction - Once the patient is peacefully sedated, the abdominoplasty surgeon will create a horizontal incision along the lower abdomen to remove excess skin and fat tissue. Liposuction can be added to suction out extra fat if necessary. The incision size and location depend on the tummy tuck method utilized.
3. Muscle Tightening - If the patient’s abdominal muscles have pulled apart during childbirth or for other reasons, the tummy tuck surgeon will stitch the connective tissue that encloses them. This positions them back to the center of the abdomen, restoring the abdominal wall’s structure and improving the appearance of the patient’s waistline.
4. Recovery - After a successful tummy tuck surgery, patients are wheeled to Body Aesthetic Center’s state-of-the-art recovery room, where a certified nurse monitors their vitals and helps ease them out of anesthesia. A trusted friend or family member must be present to drive them home before being cleared for discharge.
TUMMY TUCK VS. LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction, or lipo, is a fat-removal technique where fat cells are suctioned from target body areas with an ultrathin tube called a cannula. While lipo is part of the tummy tuck process, the procedure addresses concerns that liposuction cannot. For example, patients with sagging skin due to weight loss, pregnancy, age, or genetics would not benefit from liposuction alone; they require excess skin removal aside from fat extraction. Therefore, individuals with excess fat in the abdomen and no loose skin would be fine with liposuction alone. Otherwise, a tummy tuck is required to achieve a sculpted waistline.
TUMMY TUCK RECOVERY PROCESS
Week 1 Post-Op
Bruising and swelling cause pain to peak during the first week after a tummy tuck surgery. It is essential to take your prescribed pain medication as instructed and maintain a low-sodium diet to help reduce swelling. You should plan to have someone assist you 24/7 for the first several days, as your energy levels and movement will be limited. A family member, friend, or nurse may help you bathe or carefully shower 36 to 48 hours after your surgery. By the end of the week, you should be able to engage in light walking and easy household chores.
Month 1
Midway through the first month after your tummy tuck, you should be returning to a regular diet. Swelling and tightness should begin to fade. Nonetheless, you are required to wear your compression garment throughout this time, walk at least 20 to 30 minutes a day, and carry on with your scheduled lymphatic massages to reduce swelling and ensure the best results. Avoid heavy exercise, driving, and sexual intercourse until after the first month. Patients with desk jobs may return to work sooner than those with more physically demanding work.
Tummy Tuck Final Results
The tummy tuck recovery process should be coming to a close between 6 to 8 weeks, and your final results should begin to show. Most patients see 80-90% of the final results of their tummy tuck after 6 to 12 weeks since it is no longer obscured by swelling. Since inflammation subsides significantly in this period, you can expect to be cleared for most types of aerobics exercises like swimming, running, and moderate body strengthening activities. After 12 weeks, you may resume more vigorous exercises like boxing, martial arts, and other high-intensity training.
BEST CANDIDATES FOR A TUMMY TUCK
A tummy tuck is suitable for men and women in good general health who want to eliminate fatty tissue and tighten the skin around their abdomens. Other prime candidates for a tummy tuck surgery are individuals who:
- Suffer from weak abdominal muscles after childbearing
- Are not planning to become pregnant again
- Are committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle
The rectus muscles, also known as “six-pack muscles,” often separate after childbirth. A woman’s abdomen might appear unaligned if the pregnancy and labor had a harsh impact on her abdominal wall. If a patient suffers from damaged rectus muscles, their Miami Aesthetic board-certified surgeon will rejoin them for a more defined waistline. Since a tummy tuck addresses the areas more greatly affected by childbirth, it is recommended that patients postpone the procedure until they are finished having children to avoid reversing their results. While a tummy tuck provides permanent results, your physique must be maintained by committing to a healthy lifestyle and avoiding anything that could impair your transformation.
TUMMY TUCK COST
AT Body Aesthetic Center
The average cost of a tummy tuck at Body Aesthetic Center ranges between $4,000 to $10,000USD. The price of your tummy tuck depends on which type of tummy tuck is performed and the surgery’s complexities. The board-certified surgeon of your choice will provide you with an exclusive surgery plan and final cost at your initial consultation.
YOUR BEAUTY TRANSFORMATION AWAITS
Whether you are a local or out-of-town patient, Body Aesthetic Center will cater entirely to your needs as you embark on your beauty transformation. We deliver premier care so you can focus on the creation of your most vibrant self! To schedule a private consultation, please submit your contact information. Once your request is submitted, we will contact you to arrange an appointment with the Miami Aesthetic surgeon of your choice and answer any questions you may have.
