Tummy Tuck Before/After Gallery
Tummy tucks are not just for celebrities. In addition, many people think that only women can have tummy tucks. But contrary to popular belief, men can also benefit from the amazing results of a tummy tuck procedure.
Currently numbered fifth on the top 5 cosmetic surgeries practiced in the United States, tummy tucks rank just below breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), and eyelid surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that over 125,000 people opted to get tummy tucks in 2017.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as Abdominoplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal region to create a flatter, slimmer abdomen and waist. Another goal of the tummy tuck procedure is to correct separated muscles that often happen after childbirth in women. Strengthening the abdominal muscles can help prevent loose skin from reappearing. Tummy tucks are considered to be a very effective surgery. This surgery is often only recommended after significant efforts of diet and exercise have failed to reshape the body as desired. Unfortunately, while diet and exercise can reduce weight and fat, they cannot tighten loose skin or repair separated muscles (diastasis). Loose skin and separated muscles can only be corrected with surgery.
Types of Tummy Tucks
From removing baggy skin and extra fat from your midsection to removing love handles from the sides of your body, there are several tummy tucks and cosmetic surgery options available for individuals wanting to improve the appearance and feel of their midsection. Here are some:
- Mini Tummy Tuck
- Full Tummy Tuck
- Extended Tummy Tuck
- Reverse Tummy Tuck
Mini Tummy Tuck
If you just have some loose skin and fat you want to remove to flatten your stomach, a “mini tummy tuck” could be the option you need for the results you want. While liposuction is better suited for someone who has taut skin but a little excess fat in the abdominal area; a tummy tuck is more extensive in removing flabby skin, fat, and restoring stomach muscles.
Although the mini tummy tuck procedure is performed under general anesthesia or sedation anesthesia, it is usually an outpatient surgery. The process of a mini tummy tuck includes a thin incision made well below the belly button just above the pubic mound. During a mini tummy tuck, a single horizontal cut (similar in location but not size to a cesarean incision) is made, then the plastic surgeon works to restore weakened or loose muscles, remove unwanted abdominal fat and excess skin. A mini tummy tuck incision is usually low enough to be covered by a bathing suit bottom or undergarment.
The following information will further answer commonly asked questions regarding mini tummy tucks:
- Surgery Time: 2 hours
- Cost: Depending on your geographic location and the skill level of your surgeon a mini tummy tuck may cost in the area of $5000.
- Side Effects: The patient may have some swelling and discomfort that can last for 2 to 4 weeks or sometimes more. This is normal, but will eventually subside. Rest and a compression garment following the operation as prescribed by your surgeon can help manage pain and reduce signs of swelling. Walking upright may be difficult for a while as your skin has been tightened
- Aftercare: Patients should get plenty of rest, drink ample amounts of water, and wear their compression garment in the days following a tummy tuck. A light shower may be on the agenda 48-72 hours after the tummy tuck if given clearance by your surgeon.
In preparation for showering, the dressing is removed from the incision but the steri strip remains in place. Your doctor will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for the site of the incision, often just to be cleansed with a gentle soap and water. It is standard precaution for the patient to be prohibited from submerging the incision in water for a minimum of two weeks, including baths, hot tubs, pools, oceans, and lakes. Sponge bathing may be recommended for individuals with drain tubes.
Patients may receive temporary draining tubes in their incision to allow blood or fluid to be removed from the body. The tubes will need to be emptied and cared for following surgery. Further instruction from your surgeon or care team will be provided. Antibiotics may be prescribed for individuals with drain tubes to help prevent infection.
- Recovery Time: A 2 to 4 week recovery time is recommended for most mini tummy tuck procedures in which you are not allowed to lift objects or do strenuous activities. Assistance within the home during those first fourteen days may be necessary to complete daily tasks. Although some individuals need a full week or two to recover, if you have an office-type job you may be able to return to work as soon as 7 days after the operation.
During the recovery process, a tummy tuck compression garment is worn to support the healing muscles and skin. Since it aids in circulation and maintaining a flatter abdominal image, wear your compression garment as prescribed by your doctor.
A mini tummy tuck is more extensive than liposuction and less extensive than a full tummy tuck. Consult with a plastic surgeon to determine if you are a candidate for cosmetic surgery and which type of procedure is the best fit for you.
