Tummy Tuck
PROCEDURES OF EXCELLENCE
If you are considering a tummy procedure, you are only one of the millions of people who have sought this treatment to rid themselves of unwanted skin and tissue.
Tummy tucks are one of the safest and most commonly performed surgical procedures on the market. In fact, more than 170,000 people decide to have the treatment each year.
The Curves You Choose!
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a sophisticated surgical procedure designed to reconstruct and enhance the entire abdominal region. By precisely removing excess skin and fat while strategically tightening the underlying muscles, Dr. Nodwell creates results that align with your vision of a firmer, flatter midsection while honoring your body's natural proportions.
Choosing to undergo a tummy tuck empowers you to reclaim confidence and comfort in your own skin. You may want to address muscle separation after pregnancy, remove excess skin following weight loss, or achieve the toned abdomen that diet and exercise haven't delivered. Through meticulous surgical technique, abdominoplasty can help you attain the silhouette you aspire to.
Why Do We Need Tummy Tucks?
The appearance of your abdomen will change naturally throughout your life as factors like weight fluctuation and pregnancy develop. Pregnancy stretches the abdominal wall significantly, often separating the muscles in a condition called diastasis recti.
Significant weight fluctuations can also affect the abdominal structure. When you gain weight, your skin stretches to accommodate the change. However, after weight loss, this stretched skin often lacks the elasticity to retract fully. The result leaves many people with loose, hanging skin that conceals their hard-earned progress.
Even dedicated exercise and proper nutrition cannot address these structural changes to your abdomen. While strengthening your core muscles improves their function, it cannot repair muscle separation or remove excess skin. Creams and nonsurgical treatments might offer minimal improvement to skin texture, but they cannot match the comprehensive results of surgical intervention.
A tummy tuck surgically addresses these concerns by removing excess skin and fat while repairing separated abdominal muscles. The procedure restores a firmer, flatter contour to your midsection, revealing the fit appearance that lifestyle changes alone cannot achieve. Through careful reconstruction of the abdominal wall, Dr. Nodwell creates lasting improvement in both the appearance and function of your core.
What Does a Tummy Tuck Treat?
Excess Skin
Excess or sagging skin around the abdomen
Muscle Separation
Weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
Stubborn Fat
Stubborn pockets of fat resistant to diet and exercise
Midsection
Post-pregnancy changes to the midsection
Loose Skin
Loose skin following significant weight loss
Scarring
C-section scars or other abdominal scarring
What Are My Tummy Tuck Options?
A tummy tuck can be customized to address your specific concerns and aesthetic goals. Dr. Nodwell offers several surgical approaches, each designed to target particular patterns of skin and muscle laxity while creating natural-looking.
The Nodwell Experience
Body Contouring Excellence
When you come to me with concerns about loose abdominal skin or muscle separation, I'm not just seeing the surface issues. I'm analyzing how pregnancy or weight changes have affected the deeper structures, your skin’s ability to snap back into place, and how your tissues have responded to the demands placed on them over the years.
After performing hundreds of abdominoplasties, I'm still moved by the emotional impact this surgery has on my patients. The ability to stand tall again, the joy of wearing clothes that fit properly, and the return of core strength that makes daily activities easier — these changes go far beyond aesthetics. When you choose me for your tummy tuck, you're choosing a surgeon who understands that we're doing more than sculpting a firmer abdomen.
We're restoring your sense of comfort and confidence in your own body.
The Nodwell Experience
Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck?
Your weight stability plays a vital role in the success of your tummy tuck. Dr. Nodwell recommends maintaining a steady weight for at least six months before surgery, as significant weight fluctuations after your procedure can compromise your results. While you don't need to reach your ideal weight, being within five to 10 pounds of your goal helps ensure optimal, lasting outcomes.
You should always consider your family planning when timing your tummy tuck procedure. Future pregnancies can stretch the abdominal area again, potentially reversing the benefits of your surgery. While a tummy tuck won't affect your ability to have children, waiting until you've completed your family helps preserve your results.
Having realistic expectations about what tummy tuck surgery can achieve ensures that you won’t be disappointed by what would otherwise be considered a successful procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Nodwell will thoroughly discuss your goals and help you understand how the procedure can improve your abdominal contours and be honest about what your outcomes will likely be.
Medical considerations play a crucial role in determining your candidacy. Certain health conditions may increase surgical risks or affect healing, so it is important to disclose all health information during your consultation to ensure we are taking the safest approach.
While quitting is not mandatory, we always make sure to inform our patients that smoking has many effects on their bodies and can directly harm their ability to heal properly. Additionally, smokers are at a higher risk of complications when having surgeries performed. For these reasons, we recommend quitting as quickly as possible when considering any aesthetic treatment.
Currently maintain a stable, healthy weight
Have completed their planned pregnancies
Possess realistic expectations about surgical outcomes
Lead an active, healthy lifestyle
Are free from medical conditions that could increase surgical risks
Do not smoke or are willing to quit before surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Tummy Tuck or Lipsouction?
Understanding whether you need a tummy tuck or liposuction depends primarily on your skin elasticity and muscle tone. While both procedures can improve your abdominal contours, they address fundamentally different concerns.
Liposuction works best when you have good skin elasticity and primarily struggle with stubborn fat deposits. When your skin retains its natural ability to retract and tighten, removing fat alone can create smooth, defined results.
