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Abdominoplasty, more commonly referred to as tummy tuck surgery, can be one of the most rewarding procedures Reno plastic surgeon Dr. Tiffany McCormack performs at McCormack Plastic Surgery. Pregnancy and weight loss can cause the skin of the abdominal wall to become loose and may even leave permanent stretch marks behind. In addition, the abdominal wall muscles can become lax and cause the lower abdomen to appear more prominent. This condition is frequently unresponsive to exercise, dieting, or skin creams. A tummy tuck is designed to flatten and smooth the stomach for a slimmer silhouette.

What is Abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty is a body contouring option that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while also tightening the underlying muscles. This can significantly minimize the appearance of a protruding abdomen and result in a sleeker abdominal profile. An incision is made low on the abdomen, near the pubic region, so any scarring can be hidden beneath underwear or a bathing suit bottom. The results from this surgery are often immediate and dramatic. A tummy tuck is also often incorporated as a key component in a Mommy Makeover, allowing mothers to regain their pre-pregnancy figure.

Best Candidates for a Tummy Tuck

In this video, Dr. McCormack discusses her approach to evaluating patients and determining their candidacy for a tummy tuck procedure.

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What Can Tummy Tuck Surgery Accomplish?

Even with a nutritious diet and regular exercise, many patients struggle to attain their physical goals. A tummy tuck can help men and women achieve a flatter abdomen and a more toned appearance by removing lax, excess skin. In some cases, liposuction may be combined with abdominoplasty to target isolated pockets of fat that are resistant to traditional means of weight loss. Ideal tummy tuck candidates are typically at or near their ideal weight, but still have areas of skin laxity or excess fat. The benefits of a tummy tuck may include:

  • Removal of excess skin and fat
  • Reparation of stretched or torn abdominal muscles
  • Flatter, smoother abdomen
  • Reduced appearance of stretch marks
  • Slimmer silhouette

Many tummy tuck candidates are patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, or women who have had one or more children. The best way to determine your candidacy for abdominoplasty is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. After a physical exam, review of your medical history, and discussion of your personal goals, Dr. McCormack can recommend which body contouring procedure is best suited to your unique needs.

How Is the Tummy Tuck Procedure Performed?

Dr. McCormack can perform a full or mini abdominoplasty depending on the extent of your concerns. During a full tummy tuck, an incision is made low on the pelvis near the pubic region. The abdominal skin above the umbilicus (or navel) is lifted to allow tightening of the underlying musculature. The separated or weakened abdominal muscles are then repaired with heavy sutures, and redundant skin is removed while excess fat is extracted. This should help narrow your waistline and reduce the appearance of loose, stretched skin. The umbilicus is freed from the skin, but brought out through an additional incision. At this point, all incisions are closed and an abdominal binder/compression garment is placed over the treated area to support your new contours. The entire procedure typically takes two to four hours depending on the complexity of surgery and whether liposuction was also incorporated into your treatment plan.

Mini Tummy Tuck

For individuals with loose abdominal muscles and minimal skin excess, a “mini abdominoplasty” may be sufficient to achieve the desired outcome. This less extensive version of a tummy tuck typically results in a shorter scar. A mini abdominoplasty may be ideal for patients who wish to rejuvenate the appearance of the abdomen below the navel, while a traditional abdominoplasty can be more effective for improving the full abdomen. During the consultation process, Dr. McCormack will help you determine which version of abdominoplasty is best for your body and your health.

What Is Recovery from Abdominoplasty Like?

Drain tubes are left in place for approximately one week after surgery. Showering is permitted once the drain tubes have been removed. During your recovery, you will remain somewhat flexed at the waist and the knees to feel comfortable and to minimize tension on your incision. Heavy lifting, aerobic activity, and vigorous exercise should be avoided for six to eight weeks. Lifting should be limited to fifteen to twenty pounds during the first six weeks. Patients are encouraged to walk around as soon as it feels comfortable, as this will aid in their recovery. The abdomen feels “tight” for several weeks after surgery. Numbness is common in certain areas and may be permanent for some. The scar begins to fade two to three months later and may take one to two years to reach its final appearance. Swelling will resolve within six weeks by 75 percent, and the remainder will be gone after six months.

How Long Will a Tummy Tuck Last?

By surgically correcting the abdominal skin and musculature, a tummy tuck usually allows long-term results without the need for retreatment. Furthermore, the procedure can provide lifetime enhancement for patients who maintain a stable weight with minimal fluctuation. Unfortunately, significant weight gain after the procedure may alter the outcome of abdominoplasty by re-stretching the skin and transforming the shape of your new contours. Pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery can also change the quality of your skin, so Dr. McCormack advises pursuing abdominoplasty only after plans for having children are complete. For many patients, living a relatively healthy and active lifestyle is enough to preserve tummy tuck results for decades to come.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

Each tummy tuck procedure is customized to meet the unique needs of the patient. As a result, there is no fixed price for the procedure. There are many factors that may impact the final cost of tummy tuck surgery, including the volume of excess tissue removed, whether liposuction is combined with abdominoplasty, fees associated with the operating facility and anesthesia, the experience of the plastic surgeon, and the geographic location of the practice. At the end of your initial consultation, Dr. McCormack will be able to provide you with an accurate quote for your custom-tailored tummy tuck before the start of any treatment. To accommodate the diverse needs of our patients, our practice accepts a multitude of payment methods and qualifying patients may take advantage of our numerous financing options, such as CareCredit®, Prosper HealthCare Lending, and ALPHAEON® CREDIT. These highly reputable healthcare finance providers can offer monthly installment plans with low- to no-interest rates to suit your budgetary concerns.

Will I Have Visible Tummy Tuck Scars?

Prospective tummy tuck patients often wonder how noticeable or prominent their scars will be after surgery. Most abdominoplasties are performed with an incision that spans from one hip to the other. However, Dr. McCormack typically places this incision very low on the abdomen, well below the waist. Women often find that the scar is easily concealed by their underwear or a bikini bottom. Prospective patients may also bring a favorite swimsuit or pair of underwear to their initial consultation so Dr. McCormack can factor in the location of the waistline when planning the procedure. She will also provide detailed post-operative scar care instructions to all patients to further minimize the appearance of scarring once the healing process is complete.

Is a Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck Possible?

While there are many exercise trends that claim to reproduce the outcome of abdominoplasty, achieving tummy tuck results without surgery is not possible. While natural remedies like dieting and exercise can certainly slim your figure through weight loss, no amount of abdominal workouts can resolve the tissue laxity that a tummy tuck is designed to address. This is also true of contour-shaping products like the Tummy Tuck Belt®, which refers to an abdominal binder that claims to non-surgically recreate tummy tuck results—even when the belt is not being worn. In truth, belts and girdles may smooth the abdomen while the product is in use; however, there is no scientific evidence or clinical support to lend credibility to the notion that the Tummy Tuck Belt® is able to tighten a hanging abdomen for the long-term.

A tummy tuck can create a powerful improvement in one’s abdominal contour because the procedure is designed to surgically repair stretched skin and musculature. Although non-surgical technologies cannot exactly replicate tummy tuck results, reshaping the abdomen without invasiveness is still possible with CoolSculpting® and BodyTite®—two med spa treatments that can reduce fat and improve skin tone, respectively. Dr. McCormack or our med spa professionals can discuss the best treatment option for your needs and goals during a consultation if non-surgical enhancement is desired.

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