Home > Body contouring > Tummy tucks

Are you:

• In generally good shape, but concerned about abdominal fat or loose skin that won't respond to diet and exercise?
• A woman longing for the flat tummy you had before having kid?
• A man who misses the trim, taut 32-inch waist you used to have?

A tummy tuck can reduce or eliminate a protruding abdomen and restore your youthful abs.

These before and after photos show several patients who had a tummy tuck by Dr. Sterry.

What is a tummy tuck?

“A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is plastic surgery designed to flatten and smooth the abdomen. This procedure removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and may also tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall.

“The result is a flatter, tighter tummy profile. Men and women with stretched lower abdominal skin can benefit considerably from a tummy tuck.”

Who is a candidate for a tummy tuck?

“If you have one or more of the following conditions, a tummy tuck may be just what you're looking for:

• Excess or loose, sagging abdominal skin
• An abdomen that protrudes and is out of proportion to the rest of your body
• Abdominal muscles that have been weakened by pregnancy or aging
• Excess fat concentrated beneath the abdominal skin

If you have lost 50, 100 pounds or more through bariatric surgery or diet and exercise, please see tummy tuck after weight loss.”

Is a ‘Mommy Makeover’ tummy tuck different from one on a bariatric patient?

“Yes. A Mommy Makeover tummy tuck is a lot different than tummy tuck surgery on someone who has lost 100 pounds or more. In some ways, a Mommy Makeover tummy tuck is a lot easier, but in other ways, it's more challenging. You see every little detail of what I do to the muscle.”

How is a tummy tuck performed?

“I begin by making a horizontal incision just within or above the pubic area, as shown in figure 1. The length of the incision, which extends outward toward the hip bones, will depend on the amount of skin I need to remove. The more loose skin to be removed, the longer the incision will be.

“Then I lift the skin of the belly to allow access to the abdominal muscles, as shown in figure 2. I tighten the underlying muscles by pulling them together and stitching them in place, as shown in figure 3.

“After that, I make a second incision around the belly button so I can separate the excess skin above the navel from the deeper tissues. Then I pull the skin downward to tighten it. At this point, the belly button is temporarily covered by the upper abdominal skin.

“Then I bring the navel out through a new incision at its normal position. Although the belly button's position remains unchanged, it may look slightly different. Next, I trim away any excess skin from the lower abdomen, as shown in figure 4. If this skin contains stretch marks, some of them may be removed as well.”

Will a tummy tuck scar be visible?

“The day before your tummy tuck when I mark you for surgery, I'll ask you to bring in the bikini bottoms, panties or low-rider jeans you plan to wear so I'm sure your scar will be concealed by them.

“All I ask is that you keep it within reason. One patient brought in string panties. I laughed and had to say, ‘Come on!’

“It's important to realize that the kind of garments you want to wear after a tummy tuck will determine where I place your scar. If you bring in low-rider jeans the day I mark you for surgery, your incision will have a very different placement than for a French-cut bikini. And once you've had the operation, we've literally drawn that line—you can't change it later.

“I take great pride in the symmetry and exactness of my scar placement. If a patient tells me, ‘I want the scar to go from one centimeter below my hip bone to the same place on the other side,’ I can come pretty close to that. My scars never wander around—they're well-placed and precise.”

Can you have a tummy tuck if you already have abdominal scars?

“Scars from previous abdominal surgeries may limit what a tummy tuck can do for you. On the other hand, sometimes I can use an existing scar for the new incision.”

How does a tummy tuck affect the navel?

“Your navel will not move after a tummy tuck—it will just come through a new opening I will make in your abdominal skin after I've removed the excess skin.

“The umbilical stalk—the place where your navel connects to your inner abdomen—does not change. This is the ‘lifeline’ for the navel because it has no other way to get a blood supply.

“It's important to realize that the actual umbilicus is the same before and after a tummy tuck. However, the shape of the scar surrounding the navel may significantly affect the appearance of your belly button—usually for the better.”

Are there alternatives to a tummy tuck?

“Traditional abdominoplasty isn't necessarily the best choice for everyone. When you come in for your personal consultation, I will advise you if any of these other options will work well for you:

• A mini-abdominoplasty may be appropriate if you are primarily dissatisfied with the appearance of your abdominal area below the navel. This procedure involves a shorter horizontal incision and no navel incision at all. You should realize, though, that a mini-abdominoplasty will not correct loose skin above your navel.
• Liposuction alone may be enough to remove your excess abdominal fat if you have good skin elasticity and muscle tone.
• A lower body lift may be more appropriate if you have a great deal of excess skin surrounding your torso. This procedure, performed primarily on patients who have lost a massive amount of weight after bariatric surgery, not only removes the loose tissues of the abdomen and back, but also lifts the skin of the thighs and buttocks to create a much more youthful appearance.

Does a tummy tuck require a hospital stay?

“In most cases, no. More than 80% of tummy tuck patients go home the same day.

What kind of anesthesia is used for a tummy tuck?

“A tummy tuck is performed under general anesthetic, so you will be asleep through the entire procedure.”

What should you expect immediately after tummy tuck surgery?

“After your tummy tuck, you'll be taken to a recovery area. You will likely have small drains left under your skin to help prevent fluids from accumulating.

“There will be a bandage covering your wound and you will be wearing an elastic garment over that. You will need to wear this support garment for about six weeks after your surgery. It helps to decrease swelling and promotes healing in the area.

“Although you may not be able to stand perfectly straight at first, you will be encouraged to get out of bed soon after surgery to promote blood circulation. In this early phase of healing, you should avoid straining, bending and lifting. Bruising and swelling will reach a peak within the first week after surgery.”

How long does it take to recover after a tummy tuck?

“You should be able to go back to work within 10 days after a tummy tuck, unless you have a physically demanding job. Bruising and swelling will continue to heal and you'll begin to see the results of your surgery.

“I will typically remove your drains 7-10 days after your surgery, and let you know when you no longer have to wear your support garment. You can gradually increase your activity and exercise, but don't overdo it.

“After a few months, you'll see a better picture of the final results of your tummy tuck. Any feelings of numbness or tightness will disappear, and your incision line may begin to fade. It's important to avoid sun exposure on your healing skin.”

What results can you expect from a tummy tuck?

“A tummy tuck is a very satisfying operation because most patients notice the difference in their physique immediately after surgery. As healing progresses and swelling decreases over time, the results only seem to get better.

“You should notice that clothes fit you in a much more flattering way. And your newly slender figure will allow you to wear fashions you may not have been able to wear for years.”