Full Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck is going to remove more baggy skin and fat than its counterpart, the mini tummy tuck. Due to the possible need to remove fat and skin above the navel, a full tummy tuck may require two incisions; one similar to the mini tummy tuck and one in the belly button area. The first incision can be extensive, cutting across the entire front of the lower abdomen, hip bone to hip bone. Like the mini tummy tuck, surgeons are very thoughtful to make this cut so that any scarring can be concealed by undergarments and bathing suits. Incisions near the belly button allow for more skin and fat to be removed further up in the midsection.
A full tummy tuck works to strengthen muscles and remove fat and skin the entire length of the stomach, while a mini tummy tuck is only working in the lower region of the abdomen. A smoother, flatter, slimmer, and natural looking torso can be achieved through a full tummy tuck.
An additional benefit of a full tummy tuck includes the reduction of stretch marks. Because more excess skin is removed with a full tummy tuck, the likelihood of removing skin scarred with stretch marks greatly increases.
The following information will further answer commonly asked questions regarding full tummy tucks:
- Surgery Time: 2 to 5 hours
- Cost: Depending on your geographic location and the skill level of your surgeon a full tummy tuck may cost in the area of $6000 to $10,000 more or less.
- Side Effects: Following a full tummy tuck, the patient may have some swelling and discomfort that can last for 6 weeks or longer. Rest and a compression garment following the operation as prescribed by your surgeon can help manage pain and reduce signs of swelling. Because your skin has been tightened, walking upright may be difficult for a while.
- Aftercare: Similar to a mini tummy tuck, the patient should drink plenty of water, get ample rest, and wear the compression garment in the days following a full tummy tuck. If given clearance from your surgeon, a light shower may be taken 48-72 hours following the full tummy tuck. To shower, the dressing is removed from the incision but the steri strips remain in place. Incisions are often cleansed with a gentle soap and water but your doctor will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for the site of the surgery.
It is a standard precaution for the patient to be prohibited from submerging the incision in water for a minimum of two weeks, so baths, hot tubs, pools, oceans, and lakes are off limits for 14 days. Sponge bathing may be recommended for individuals with drain tubes. Patients are very likely to have temporary drain tubes in their incision with a full tummy tuck. The tubes prevent excess blood and fluid from collecting in the body.
Following the surgery, the tubes will need to be emptied and cared for per the instructions provided by your surgeon or care team. In addition, antibiotics are often prescribed for individuals with drain tubes to help prevent possible infection.
- Recovery Time: A 4 to 6 week recovery time is recommended for most full tummy tuck procedures. During the early stages of this period you are prohibited from lifting objects or doing any strenuous activities. Assistance within the home during those first fourteen to twenty-one days may be necessary to complete daily tasks.
A tummy tuck compression garment is prescribed to be worn to support the healing skin and muscles. The compression garment helps ensure that the muscles and skin will remain tight following the surgery.
Extended Tummy Tuck
Individuals with excess fat and skin that extends beyond the front of the abdomen to the sides of the body may be interested in an extended tummy tuck. Belly fat and love handles can be addressed through this expanded abdominoplasty. An extended tummy tuck includes liposuction and reaches the sides of the abdomen.
The following information will further answer commonly asked questions regarding extended tummy tucks:
- Surgery Time: Approximately 5 to 7 hours
- Cost: Depending on your geographic location and the skill level of your surgeon the cost of an extended tummy tuck may begin at $11,000 to $12,000 and go up from there.
- Side Effects: Following an extended tummy tuck, the patient may have major swelling and discomfort. Visible bruising should subside within two weeks. Rest and a compression garment following the operation as prescribed by your surgeon can help manage pain and reduce signs of swelling.
- Aftercare: Similar to a mini and full tummy tuck, after an extended tummy tuck operation, the patient should get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, and wear the compression garment. If given clearance from your surgeon, a light shower may be taken 48 to 72 hours following the extended tummy tuck. To prepare for a shower the dressing is removed from the incision but the steri strips remain in place. Incisions are often cleansed with a gentle soap and water but your doctor will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for the site of the surgery. It is standard precaution for the patient to be prohibited from submerging the incision in water for a minimum of two weeks, so baths, hot tubs, pools, oceans, and lakes are off limits for 14 days.