TUMMY TUCK FAQS
Abdominoplasty requires careful preparation beforehand to facilitate a straightforward operation, your comfort during recovery, and the best results. To prepare for their tummy tuck procedure, patients should:
- Arrange postoperative care for the first week after their tummy tuck.
- Quit smoking 4 to 6 weeks before the procedure so the body can heal with no hindrances.
- Avoid consuming alcohol for at least a week before surgery.
- Refrain from taking anti-inflammatory medication, blood thinners, or any vitamins like vitamin E that can cause excessive bleeding, bruising, and swelling for at least 2 weeks before the operation.
- Collect gauze pads, ice packs, and compression garments.
- Organize easy-to-prepare foods, comfortable clothing, and extra pillows.
The experienced plastic surgeons at Body Aesthetic Center will enforce further postoperative instructions on an individualized basis for all our patients.
Yes, tummy tuck results are permanent if they are maintained with diet and exercise and by avoiding any activities that could impair your transformation.
Tummy tuck scars will appear differently throughout the healing process. Immediately after surgery, the incision scar appears as a thin pink line that becomes progressively darker as the body’s collagen and blood supply work to heal the opening. After 6 months, it should appear raised and reddish in color but will begin to flatten, thin, and fade in the years to follow. The board-certified plastic surgeons at Body Aesthetic Center enforce proper post-op scar care to all patients. Our scar care routine will help fade the scars to near invisibility.
Stretch marks can be removed during a tummy tuck procedure depending on their placement on the body and the elected abdominoplasty method. Since the skin between the bikini line and navel is removed during a tummy tuck, the stretch marks in that area will be eradicated. Tummy tuck patients who have stretch marks above the belly button will not eliminate them with a tummy tuck. However, since the skin above is pulled down to flatten the abdomen, the stretch marks will be moved to the lower abdomen, where they will be less noticeable.
Abdominoplasty, like any surgery, presents the possibility of complications. Risks associated with a tummy tuck procedure include but are not limited to:
- Infection
- Tissue damage
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)
- Seroma (build-up of fluid beneath the skin)
- Poor wound healing
- Changes in skin sensation
Patients with heart, lung, or liver disease, poor circulation, and diabetes are at a higher risk of experiencing these complications. During your private consultation at Body Aesthetic Center, your board-certified plastic surgeon will carefully review your medical history to confirm if you are a suitable candidate for the tummy tuck procedure. If so, they will address any concerns you may have and inform you of the proper steps to take to avert any unnecessary difficulties before, during, and after surgery.
The qualified surgeons at Body Aesthetic Center will assist in determining which tummy tuck technique is best for you. However, patients can choose which of the various tummy tuck methods is best suited for them by evaluating their problem areas and aesthetic goals. For example, younger patients with little fat and protruding skin on the lower abdominal region would benefit from a mini tummy tuck. In contrast, patients who have lost a lot of weight should opt for an extended or circumferential tummy tuck.
Proper sleeping positions are a central aspect of tummy tuck aftercare. Patients should sleep in an elevated position after a tummy tuck surgery. It is essential to create a slight bend or angle while sleeping to reduce strain on the incision site. Therefore, tummy tuck patients should arrange pillows to support the back and elevate the knees beforehand. We also encourage patients to place extra pillows on their sides; this nest-like structure minimizes the possibility of rolling on their sides or stomach after the tummy tuck. This not only ensures a comfortable healing process but protects the quality of the tummy tuck results.
Since patients must avoid stretching the skin surrounding their incision site, the best way to get out of bed after a tummy tuck is with someone to assist. However, if there is no one to help with getting out of bed, patients should:
- Roll on their sides
- Push themselves up and into a seated position
- Lean forward at a slightly bent angle and stand up carefully
If patients want to avoid getting out of bed alone, we also recommend sleeping in a comfortable recliner. The chair’s incline and elevation will aid in this process.
You should avoid laying on your side for at least 3 weeks after your tummy tuck and wait upwards of 6 weeks to sleep on your stomach. Your board-certified Body by Ubique surgeon will evaluate your healing progress and provide you with aftercare instructions specifically tailored to your needs.
Compression garments, also known as “fajas,” are necessary to your tummy tuck aftercare. Tummy tuck compression garments support the stomach while it is inflamed and reduce swelling during the recovery process. Failure to wear your tummy tuck compression garment as advised can put you at higher risk for excessive swelling, consequential splitting of sutures, the formation of seromas and hematomas, and increased pain and bruising. We recommend purchasing two tummy tuck compression garments before your surgery so that you can wear one while the other is washing, as it must be worn 24/7 except for when you shower.