Understanding Abdominoplasty & Its Benefits

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a popular body-contouring procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen and tightens stretched abdominal muscles, almost like an internal corset. This comprehensive surgical procedure addresses multiple aesthetic issues simultaneously, targeting each to provide the toned, flat tummy you desire. Unlike liposuction, which only removes fat, a tummy tuck addresses skin laxity, muscle separation, and fat deposits all in one procedure, making it one of the most transformative body contouring surgeries available.

During the aging process, many men and women develop loose skin and small pockets of unwanted fat around the midsection. Even those who live active and healthy lifestyles are not immune to the effects of these changes. Over time, the natural processes our bodies utilize to tighten skin and burn fat begin to decelerate. In addition to aging, genetics, pregnancies, and weight fluctuations can all take their toll on the youthful appearance of the abdomen. Pregnancy, in particular, can cause the abdominal muscles to separate down the midline (a condition called diastasis recti), which no amount of exercise can repair.

Fortunately, abdominoplasty addresses these concerns. With a tummy tuck, Dr. Schiesel can remove excess fat and skin from the stomach area, tighten loose abdominal muscles that have been stretched or separated, reduce or eliminate stretch marks (particularly those below the belly button), create a slimmer and more sculpted midsection, and improve your self-confidence. Abdominoplasty is a safe and effective way to eliminate the loose skin and fat that can develop on your tummy. Even more, once you've fully recovered, the surgery helps you feel more confident and comfortable in your own body.

A tummy tuck can be performed as a single procedure or combined with other procedures, such as liposuction, for additional body contouring or as part of a mommy makeover to address multiple post-pregnancy concerns simultaneously.

Meet with One of the Best Tummy Tuck Doctors Near You

Am I a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

At South Tulsa Plastic Surgery, patient safety is a top priority. We take time to thoroughly discuss your goals, assess your physical condition, and evaluate your medical history to ensure you are a good candidate for any surgical procedure you choose to pursue. By carefully evaluating your candidacy, Dr. Schiesel can ensure your procedure is both effective and safe.

The best way to know if you are a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery is to meet personally with Dr. Schiesel in a complimentary, confidential consultation. During this important one-on-one meeting, Dr. Schiesel will consider several factors to determine whether abdominoplasty is right for you.

Typically, you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you:

Are in good overall health without medical conditions that would impair healing, are at or near a stable, healthy weight, don't smoke or are willing to quit before your surgery and throughout your recovery, do not take any medications that thin the blood or inhibit healing, want to attain more attractive contours around your midsection, have areas of abdominal fat that are resistant to diet and exercise, and have skin or muscle that is loose and stretched by weight loss or pregnancy.are in good overall health without medical conditions that would impair healing

• Are at or near a stable, healthy weight
• Don't smoke or are willing to quit before your surgery and throughout your recovery
• Do not take any medications that thin the blood or inhibit healing
• Want to attain more attractive contours around your midsection
• Have areas of abdominal fat that are resistant to diet and exercise
• Have skin or muscle that is loose and stretched by weight loss or pregnancy

It's important to understand that a tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss solution. The best candidates are those who are already at or near their goal weight but struggle with localized concerns in the abdominal area that diet and exercise cannot address. If you're planning to have more children, it's generally recommended to wait until you've completed your family, as future pregnancies can reverse the results of your tummy tuck by re-stretching the abdominal muscles and skin.

Your Tummy Tuck Procedure: Customized for Your Goals

Your abdominoplasty will be customized to effectively address your personal goals. There are different types of tummy tucks, designed to address specific issues and target certain regions of your midsection. During your complimentary personal consultation, Dr. Schiesel will discuss your concerns, evaluate your needs and physical condition, and thoroughly explain all your treatment options to help you make an informed decision.

Traditional, or "full" tummy tucks, involve the removal of excess fat and loose, sagging skin from the abdominal region. During a traditional tummy tuck, incisions are strategically placed along the lower abdominal region. A horizontal incision is made across the lower abdomen, typically placed low enough to be easily concealed beneath underwear or a bikini bottom. A second incision is made around the navel to free it from surrounding tissue. The incisions are made as low as possible, never near the organs, to ensure discreet scarring that can be easily hidden below the bikini line.

