Overview
A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure that improves the appearance of the lower abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, which treats the stubborn “pooch” that is sometimes hard to get rid of. Offered by our New Orleans plastic surgeons it is a highly sought after procedure for women following pregnancy, as well as individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight. This procedure uses liposuction to remove isolated pockets of fat, and then trims away loose and wrinkled skin in the abdominal area. The internal abdominal wall muscles are tightened to give patients a toned, flat tummy. Our New Orleans plastic surgeons recommend that patients be at or near a healthy weight before considering this surgery.
Full Tummy Tuck
A traditional (full) tummy tuck is suitable for both men and women who have a moderate amount of excess skin in their midsection. It is commonly performed on women post-pregnancy. During this surgery, the incision extends from hipbone to hipbone, which grants the surgeon access to a greater portion of the internal structures. Liposuction is used to remove fat and the abdominal muscles are pulled and tightly secured. The belly button is usually repositioned for natural placement.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Individuals who are in relatively good shape but desire a flatter tummy may be good candidates for a mini tummy tuck (known as a “Brazilian tummy tuck”). These patients have loose abdominal fascia, but the muscles aren’t stretched to the point where a full tummy tuck is necessary. During surgery, a smaller incision is made along the lower abdomen, liposuction is used to remove excess fat, and the remaining skin is pulled tight. The belly button is not affected by this surgery.
Extended Tummy Tuck
The extended tummy tuck is reserved for patients who require major skin tightening and body contouring following a major weight loss. The extended tummy tuck requires a longer incision that extends beyond the hips, as well as another one around the navel. Liposuction is used and the excess skin is trimmed away and tightened. The belly button is repositioned during this surgery.
During/After Surgery
A tummy tuck is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility and typically takes around 2 hours to complete. It is considered an outpatient procedure. After surgery, patients will wear a compression garment and will need to rest for the first 48 hours. They should make a concerted effort to move around in order to help promote blood circulation, but should only attempt to initially stand at a 45-degree angle to protect the incision. Pain medication will be provided to help with post-operative pain. Clearance to resume exercise is usually given around 4-6 weeks.
Tummy Tuck Our Reviews
From the first call to schedule the consult till now Dr. Jansen and his staff have been and are amazing. I came in wanting a tummy tuck, breast augment, and lipo and he was very honest and straightforward about what he felt would suit me while at the same time listened to me and my concerns. Dr. Jansen has the knowledge and experience that made me feel comfortable to trust him in such a big and important decision in my life. Dr. Jansen and his staff are very kind and pers...
From the moment I met Dr. Tandon until he released me from his care, I felt safe, secure, optimistic and knew I was in skilled hands. I had ugly scarring caused by recurring complications after abdominal surgery to remove a cancerous tumor, making it appear that I had two belly buttons and two bellies. Ugh. He performed what was essentially a "tummy tuck" and the results far exceeded my hopes, much less my expectations. I cannot say enough about his abilities, his caring and wonderful staff.
I had the best experience with Dr. Guste and cannot recommend him enough. I felt like my case was important to him and that he wanted to give me the best results possible. From the beginning, he wanted me to voice my concerns, expectations, and was extremely empathetic with my areas of insecurity that I wanted fixed. I went to Dr. Guste for a breast reduction, lift, and Tummy Tuck. He is an absolute expert at what he does -- he read my mind and gave me results that I couldn't even imagine possible. It is not easy these days to find a surgeon in this field that is extremely smart, but approachable and kind. From the beginning consultations, to working through insurance details, to the day of and even post surgery I would not change anything about my entire experience. He is the best in the business and a genuinely hard-working Surgeon that put his best foot forward. I will be grateful to him for the rest of my life. Thank you Guste Plastic Surgery for a world class experience.
I had a tummy tuck with Dr. Jansen. he and his staff are absolutely wonderful love my results
Dr. Guste has performed two excess skin removal surgeries on me after massive weight loss. First, a circumferential abdominoplasty with fat grafting and liposculpting and then a brachioplasty and breast lift. He did an amazing job both times! He, as well as his staff, are easy to work with and go above and beyond for their patients.
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Extended Tummy Tuck
The price for abdominoplasty will vary depending on the technique used, the patient’s condition and aesthetic goals, as well as other factors relating to the surgical case. However, on average, most patients can expect to pay between $7,000-$12,500 for their tummy tuck procedure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Tummy Tuck or Lipo?
Patients who have loose skin in the lower abdomen may be better candidates for a skin tightening procedure such as a tummy tuck. If a patient is battling unwanted belly fat, but otherwise has good skin tone, liposuction (which removes fat only) may be all that is needed.
Combination Surgery?
Abdominoplasty can be combined with another cosmetic procedure, such as breast augmentation, a breast lift or liposuction that targets another area of the body. This is sometimes referred to as a “Mommy Makeover” and is considered a common practice, especially where pregnancy, weight gain and breast-feeding are concerned.
What About Scarring?
Unfortunately, scarring is a part of this procedure. However, every effort is made to minimize scarring, and the incisions are generally placed in locations easily concealed by undergarments. For women who have had a previous C-section, the original C-section scar will be replaced with the tummy tuck incision. Most patients feel the physical results of this surgery far outweigh any scarring left behind.
Pregnancy or Weight Gain?
For optimal results, it is recommended that patients wait to have abdominoplasty until after all pregnancies have been completed. This is to ensure the stretching and weight gain that occurs with pregnancy does not compromise the results of the surgery.