About This Treatment
A tummy tuck can help you achieve a flatter, toned abdomen, with care from trained and experienced plastic surgeons like those in the Franciscan Health network. Our plastic surgeons have the skill and experience to achieve beautiful, natural-looking results. The procedure can improve your comfort and function if you have diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles).
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, flattens and firms the abdomen by removing excess skin and stubborn fat deposits. The procedure can repair weakened abdominal muscles or diastasis recti.
The procedure is ideal for people who want a flatter, firmer abdomen but aren't seeing results through diet and weight loss efforts. Women may opt for a tummy tuck following pregnancy. It can also help people who have lost substantial weight through diet and exercise or bariatric (weight loss) surgery.
What is a mini tummy tuck?
Some people are candidates for a less invasive version of the tummy tuck procedure. A mini tummy tuck is ideal if unwanted fat and loose skin are only on the lower abdomen.
During a mini tummy tuck, your surgeon removes fat and skin from the lower abdomen and tightens the underlying muscles. Because a mini tummy tuck needs a shorter incision, located on the lower abdomen, recovery is often shorter compared to a full tummy tuck.
What does a tummy tuck address?
Tummy tuck removes loose skin and small, stubborn fat deposits on the abdomen. The procedure can also repair diastasis recti or other abdominal muscle damage.
Although tummy tuck does not correct stretch marks, your surgeon will remove some skin, which may reduce stretch marks and improve the overall appearance of abdominal skin. After a tummy tuck, you will notice a firmer, smoother abdominal contour.
Tummy tuck is not an appropriate tool for weight loss. If you wish to lose a large amount of weight, talk to your provider about a diet and exercise plan or weight loss (bariatric) surgery.
About the tummy tuck procedure
Doctors perform a tummy tuck as an outpatient procedure. You go home the same day. You'll be under general anesthesia (be asleep for the surgery). Your plastic surgeon will:
- Create an incision: The horizontal incision stretches from hipbone to hipbone. Your surgeon carefully places it low enough that a bikini or underwear can hide the tummy tuck scar.
- Remove excess skin and fat: The surgeon eliminates extra skin and may perform liposuction to remove unwanted fat deposits.
- Tighten muscles: If necessary, your surgeon pulls together the underlying abdominal muscles and stitches them in place with internal sutures.
- Realign navel: Your surgeon moves the navel to align with the newly contoured abdomen.
- Close the incision: The surgeon tightens the abdominal skin and closes it with dissolvable external sutures. Your team bandages the treatment area and places a compression garment to support your abs.
Recovery from tummy tuck surgery
After surgery, you should expect to take approximately one to two weeks off from work and your everyday activities. You'll probably experience some soreness, tenderness and numbness after surgery. These symptoms are temporary, and you can relieve them with over-the-counter pain relievers.
For a few weeks after surgery you'll wear a compression garment to protect your abdominal muscles. You will need to get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity including exercise, bending and lifting heavy objects. Taking short walks around the house will encourage good circulation and minimize the chance of developing blood clots.
Although some of the aesthetic benefits of tummy tuck will be noticeable soon after surgery, it will take several weeks for the final results to become visible. Once you fully heal, you will notice a firmer, flatter abdomen.
Who is a candidate for a tummy tuck?
Ideal tummy tuck surgery candidates:
- Have loose, excess abdominal skin with poor elasticity (doesn't easily bounce back)
- Have damaged or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
- Are close to a normal body weight
- Do not smoke
- Are not pregnant or nursing
- Are in good overall health
- Have realistic expectations of plastic surgery
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