Tummy Tuck
If you are having difficulty slimming and firming your abdomen even though you eat right and work out regularly, you are not alone. Many women and men struggle with a belly bulge, loose abdominal skin, and pockets of stubborn fat after pregnancy and significant weight loss. Dr. Jared Nimtz recommends abdominoplasty, often called a tummy tuck, in Lexington and London, KY, to give patients the firm contours they can’t achieve on their own. Women and men considering a tummy tuck travel from the Louisville area, Bowling Green, KY, and Knoxville, TN, to have Dr. Nimtz perform their surgeries.
Tummy Tuck
Before & After Photos
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What Is a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery is a body contouring procedure that improves the appearance of the midsection by tightening lax skin and repairing stretched abdominal muscles. It can be a good option after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Lexington and London, KY?
The price of a tummy tuck varies depending on the extent of treatment needed as well as other possible factors. After you meet with Dr. Nimtz, we will provide a cost estimate for the procedure. We do offer CareCredit® as a financing option, and our office also accepts Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover as well as cash or personal checks.
Who Is a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Candidates for a tummy tuck should be at a stable, healthy weight. Dr. Nimtz performs this procedure to correct the following concerns:
- Protruding abdomen
- Loose, sagging abdominal skin
- Misshapen bellybutton
Women who desire a tummy tuck should not be planning to have more children; this could stretch out the skin and abdominal muscles again.
Do I Need a Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, or Both?
Tummy tucks and liposuction are both body contouring procedures that provide different benefits.
- Tummy tucks correct lax abdominal skin, bulging ab muscles, a misshapen bellybutton, or a combination of these concerns.
- Liposuction removes areas of stubborn abdominal fat that are often on the belly, waist, and hips.
If excess belly fat is your only concern, liposuction alone could be a good choice. If you have stretched skin and abdominal muscles, you will need a tummy tuck. Most patients need the improvements provided by both procedures for a smooth belly, attractive navel, and contoured waist.
Dr. Jared Nimtz
Dr. Nimtz is a Lexington board-certified plastic surgeon who is highly skilled, experienced, and truly cares about his patients. Through a conservative, classic approach to surgery he provides natural-looking results that are attractive and proportionate.
Meet Dr. Nimtz
How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?
During a tummy tuck procedure, Dr. Nimtz removes excess abdominal skin and tissue. The muscle layers can also be tightened to give women a more hourglass shape and men a more chiseled appearance. Typically this procedure includes liposuction of the flanks to offer a final trim look.
What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Patients whose skin retains most of its elasticity or who have a minor protruding abdomen may be good candidates for a mini tummy tuck, which requires a smaller incision. This approach is especially useful when the excess skin and fat are below the navel.
A Reputation Built on Results
Tummy Tuck Incision Options
Because women wear bathing suits and underwear low and closer to the hip these days, Dr. Nimtz makes tummy tuck incisions as low as possible. We often have patients bring in a bathing suit bottom or underwear so he can see where they would like their incision to be hidden. He cannot go too low into the pubic area because it can disrupt the function of the genitalia.
Tummy Tuck Revision Surgery
Revising the unsatisfactory outcomes of tummy tucks performed by other surgeons takes specialized training and experience. Dr. Nimtz performs tummy tuck revision surgery to correct a variety of patient concerns, including:
- “Dog ears” at the ends of the incision
- Flat, unnatural-looking bellybutton
- Poor scar placement
For optimal results, whether it’s your first tummy tuck or a revision procedure, it’s important to choose an experienced, qualified board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Nimtz.
Can a Tummy Tuck Be Combined With Other Procedures?
Dr. Nimtz often combines tummy tucks with liposuction and other body contouring or breast enhancement procedures. For example, a tummy tuck is commonly combined with breast augmentation or a breast lift—a combination usually called a mommy makeover. It is also common to combine brachioplasty, often called an arm lift, especially for post weight-loss patients.
Tummy Tuck for Men
A tummy tuck is a similar procedure whether it’s performed on a woman or a man. While many women have tummy tucks after pregnancy, men frequently have the surgery after massive weight loss. Dr. Nimtz places the incision low on the abdomen where it is hidden by underwear and swimsuits.
Tummy Tuck Alternatives
Men and women who have some skin laxity, but do not need or want surgery may be interested in a nonsurgical option. Laser skin tightening with our Fotona4D® laser is an in-office procedure that requires approximately 2 to 3 treatments. While the results are not as significant as with a tummy tuck, patients have seen improvement in the skin laxity around their abdomen.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline
Patients are usually ready to return to work and daily activities 2 to 3 weeks after tummy tuck surgery, although experiences vary. While recovery depends on the individual patient and the extent of the procedure, it generally proceeds along the following timeline:
DAY OF SURGERY
After surgery, your abdominal area will be bandaged and wrapped in a compression garment to minimize swelling and support the area as it heals. You will return home in the care of an adult friend or family member and need assistance for at least the first few days.
WEEK 1
Expect to be sore and stiff for at least the first week; prescription medication typically alleviates the discomfort. You will be encouraged to get up and walk around regularly, but you won’t be able to stand upright due to muscle and skin tightening. It is helpful to sleep in a recliner in the early stage of recovery.
