TUMMY TUCK

Achieve a tighter, firmer, and more contoured abdomen.

Tired of constantly feeling like you need to wear compression garments like Spanx, covering up your stomach or avoiding bikinis or low-rise pants? We’re here to help! For many women, life events like pregnancy, aging and significant weight loss can take a toll on the shape and tone of their abdominal area. Over time, this can result in loose, excess skin, bulges of fat and the painful separation of abdominal muscles. If diet and exercise just don’t seem to be getting the job done, consider a tummy tuck!

WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK?

Tummy Tuck procedures, also known as abdominoplasty, are designed to restore a patient’s abdomen to it’s firmer, tighter and more contoured self after aging, weight loss or pregnancy loosen the skin. This is achieved by excising excess skin, removing excess fat and repositioning weakened or separated muscles. When working together in tandem, this gives the patient a flatter, smoother and more contoured abdomen. Depending on individual desires and needs, an abdominoplasty can take on four primary different forms.

TUMMY TUCK

These types of abdominoplasty include:

Addresses only the skin on the lower abdominal wall, resulting in the shortest scar.

The most common and tightens the entirety of the abdominal wall and associated muscles.

An abdominoplasty that also involves liposuction of the abdomen, hips and more. 

Regardless of what particular procedure your surgeon recommends based on your particular needs, comfort and desires, all of these procedures have been met with great approval from our patients who have come to have their abdominoplasty here in Hampton Roads.

AM I A CANDIDATE FOR A TUMMY TUCK?

Abdominoplasty requires some amount of loose or sagging skin on the abdomen or a separation of the abdominal muscles to be necessary or effective. Unlike liposuction, which seeks to remove fat, a tummy tuck tightens and smooths skin over an area that is already mostly free of excess fat.

The ideal candidates include:

  • Women who have experienced separated abdominal muscles as a result of surgery or pregnancy.

  • Individuals who have reached a stable weight after significant weight loss.

  • Those who are self-conscious about the appearance of their abdominal area.

  • People with loose skin in the abdominal area as a result of age, weight loss or pregnancy.

The best and most effective way to determine if you are personally a good candidate for a tummy tuck procedure is to schedule a consultation with our team of board certified plastic surgeons in Newport News and Williamsburg. Contact our office today to speak with our amazing team and get started on your journey with Plastic Surgery Center of Hampton Roads.

TUMMY TUCK SURGERY IN HAMPTON ROADS

Tummy Tuck surgeries are performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Our board certified surgeons in Hampton Roads adapt our particular techniques and processes to the individual, based on your preferences and needs.

Some patients need separated abdominal muscles repositioned to mitigate pain and discomfort. Others need various incisions of different lengths to artfully remove sagging, loose skin. However, though every abdominoplasty is different, some general methodology still exists depending on the type of abdominoplasty you are getting.

plastic surgeon marking woman's abdomen for surgery

In a standard tummy tuck, a horizontal incision is made between the pubic hairline and the belly button. The location of this incision is placed specifically so that the resulting scar can easily be covered by a bikini bottom. The shape and length of the incision will vary depending on the amount of excess skin that needs to be removed. There will also often be a second incision at the belly button to remove excess skin on the upper abdomen, though this is largely dependent on the individual. 

When the incision(s) have been made, the surgeon will pull the skin carefully away from the muscles underneath. These underlying muscles will then be pulled together and stitched into place for a firmer abdomen and narrower waist. If you are also having liposuction done on individual fat pockets in this area, they will be removed at this time. The skin is then stretched downward and over the newly tightened muscles. Excess skin is trimmed, and the navel is moved to a new, natural position. At this point, the incisions can be closed and the recovery process begins. 

In a mini tummy tuck, the incision is shorter, the skin is only lifted to the navel area, and the navel itself remains in place. A mini abdominoplasty is ideal for those patients who don’t have large amounts of loose skin and whose muscle strength is still naturally strong. 

Recovering from an abdominoplasty can be one of the longer and more uncomfortable plastic surgery procedures, though the results are worth it! You will be encouraged to begin moving and walking around within 1 to 2 days after surgery, gradually increasing to light activity within 10-20 days. More rigorous activities like sports, however, can be uncomfortable and are not recommended for at least 6 weeks after surgery.