Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty
Model. Not actual patient.
Benefits of Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure. This surgery is designed to get rid of extra skin and help you show off your natural shape. But that’s just one of this cosmetic surgical procedure's benefits.
Generally, the benefits of a tummy tuck include:
- Simply put: you’ll be able to get rid of excess skin and make your tummy look firmer, stronger, and more fit.
- Transforming your skin to look naturally toned and fit can help you feel younger and more confident.
- The permanent removal of some stretch marks around your abdomen.
- You can say goodbye to skin hanging down uncomfortably from your tummy.
- Abdominal muscles can be given added support, giving your tummy extra structure and strength.
- You'll have a more defined waist and overall hourglass figure
- Simple daily tasks like exercise or choosing an outfit can become easier and more comfortable.
Your Tummy Tuck Procedure:
It Starts with the Consultation
Every tummy tuck begins with a consultation between you and Dr. Endara or Dr. Fulks. Sure, that’s true with every plastic surgery procedure — but tummy tuck consultations are especially important. Typically, you can expect your initial tummy tuck consultation to take about one hour. You’ll talk about your desired outcome and compare that to what a tummy tuck realistically can and cannot do.
For the front and sides, a straightforward tummy tuck may be suitable. Some patients who have experienced more dramatic weight loss may have sagging skin and excess fat located around their lower back as well as their front. This would require a circumferential tummy tuck.
You’ll get to have extensive pre-op discussions and measurement-taking time with your surgeon. The idea is that you’ll be very comfortable with every aspect of your tummy tuck surgery before your consultation is over!
The Tummy Tuck Surgery
Making the Incision
The incision for your tummy tuck will be placed as low as possible along the abdomen. In most cases, the incision is placed below the bikini line. However, if the best possible results require the incision site to be higher than usual, your surgeon will make a t-junction incision in order to keep the scar as low on the tummy as possible. Another incision may be made around the back if a circumferential tummy tuck is performed.
During this process, we do everything possible to minimize blood loss with precisely made incisions. All of these steps help minimize pain, reduce the risk of infection, and control possible swelling.
We Do These Things for Better Results
The Flex Test for a Smoother Contour
A 30 degree flex test is performed during surgery in order to find the optimum amount of skin to remove from your tummy. Then, the center point of your tummy is used as a reference point to bring your skin down to the lower incision line for smoother contour.
No Dog Ears
We use the advanced “Tailor Tack” method to close the incision line. This decreases the risk of developing dog ears, an unsightly complication that can be caused with improper suturing.
Tummy Tuck Drainage
Every patient that undergoes tummy tuck surgery is sent home with small drainage tubes left in place. You may have either 1 or 2 tubes left in place depending on your situation (for example, if you are a massive weight loss patient, two tubes is pretty standard). These drainage tubes are used because:
- Your body will simply produce a lot of fluid after your surgery. These drains keep that fluid from building up beneath your tissue. Creation of that fluid is simply part of your body’s natural healing process.
- Drainage can reveal the first signs of hematoma. The faster a hematoma is treated, the better, so the drains drastically improve patient safety.
- Drainage allows the skin to retract better. We typically perform tumescent liposuction to remove excess fat during surgery, and drainage is necessary afterwards to ensure all of that fluid is removed so your transformation proceeds as planned.
Drains do not require any additional incisions and are usually removed one week or so after your surgery.
Post-operative swelling could cause your results to look quite distorted immediately following surgery, but drainage helps get rid of the swelling faster.
We will do everything possible to prepare you for your post-operative needs. As your recovery proceeds, your tummy will look better with every passing week!
Recovery from Tummy Tuck
Your recovery is an essential part of the tummy tuck process. Giving your body time and space to heal, as well as closely following your surgeon’s instructions, can help ensure your comfort without compromising your transformation. During your tummy tuck recovery, you should expect:
- Drains to be in place during the first week or so (your surgeon will decide when to remove these).
- Lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk will be prohibited for at least the first 2 weeks.
- Minimal stress exercises, like walking, are typically encouraged during your recovery. We will let you know what you can do and when.
- You should hold off on high-impact exercises (such as jogging) for the first six weeks or so post op.
In most cases, you should be back to most of your normal activities three months or so after your procedure (assuming there’s no pain and your surgeon gives you the go-ahead).
Tummy Tuck FAQ
The average cost of a tummy tuck is about $7000. The price depends on the type of tummy tuck (mini or full) as well as fees related to the following:
- surgeon
- anesthesia
- surgical facility
- medical staff
A tummy tuck is a safe procedure that is performed over a hundred thousand times every year in North America alone. When performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, a tummy tuck can achieve satisfying results without issue.
A tummy tuck can flatten and firm the mid-section by eliminating unwanted fat and loose skin, as well as create a more defined waist. It can also smooth away a bulge caused by separated abdominal muscles, an issue technically called diastasis recti.
The procedure gives patients a more proportionate body contour.
The recovery following a tummy tuck is usually 2-3 weeks off from work, depending on whether you had a full or mini tummy tuck. Physical activities will need to be limited for about 3 months to allow for incisions lines to heal properly.
It depends on how much tissue is removed and whether you undergo abdominal muscle repair. Some patients may find that they experience no change in their dress size, however their clothes will fit better.
Others may find that they drop several dress sizes, particularly for those patients who get a tummy tuck to resolve issues arising from dramatic weight loss.
A tummy tuck isn't a weight loss surgery. It is designed to eliminate loose skin and fat that can't be addressed with a healthy diet and exercise regimen. The amount of weight you may lose with a tummy tuck is unsubstantial.
While a tummy tuck does eliminate excess fat in the mid-section, the remaining fat cells can still expand so you can still gain weight. For this reason, you should follow a healthy lifestyle to better maintain your results and keep fat cells from increasing in size.
Our patients are consistently satisfied with the results of their tummy tuck. If they were to answer this question, the answer would be an overwhelming YES, a tummy tuck is worth it!
The portion of the stomach that hangs over your waist is called a pannus. To remove the pannus, a procedure known as a panniculectomy can be performed. However, this procedure does not target any area above the pannus.
Absolutely. Fat transfer to your breasts is a common way to enhance breast shape and size. When done with breast implants, fat transfer can be performed to enhance cleavage and achieve a smoother shape.
Our surgeons are based in a small community, where a reputation carries weight and word of mouth spreads quickly. After over 40 combined years of practice, we still have community-wide renown for delivering life-changing, natural-looking transformations!
Talk to us. We're here for you.
You want to be happy with your appearance. Why wait to make it reality? Simply fill in the form with your details and we will help you make it happen! If you'd like to talk to us directly instead, please call 931-381-2802 to chat with one of our friendly patient care representatives.
LOCATIONS
COLUMBIA
1601 Hatcher Ln.
Columbia, TN 38401
