Tummy Tuck
(Abdominoplasty)

Yes, our surgical patients are not only able to walk but encouraged to walk with assistance immediately after the procedure. In the following days and/or weeks, most patients will be instructed to walk slightly bent over at the waist to ensure a more comfortable recovery process.

Yes, an abdominoplasty procedure includes a corset tightening and repair of the diastasis recti. This gap between the vertical muscles of the abdomen widens with childbearing or weight gain and does not typically go away. An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, corrects and tightens abdominal muscles that have been stretched due to changes most often caused by either weight fluctuations or pregnancy.

While abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure, our patients find exercise to be more enjoyable after a tummy tuck. Additionally, patients tend to prefer the body contour results of a slimmer waistline, less loose skin, and tightened abdominal muscles. Patients also report achieving better results with exercise when they resume a normal exercise routine after a tummy tuck. Finally, many patients report a feeling of satiety and early fullness after an abdominoplasty procedure. This comes from the narrowing and tightening of the abdominal wall. It is much like having a tight belt on could limit how much you feel like eating during a large Thanksgiving meal.

Patients with loose abdominal skin and/or diastases recti are good candidates for this procedure. Diastasis recti is the partial or complete separation of the large abdominal muscles. It is quite common after pregnancy, but it can also occur after rapid and dramatic weight gain. An abdominoplasty corrects these concerns, as they do not respond to normal exercise.

We advise patients to wait until 6 weeks after surgery to resume normal activity and exercise.

In the right hands, abdominoplasty is a very safe procedure. When moving forward with this procedure, we highly recommend selecting a board-certified surgeon.

An abdominoplasty will not typically cause stomach issues. More commonly, many patients find they feel full faster when eating meals. This is due to the tight muscle plication. Otherwise, there are no changes to the stomach.

Yes, an abdominoplasty is considered an outpatient surgery, or ambulatory surgery. This means there is no overnight hospital stay required, and patients leave the surgical center the same day as surgery. With assistance right after anesthesia, our patients can walk on their own the day and night after their tummy tuck procedure.

We strongly recommend patients be at or near their goal weight prior to moving forward with any elective cosmetic surgery. We recommend surgical patients be at a body mass index (BMI) of about 30 or below for optimal patient safety and best outcomes.

Yes, you can continue to lose, or gain, weight after an abdominoplasty. Many patients find that their body responds to exercise in a new and improved way after abdominoplasty. For some patients, weight loss after abdominoplasty can provide an even better aesthetic result.

Yes, we have many male patients who undergo abdominoplasty procedures. Oftentimes, men who have lost a significant amount of weight can be candidates for abdominoplasty due to abdominal wall and skin laxity from previous weight fluctuations.

Abdominoplasty is a great procedure to address one or multiple aesthetic concerns of the abdomen. Tummy tucks can address excess abdominal skin, loose abdominal skin, and/or loose abdominal muscles after pregnancy or weight loss. Through skin excision and muscle plication, abdominoplasty can transform an abdomen that has undergone major changes. Patients can generally consider their results to be “permanent” if there are no major lifestyle changes (major weight fluctuations, pregnancy, etc.)

Because abdominoplasty includes skin excision, there is a scar associated with the procedure. Most often, it is a low-positioned, transverse incision that is typically covered by most underwear and swimsuits. In some cases, there may be other incisions needed to provide a better aesthetic outcome and maximum improvement. Because every patient has a different skin tone and heals differently, scars can sometimes be difficult to predict. However, with proper care, most scars tend to heal quite well.

Prior to any cosmetic surgery, we want patients to be the best versions of themselves that they can achieve. We encourage realistic goals for our patients. We strongly recommend patients be at or near their goal weight prior to moving forward with any elective cosmetic surgery.

At CARE Plastic Surgery, our double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Brian Coan, performs abdominoplasty as an outpatient surgery. This means that patients can go home the same day as their surgery. We have two AAAASF-certified operating rooms where the procedures are performed. We utilize both local anesthetic and MAC anesthesia (IV sedation) to provide the ultimate comfortable experience for the patients perioperatively. Dr. Coan lifts the abdominal flap, plicates the abdominal muscles with suture, excises any excess skin, and pulls the abdominal skin as flat as possible to provide an optimal aesthetic appearance.

There are many methods of fat reduction, including invasive and non-invasive options. Some options include liposuction, a safe and minimally invasive surgical procedure, and CoolSculpting, the nation’s #1 non-invasive fat reduction technology. In some cases, patients may have abdominal fat that only responds to diet and exercise.

After surgery, you should abstain from alcohol for several weeks. Alcohol can impede your bodys ability to heal, negatively affecting your results. Dr. Coan will give you the best estimate of when you can resume drinking alcohol after your surgery.