Tummy Tuck and Mini-Tummy Tuck

There is no doubt that from an aesthetic standpoint women admire flat tummies. The real question is how to maintain a well-toned abdominal contour without spending half your life at the gym. Diet and exercise certainly play a role, but many of life’s changes such as pregnancy, genetic makeup, weight fluctuations and menopause can make it difficult, if not impossible, to maintain a contoured abdominal profile.

The goal of a tummy tuck is to tighten the underlying muscles that run from the rib cage to the pubic bone, and to remove any extra skin throughout the abdomen. In some cases, muscle weakness contributes to the loss of contour. In others. the skin is the major problem. Tummy tuck operations have come a long way in the past 10 years, with better long term results and a more favorable incision placement. Dr. Applebaum performs the several types of tummy tuck operations which create tightening across the entire abdomen with the most favorable incisions that can be hidden even in small bikinis. Liposuction of the back and sides adds to the contouring results, and can be performed at the same time.

The mini tummy tuck is a procedure reserved for women with lower abdominal fullness under the belly button, and with minimal excess skin to remove. This mini tuck is commonly performed after a woman has finished having children and desires to restore the flat contour of her lower tummy. Incisions are very small with this procedure, and can often be hidden within the pubic hairline. Liposuction can be performed over the entire abdomen in conjunction with a mini tummy tuck, which is an option that many women choose.

One of the biggest concerns with abdominal contouring procedures is the recovery time. With a major tummy tuck, a period of 2 weeks is needed before some activities can be resumed. With the mini tuck 1 week is typically adequate before returning to work. Abdominal exercise is limited after both procedures for at least 4 to 6 weeks.

As in all body contouring procedures, it is important for potential patients to have and maintain a healthy style of life, which includes a diet and exercise program, to ensure that the surgical results will have a long-term successful outcome.

Commonly Asked Questions about Abdominal Contouring

Q: How can you tell if liposuction or a tummy tuck is my procedure of choice?

A: It is really up to the plastic surgeon to determine, during a careful examination and consultation, whether the best result will be obtained with liposuction alone or with a tummy tuck procedure. In some cases both can be performed to obtain the optimal outcome.

Q: Can the scar be well hidden in small bathing suits and high cut underwear?

A: Dr. Applebaum places the scar in the most favorable position for each patient. Many times he will make his markings the morning of surgery with the patient wearing a bathing suit or underwear to ensure that the scar will be well hidden.

Q: Is the final result smooth, and will anyone be able to tell I've had the surgery with my clothes off, by looking at the surface of my skin?

A: The final appearance after surgery is a significant improvement over the extra skin and fullness from muscle weakness. After liposuction or abdominoplasty surgery women are typically comfortable exposing their tummy area in clothes and bathing suits.

Q: Do you have to be finished having children before undergoing abdominoplasty?

A: It is best to delay tummy tuck surgery until after your last child. Liposuction can be performed between children to help contour the hips and thighs or abdominal areas.

What our patients say

"Because of Dr. Applebaum and my tummy tuck result I am back to my prepregnancy size, and I feel fabulous."
– M. K., a 38-year-old mother of three who had children close together and underwent a major tummy tuck to restore her abdominal contour.

"I never thought I would ever wear a two piece bathing suit again. I was wrong! After my tummy tuck I felt great about wearing anything that showed my tummy."
– C.A., a 45-year-old flight attendant who had one child and felt self conscious about her mid-abdominal area.