Tummy Tuck Surgery Chicago

Tummy Tuck Procedure

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes loose skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles. At St. Charles Plastic Surgery in St. Charles, IL, it is performed by Dr. Bahram Ghaderi, MD, FACS, a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with more than 25 years of experience.

The ideal candidate is at a stable weight, in good health, and done having children; women should wait at least six months after their last delivery. A mini tummy tuck may be enough when loose skin and muscle weakness are mild. Surgery is performed at accredited facilities with a board-certified anesthesiologist.

Prices generally start around $8,000, including the surgeon, anesthesia and facility fees, garments, and an optional overnight stay. Most swelling resolves in the first two weeks, and results last as long as you maintain your weight. See results in the before and after gallery.

Get The Look You'll Love

The tummy tuck procedure is performed to remove the extra fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen, and to tighten the muscles along the abdominal wall, dramatically reducing the bulk of the abdominal area. In some cases, even greater results can be achieved when abdominoplasty is performed in conjunction with liposuction, an option that has produced excellent results for many of our abdominoplasty patients.

Good Tummy Tuck Candidates

Men and women who are in good overall health but struggle with stubborn fat deposits or loose abdominal skin may be excellent candidates for a tummy tuck. Many of our abdominoplasty patients in St. Charles have found this procedure especially beneficial after multiple pregnancies, often as part of a comprehensive mommy makeover. Pregnancy can stretch the abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can naturally return to their pre‑pregnancy state, even with dedicated diet and exercise. A tummy tuck at St. Charles Plastic Surgery can help restore a firmer, flatter abdomen and boost your confidence in your appearance.

Dr. Ghaderi wants you to feel good about your decision and he will work to make sure you are completely satisfied with the results of your surgery.

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Abdominoplasty Safety & Results You Can Expect

What Should I know About the Safety of Abdominoplasty?

Each year, thousands of people undergo abdominoplasty and experience no major complications. However, it is important for you to be informed of the risks as well as the benefits of tummy tuck surgery. When you visit St. Charles Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ghaderi will discuss the procedure with you in detail and answer any questions you may have.

What Results Can I Expect?

Abdominoplasty is designed to create a firmer and smoother abdominal area. Many tummy tuck patients find that their firmer, flatter abdomen boosts their confidence and makes them feel more comfortable with their appearance. In many cases, tummy tuck can be combined with liposuction for improved results.

If you’re ready to reveal your best self or want to more information, contact St. Charles Plastic Surgery today.

Click here to see abdominoplasty before & after photos from Dr. Ghaderi, a board-certified plastic surgeon with over twenty years of skill and expertise.

What Our Patients Say

“Dr. Ghaderi was my 5th consult for a tummy tuck. After talking with him for a few minutes I knew I didn't have to look any further. His whole demeanor put me at ease. He is extremely honest and realistic. He will not promise you results that aren't attainable. He will frequently remind you to have reasonable expectations. Patient safety and good outcomes are his highest priorities. I think he out-did himself this time because my results are unbelievably fabulous and I'm still healing. His office staff is awesome too. They genuinely care about you. You will not find another practice or doctor like this around here.”
- Patient safety and good outcomes are his highest priorities.
“I feel fabulous! ...I had a textbook surgery and recovery. I'm looking forward to rocking a bikini this summer for the first time ever!!”
- 31 Y/O, 3 C-sections, Full Tummy Tuck - Saint Charles, IL
“I am beyond happy with the results and I will recommend Dr. Ghaderi to anybody that I know that is thinking about possible surgery. Right after the initial consultation, I could tell that Dr. Ghaderi cares about his patients and their results. After I had my abdominoplasty, I finally felt at ease. My stomach looked the way it should have looked.”
- Patient

Common Questions

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.
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.
The reason for waiting after your surgery is to not only allow your surgical area to heal but also for your body to recover from the stress of the first surgery before undergoing another one. Typically, 6 months to 1 year is the time period for adequate healing to take place. Since a tummy tuck is an elective procedure, you can discuss with Dr. Ghaderi what the ideal timing is for you after a comprehensive consultation and examination.
Typically, it is ideal to consider a tummy tuck after you have completed having children. However, with many patients undergoing massive weight loss through bariatric procedures, weight loss medications, or diet and exercise, the need for a tummy tuck may arise before becoming pregnant. Some patients have their abdominoplasty in their 20s to complete their weight loss journey and enjoy their new appearance. They can certainly have a successful pregnancy after their surgery. How the pregnancy changes their abdominal shape and skin will differ for each individual. Most will not need any revisions or “touch-ups.” Some may want to refresh their abdominal shape after having children, which can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The amount of stretch marks removed after a tummy tuck depends on the location of the stretch marks and the looseness of your skin. If the stretch marks are below the belly button, they will be removed. Dr. Ghaderi will show you the expected outcome for your individual case during your first consultation.
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.
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.