Tummy Tuck Timeline

Now is the time to schedule an appointment and discuss this. Tummy tucks are popular surgical procedures designed to correct the contour of the abdomen. While it is common for women to consider these after birthing their children, they can benefit both men and women when they have loose, sagging abdominal skin after significant weight change.

A tummy tuck is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, so we could likely schedule this quickly. The surgery involves an incision in the lower part of the abdomen, often below or in line with the waistline. Skin is released from the lower part of the abdomen up to the belly button. Then an incision is made around the belly button and the skin is released to the top of the abdomen. This access allows tightening of the muscles in the middle and restoration of the flat contour of the abdomen. The skin is gently redraped and trimmed and the belly button is delivered through the skin before the incision is closed. This generally takes about two hours.

Typically, two drains are placed before the skin is closed, which remain until the fluid they drain is gone. Drain removal is quick and painless in the office. During recovery, patients are placed in a series of surgical girdles over an 8-week period. After about ten days, most people can drive and return to work if their job is not too physical. They should be back to more strenuous routines in 6 weeks.

Please call my office because there are other options, more or less intensive, that could also be effective when we know more about you!