TUMMY TUCK MIAMI

Abdominoplasty, more popularly known as a "tummy tuck," tightens the abdominal area and leaves patients with a flatter, more youthful-looking stomach. The tummy tuck procedure's two main goals are to:

Improve the appearance of the midsection
Restore the abdominal structure

Patients with unsightly, excess skin surrounding the abdominal region come to Jolie Plastic Surgery for a safe and effective means to their dream bodies. Our team of board-certified surgeons will sit with you to discuss your aesthetic goals and create a plan to achieve your dream body for a happier, more confident you!

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty is one of the top five plastic surgeries performed worldwide because it flattens and reshapes the abdomen when diet and exercise do not suffice. A tummy tuck safely eliminates fat and excess skin to give the appearance of tighter abdominal muscles. In most cases, weakened or separated muscles are sewed together during a tummy tuck to form an "internal waistband," providing patients a smoother and firmer look. While essential to an attractive physique, diet and exercise cannot tone the muscles or tighten the skin after being stretched beyond its resilience. This stretching creates a bulging abdomen that appears disproportionate to the rest of the body. Even individuals of an otherwise average body weight and proportion can develop a protruding or saggy abdomen. The most common causes of this include heredity, aging, pregnancy, prior surgery, or significant fluctuations in weight.

Am I a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

A tummy tuck is suitable for men and women who are in good general health that want to eliminate excess skin and fat on their abdomens. Other factors that indicate you are a prime candidate for a tummy tuck in Miami include:

Loose skin around your abdomen - Loose skin around the waist typically manifests in middle-aged patients. Still, it is also present in young patients who have given birth or lost significant amounts of weight. Patients need to have at least some excess fatty tissue to qualify for a tummy tuck. During the procedure, the surgeon creates an incision to target stubborn fat, and if there is not enough laxity in the skin, this can cause pressured scarring.

Suffering from weak abdominal muscles after pregnancy - The rectus muscles or "ab muscles" separate after childbirth. This trauma to the abdomen causes a wider, hanging appearance. Your ab muscles may even be visibly unaligned depending on the level of impact to the abdominal wall. If you suffer from damaged rectus muscles, your surgeon will restructure and tighten them for an even, taut tummy.

Not planning on becoming pregnant - It is best to postpone your tummy tuck until you are finished having children. Pregnancies divide the abdominal muscles and stretch the skin further. Therefore, if you give birth after a tummy tuck, you will need to undergo a second procedure to bounce back to your desired shape again.

Committed to a healthy lifestyle - A tummy tuck is not designed as a weight loss surgery or a permanent solution to maintaining your physique. Patients must commit to a regular diet and exercise regimen to maintain their figure. The patients at Jolie Plastic Surgery must already be in good general health and undergo an evaluation by one of our board-certified plastic surgeons before having a tummy tuck.

Tummy Tuck Before and After

REAL PICTURES
MAY CONTAIN NUDITY

Tummy Tuck procedure performed by Dr. Harrel

Types of Tummy Tucks

Traditional or "Full" Tummy Tuck

A full abdominoplasty, also known as a traditional tummy tuck, reshapes and tones the lower abdominal area. A horizontal incision is constructed above the pubic area during this procedure, spanning from one hip to another. The surgeon removes fat, tightens the muscles if needed, and pulls the skin down, removing the excess. A new belly button is reconstructed, and the patient's incisions are stitched closed.

Extended Tummy Tuck

An extensive tummy tuck is like a traditional tummy tuck, but with the incisions extending from the hips to the back. This procedure is ideal for patients who have lost significant weight and have hanging skin but do not need a complete body lift.

Circumferential Tummy Tuck

A circumferential tummy tuck is a body lift that targets the abdominal area, waistline, back, and hips. In this procedure, a belt-like incision is made 360 degrees around the waist to remove excess skin and fat. The lower skin is pulled up, and the upper skin is pulled down to achieve a more youthful look.

Mini Tummy Tuck

Even with a healthy diet and exercise, slender patients have trouble achieving a taut tummy. A mini or partial tummy tuck addresses the excess skin or fat underneath the patient's belly button. This procedure tightens and flattens the area below the belly button but does not correct drooping skin or tighten the middle or upper abdomen muscles.

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck

Liposuction, or lipo, is a fat-removal process where fat cells are sucked from targeted areas of the body with a thin tube called a cannula. Lipo is a part of the tummy tuck process, but the tummy tuck involves other steps to remediate damages that liposuction cannot. During abdominoplasty, the surgeon removes excess fat tissue and cuts away baggy skin from the abdomen for an athletic, youthful figure. Patients with sagging skin due to weight loss or pregnancy require a tummy tuck to achieve their desired results. However, if an individual has fat in the abdominal area but not extra loose skin, liposuction on its own might be a more suitable option.

