Flatten the Tummy
Dr. Petti’s advanced tummy tuck procedure easily tones and tightens loose skin and weak muscles.
Pregnancy, aging, hormones, and significant weight fluctuation can dramatically affect the appearance of your abdomen. Often these changes are hard to reverse, as excess skin and stubborn fat deposits that develop around the midsection are very resistant to increased exercise and healthy dieting. Furthermore, stretched or torn abdominal muscles can make it nearly impossible to restore tone and tightness with core-focused workouts. Thankfully, a procedure called a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) can provide a way to achieve a tighter, slimmer, more youthful midsection.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck is a surgical procedure designed to slenderize the upper and lower abdomen by removing excess fat and skin, and tightening underlying musculature. Using advanced surgical techniques, plastic surgeon Christine Petti, MD, can improve abdominal contours and reveal a beautifully resculpted waistline. Her approach to tummy tuck can smooth loose skin, eliminate fat pockets, and repair weak muscles, all with one procedure. Each tummy tuck is specifically customized to address the unique needs and cosmetic goals of the patient for optimal results.
Dr. Petti performs both mini-tummy tucks, which target the lower region of the abdomen, and full tummy tucks to improve the entire midsection. In each of these procedures, she often incorporates liposuction to create smoother, more refined contours for truly amazing results. Dr. Petti’s body contouring and abdominoplasty expertise has garnered her much respect in her field; she was even chosen to perform this procedure on national television.
For more information about the tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedures we offer at our practice, we encourage you to continue reading the informative sections provided below, or contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Petti.
What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck offers several benefits for both women and men. This treatment removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen to produce a smoother, firmer abdominal profile. Tummy tuck surgery can also tighten muscles that have been separated or weakened and improve overall abdominal tone. For many, this surgery not only enhances abdominal contours but also has a positive effect on their body image and self-confidence. Additionally, a tummy tuck may even help improve posture by strengthening the abdominal muscles and reducing strain on the back. These potential benefits make it a popular choice for body contouring, especially for those seeking to enhance their aesthetic appearance post-pregnancy or after significant weight loss.
Who Is a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Patients who are candidates for tummy tuck surgery must be in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the results that can be achieved with the procedure. Tummy tuck surgery requires general anesthesia, which makes it important for patients to be cleared of any health conditions that could cause complications. Additionally, patients must be healthy enough to heal properly and fully after the procedure.
Individuals considering a tummy tuck are typically bothered by:
- Loose skin or skin flaps around their abdomen
- Stubborn areas of abdominal fat and love handles
- Loss of their natural waist
- Abdominal stretch marks
- Lack of abdominal structure and strength due to damaged muscles
A mini-tummy tuck, or “lower abdominoplasty,” can sometimes benefit patients who may not need a full abdominoplasty to achieve their goals. This is typically true for individuals who have overhanging skin in the lower part of the abdomen, primarily below the navel. However, patients with stretch marks and laxity in the skin of the upper and lower abdomen may benefit more from a full abdominoplasty.
What Happens During the Tummy Tuck Consultation?
As with any cosmetic procedure at our practice, every tummy tuck begins with a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Petti. During your consultation, she will ask you about the areas of your figure that concern you, discuss your medical history, and inquire about the factors that contributed to your physical changes. She will then examine your midsection to determine if a full or lower abdominoplasty would be well-suited to helping you achieve your goals. In order to recommend the best approach, Dr. Petti will closely evaluate:
- The anatomy of the abdominal wall
- The locations and quantities of fat
- The condition of the abdominal muscles
- Any excess skin and skin laxity around the midsection
Once complete, she will explain a customized treatment plan designed to address your needs and meet your expectations. Depending on the condition of your abdomen, she could possibly recommend non-surgical treatment with SculpSure™ to reduce pockets of localized fat, a tummy tuck procedure on its own, or combining Smartlipo Triplex™ with a tummy tuck to further enhance results. Some women also choose to combine tummy tuck with breast augmentation or breast lift for more comprehensive rejuvenation of their figure.
How Is Recovery Following Tummy Tuck Surgery?
The length of your recovery after tummy tuck will depend upon the unique details of your procedure and rate of healing. Some bruising, swelling, and soreness are common within the first few days and fade quickly with time. Any discomfort can be managed with medication, if necessary. For patients who undergo a full tummy tuck, it typically takes about two weeks of rest before resuming work and normal daily activities. Mini-tummy tucks generally result in a faster recovery, lasting closer to one week.
What Results Can I Expect from Tummy Tuck Surgery?
After a full recovery, men and women who have undergone tummy tuck procedures with Dr. Petti are usually thrilled with their results. Their new waist is trim and tone, giving them a healthy, youthful-looking figure. To see tummy tuck before-and-after photos featuring Dr. Petti’s patients, we invite you to visit our photo gallery. These images can give you a realistic look at the results that may be possible for you.
Additional Tummy Tuck Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tummy tuck safe?
A tummy tuck is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Petti. However, like all surgeries, it carries risks such as infection, bleeding, and others. Ensuring candidacy for this procedure via a thorough pre-operative assessment and adherence to post-operative care instructions can significantly help minimize risks.
Is a tummy tuck permanent?
A tummy tuck can offer long-lasting results, but its permanence can depend on factors including weight fluctuations and pregnancy, both of which can alter surgery outcomes. Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle can help prolong the effects; however, the natural aging process will eventually affect the skin's elasticity. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations and to follow Dr. Petti's advice to maximize the longevity of their results.
Are there alternatives to a tummy tuck?
There are tummy tuck alternatives for those seeking to improve their abdominal appearance, possibly without surgery or with a shorter recovery time. However, it is very important to note that whether an alternative to tummy tuck surgery is a viable option fully depends on the nature of the concerns you are experiencing in the abdomen. Only tummy tuck surgery is capable of tightening and repairing abdominal musculature while removing excess skin and firming the remainder. With that said, non-surgical options such as SculpSure®, which reduces fat through laser technology and cooling methods, may be a beneficial solution for patients who are primarily affected by a mild to moderate degree of excess fat in the abdominal area. In some cases, a surgical alternative such as laser liposuction, known as Smartlipo®, may be all that is necessary to achieve one’s goals, which can be ideal for reducing excess fat but not excess skin. These alternatives generally involve less downtime; however, they will not achieve the same results as a tummy tuck, especially for those with significant skin laxity.
Does insurance cover a tummy tuck?
In most cases, insurance does not cover a tummy tuck as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. We recommend consulting with your insurance provider to understand the specifics of your coverage.
For more information about tummy tuck surgery options, please contact our office to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Christine Petti.