Through these incisions, Dr. Schiesel can remove excess fat and skin, tighten underlying abdominal muscles by suturing them back together along the midline (repairing diastasis recti), reposition the belly button to a more natural-looking location, and create a flat, toned abdominal appearance. By using advanced techniques and progressive tension sutures, also known as quilted sutures, Dr. Schiesel can perform abdominoplasty without the need for inconvenient, uncomfortable drains in most cases. This drainless technique promotes faster recovery and greater comfort during the healing process.

Tummy tucks usually last anywhere from 90 minutes to several hours, depending on the type of procedure being performed and the extent of work necessary to deliver optimal results. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility, ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the procedure.

Mini Tummy Tuck: A Less Extensive Option

If you suffer from an unwanted pouch of fatty tissue just below your belly button but have good skin quality and muscle tone in the upper abdomen, a mini tummy tuck may be able to help flatten your lower abdomen and give you a more youthful abdominal appearance with less extensive surgery.

As a modified form of abdominoplasty, mini tummy tucks are intended to only address the lax, stretched tissue below the navel. While a full tummy tuck removes unwanted skin and fat all along the midsection and requires a longer incision running from hip to hip, mini tummy tucks involve shorter incisions made just above the pubic line. The belly button is typically not repositioned during a mini tummy tuck, and only the lower abdominal muscles are tightened. A mini tummy tuck can give you a slimmer midsection with minimal scarring, which is easily concealed beneath clothing, and often involves a shorter recovery period compared to a full tummy tuck.

While mini tummy tucks offer great benefits to men and women alike, the procedure is not right for all patients. Most patients who have had pregnancies or significant weight loss will require a full tummy tuck to achieve their desired results, as the skin laxity and muscle separation typically extend above the belly button. Dr. Schiesel will work with you during your initial consultation to determine if a mini tummy tuck is right for you or if a full abdominoplasty would better address your concerns.

Tummy Tuck Recovery: What to Expect

Recovery, Results, and Long-Term Expectations

Tummy tucks are complex surgical procedures and are not without a certain degree of pain and discomfort after surgery. It's important to follow Dr. Schiesel's pre- and postoperative instructions to ensure a smooth procedure and optimal recovery. Understanding what to expect during recovery will help you plan appropriately and ensure you have the support you need during the healing process.

For the first 7 days after your surgery, take it easy and refrain from strenuous activity. You'll need to rest with your upper body slightly elevated and your knees bent to minimize tension on your incisions. You'll be provided with a compression garment to wear over your abdomen, which helps minimize swelling, support your healing tissues, and optimize your results. It's essential to wear this garment as directed.

Everyone heals differently, but you should generally be able to return to work after about seven to ten days after your procedure, depending on the physical demands of your job. You can gradually start cardio exercise after three weeks, beginning with gentle walking and slowly increasing intensity as tolerated. You should begin slowly returning to your normal activities after about 6 weeks, with full clearance for all activities typically given around 8 to 12 weeks post-surgery.

Dr. Schiesel will prescribe pain medications to help make your recovery more comfortable. As an additional service, she also offers Exparel, a powerful anti-pain medication that reduces the need for opioids by providing long-lasting post-surgical pain control in a single dose. It is injected directly into the site of your surgery and effectively manages pain for up to four days from the moment you wake up from surgery, allowing for a more comfortable early recovery with less reliance on narcotic pain medications.

Full recovery from abdominoplasty can take a few months as residual swelling gradually subsides and your incision lines mature and fade. Dr. Schiesel will schedule multiple follow-up visits to ensure your recovery is on track and address any questions or concerns you may have during the healing process. We also recommend Biocorneum, a surgeon-approved silicone gel scar treatment with SPF 30, to help minimize scar appearance during recovery.

Your Results: Timeline and Maintenance

While you'll notice an immediate difference in your abdominal contour after surgery, your final results will become fully apparent over the course of several months. Initial swelling will subside significantly within the first 4 to 6 weeks, but it can take up to 6 months or longer for all residual swelling to completely resolve and for your incision lines to fade and flatten. Most patients feel comfortable resuming social activities and light exercise after about 4 to 6 weeks.

The results of your tummy tuck can be very long-lasting when maintained with a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. The excess skin removed during surgery is permanently gone, and the repaired abdominal muscles will remain tightened (barring future pregnancy or significant weight gain). However, natural aging will continue, and factors like significant weight fluctuations can impact your results. Maintaining a stable weight through balanced nutrition and regular exercise is essential for preserving your tummy tuck results for many years to come.