A tummy tuck becomes necessary when skin laxity and muscle weakness are your primary concerns. If your abdomen shows significant loose or hanging skin, stretch marks, or a persistent bulge caused by separated muscles, liposuction alone cannot address these issues. These conditions commonly develop after pregnancy or significant weight loss, when the skin and muscles have been stretched beyond their ability to naturally recover.
During your consultation, Dr. Nodwell can help you determine the most appropriate procedure. A simple test involves gently pinching the skin of your abdomen—if you can gather more than a few centimeters of tissue or if your skin shows signs of significant stretching, a tummy tuck likely offers the comprehensive improvement you seek. However, in some cases, combining both procedures provides optimal results, allowing Dr. Nodwell to address both excess fat and skin while tightening the underlying muscles.
How Should I Prepare for My Tummy Tuck?
Proper preparation plays a vital role in your surgical success and recovery. Dr. Nodwell recommends beginning your preparation several weeks before your scheduled surgery date to ensure optimal results.
From a medical standpoint, you will need to stop taking certain medications, supplements, and herbal remedies that could increase bleeding risk or interfere with healing. Dr. Nodwell will review your current medications and provide specific guidance about which ones to adjust or temporarily discontinue.
Maintaining a stable weight and healthy diet leading up to surgery helps optimize your results. Focus on nutrient-rich foods that support healing and ensure adequate protein intake. While you should continue your regular exercise routine until surgery, avoid starting any intense new fitness programs. Dr. Nodwell may recommend specific core-strengthening exercises to help prepare your muscles for recovery.
Schedule time off work—most patients need two to three weeks away from their professional obligations. Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you for at least the first 24 to 48 hours. During your initial recovery period, you'll need assistance with daily activities, particularly those involving lifting or reaching.
Setting Up Your Recovery Station
Before surgery, designate a comfortable area of your home as your recovery station. Your recovery station should include:
- Prescribed medications and recovery supplies within arm's reach
- Loose clothing that opens in front
- Extra pillows for elevation and support
- Entertainment options (books, tablets, etc.)
- Water bottle and healthy snacks
- Phone charger and a list of important contact numbers
- Any necessary medical documents or post-operative instructions
Completing household tasks before surgery is also a good idea. Stock your kitchen with easy-to-prepare meals, fill prescriptions in advance, and finish any pressing home projects. Place commonly used items at waist level to avoid stretching or bending during recovery.
The day before surgery, follow Dr. Nodwell's specific pre-operative instructions regarding showering, eating, and drinking. Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your surgical appointment, and remove all jewelry and nail polish. Remember to bring any prescribed medications or compression garments to the surgical center.
Take time to understand your recovery timeline and set realistic expectations. Review your post-operative instructions in advance, and write down any questions to discuss with Dr. Nodwell.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect from a Tummy Tuck?
When you choose tummy tuck surgery with Dr. Nodwell, you can expect comprehensive improvement in both the appearance and function of your abdominal area. While your initial results become visible immediately after surgery, your final outcome continues to develop over several months as tissues heal and swelling subsides.
Most patients experience dramatic improvement in their abdominal contours, including a flatter, firmer midsection and better-defined waistline. The removal of excess skin eliminates hanging or folding tissue that often persists after pregnancy or weight loss. When combined with muscle repair, a tummy tuck also typically reduces the protrusion caused by separated abdominal muscles, creating a smoother, more toned appearance.
Your scars will initially appear pink or red and may feel firm. Over time, they typically fade to a lighter color and soften, though individual healing varies. Dr. Nodwell carefully places incisions low on the abdomen where they can be concealed by most clothing and swimwear. While scars are a permanent part of surgery, most patients find them a worthwhile trade-off for their improved contours.
Tummy tuck results can last many years when maintained with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. While natural aging continues, your improved abdominal contours should remain significantly better than if you had not undergone surgery. However, future pregnancies or significant weight fluctuations can affect your results, which is why many patients choose to undergo tummy tuck surgery after completing their families and achieving a stable weight.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?
The cost of tummy tuck surgery reflects several factors that contribute to achieving optimal results. At Nodwell Plastic Surgery, tummy tuck procedures typically start at around $16,000, though your specific cost may vary based on your unique surgical plan.
We understand that tummy tuck surgery represents a significant investment in yourself. To help make your goals more attainable, we offer several financing options that can help you manage the cost of your procedure with monthly payments that fit your budget.
While cost is an important consideration, choosing the right surgeon and surgical plan for your tummy tuck should be your primary focus. Dr. Nodwell's expertise, combined with our commitment to patient safety and satisfaction, ensures you receive exceptional value for your investment.
What Should I Expect From Tummy Tuck Recovery?
Your recovery journey begins the moment your tummy tuck procedure is complete. While every patient's healing process is unique, understanding the general timeline and expectations can help you prepare for a smooth recovery.
Throughout your recovery, you'll have regular follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress. Dr. Nodwell and our team remain available to answer questions and provide support between visits. Following your post-operative instructions carefully, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying well-hydrated help ensure optimal healing and results.
How do I know which procedure is right for me?
What should I expect during my consultation?
Is there a consultation fee?
What is the cancelation policy?
Do you accent out-of-town patients?
How do I know which procedure is right for me?
What should I expect during my consultation?
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Plastic Surgeon