Extended tummy tuck patients will have drain tubes and may need to sponge bath. Following the surgery, the tubes will need to be emptied and cared for per the instructions provided by your surgeon or care team. You may need to walk slightly bent at the waist for about a week to support the incisions and drain tubes. In addition, antibiotics are often prescribed following the extended tummy tuck surgery to help prevent possible infection.
- Recovery Time: A 6 to 8 week or more recovery time is recommended for extended tummy tuck procedures. During the early stages of this period, you are prohibited from lifting objects or doing any strenuous activities. Assistance within the home during for several weeks may be necessary to complete daily tasks. A tummy tuck compression garment is prescribed to be worn to support the healing skin and muscles. The compression garment helps ensure proper circulation and that the muscles and skin will remain tight following the surgery.
Reverse Tummy Tuck
The least common of abdominoplasty surgeries is the reverse tummy tuck. This procedure is for individuals that want to remove excess skin and fat only from the upper portion of the abdomen. While many clients would need to address the area above and below the navel or just below the navel, reverse tummy tuck candidates are only seeking to remove skin and fat from below the breast to above the navel.
Due to the location of skin and fat wanting to be removed, the incision(s) for a reverse tummy tuck is made just below the breasts. A secondary incision at the navel is not necessary for this procedure. One continuous incision that follows the crease under the breasts or two incisions, one under each breast may be made during a reverse tummy tuck. Any scarring is often hidden by the breast crease and can be covered with bra or bathing suit top.
Below are some answers to commonly asked questions about reverse tummy tucks:
- Surgery Time: Approximately 3 to 5 hours
- Cost: Depending on the skill level of your surgeon and your geographic location the cost of a reverse tummy tuck may be in a similar price range to a full tummy tuck, costing in the $6,000 to $10,000 range.
- Side Effects: Following a reverse tummy tuck, swelling, discomfort, and visible bruising should subside within a couple weeks. Rest and a compression garment following the operation as prescribed by your surgeon can help manage pain and reduce signs of swelling.
- Aftercare: After a reverse tummy tuck operation the patient should get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, and wear the compression garment. If given clearance from your surgeon, a light shower may be taken 48 to 72 hours following the reverse tummy tuck. In preparation for showering, the dressing is removed from the incision but the steri strips remain in place. Incisions are often cleansed with a gentle soap and water but your doctor will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for the site of the surgery. It is standard precaution for the patient to be prohibited from submerging the incision in water for a minimum of two weeks, so baths, hot tubs, pools, oceans, and lakes are off limits for 14 days.
- Recovery Time: A 4 to 6 week or more recovery time is recommended for reverse tummy tuck patients. During the early stages of this period you are prohibited from lifting objects or doing any strenuous activities. Assistance within the home during for a week or two may be necessary to complete daily tasks. A tummy tuck compression garment is prescribed to be worn to support the healing skin and muscles. The compression garment helps ensure proper circulation and that the muscles and skin will remain tight following the surgery.
Is a Tummy Tuck Right For Me?
A popular method for getting your stomach flattened and body contoured, tummy tucks are a great option for a variety of people seeking to remove loose skin that refuses to go away even with a healthy diet and rigorous exercise. A tummy tuck can be the right solution for the aging man or woman, young mothers who are not anticipating having any more children, or someone who has lost a significant amount of weight and needs the excess skin and fat removed.
Choosing to get an abdominoplasty can increase your self-confidence and body image. Anyone considering getting a tummy tuck should be in decent physical health prior to the operation and a nonsmoker (or quit one month before surgery). The individual desiring the tummy tuck must have loose skin and/or excess weight in the midsection of the body they want to remove.
A tummy tuck is not a cure-all, thus a healthy and realistic expectation of the anticipated outcome of the procedure is important to keep in mind. In addition, a desire to maintain an active lifestyle with regular exercise and balanced diet is key for enjoying the benefits of cosmetic surgery for life.
Unfortunately, not everyone is a great candidate for a tummy tuck. Individuals with excessive intra-abdominal fat surrounding the internal organs, especially in men may not qualify for this type of surgery. Other health factors and conditions, such as previous surgeries may limit one from having a successful tummy tuck.
Overall, most individuals that have had tummy tucks are ecstatic with the results. If you are considering this surgery, call Dr. Ganchi and set up an appointment to determine if you are a candidate for abdominoplasty and which tummy tuck procedure will best meet your needs.