Tummy Tuck surgery is one of the most popular surgical procedures performed in this country, especially for women. In fact, in 2018 it ranked top 5 in popularity having been performed over 130,000 times. Why is a Tummy Tuck in such high demand?
It is because as women, we undergo many natural body changes throughout our lives. Weight fluctuations, with the additional stretching from pregnancy for some women, create sagging skin and loose abdominal muscles. Pregnancy or previous weight gain can stretch you from the inside out, affecting the core muscles of your “six-pack” and your overlying skin.
In other cases, women who undergo a C-section or hysterectomy may have what’s called a “C-section shelf.” This overhanging, sagging skin will persist in spite of hundreds of crunches or hours in the gym. Even maximal weight loss and diet after pregnancy cannot restore the pre-pregnancy figure you are used to seeing in the mirror.
You may even find yourself dependent on body shapers like Spanx to conceal a belly pooch and feel good in your favorite dresses. If your midsection bothers you each time you look in a mirror, each time you try on clothes, you are not alone. Just because you have crossed the threshold as a mother does not mean you have to live in a body you no longer recognize as your own.
A Tummy Tuck, or Abdominoplasty, may be the solution, either on its own or as part of a Mommy Makeover procedure.
How is a Tummy Tuck procedure performed?
A Tummy Tuck is a body contouring procedure that tightens the loose abdominal wall, smoothens the waistline, and contours the belly. This involves a combination of Liposuction and directly removing the excess skin and fatty tissue. Picture a bedsheet, full of wrinkles. To straighten this out, you shake it out, lift the sheet, and pull it tight across all the edges.
Similarly, during a Tummy Tuck, Dr. Tannan places the scar in your underwear line, and lifts your abdominal skin and re-drapes it over you. She removes the extra skin and feathers the contour of your waist with Liposuction. Dr. Tannan also repairs the diastasis recti (separation of your abdominal muscles) — by tightening your “six-pack.”
As a mother of two, and as a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Tannan sees this transformation every day. Her all-female team works together to remove the belly pooch and C-section scar safely.
Is Tummy Tuck surgery right for me?
A Tummy Tuck will stretch your skin over your underlying abdomen and remove the extra, sagging skin and fat. A Tummy Tuck is not a weight loss operation. Rather, it is a powerful shaping procedure to consider after you have lost all the weight you want to lose. Dr. Tannan is able to refine the waistline and hips with liposuction and smoothen the front pooch out with muscle tightening and skin removal.
If you are not planning any future pregnancies and if you have been at a stable weight for 3-6 months, then the timing might be right for a Tummy Tuck. If you are seeking surgery to assist with thinning out the fat layer instead of muscle tightening you might consider Liposuction instead, or pair the two together.
Women with separated rectus muscles, or diastasis recti, can experience leaking urine with sneezing and running. In addition to urinary incontinence they may have lower back pain from the altered posture and center of gravity that comes with separated muscles. A Tummy Tuck will tighten those muscles, and this has been shown to relieve postpartum back pain and incontinence.
In the pictures below you will see first what diastasis recti looks like in an illustration. Then you will see a diagram of what Dr. Tannan does during surgery. If you are interested in seeing a photo from real surgery with Dr. Tannan, scroll down to the picture where you can see an immediate before and after of the muscle repair. If that is too much for you, no problem, keep scrolling to the next image which shows you the difference between a Mini and a Full Tummy Tuck.
How much does a Tummy Tuck cost?
The price for Tummy Tuck surgery shouldn’t be a mystery. That’s why we have a helpful blog post on “How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?”. We also put together the Plastic Surgery Cost Calculator, a fantastic resource just a click away. There, you can find the average cost for a Tummy Tuck and other popular cosmetic surgery procedures.
What is the recovery like after Tummy Tuck surgery?
Recovery generally involves 6 weeks of low-impact activity to allow all the internal work to heal. You will be able to do more strenuous activity after that initial rest. We recommend that young mothers plan to have help (family, friends, or neighbors) during the first couple of weeks while your body is actively adjusting. Ready to plan out your Tummy Tuck surgery recovery? Head over to the blog where Dr. Tannan specifically answers questions from patients like you. There is a blog post dedicated to Tummy Tuck Recovery to help you plan it out week by week.
What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
A Mini Tummy Tuck is much like a Full Tummy Tuck when it comes to recovery. The key differences are the scar, which is a bit shorter in a Mini Tummy Tuck, and the overall areas treated. With a Mini Tummy Tuck, the surgeon tightens the belly muscles and skin from the C-Section scar up to your belly button.
A Mini Tummy Tuck is not for everyone since it only addresses loose skin and bulging below the belly button, not above. Typically women who have had more than one pregnancy or have had a twin delivery are better suited with a full Abdominoplasty. When you come for your consultation, Dr. Tannan will give you guidance on whether you should have a full Tummy Tuck or a Mini Tummy Tuck.
Tummy Tuck – Before and After
Here are Before and After pictures of a patient that had a Tummy Tuck with Liposuction by Dr. Tannan. Slide the cursor to see the amazing difference that a Tummy Tuck makes. Restore confidence in your body and reclaim your silhouette!
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