Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Most individuals who have good physical health, do not smoke, and have a stable body weight may be good candidates for abdominoplasty. This procedure is appropriate for either men or women who are interested in improving their abdominal contours by correcting muscle weakness/separation, loose skin, and/or stubborn fat. Tummy tuck surgery may be especially recommended to individuals for whom pregnancy, weight loss, and/or aging have caused these effects.

As with any major surgery, abdominoplasty will leave a surgical scar. Dr. Aycock will take great care when placing the incision so that it may be hidden by most clothing. The degree of scarring may vary from individual to individual. For most patients, surgical scars will fade significantly over time.

Most people plan to take two weeks off from work to recover from a tummy tuck. You will need to hold off on strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for six weeks after surgery. Dr. Aycock will be there through every step of your recovery to monitor your condition and let you know when it is safe to resume your preferred activities.

The risk of complications exists with any surgery. Risks associated with tummy tuck surgery include reactions to anesthesia, bleeding, infection, scarring, swelling, numbness, pain, skin discoloration, and suboptimal aesthetic results. Patient safety is a number one priority and in the hands of a board-certified plastic surgeon, these risks are significantly reduced. Dr. Aycock will discuss the benefits and risks of abdominoplasty with you before your procedure so that you can determine whether this procedure is right for you.

Most people interested in tummy tuck surgery are candidates for a full tummy tuck. This will be the case for you if you have weak or separated abdominal muscles as well as persistent fat and loose skin in both your upper and lower abdomen. However, if you only have separated muscles without much extra skin you may be a candidate for a mini tummy tuck. The mini tummy tuck leaves a smaller scar similar to a C-section and can produce excellent results in appropriate candidates.

A tummy tuck will not prevent you from becoming pregnant in the future. However, having children after abdominoplasty is usually discouraged because a future pregnancy may reverse the results of your tummy tuck. Dr. Aycock generally recommends that you wait to undergo abdominoplasty until you have finished having children so that you can enjoy the long-term results from your tummy tuck procedure.

The results of a tummy tuck are typically long lasting. The best way to ensure long-lasting results is to avoid future pregnancy and weight gain. Adopt a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious diet and regular exercise to help maintain your surgical results.