WEEK 2
Standing upright and walking will be easier as swelling dissipates. Surgical drains are typically removed within 10 days.
WEEKS 3 TO 4
Patients are usually cleared to stop wearing their compression garments, although many appreciate the support and continue wearing them. At this point, you can resume gentle, low-impact activities that don’t involve straining the abs.
WEEKS 6 TO 8
Restrictions on lifting and exercise are typically ended with Dr. Nimtz’s clearance.
MONTHS 3 TO 5
You will likely feel more like yourself at this point as swelling and tightness ease. Most patients begin seeing the results of the overall contour about 4 to 5 months after the surgery.
MONTH 6
Patients are usually 90% healed at 6 months and feel more comfortable and confident in a wider variety of clothing.
1 YEAR
You will have achieved your final tummy tuck results at this point. It can take up to a year for swelling to completely dissipate. Scars typically fade from reddish to white and flatten over time.
Keep in mind that the healing process is influenced by each patient’s age, general health and fitness at the time of surgery, type of tummy tuck, and post-surgery care. We provide detailed post-op instructions that help minimize discomfort, greatly reduce the risk of complications, and get you back to your normal routine as quickly as possible.
Tummy Tuck Results
Patients often look like they’ve lost weight after a tummy tuck because their smoother, firmer contours help clothes fit better. While weight loss is not significant, many patients fit into pants that are 2 to 3 sizes smaller. Tummy tuck results can last indefinitely if you do not gain a significant amount of weight or become pregnant.
Tummy Tuck FAQ
Is tummy tuck surgery safe?
Abdominoplasty is safe when an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon performs the procedure on a healthy patient who follows the post-op instructions carefully.
Are there any cons to getting an abdominoplasty?
There are several considerations to be aware of and accept before having a tummy tuck, including the extended recovery period, the horizontal scar you will have on your lower abdomen, and the fact that your results may be affected by any future pregnancies or weight changes. Patients typically feel that the improvements they gain are well worth these concerns.
Is there anything I should do or purchase to prepare for recovery?
Some simple preparation in advance can help your tummy tuck recovery go as smoothly as possible. Here are a few helpful tips for getting ready:
- Clear your schedule and put yourself in a “recovery mindset.”
- Arrange to have someone take care of children, pets, errands, and household chores.
- Stock up on healthy, easy to prepare meals.
- Get your prescriptions filled.
- Make sure you have plenty of loose, cozy pants or shorts with elastic or drawstring waists.
- Create a recovery area in your home where pillows, blankets, entertainment, liquids, tissues, and other needs are easily within reach.
Will I have drains after the surgery?
Yes. Surgical drains are necessary for proper healing. They limit swelling and prevent infection by removing fluid from the surgical area. Most patients have their drains removed 6 to 10 days after surgery along with any sutures.
Will my bellybutton be repositioned?
Yes, if you have a complete tummy tuck. Dr. Nimtz pulls the lax abdominal skin down to the pubic area and smooths it out. The bellybutton remains fixed on the abdomen, so he must create a new opening for it in the tightened abdominal skin. He then trims away the excess skin and closes both the incision in the bellybutton and the low horizontal incision above the pubic area.
Does a tummy tuck remove stretch marks on the abdomen?
Yes, to some extent. A standard tummy tuck removes lax abdominal skin, including any stretch marks, from the bellybutton down to the pubic area. Stretch marks that were above the bellybutton before surgery are moved down below the bellybutton where they may be concealed by underwear and bikini bottoms.
Will I lose weight from a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure; however, patients often go down in clothing size when they are free of the excess, lax skin and protruding abdominal muscles are repaired.
Can a tummy tuck fix diastasis recti?
This separation of the left and right rectus abdominis muscles is common after pregnancy. Sometimes the muscles return to their normal position, in other cases, they remain stretched apart and create a belly bulge. Diastasis repair is a common part of tummy tuck surgery, either on its own or along with the removal of excess skin.
Can I still get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
It is possible to get pregnant after a tummy tuck, but patients considering abdominoplasty should not be planning to have more children. That’s because the same physical changes that occur during pregnancy—stretching out the skin and abdominal muscles—will compromise the results of a tummy tuck.
How painful is tummy tuck surgery?
Most patients experience some degree of discomfort for the first few weeks after surgery. Pain after a tummy tuck varies between patients and the specifics of the surgery. Abdominal muscle repair typically creates more discomfort than skin tightening. Dr. Nimtz prescribes pain medication that is effective for most patients.
Can you bend over after an abdominoplasty?
Actually, most tummy tuck patients have difficulty standing completely upright for the first week or so. Bending over to pick up anything over 10 pounds should be avoided until cleared by Dr. Nimtz. It’s important to begin walking and other light activities as soon as possible after surgery, but hold off on any straining or strenuous exercise for 4 to 6 weeks.
How long will I feel tightness in my abdomen after surgery?
The initial tightness that prevents patients from standing completely upright typically lasts 1 to 2 weeks. Patients who have abdominal muscle tightening usually have this feeling longer than patients who don’t.
Individuals considering a tummy tuck travel from Louisville and other areas surrounding Lexington to Commonwealth Plastic Surgery for rejuvenating tummy tuck results. Request a consultation online today or call (859) 277-9435 for an appointment.