In a mini-tummy tuck, I surgically remove less skin from the lower abdomen than in a standard tummy tuck and I do not need to reposition the belly button. For a mini-tummy tuck, we will often perform liposuction of the abdomen to create a firmer, tighter surface, which is generally not necessary with a full tummy tuck. In a mini-tummy tuck, only the lower abdominal muscles are tightened, but the trade-off is a shorter scar that is lower on the body.

For patients with a lot of extra skin, stretch marks or those who have had children, we generally recommend a standard tummy tuck. If you have minimal extra skin, loose lower abdominal muscles and some extra fat, you may be a better candidate for a mini-tummy tuck. After a consultation and an exam, we will discuss the best plan to get you the result you want.

Usually, patients can resume light activity within 2-3 weeks, which includes walking, but not strenuous exercise. After 4-6 weeks, patients may be able to start formal exercise, but it is usually around 2-3 months before they can get back to pre-surgery levels of exercise.

As with most surgeries, if you overdo activities too soon, you can tear out the stitches, pull the muscles and possibly end up with a hematoma. During your healing time, pain is an important guide. If it hurts, stop. You should not try to work through the pain.

Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, either through bariatric surgery or through diet and exercise, will often have more extra skin than what a standard abdominoplasty can correct. For those patients, I will take an additional upside down “V” of skin from the ribs to the standard abdominoplasty incision.

Unfortunately, that creates an additional vertical scar from the ribs to the pubic area. Some bariatric surgery patients may already have a scar in that area, so that scar may be able to be revised.

Tummy tucks work best on excess skin and loose muscles. Excess fat can be partially treated through a tummy tuck, but the results of surgery are much better the closer you are to your goal weight.

If you are significantly overweight, you should wait to do your abdominoplasty. The more weight you lose prior to surgery, the more skin can be removed and the better result you get. You don’t have to get down to your ideal weight, but should be stable and close to your overall goal, because often, we can remove the last 5-10 pounds during your surgery. It is possible, however, for patients who have lost weight, but still have an extra 25-30 pounds to lose, to still have a dramatic improvement with their tummy tucks. The best way to figure out if you are ready for a tummy tuck is to come into the office and have a consultation.

Yes. My mommy makeover patients will often combine a tummy tuck with liposuction and a breast augmentation or lift. Doing multiple procedures at the same time will result in fewer recovery periods and will usually result in a significant reduction in fees.

Yes. Yes, you do. Nicotine causes your blood vessels to constrict, which reduces the blood supply to your healing skin, compromising healing and sometimes causing skin to die. I advise all of my surgery patients to avoid smoking, and secondhand smoke, for a month before and after surgery. This advice is particularly important for tummy tuck, breast reduction, breast lift, body lift and facelift patients, because I am pulling skin tighter during surgery. Proper healing is dependent on good blood flow and smoking really compromises that healing and increases your risk for complications.

Drains prevent the internal collection of blood and fluid. I will usually use two drains for a standard tummy tuck and one for a mini. If you have a lower body lift, we will also typically use an additional two drains in the back.

Drains typically stay in for 1-3 weeks after surgery.

Sometimes for our younger patients who have had Massive Weight Loss, we will consider removal of the excess skin before having children. Typically, however, we will defer tightening the skin and muscles until after you are done having children.

A full tummy tuck will remove most of the stretch marks between the pubic area and your belly button.

Tummy tucks tend to be more painful than some other plastic surgery procedures, but most pain is controlled with oral medications.

For a full tummy tuck, the scar will typically extend from hip to hip, but it is usually concealed in the waistline of underwear or a bikini and a thin line around the belly button.

Typically, we prefer general anesthesia for our patients.