Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, can reshape the abdomen’s appearance and profile by tightening weakened muscles and removing excess skin and some fat. The procedure is especially popular with women whose abdominal muscles separated or lost integrity during pregnancy, as well as adults who have experienced significant weight loss. At Funt Aesthetics, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David K. Funt brings decades of cosmetic surgery experience to individualized body contouring procedures.
A tummy tuck can help create a flatter, firmer abdominal contour, but it is not a shortcut to weight loss. Dr. Funt recommends that patients be at or near a stable, healthy weight before surgery. Lifestyle changes, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, remain the appropriate approach for overall weight management.
What a Tummy Tuck Can Improve
A tummy tuck is designed primarily to address loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles that do not respond to diet and exercise.
The procedure may help improve:
-
Loose or hanging abdominal skin
-
A lower abdominal “pooch”
-
Abdominal muscle separation
-
Loss of firmness after pregnancy
-
Excess skin following significant weight loss
-
Some stretch marks located on skin that is removed
Liposuction may also be incorporated when needed to improve surrounding contours, but the main purpose of abdominoplasty is to address excess skin and abdominal wall laxity.
How Tummy Tuck Surgery Is Performed
Tummy tuck includes several components. One of the most important is the removal and tightening of loose skin around the abdomen. Dr. Funt carefully excises excess skin and pulls the remaining skin taut so it lies smoothly over the flatter abdominal contour.
Abdominoplasty can also address muscle separation in the abdomen caused by pregnancy or other factors. During surgery, Dr. Funt can bring the weakened muscles back together to restore greater firmness to the abdominal wall.
When enough skin is removed, the belly button may need to be repositioned through a new opening so that it sits naturally on the reshaped abdomen.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck may be appropriate for patients with loose abdominal skin, weakened muscles, or changes that persist despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Many candidates have experienced pregnancy, major weight loss, or age-related changes that have stretched the skin and abdominal wall. Patients should generally be in good health, maintain a reasonably stable weight, and have realistic expectations about surgery and recovery.
Because future pregnancy or significant weight changes can stretch the abdomen again, timing can be an important part of treatment planning.
Tummy Tuck Recovery and Results
Recovery varies from patient to patient, but many people feel ready to return to work after about two weeks, depending on the physical demands of their job. Walking fully upright, bending, lifting, and exercise may remain limited for several weeks while the abdomen heals. A compression garment may be recommended to help control swelling and support the tissues during recovery.
Results become more noticeable as swelling decreases and the abdomen settles into its new contour. The flatter, firmer shape can be long-lasting when patients maintain a stable weight, although pregnancy or significant weight changes can affect the outcome. Stretch marks on skin removed during surgery may also be eliminated with that tissue.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of tummy tuck differs from patient to patient. Factors may include the amount of skin being removed, whether the belly button or abdominal muscles need to be adjusted, and whether liposuction is performed to enhance the result.
During consultation, Dr. Funt develops a surgical plan based on the patient’s anatomy and goals and can then provide a more complete cost estimate. Because abdominoplasty is generally an elective cosmetic procedure, insurance typically does not cover it. Financing through CareCredit is available for eligible patients.
A tummy tuck is not specifically a stretch mark treatment. However, stretch marks located on skin that is removed during surgery will be removed with that tissue.
Stretch marks on the upper or middle abdomen will generally remain after surgery, although their position or appearance may change as the skin is tightened.
Abdominoplasty is a significant surgical procedure, so soreness, tightness, and discomfort are expected during early recovery.
Dr. Funt uses appropriate pain-management strategies to help patients remain comfortable after surgery. Patients also receive instructions for medications, activity, and positioning during the initial healing period.
Why Choose Funt Aesthetics for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Tummy tuck surgery requires careful attention to skin removal, abdominal muscle repair, incision placement, and overall body proportions. Dr. David K. Funt is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He completed extensive training in general and plastic surgery and has decades of experience in cosmetic body contouring. Dr. Funt has also been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for more than 25 years.
At Funt Aesthetics, each abdominoplasty is planned around the patient’s anatomy, degree of skin laxity, muscle separation, and desired contour. Surgery is performed at an AAAASF-accredited facility in Woodmere by an experienced clinical team focused on safety, attentive care, and balanced outcomes.
Consider Tummy Tuck Surgery in Long Island & Nassau County, NY
Tummy tuck surgery can remove loose abdominal skin, repair weakened muscles, and create a firmer, flatter contour when diet and exercise are not enough. Funt Aesthetics provides individualized abdominoplasty planning for patients throughout Long Island and Nassau County, NY. To discuss your goals and find out whether a tummy tuck is right for you, call 516-295-0404 to schedule a consultation with Funt Aesthetics.
