Tummy tuck surgery is also called abdominoplasty. This body contouring procedure removes excess fat and skin from the abdominal area. It is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. annually, and it can be a great option for women and men alike. To learn more about it, please contact the practice of board-certified Baltimore plastic surgeon Dr. Maakan Taghizadeh.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
You may be a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery if you are interested in addressing any of the following:
- A “flabby” midsection
- Excess abdominal fat and skin
- A protruding abdomen, sometimes referred to by our patients as a “pooch”
- Stretched abdominal muscles/a weakened abdominal wall (diastasis recti)
Loose skin and extra heft on your abdomen may be causing you to feel self-conscious and less confident. Here are some of the contributing factors to these tummy issues:
- Pregnancy
- Weight fluctuations
- Genetics/your body type
- Age-related changes
- C-section or other abdominal surgery
During abdominoplasty, Dr. Taghizadeh performs the tailored procedure you and he decide on during your consultation. While all tummy tucks remove excess fat and skin, other factors may be customized. For example, your tummy tuck may include repairing stretched/separated abdominal muscles or performing liposuction to complement the results.
Diastasis recti is commonly caused by pregnancy. As your abdomen grows, the overlying muscles are stretched. After childbirth, these muscles may not bounce back to their prior tightness, and instead remain lax. They could stretch to the point that a gap develops at the mid-point, in the general area of the belly button. One of the great things about a tummy tuck is that it can include diastasis recti repair, which most often involves placing sutures in the muscle fascia to bring the muscles back together. This lets you enjoy a flatter, firmer abdominal area. Dr. Taghizadeh may be able to use an existing C-section scar in certain cases.
Frequently Asked Abdominoplasty Questions
What is a full tummy tuck?
This is the standard tummy tuck procedure. It restores a firmer, flatter contour to the entire abdominal region. It is best suited to people with excess fat and skin both above and below the belly button, and it often includes tightening the ab muscles.
A mini tummy tuck may be recommended if your excess skin and fat is isolated to the area below the belly button. A smaller incision can often be utilized for this mini procedure.
Is a tummy tuck worth it?
Every person is unique, with their own individual goals. To help you decide if a tummy tuck is right for you, Dr. Taghizadeh wants to meet with you in person to help you weigh all of the pros, cons and other associated issues. We want any procedure you choose to be “worth it” to you in the sense that you are confident about the investment, recovery commitment and the results you will achieve.
A tummy tuck does provide a great return on investment: Your results can be maintained with a healthy, active lifestyle that allows you to stabilize your weight. Therefore, the results can be very long-lasting. Most of our patients report high satisfaction rates with the tummy tuck procedure.
How many sizes do you lose with a tummy tuck?
Some people find they go down 1-3 sizes after the procedure, but that is not a given. You will have a flatter tummy area, but you may not experience a change in clothing size. Every patient is different!
Does fat come back after tummy tuck?
It is always possible to gain weight after any cosmetic procedure, including abdominoplasty. If you do gain weight, it is more likely to show up in other areas like the arms, back, breasts, thighs or buttocks. You can avoid this by maintaining a stable weight through exercise, eating well and reducing stress.
Will a tummy tuck remove stretch marks?
It depends where the stretch marks are located and whether that area is targeted for skin removal. Obviously if the skin with stretch marks is being removed as part of your tummy tuck, then the stretch marks will be gone. Ask Dr. Taghizadeh how a tummy tuck will affect the stretch marks on your abdominal area.
Find Out If You Are a Tummy Tuck Candidate
Ready to find out if you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck? If so, please contact the Baltimore, MD, practice of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Taghizadeh, U Plastic Surgery + Aesthetics. We look forward to answering any questions you may have and arranging your consultation with the doctor.