Tummy Tuck Infographic

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Tummy Tuck Procedure Steps

Anesthesia

Every tummy tuck begins with general anesthesia to ensure a painless procedure. Rest assured that Jolie Plastic Surgery enlists only the most qualified anesthesiologists in South Florida. Our anesthesiologist team constantly oversights the patient's vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate before and during the procedure. The anesthesiologist continually administers intravenous medication to ensure the patient stays sedated throughout the procedure.

Incision

After liposuction, the abdominoplasty surgeon creates a horizontal incision from hip bone to hip bone between the navel and pubic region. For more extensive tummy tuck methods, this incision may extend 360 degrees around the pelvic area. These grooves are often moved upward to tighten the muscles if the patient needs it.

Muscle Tightening

Not all patients require muscle repair. The rectus muscles ("six-pack" muscles) often pull apart after childbirth or for other reasons. Consequently, the surgeon will stitch the connective tissue that envelops them to position them back to the middle and restore the abdominal wall's proper structure.

How do I Prepare for my Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck requires thorough preparation beforehand. You will not be able to care for yourself for at least a week following the procedure. Thus, you must guarantee a friend or family member can drive you back and care for you during recovery. If you do not have friends or family nearby, the staff at Jolie can recommend some aftercare options.

Four weeks before the procedure, you must completely stop smoking so that your body recovers and heals properly.
Do not consume alcohol for a minimum of seven days before surgery.
Refrain from taking any blood-thinners, anti-inflammatory medication, or vitamins fourteen days before the procedure. This includes but is not limited to aspirin, Benadryl, and vitamin E. Failure to do so can ultimately cause excessive bruising, bleeding, and swelling in the face. Your doctor will provide you with a specialized medication regimen the day before the surgery.

Tummy Tuck Recovery Process

Recovering from abdominoplasty depends on the type of tummy tuck you underwent; a mini tummy tuck will take less time to heal than a standard one. Your Jolie plastic surgeon will provide specialized guidance on what to expect during recovery but typically, patients begin to feel normal again after two months. Here is a general overview of what you can expect in the meantime:

Immediately After Surgery

Discomfort is expected and easily managed with medicine. During your pre-operative appointment, your surgeon will prescribe oral medications to take before surgery. This will reduce the likelihood of infection and help alleviate your soreness. Once the procedure is complete, you will rest in Jolie's specialized recovery room with a private nurse to help ease you out of anesthesia. Shortly after, you will be discharged and driven home by your designated friend or family member.

When You Are Home

The first 1-2 weeks: When you are home recovering from your tummy tuck procedure, you should sleep at an incline, possibly with pillows under your knees to reduce abdominal pressure. We recommend bed rest for the next 2-3 days after your surgery. Light walking is permitted after three days, but you should avoid anything that involves lifting or driving. Please maintain a low sodium diet to reduce swelling and avoid smoking or drinking alcohol during this time.

Take brief walks throughout the day and gently massage the area during the second week. Jolie Plastic Surgery's specially formulated gels and topical anti-scar ointments are available for purchase to aid in your recovery process. It is essential to wear your Jolie compression garment 24/7 for the first few weeks to control swelling and fluid retention, which is common after surgery.

Weeks 3-4: Gradually return to a moderate exercise routine if cleared by your surgeon. Continue to wear your compression garment and maintain a balanced diet. Approximately 80-90% of your swelling and bruising should be gone by now. Please continue with your post-procedural scar care regimen to ensure the area heals correctly.

Weeks 5-6: You should be able to perform more vigorous activities if your surgeon approves. However, you must continue to apply scar cream and wear your body garment up until the 6th to 8th week to ensure the best possible result.

Tummy Tuck Results

The final results of your tummy tuck might take approximately 6-12 months to see. While the majority of healing takes place in the first 6-8 weeks, your incision and stomach muscles are vulnerable after a tummy tuck. It takes some patients only six months to fully recover, while others may notice their scars fade considerably after a year. Typically, individuals with high skin elasticity find that their scars fade quickly. You can improve this healing process by wearing Jolie's specialized compression garment and undergoing lymphatic massages by our certified massage therapists.

Tummy tuck results are permanent so long as your weight remains stable. If you gain or lose weight, your waist will stretch and shrink accordingly. A considerable fluctuation of weight may result in excess skin and a need for another tummy tuck procedure to attain your desired figure once more. We recommend following a steady exercise routine for at least three days a week and eating a healthy diet to preserve your new and improved physique.

Possible Tummy Tuck Complications

As with any surgery, a tummy tuck presents the possibility of risks and complications. Though they're rare, complications can include (but are not limited to):

Infection
Fluid accumulation beneath the skin (seroma)
Tissue damage or death
Bleeding under the skin flap
Blood clots

Patients with poor circulation, diabetes, or heart, lung, or liver disease are at a higher risk of experiencing these complications. Patients must share their medical histories and concerns with their surgeon during the initial consultation to help avert any unnecessary difficulties

How Much does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons states:

“The average cost of a tummy tuck is $6,154…This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. ”

At Jolie Plastic Surgery, the cost of the abdominoplasty in Miami may vary from $2,500-$7,000, which includes:

Surgical facility costs
Anesthesia fees
Medical and laboratory tests
Prescriptions for medications
Post-op compression garments
Surgeon's fee

If you are interested in a tummy tuck procedure, call Jolie Plastic Surgery at (305) 262-8347 for a free consultation with our tummy tuck surgeons in Miami. Our team is happy to guide you on your beauty journey and revitalize your confidence with the figure of your dreams!

Tummy Tuck Frequently Asked Questions

Is a tummy tuck right for me?

You must be at least 21 years or older, in good health, and undergo an evaluation by a plastic surgeon to be eligible for this procedure. Call Jolie Plastic Surgery at (305) 262-8347 to schedule a private consultation for further guidance as to whether or not a tummy tuck is right for you. Out-of-town patients can send photos to our team and arrange an in-person evaluation at our office in Miami. Individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or future pregnancies are advised to postpone their tummy tuck to avoid having to undergo the procedure several times.

Which tummy tuck technique is best for me?

It is difficult to determine which tummy tuck technique is best suited for you without first consulting a qualified surgeon. However, various types of tummy tucks are suited for different patients based on their problem areas and aesthetic goals. For example, younger patients with sagging skin on the lower abdominal region may benefit from a mini tummy tuck. In contrast, patients who have undergone significant weight loss throughout their body should opt for an extended tummy tuck. Individuals who want to remove fat but do not have enough loose skin or tissues might be advised to undergo lipo instead of a tummy tuck.

To know what you need to achieve the figure you want, call Jolie Plastic Surgery now at (305) 262-8347 and schedule a free evaluation with our qualified surgeons in Miami.

What happens on the day of my tummy tuck procedure?

On the day of your procedure, our team at Jolie will provide you with a set of instructions and medications you must closely follow. We will prepare you for surgery and answer any final questions you may have. Once you are changed in your medical gown, you will enter the operating room, and a certified anesthesiologist will test your vitals and administer a general anesthetic. Once the procedure is complete, you remain in our recovery room with a private nurse to help you ease out of anesthesia. Once you are stable, we will discharge you to be driven home with your designated friend or family member.

What tummy tuck results can I expect?

After you are healed from your tummy tuck, you should expect a newly shaped and contoured waistline and a significant confidence boost! Your new results will be permanent if you maintain your weight and follow the surgeon's aftercare instructions. Our team at Jolie Plastic Surgery will make sure you do not leave without them.

Can the tummy tuck be combined with other procedures?

The abdominoplasty procedure is often combined with tightening and lifting procedures such as breast lift, body lift, liposuction, and Brazilian butt lift. This mixture of body contouring procedures is known as the "mommy makeover."

Will the tummy tuck results last?

Yes! The results of this procedure are relatively permanent unless the patient experiences extreme weight gain or pregnancy. Therefore, if a patient plans to become pregnant within the near future, our doctors recommend refraining from undergoing any immediate cosmetic procedure until after the pregnancy.

Are there any tummy tuck financing options available?

At Jolie Plastic Surgery, we understand that paying for a tummy tuck upfront is not feasible for many patients. For this reason, we offer a variety of financing plans through systems like Care Credit, Alphaeon Credit, and United Medical Credit, where the patient would need to be pre-approved. Patients can also take advantage of our layaway plan, which requires a minimum deposit of $500 at a 0% interest rate! This plan includes the benefit of locking in the price for up to two years through low monthly payments.

What else do I need to know about this procedure?

Scarring: Post-operative scar care is vital to lessening the appearance of scars. While they never entirely disappear, proper aftercare can make scars virtually unnoticeable. At Jolie Plastic Surgery, we provide patients with post-procedural scar care to ensure they heal properly. Within that care, we provide specially formulated gels and topical ointments for purchase to aid this recovery process.

Lymphatic Massages: Patients undergoing an abdominoplasty procedure will experience swelling and discomfort. Specifically, lower body swelling is most common due to the lymphatic drainage in the abdomen after a tummy tuck. We recommend wearing Jolie's specially designed body garment for at least 6-8 weeks to compress the area and minimize swelling. Our certified massage therapists also administer lymphatic massages to help your body maintain proper blood circulation, body fluid balance, and immune functions.