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Tummy Tuck

While we all aim for a well-toned and flat abdomen, sometimes, even with exercise and weight control, we don’t achieve our goal. Many people, men and women alike, choose tummy tuck surgery because they are dissatisfied with the appearance of their abdomen and flanks. People visit our Tallahassee, FL, plastic surgery practice for tummy tuck procedures from Destin and Lake City, FL; Dothan, AL; Valdosta, GA; and many smaller communities in between.

Tummy tucks are especially popular among women who’ve given birth and haven’t been able to recuperate their pre-baby midsection and among men and women who’ve undergone a dramatic weight loss and are left with excess hanging skin.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty, or a “tummy tuck,” is a surgical procedure to correct a protruding abdomen resulting from weak abdominal muscles, weight gain, or pregnancy, which can cause excess skin, fat, and stretched abdominal muscles.

Who Is a Candidate for Tummy Tuck?

Ideal tummy tuck candidates are healthy, maintain a consistent weight, do not smoke and are concerned about the appearance of their abdomen.

Typical causes contributing to a protruding and/or loose or sagging abdomen include: pregnancy, dramatic weight loss or fluctuations in weight, aging, and heredity.

Dr. Kirbo, Dr. Rosenberg, and Dr. DeRosier have helped countless men and women achieve the midsection of their dreams through abdominoplasty, creating more slender, firm and contoured waistlines. In some cases, liposuction or other additional procedures may be required to achieve the results desired, which your surgeon will discuss with you at length during your one-on-one consultation session.

How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?

During a tummy tuck, the abdominal wall muscles are tightened, and excess fatty tissue and skin are removed to improve the body contour. The goal is a narrower, flatter abdomen. A tummy tuck can be done in combination with liposuction to further define areas such as hips and lower back. The surgery typically takes 2 to 3 hours under general anesthesia.

What Is an Extended Tummy Tuck?

An extended tummy tuck is best if you have a lot of excess and sagging skin on your abdomen and flanks. It uses a longer incision that stretches up and around the flanks to contour the tummy, waist and hips. Your plastic surgeon also repositions and reshapes your belly button during this procedure.

What Will My Tummy Tuck Scar Look Like?

The tummy tuck is performed through an incision that runs across the lower abdomen from hip to hip. It is important to know that this incision will leave behind a scar. While this scar will never go away completely, it will flatten and fade over time. This scar is typically easily hidden beneath undergarments or bikini bottoms.

Is a Tummy Tuck Painful?

We use ultrasound-guided anesthesia blocks to help improve patient comfort after surgery. This helps improve recovery and reduce pain after surgery.

What Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Like?

Discomfort is associated with a tummy tuck. Drains are usually placed and left in place for at least 1 week. Dressings or bandages are applied to your incisions, and you may be dressed in a compression garment to help to reduce swelling. Recovery time is 1 to 2 weeks, and patients need to refrain from strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 1 month.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

The cost of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures such as a tummy tuck varies based on multiple factors, including the complexity of the surgery and the anesthetic used. We will discuss the cost of your procedure in-depth at your consultation. We are happy to offer third-party financing options to make your tummy tuck more affordable.

Tummy Tuck FAQ

What is the weight requirement for a tummy tuck?

Being at a stable, healthy weight before a tummy tuck is crucial because a higher body mass index (BMI) increases the risk of complications and can compromise the results. Ideal tummy tuck candidates have a BMI of 30 or lower, but each patient is unique, and our surgeons decide if someone is an appropriate candidate on a case-by-case basis.

What disqualifies you for a tummy tuck?

Safety is a priority for our surgeons. If you have health concerns that would put you at risk by undergoing a tummy tuck, such as elevated weight, smoking, or underlying medical conditions, they will recommend against having elective surgery.

How many sizes do you drop with a tummy tuck?

Even though most patients lose only a few pounds after a tummy tuck, they typically drop 2 to 3 pants sizes—especially when surgeons combine the procedure with liposuction.

How to afford a tummy tuck?

One of the most popular ways to pay for tummy tuck surgery (and other elective surgical procedures) is through financing. Spreading out monthly payments over time can make plastic surgery more affordable.

Does a tummy tuck hurt more than a C-section?

It’s difficult to say with any degree of certainty that a tummy tuck involves more discomfort than a C-section because each person’s experience is different. Both procedures are performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Recovery following a C-section involves caring for a newborn, which can increase the time needed to heal.

What can ruin a tummy tuck?

The results of tummy tuck surgery can last for many years if you lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain a steady weight. Significant weight fluctuations, including getting pregnant, can compromise your results. That’s why we recommend waiting until you are finished having children before scheduling a tummy tuck.

If you want to achieve a narrower or flatter abdomen, please call our Southeastern Plastic Surgery, P.A. office at (850) 219-2000 or or contact our cosmetic coordinator today for a private consultation with our Southeastern Plastic Surgery, P.A., certified physician assistants, Kristen Snyder Costa, PA-C or Jordan Waldorf Hill, PA-C.

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