Tummy Tuck

What is a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that tightens and tones your tummy.

Even if you’re at your goal weight, workout regularly, and eat right, you may not get a flat, toned abdomen. You may have excess skin from pregnancy or weight loss, or stubborn pockets of fat that exercise can’t fix.

A tummy tuck removes the excess skin and fat to give you those flat abs. The team at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island also tightens widened or stretched muscles, which is common in women following pregnancy.

When should I consider a tummy tuck?

You should consider a tummy tuck if you’re in good overall health, close to or at your ideal weight, and can’t flatten your abdominal area with diet and exercise. 

The team at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island conducts a thorough evaluation to determine if the tummy tuck makes the right choice for you.

The team recommends women only have a tummy tuck if they have no future pregnancy plans. 

What happens during a tummy tuck?

Your surgeon at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island customizes your tummy tuck surgical plan to match your aesthetic goals and needs. They may perform a partial or complete abdominoplasty.

Partial abdominoplasty

Partial abdominoplasty, or mini-tummy tuck, is a less invasive cosmetic procedure that works best for those with excess fat and skin below the belly button. 

The team at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island uses smaller incisions when performing a partial abdominoplasty, which means a shorter recovery time. They also tighten muscles during this procedure.

Complete abdominoplasty

For a complete abdominoplasty, your surgeon makes large incisions that run from hip bone to hip bone, and then an incision around the navel, removing it. 

Your surgeon tightens the abdominal muscles, stretches the skin over the muscles, removes the excess, reattaches the navel, and closes the incision. 

When can I expect to see results from a tummy tuck?

You can expect to see a firmer, more toned abdomen soon after your tummy tuck. Recovery from a tummy tuck varies, depending on your surgical plan. However, the team uses a minimal scarring technique and local pain block that help reduce recovery time.

Recovery following a tummy tuck may take a couple of weeks or a few months.

To learn more about the tummy tuck at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island, call or schedule an appointment online today.