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The aesthetics of the abdomen are affected by four components: the skin, fat layer, abdominal wall muscle layer and intra-abdominal fat deposition. When one or more of these are not in a desirable state, the attractiveness of the abdomen is adversely impacted.
The skin layer may have relatively good tone with minimal laxity and few, if any, stretch marks. There also can be very poor elasticity with diffuse stretch marks and considerable skin excess leading to the formation of cascades or folds of hanging skin. Most situations lie somewhere between these extremes.
The fat layer may be of minimal thickness such as in individuals who are thin and have a low BMI (body mass index). People who are very overweight can have a fat layer six to nine inches or more in thickness which will definitely and substantially impair the ability to achieve good results.
More deeply situated, the abdominal wall muscles may have good tone with minimal disruption of the normal, ideal anatomy or they can be stretched out and loose to varying degrees. This can also include separation of the rectus abdominis muscles along the midline of the body resulting in an even more protuberant abdomen. Substantial weight fluctuations, pregnancy and aging do lead to the deterioration of this muscle layer.
The volume of the intra-abdominal contents, specifically fat, also negatively affects the appearance of the abdomen and limits the ability to obtain more impactful results. This is largely a problem in men because most of their fat stores are contained around the bowels and, therefore, are not accessible to surgical treatment (most women store their fat outside the abdomen proper where it can be addressed surgically). In these situations, the abdomen can’t be made flatter because this intra-abdominal fat physically prevents it. Consequently, the only way to address this issue is by weight loss as surgery is not an option.
It would be great if exercising and dieting could magically resolve these issues and improve the appearance of the abdomen without the need for surgery but this is rarely the case. In order to appropriately address the excess skin and fat as well as the lax underlying muscle layer, a tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, would be the solution.
Scottsdale plastic surgeon Steven Turkeltaub, MD uses leading-edge techniques in order to help his patients obtain more dramatic abdominoplasty results with less conspicuous scarring.
A tummy tuck is the aesthetic surgical procedure designed to address excess skin and associated fat as well as muscle separation and laxity of the abdomen. Treatment entails the removal of this skin and fat along with repair of the underlying muscle layer and contouring of the abdominal wall. The final outcome is a flatter, tighter, more sculpted appearance.
Abdominoplasty continually ranks as one of the top cosmetic surgeries performed due to the substantial, often dramatic results that can be obtained resulting in a high rate of patient satisfaction. It is particularly popular among women who wish to restore their pre-pregnancy figure and in those who have lost a considerable amount of weight through dieting, exercise or bariatric surgery.
An abdominoplasty can yield a variety of aesthetic and functional benefits, including:
Tummy tuck surgery is most often performed as a standalone procedure. However, it can be combined with breast surgery as part of a Mommy Makeover or with other procedures for a more total body rejuvenation. For example, this includes patients seeking body contouring after massive weight loss with procedures such as an arm lift or thigh lift, in order to help address excess, sagging skin.
Good candidates for tummy tuck surgery are men and women who struggle with excess skin and fat in the abdomen as well as loose or distended abdominal muscles. The procedure is commonly sought by those whose bodies have been impacted by pregnancy or those who struggle with excess, sagging skin after major weight loss.
For a few important reasons, the best tummy tuck candidates are those that are at or near their ideal weight. Patients should also be in good overall health and have realistic expectations for what a tummy tuck can accomplish. Smokers and those with certain health conditions will need to address these issues before undergoing surgery in order to reduce the risk of complications and increase the likelihood of desirable healing.
Dr. Turkeltaub’s tummy tuck patients enjoy amazing and gratifying benefits from this powerful procedure. View the abdominoplasty results achieved by patients at our surgical centers below.
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A common aesthetic concern numerous women experience after having children is the noticeable bulge present in the mid and lower abdominal region that can be so prominent in some cases that it causes a woman to still appear pregnant long after she gives birth. Issues like this are immune to diet and exercise.
Four factors may be responsible for the development of a post-pregnancy bulge. These include:
While there is some degree of natural tissue tightening that occurs in the postpartum period, it is frequently not substantial enough to counteract the physical changes caused by the expanding forces during pregnancy. Diet and exercise rarely work to correct this condition due to irreversibly stretched skin and muscle tissue. It can help to reduce the thickness of the fat layer.
The only effective solution for skin and muscle related laxity with/without bulging of the abdomen after pregnancy or massive weight loss is tummy tuck surgery. During the abdominoplasty, stretched or separated muscles of the abdominal wall can be tightened/repaired and extra skin and fat eliminated. Additionally, when issues like an umbilical or ventral hernia are present, they can be surgically treated concurrently. Undesirable accumulations of fat may be able to be removed at the same time via liposuction.
A post-pregnancy abdominoplasty can be performed as a standalone procedure, or it can be incorporated into a comprehensive Mommy Makeover plan.
Although both a tummy tuck and liposuction can be used to sculpt the abdominal region, the two procedures have different primary focuses and benefits. The purpose of liposuction is to eliminate stubborn buildup of fat that is resistant to the traditional fat reduction approaches of dieting and exercise. It is also generally recommended in those individuals with increased levels of fat but who have relatively good skin tone without laxity.
In contrast, tummy tuck surgery is designed to remove loose, excess skin along with the underlying fat and to repair stretched out or separated muscles of the abdominal wall.
A panniculectomy is the surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat hanging down over the groin region in the lower abdomen that is often the result of massive weight loss. In most cases, this procedure is performed when the degree of excessive hanging skin and fat is so significant that it causes chronic chafing, skin infections, hygienic problems and/or mobility issues but, for whatever reason, a tummy tuck will not be performed.
