Tummy Tuck
Conveniently located to serve the areas of New Jersey and the Tri-state Area
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a procedure that removes excess abdominal skin for a smoother, slimmer midsection. If you have experienced weight changes or pregnancy, your skin can become stretched. Removing droopy skin can significantly help you improve your self-esteem and personal relationships. (1) After a tummy tuck, both men and women can achieve a flatter midsection without sagging skin affecting the way their clothing fits or limiting their mobility during exercise.
At Palisade Plastic Surgery, Dr. Paul H. Rosenberg and Dr. Abraham Pathak are board-certified surgeons who specialize in body contouring and have helped many patients achieve their body goals with innovative procedures.
Contact our office or call (201) 585-2388 to learn how we can improve your self-esteem and quality of life with a tummy tuck.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Tummy Tucks
Whether from pregnancy, aging, or weight fluctuations you may develop droopy skin, excess fat deposits, and stretched musculature that even a healthy lifestyle and exercise can not improve. Abdominoplasty is the most popular and definitive procedure to reshape your abdominal area. By removing excess skin and tightening the separated musculature from childbirth (diastasis recti), (2) a tummy tuck can restore a more youthful aesthetic to your abdomen. However, a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. The primary goal of a tummy tuck is to contour and tighten the abdominal skin. It is important to achieve a stable weight before undergoing the procedure for optimal results.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes loose skin from the lower abdomen below the belly button without altering the position of the belly button. It is a less extensive version of a full tummy tuck and is ideal for patients with minimal excess skin or muscle laxity in the lower midsection. The main difference between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck is the extent of the procedure. A full tummy tuck removes loose skin from both the upper and lower abdomen, including muscle repair and repositioning of the belly button. We can combine the procedure with liposuction to ensure an optimal aesthetic outcome.
Benefits of Tummy Tucks
With a tummy tuck, Dr. Rosenberg or Dr. Pathak can help you:
- Eliminate droopy abdominal skin: We can remove loose pockets of skin that affect your body proportions and can make it difficult to maintain good hygiene.
- Obtain a more athletic figure: Repairing your abdominal muscles with a tummy tuck can improve your core strength so you can exercise more easily.
- Achieve smoother skin: Many patients enjoy the smooth, slim figure that they can achieve with a tummy tuck. We take care to make a discrete incision along the underwear line that you can easily conceal for a natural look.
- Reduce the appearance of scars: If you have stretch marks or scars from a C-section, we can reduce their appearance during the procedure depending on their location.
- Improve your posture: Droopy skin can affect your posture and mobility. Removing it can restore your full range of motion.
- Increase your clothing options: Removing excess, droopy skin can help you feel more comfortable in different kinds of clothing.
Tummy Tuck Candidates
Good candidates for a tummy tuck are individuals who have excess abdominal skin and fat, weakened or separated abdominal muscles (common after pregnancy or significant weight loss), and are in overall good health. It is important to have realistic expectations and a commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle after the procedure. Suitable candidates for a tummy tuck would like to remove loose abdominal skin and reshape their midsection for a slimmer, more athletic body. Most candidates are:
- Nonsmokers
- Willing to eat a healthy diet
- Able to exercise regularly
- Not planning to become pregnant
Having realistic expectations about the procedure is also important. Dr. Rosenberg and Dr. Pathak can discuss any questions you have during your consultation to create a surgical plan that meets your needs.
Consultation & Preparation
Our surgeons pride themselves on providing a customized surgical plan for their patients, and an in-person consultation will best allow them to thoroughly explain the benefits tailored to your body type. We invite you to look at a few of our tummy tuck transformations. During your consultation, Dr. Rosenberg and Dr. Pathak will ask about any conditions that could affect your ability to heal from the procedure. Please come prepared to discuss your medical history in depth. To prepare for a tummy tuck, you will need to:
- Cease smoking approximately 6 weeks before your procedure
- Arrange for someone to drive you home and care for you for 1-3 days
- Stop taking blood thinners for 1-2 weeks
- Schedule time off of work for your recovery
- Run errands ahead of time
- Prepare your meals so you can focus on healing
We may recommend that you lose weight before your procedure depending on your current body mass index (BMI). Please come prepared to ask any questions you have about the procedure, your lifestyle, and any medications you are taking. If you have multiple aesthetic goals that you would like to achieve, we can discuss them during your consultation and recommend additional procedures to help you achieve the figure you desire. Many patients choose to combine a tummy tuck with breast enhancement or other body contouring procedures. To learn more about the procedures we offer, see our guide.
