The tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery and is not a substitute for appropriate diet and exercise. The ideal tummy tuck candidate is an adult who is at a stable weight, is in good health and has realistic expectations of the outcome. Patients who are considering pregnancy or a major weight loss should postpone their tummy tuck, as extreme weight changes can diminish the effects of the surgery. Women should not consider tummy tuck surgery until at least six months after delivering their last child.

The results of tummy tuck are apparent fairly quickly. If you are having a large amount of sagging skin removed, the results should be visible when you have your first bandage change. In the majority of cases, swelling resolves in the first two weeks, revealing the full benefit of your surgery. The best news is that these results will be permanent as long as you maintain your weight.

The cost of a tummy tuck can vary widely depending on the type of procedure you need—whether it’s a mini-tummy tuck, a full tummy tuck, or if additional procedures like liposuction are performed simultaneously. Prices generally start around $8,000. This includes the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia fee, facility fee, garments, and an overnight stay if desired.

Since a tummy tuck is a major and complex surgical procedure, it’s crucial to prioritize finding the best surgeon over finding the lowest price. Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with hospital privileges in plastic surgery at a reputable local hospital who also performs surgeries in an accredited facility. Ultimately, a safe and optimal outcome is the most important consideration.

Tummy tuck surgery is not a weight loss procedure. It is performed to reshape the abdomen, not to remove weight. Most patients will lose no more than one or two pounds. The exception is patients who have already lost a great deal of weight due to diet and exercise or bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass. Such patients often have a great deal of excess skin, which can weigh a significant amount.

The most our office has removed has been 63 pounds; however, that procedure was not a tummy tuck but a panniculectomy (in which skin is removed but underlying muscles are not tightened).

No. Only a board-certified plastic surgeon has the specialty training to perform a tummy tuck and achieve the best outcome possible. General surgeons are not trained in plastic surgery and are not prepared to handle any complications that might occur. If you are considering a tummy tuck procedure, be sure to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience in this highly sophisticated procedure.

A tummy tuck addresses three areas: skin, fat, and muscle. Liposuction, on the other hand, is used only to address fat. Liposuction does not address the muscle and relies on your skin to shrink after the surgery to create a slimmed-down look. Liposuction is best for patients with good skin tone and no looseness to the muscle covering or fascia of their abdominal muscle, called the rectus abdominus muscle. While a tummy tuck is performed for patients after pregnancy or extreme weight fluctuations, liposuction is typically indicated for patients who have localized areas of fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. The best way to determine whether a tummy tuck or liposuction is right for you is to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon.

If you have a lot of loose skin and significant muscle weakness, then you will likely need a full tummy tuck. It will remove the excess skin and fatty tissue as well as contour the shape of your abdomen by tightening the covering of your abdominal muscles. If your excess skin and fat, as well as your abdominal muscle weakness, is minimal or moderate, then a mini tummy tuck may be sufficient. The best way to find out which procedure is right for you is to have a full examination by a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Anytime you have a cut on your skin, a scar will result. In fact, the first scar we receive in life is our belly button. 

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, typically results in a permanent scar. The appearance of the scar can vary based on individual healing, but it generally fades over time, becoming less noticeable.

The scar’s size and placement depend on the type of tummy tuck performed (mini or full). Each patient must decide whether having a scar is an acceptable tradeoff for an improved abdominal shape. Tummy tuck scars are placed low enough that they are covered by most underwear and bathing suits. To help you decide whether it is worth it to you, your plastic surgeon can draw a scar on your skin to help you see what it will look like. In addition, proper post-operative care, including following your surgeon’s advice on scar management, can help minimize the scar’s visibility.