Our Tummy Tuck:
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat and in many cases tightens weakened or separated abdominal muscles resulting in a smoother, firmer profile. The most common causes of an abdomen that protrudes with excess, loose skin are:
- Prior pregnancies
- Significant fluctuations in your weight
- The aging process
- Prior surgery
- Genetics
If you are someone who is looking to improve the firmness and tightness of your abdomen for a more contoured appearance, a tummy tuck procedure could benefit you.
How Abdominoplasty Works
This is a highly personalized procedure, tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient. A tummy tuck is performed to tighten and reshape the abdominal area to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The procedure eliminates loose skin and excess fat by removing excess tissue. If there is muscle wall laxity, the muscles are also tightened during the procedure. The result is a flatter, more toned stomach.
Qualified Candidates
A typical candidate for this procedure is in good health and at a stable weight. If you are someone who wants a flatter, tighter abdominal region, you could benefit from a tummy tuck. If you have undergone major weight loss, or childbirth, and are bothered by loose skin around your abdomen, you could also be a candidate. However, the best way to determine if you are a qualified candidate is through a consultation.
Tummy Tuck Options
If you are having a full tummy tuck, the incision will extend from one hipbone to the other. These scars should not be visible when you are wearing a bikini. The surgeon will need to make an additional incision around the belly button. If you are undergoing a mini tummy tuck, the incision will be made more towards your pubic area, and no incision around the navel will be needed.
Before & After Photos
Common Abdominoplasty Cosmetic Questions
The answer depends on several factors. If you don’t need the muscles repaired, your recovery is likely going to be significantly faster and easier. Generally, most patients having a full tummy tuck (with muscle repair) find that they’re able to drive a car within a week, depending on their pain level (remember you don’t want to drive when on narcotic pain medicine).
Many patients can work remotely from home, and find that they are able to answer emails, or even have a conference call after only a few days, although they won’t feel like going in to work for two to three weeks after surgery. Light exercise (e.g. walking or gently peddling on a stationary bike) can start by this time as well.
By 6-8 weeks, most patients would consider themselves fully or nearly fully recovered, although it is worth remembering that the nerves will continue to heal, the scar will continue to fade, and swelling will continue to go down for several months.
That depends on where the stretch marks are located, but the answer is usually “yes”. A full tummy tuck removes most of the skin in the lower abdomen, and any stretch marks in this zone will be removed along with the loose skin. Stretch marks outside of the surgical zone are not going to be helped.
Yes! As long as your weight remains stable over time, abdominoplasties are typically a ‘once and done’ procedure, never needing to be repeated. Of course your skin will age a bit over the decades, but it usually never gets back to the looseness that you may have experienced before surgery.
If you are interested in learning more about an abdominoplasty in the Boston area, contact us at Finesse Cosmetic Surgery. Contact us today and schedule your complimentary consultation!
