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What is an Abdominoplasty?

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a powerful surgery that removes loose abdominal tissue and realigns the rectus abdominus “six-pack” muscles. This procedure is both functional and cosmetic.

Many women undergo fluctuations in weight as they age and frequently complain of excessively loose abdominal skin and fat above and/or underneath the belly button.

Additionally, after pregnancy, many women are unable to restore their core abdominal strength because the fascia between the muscle’s separates, causing a diastasis recti. This cannot be corrected with diet and exercise alone.

My approach to treating these issues focuses on:

restoring abdominal core strength by surgically realigning the rectus abdominus muscles
excising excess skin and fat to create or restore a feminine waistline.

When done together, the result can be life changing.

Common Questions:

1. WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THIS SURGICAL PROCEDURE?

This operation is great for women who are finished having children (or not interested in having children) and are frustrated that their abdomen and waist is not improving with exercise and weight loss.

During pregnancy, the rectus abdominus muscles separate to accommodate a growing uterus. In some women, these muscles never realign and this results in a rectus diastasis.

This procedure is also great in for women who are frustrated that despite their best efforts at diet and exercise, they have not achieved a firm, flat midline.

A good candidate for a tummy tuck is someone who:

Has loose excess abdominal skin and poor skin tone or elasticity
Has undergone large fluctuations in weight gain / loss and has residual pockets of fat that are not improving with exercise
Not currently pregnant and finished having children
Currently at their optimal bodyweight
In good general health and is invested in her postoperative recovery.

2. WHAT’S DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RECTUS DIASTASIS AND A HERNIA?

A rectus diathesis is a separation of the rectus abdominus muscles, the “six-pack” muscles of your abdominal wall. However, the fascial connection between the two muscles (the linea alba) remains intact. There is no hole in the muscle or fascial layer.

In a hernia, there is a hole in the fascia and as a result, bowel and other contents from your peritoneum may pass back and forth through the hole. We are able to test for this in the office. If you are diagnosed with a hernia, it is often easily repaired at the time of abdominoplasty by a general surgeon, and this is covered by insurance.

3. HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY TAKE? HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY?

On average, this procedure can take several hours (2-4) and requires general anesthesia.

I recommend overnight hospital observation for pain control and to monitor for signs of blood clots, which is an uncommon but serious complication that can arise from this procedure.

The day after surgery, you are placed in a compression garment that helps with swelling and comfort. I recommend you wear the garment 6-12 week postoperatively.

The first week home, most patients are walking a small amount daily and moving slowly around their house in a slightly bent position. No cooking, cleaning, or chores for the first 1-2 weeks of recovery.

Most patients are back to their usual daily activities by 2 weeks and may resume physical activity starting around 4 weeks. Plan to return to work by 2 weeks.

4. WHERE IS THE SCAR?

A scar (usually from hip to hip) is hidden under your underwear or bathing suit line. It may incorporate into a c-section scar as well.

For women who are unhappy with their c-section scars, these can be revised or removed completely during this operation.

5. DO YOU PERFORM “DRAIN-LESS” ABDOMINOPLASTIES?

No. The body’s response to healing is to create fluid, and that fluid must be drained. For that reason, I place 2 drains at the time of surgery, and these are removed in the office.

Patients who opt for a “drain-less” technique often battle seromas, or fluid accumulations, in the abdomen which must be drained with a needle in the office.

6. WHAT’S DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TUMMY TUCK AND A MINI TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURE?

A mini tummy tuck only addresses loose skin and excess fat under your belly button.

It does not restore your six pack abdominal muscles or stretch marks and contour irregularities around or above your umbilicus.

7. WHAT’S DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TUMMY TUCK AND A BODY LIFT?

A tummy tuck procedure corrects loose skin and excess fat as well as restores the muscle position in your abdomen.

A body lift continues address loose skin and excess fat in your abdomen as well as your hips and buttocks. The incisions are circumferential, or around your entire waistline.

8. WHAT’S DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TUMMY TUCK AND LIPOSUCTION?

Liposuction is a noninvasive (no skin incision and no long scars) procedure that focuses on removal of fat but does not address excess skin. Liposuction does not address muscle separation or diastasis recti.

In some patients, it is safe to combine liposuction with an abdominoplasty, depending on where excess fat resides. In others, it is best to stage the surgeries separately.

9. How much does A TUMMY TUCK cost?

Each patient is different, and your needs are unique. The cost of this procedure will depend on the conversation between you and Dr. Parcells during your one-on-one consultation.

After reviewing your medical history and discussing your desired goals, Dr. Parcells will perform a physical exam to evaluate your skin tone, laxity, and assess for hernias or a rectus diastasis.

She will then provide her expert advice and discuss your options to achieve your desired outcome. She will also address all risks and benefits of the procedures you are interested in.

At the end of your consultation, you will meet with our surgical coordinator who will address the logistics and finances of the procedure you are best suited for.

Dr. Parcells is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.