A panniculectomy, in contrast to an abdominoplasty, does not treat concerns in the remainder of the abdomen including repair of the abdominal musculature. Consequently, tummy tuck surgery is the more effective and comprehensive option for individuals seeking abdominal rejuvenation and contouring following weight loss.
Most often, a panniculectomy is reserved for specific limited situations where it is the most expedient and “safe” choice as compared to other options or no surgery at all. This includes high surgical risk individuals such as those having significant medical problems or risks and those with extreme morbid obesity.
An abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. The typical incision is placed along the pubis, usually below the top of the hairline and extends out to the sides above the groin. It can incorporate a previous C-section scar and be designed to fit in the general bikini line area.
The procedure involves the separation of skin and fat from the underlying muscle layer. Abdominal muscles are tightened and contoured so as to yield a flatter, firmer and often narrower figure. The belly button is preserved and appropriately positioned. Excess skin and fat are removed with the remainder being re-draped on the surgically sculpted abdomen.
In some situations, a mini tummy tuck may be more appropriate than a full abdominoplasty. A mini tummy tuck is designed to target lax and excess skin as well as bulging of the lower abdomen (below the belly button). It entails the removal of extra skin and fat along with the tightening of the underlying muscles, if indicated.
As a result of the limited area that is being addressed with this technique, a smaller incision is employed as compared to a full tummy tuck. Furthermore, because this is a less extensive operation, postoperative discomfort is typically reduced and the general recovery period is often shorter.
The abdominoplasty technique that would be most appropriate for you can be determined at the time of your consultation. It would be based on several factors including your goals, anatomy and general health so as to help you obtain your desired results with minimization of risks.
The incision for a full tummy tuck is made along the pubis and extends outward above the groin. It is designed to be better concealed by most bikini and underwear varieties and usually incorporates an existing C-section scar if one is present. The mini abdominoplasty incision is a shorter version of this. Consequently, it may allow for an even greater variety of clothes to be worn without it being seen.
While the final length and width of abdominoplasty scarring will ultimately vary by individual, the vast majority of patients feel the benefits of tummy tuck surgery far outweigh any concerns regarding the appearance of the ultimate scars.
When a relatively stable weight is maintained after surgery, tummy tuck results can last many years—if not a lifetime. In fact, without significant weight fluctuations or a subsequent pregnancy, it would be very rare that one would require a second tummy tuck years later. Of course, there can be some deterioration of results over a long period of time as a consequence of advanced aging or certain major health issues. If you are planning on having another child, at least in the relatively near future, it may be advisable that you postpone your tummy tuck surgery until you are finished growing your family since the physical changes of pregnancy can negatively impact the results of a previous abdominoplasty.
Based on patient submissions to RealSelf, the national average cost for tummy tuck surgery in 2024 spans from $4,500 to $18,000, with an average price of $8,425. The reason for this broad range in pricing is due to the numerous components that factor into the total expense of treatment, including even whether this is a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck. Some of the most common elements that impact abdominoplasty cost include:
To obtain a personalized tummy tuck quote, Dr. Turkeltaub will need to meet with you in person to discuss your specific needs and goals and perform a physical evaluation. Based on the information gathered at that time, he can develop a customized treatment plan and provide you with a detailed breakdown of the cost of your abdominoplasty.
If you wish to explore financing options to help pay for treatment, a knowledgeable member of our team can introduce you to CareCredit®, Alphaeon® Credit and various other healthcare lenders that offer affordable monthly payment plans for cosmetic surgery.
As with any surgical procedure, just like life in general, there are risks and complications that can occur. These can be minimized by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon who is highly trained, experienced and skilled in tummy tuck surgery. Of course, that is only part of the equation and medical condition and compliance play a substantial role in outcome as well. That said, all surgical procedures carry some degree of unpredictability, so having a full understanding of all aspects of abdominoplasty is quite important.
Some potential tummy tuck risks and complications that may occur include:
In addition to selecting the right board-certified plastic surgeon, key factors that can help diminish the occurrence of any of these issues include being in good general health, eating a well-balanced, high protein healthy diet before and after surgery, avoiding detrimental habits (such as smoking, vaping and excessive alcohol consumption) and fully adhering to the pre- and postoperative instructions provided to you by your doctor.
Although a variety of aesthetic procedures can be used to improve the appearance of the abdominal region, there is absolutely no non-surgical alternative to an abdominoplasty. Treatments like CoolSculpting® and laser skin tightening are sometimes marketed as non-surgical tummy tuck alternatives but these techniques DO NOT remove skin. In addition, they don’t address the stretched out and apart abdominal musculature that leads to the bulging of the abdomen in a majority of tummy tuck patients. They simply target fat.
There may be certain instances in which non-surgical treatments can be used to address specific concerns in combination with abdominoplasty to enhance the final outcome, but tummy tuck surgery is the sole solution for the treatment of excess skin/fat removal and muscle laxity in the abdomen.
At the time of your consultation, Dr. Turkeltaub can discuss all of the options with you and formulate a personalized treatment plan designed to yield the best outcome possible based on your particular needs and desires.
After your tummy tuck, you will wear a compression garment for several weeks. This not only provides support for your newly contoured abdomen, but it can also help to minimize swelling and fluid buildup. Dr. Turkeltaub also advises his patients to walk around on a regular basis and be somewhat active. Lying in bed all day is not an option.
In addition, do NOT apply ice or a cool pack to your abdomen. This can severely impair blood flow and result in disastrous consequences.
Dr. Steven Turkeltaub is committed to helping his patients look and feel their best. To schedule an appointment for tummy tuck surgery, please contact us online or by phone today.
