An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a way to help your body reflect the strength and hard work you’ve already put in. While it’s a surgical procedure, its goal is simple: to restore the shape and tone of your midsection when diet and exercise alone can’t quite get you there. It is a deeply personal journey, especially for those who have experienced the incredible changes of pregnancy or the triumph of significant weight loss. A tummy tuck is designed to remove excess tissue and repair those underlying muscles, helping you feel more comfortable, confident, and like yourself again.
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Before
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Before
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Before
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Before
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Pre-op
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Procedure
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Please bring all your home medications.
Post-op
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Please follow all of the specific instructions given to you and attend your follow-up appointment as arranged.
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Scar placement is a common concern. We meticulously plan the incision so that it sits very low on the abdomen, often just above the pubic area, such that it can be completely hidden by most underwear or bikini bottoms. The length of the scar depends on the amount of excess skin being removed. Over time, the incision fades from pink to a thin, pale line. We also take immense pride in recreating a beautiful, natural-looking belly button, avoiding the "pulled" look that patients often fear.
Yes. Pregnancy or weight fluctuations often cause the central abdominal muscles to separate (a condition called diastasis recti), which no amount of dieting or core exercises can fix. During a full tummy tuck, we use permanent sutures to bring these muscles back together, creating an "internal corset" effect, which not only dramatically flattens the stomach and narrows the waistline but often significantly improves core strength and lower back pain.
During the first week, you will need to rest and walk slightly bent over to avoid pulling on your incisions. You will have drains in place for a few days to manage fluid. Most patients with desk jobs can return to work within 2 to 3 weeks. You will need to avoid heavy lifting (including picking up toddlers) and strenuous exercise for about 4 to 6 weeks, allowing your newly repaired core to heal securely.
It is perfectly safe to become pregnant after an abdominoplasty; it will not harm you or the baby. However, the subsequent pregnancy will stretch the abdominal skin and the repaired muscles all over again, which can compromise the beautiful aesthetic results we achieved. For this reason, we highly recommend waiting to have a tummy tuck until you are confident your family is complete.
Absolutely, and we almost always recommend it! A tummy tuck is designed to remove excess skin and repair muscle, but it doesn't always address stubborn fat pockets on the flanks (love handles) or hips. By combining abdominoplasty with liposuction, we can beautifully sculpt the entire waistline and contour the hips,delivering a much more comprehensive and hourglass-like result.
Want to learn more? Drs. Mahoney and Yeung use the latest evidence-based practices to guide their care and achieve the best possible outcomes.