“Refresh your curves, unveil your mini masterpiece!”
Tummy Tuck Procedure
Our vast experience with tummy tucks – one of our most commonly performed procedures – has cultivated an approach to this surgery as an art rather than just a “procedure.” Slight variations in procedural design will depend on a patient’s unique anatomy, surgical history, and goals. Precise incisional placement, contouring liposuction, meticulous “internal corset” suture placement, and a passionate emphasis on creating a natural belly button are essential to our preeminent technique.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Abdominoplasty procedures typically take two to five hours and are performed under general anesthesia. You can expect general tightness – discomfort initially which you can easily manage with pain medication. Our team provides individualized post-op instructions for a smooth recovery to reduce the risk of complications. After surgery, you will need to wear a compression garment for the first few weeks. Also, we will place two small suction drains beneath your skin to drain excess fluid. Generally, you will need to take 2 weeks off work and limit strenuous activities for approximately 6 weeks. The recovery period after a mini tummy tuck is generally shorter compared to a full tummy tuck. Patients may experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medications. Most individuals can resume light activities within a week or two.
Results
Patients can once again feel confident with a flatter, more toned abdominal area that befits the natural contours of their body. The transformation from this procedure is visible right away and will continue to improve as your body heals. A balanced diet and regular exercise can further ensure that the results are long-lasting.
Corresponding Procedures
Liposuction
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that removes excess fat from the abdomen for a slimmer midsection. If you have pockets of excess fat in addition to droopy skin, your surgeon can perform liposuction during your tummy tuck procedure to balance your proportions and highlight your muscle definition. Your surgeon will use a thin cannula to remove the excess fat with suction while preserving the surrounding tissue for a smooth recovery.
Breast Enhancement
Breast enhancement is a procedure that improves the shape, size, and position of your breasts for your desired look. As you age, sagging skin or loss of breast volume can affect your self-esteem and the way your clothing fits. We can remove the excess skin and lift the position of your breasts with a breast lift. We can also increase their size with breast augmentation. We offer several different types of implants to help you achieve your desired look. If you would like to decrease the size of your breasts, we also offer breast reduction to help you feel more comfortable with your body.
The Cost of a Tummy Tuck in New Jersey
The cost of a tummy tuck will depend on the amount of excess skin you would like to remove and whether or not you need additional procedures for your desired look. We also offer financing to make your procedure more accessible. Contact our office or call (201) 585-2388 to learn more about how we can sculpt your figure for a smoother, leaner, more athletic look.
“Reclaim your confidence, sculpt the perfect silhouette!”
FAQ
Will a tummy tuck remove stretch marks?
A tummy tuck can remove some stretch marks located on the lower abdomen that are within the area of skin being excised. However, it cannot eliminate stretch marks on other areas of the abdomen or prevent the development of new stretch marks in the future.
Can I get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
We generally recommend that you complete your family planning before undergoing a tummy tuck. While a tummy tuck does not affect your ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy, becoming pregnant after a tummy tuck can affect your results and stretch your skin further.
Will I have visible scarring after a mini tummy tuck?
Your surgeon will typically make smaller incisions for a mini tummy tuck and place them lower on the abdomen to make them less noticeable. Over time, the scars tend to fade and become less prominent. We can provide specific scar care instructions to help optimize your healing.
References
- Saariniemi KMM, Salmi AM, Peltoniemi HH, Helle MH, Charpentier P, Kuokkanen HOM. Abdominoplasty Improves Quality of Life, Psychological Distress, and Eating Disorder Symptoms: A Prospective Study. Plastic Surgery International. 2014;2014:197232. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/197232
- Orr Shauly, Goel P, Gould DJ. Painless, Drainless Lipoabdominoplasty: A Retrospective Study of Pain Following Lipoabdominoplasty Utilizing Liposomal Bupivacaine and a Modified Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol. Aesthetic surgery journal. 2022;4. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojac049