Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)
We find that many men and women in Berks County and anywhere else feel that a flat stomach and fit abdomen are important to a physically fit appearance. However, a healthy diet and regular exercise don’t always eliminate accumulations of excess fat and loose, sagging skin in the abdominal area. If you would like a flatter, firmer stomach and have not been able to achieve your goals through lifestyle changes, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) may be a good choice for you.
“My experience at Berks Plastic Surgery was superb. I recently had a tummy tuck by Dr. Lindsay and he did a fantastic job. I couldn’t be happier with my experience or outcome. All of the nurses and staff are excellent. I highly recommend everyone there. 5 plus stars by me.”*
Read more patient testimonials.
Is a Tummy Tuck Right for me?
Tummy tuck surgery has helped millions of men and women feel and look their very best, but it’s not a one-size-fits all procedure. If you have any of the following concerns, you would likely benefit from a tummy tuck:
- Excess or loose, sagging abdominal skin
- An abdomen that protrudes and is out of proportion to the rest of the body
- Abdominal muscles that have been weakened by pregnancy or aging
- Excess fat that is concentrated beneath the abdominal skin
What to Know Before Tummy Tuck Surgery
However, before you decide to move forward—and before Dr. Reedy or Dr. Lindsay can agree that you should—you need to understand (1) what will be done, (2) what you can expect during post-surgery recovery, and (3) the risks that come with this or any similar elective surgery.
The best way to find out if this is the right procedure for you is to have a personalized consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons.
What to Expect from an Abdominoplasty Procedure
The specifics of your tummy tuck will depend on your natural anatomy, severity of your concerns, and your ultimate goals. Your surgeon will thoroughly and realistically discuss your goals during your complimentary consultation, and together you will determine what specific procedures will be performed.
“Dr. Reedy does excellent work! He told me he wants me to be happy with the results and would do what needs to be done to accomplish that…Attentive, caring, very knowledgeable, accessible, prompt, professional, an artist. Thanks to Dr. Reedy and all his office staff, I can absolutely say Bye Bye fat tummy.”*
Read more patient testimonials.
You may choose to have a full tummy tuck, which addresses the entire abdomen, or a partial tummy tuck (or “mini tummy tuck”), which only flattens and tightens the lower belly. Generally, the partial procedure does not require the navel to be separated from tissue below it, while the full procedure does. An abdominoplasty is often performed in conjunction with other procedures such as liposuction, so that the hips can be shaped to match the smaller tummy.
You should plan on your surgery taking several hours or more, depending on whether you are undergoing a full or partial tummy tuck, or are receiving other plastic surgery procedures at the same time. Your surgeon will create an incision that runs along the lower waist line and then will remove excess fat and skin. The abdominal muscles will then be tightened and set into place. The recovery period for the partial procedure is normally shorter and results in a smaller scar. It is important to note that all outpatient surgical procedures are performed in our AAAASF accredited, on-site surgical suite, and our surgeons work with a qualified anesthesia provider.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
After your surgery, you will be sent home in compression garments and with drains to promote optimal healing. For the first few days, it is normal to experience discomfort, but this is usually managed easily by prescription pain medication. Swelling, redness or bruising around the incision sites, and tenderness will occur for the first week or so, with recovery typically taking several weeks.
Normal activity can be slowly resumed as your stamina builds, but you will need to avoid strenuous activity for the first few weeks. You will be fully advised about a safe exercise program, which can help speed the recovery process.
Tummy Tuck Risks and Complications
There are risks and possible complications associated with any surgery. Your surgeon will thoroughly discuss with you the risks of the tummy tuck procedure, so you can make an informed decision about whether a tummy tuck is right for you. While very unusual, tummy tuck complications can include a bleeding episode, infection, loss of skin sensation, skin contour irregularities, wrinkling of the skin, excessive scarring, and other undesirable results.
For these reasons especially, our surgeons take great care to evaluate each patient individually. They will advise you of your own unique risk profile, and enable you to compare it with that of abdominoplasty candidates in general, before determining whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
Losing Weight Before Tummy Tuck with Semaglutide
For many of our patients, a tummy tuck is part of their weight loss journey. While a tummy tuck can remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, it doesn’t help you lose weight overall or address intra-abdominal fat. If you are still a few pounds short of your goal weight or you have too high a BMI (body mass index) for surgery, semaglutide injections for weight loss are incredibly effective to help you lose weight before a tummy tuck.
Also known as Wegovy or Ozempic, semaglutide works by reducing your hunger, and it is scientifically proven to achieve results: studies have shown that semaglutide can help patients lose 5.9% of their body weight in 3 months; 10.9% after 6 months; and 15-17% of their body weight over the course of 68 weeks. This reduction in weight can both lower your BMI and decrease the amount of intra-abdominal fat you have, making your tummy tuck surgery safer and more effective at achieving the proportional contour you desire.
In your consultation with Dr. Lindsay or Dr. Reedy, we can discuss whether you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck, as well as whether semaglutide before surgery may be an appropriate option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tummy Tucks
Will I feel much pain during recovery?
Most people will experience some degree of discomfort immediately following their surgery. Pain should subside within a few days after your procedure, but you may need to take prescription pain medications to help minimize discomfort.
Can men get a tummy tuck?
Yes, a tummy tuck is a great option for men looking to flatten and tighten the stomach area. Tummy tucks have become an increasingly common choice for men due to age, lifestyle habits, medical conditions, weight loss, and genetics. For many men, a professionally performed tummy tuck can make all the difference in providing a better body contour and greater confidence!
Can I combine it with other procedures?
Yes, it is possible to combine a tummy tuck with other plastic surgery procedures – something that is often done by many women during a mommy makeover. Tummy tucks are often combined with liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction. Combining multiple surgical treatments during the same procedure can reduce anesthesia and recovery time, as well as provide a more complete transformation. However, be sure to discuss this with your surgeon, who will help determine whether or not certain surgeries can be safely combined to achieve your goals.
Will pregnancy effect my results?
Yes, pregnancy can have a considerable effect on the results of your tummy tuck. Because the procedure tightens and removes extra skin from around the abdominal area, any additional weight gained during a pregnancy will stretch out the skin. Pregnancy can also cause your abdominal muscles to separate, a condition called diastasis recti, which requires corrective surgery to repair as well.
Do I have enough excess skin?
Generally, most patients may require a tummy tuck when the skin and muscles in their abdomen have been stretched beyond what diet and exercise can repair. That being said, if you desire a skin tightening procedure, the best way to determine if you have enough excess skin for a surgical tummy tuck is to meet with a qualified plastic surgeon for a one-on-one consultation.
Get the curves you deserve! Our board certified plastic surgeons have been serving patients at our Reading plastic surgery center for decades, and specialize in a number of face, breast, and body services, including breast augmentation, breast reduction, eyelid surgery, facelift, neck lift, thigh lift, liposuction, and more. If you live near Allentown, Pottsville, Reading or Lancaster, the tummy tuck specialists at Berks Plastic Surgery can help you get the results you are looking for! To schedule an appointment or to learn more about the tummy tuck procedure, procedure pricing, or any of our other aesthetic services, please contact us today.
