A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgery to remove excess fat and skin from the stomach area and can also tighten the underlying muscles to provide a smoother, flatter abdomen. Women who have had multiple pregnancies or individuals who have lost significant weight often find that even a rigorous diet & exercise regimen will not result in a flat stomach. While there are other surgical and non-surgical methods for improving your abdomen, a tummy tuck is unique in that it is the only procedure that removes excess skin and repairs the muscle separation that often occurs after pregnancy or excessive weight gain.

Our Technique

A tummy tuck is performed under a general anesthesia and usually takes approximately 4 hours. Although it is one of the most extensive types of plastic surgery, it can now usually be done on an outpatient basis. Dr. Hunsicker begins with an incision above the pubic area that extends between the hipbones. This incision is placed along the same lines as your bathing suit or undergarment, so the scar remains hidden when clothed. A second incision is made around the belly button. Next, the skin is separated up to the level of the ribs. Dr. Hunsicker will take care to stitch the abdominal muscles back into place and remove excess fat from under the skin flap. The flap is then pulled down, the belly button is repositioned and the excess skin trimmed off. Tubes are inserted into the incisions to allow excess fluid to drain. She will typically use a combination of internal sutures (that will dissolve on their own) and Dermabond (a surgical “super-glue”) on the skin surface. This combination helps to minimize scaring.

If fat deposits are limited to the region below the belly button, you may only need a partial abdominoplasty (mini-tummy tuck). This is also an outpatient procedure done under general anesthesia that lasts about two hours. In this procedure, a smaller incision is made, leaving the belly button in place. The surgeon stretches the flap of skin down, removes excess fat and tissue, and stitches the flap back into place. Tubes are inserted into the incisions to allow excess fluid to drain.

Following surgery, patients will experience some swelling and discomfort that can be alleviated with the pain pump and prescription pain medication. Your pain pump is typically removed in 3-4 days. You will need to remain bent over to about 90 degrees at the waist for several days as to not tear open your incision. You will also need to take care to “milk” your drain tubes and measure the drainage. These drain tubes will be removed once drainage has subsided to appropriate levels, usually 7-14 days. A surgical garment will need to be worn for at least 3 weeks after your surgery. You should plan to take about 2 weeks off work for this procedure and be prepared for lifting and exercise limitations for about 6 weeks.

Our Before & After Photos

Patient One

This is a 61 year old woman who is 5’5” and 130 lbs and the mother of one of our patients. She came to see us after she saw the results of her daughter’s tummy tuck. They both had nearly identical heavy and distended abdomens that resulted after having children. These After photos are at 6 weeks, and help show both the significant reduction in the abdomen distention and the incision that is in the early healing stages. She and her daughter both are very happy and feel their body’s proportions have finally been restored!

Before	Before	Before
After - 6 weeks	After - 6 weeks	After - 6 weeks

Patient Two

This is a 39 year old woman who is 5’7” and 165 lbs and has had two children. While she maintained a very active lifestyle, she complained of persistent excess skin in her abdomen since having her children. After examination and determination that she also suffered from rectus diastasis (muscle separation) Dr. Hunsicker recommended a tummy tuck. At these seven weeks post-op photos, she is healing well and told us she is wearing her shirts tucked in for the first time since before her pregnancies!

Before	Before	Before
After - 7 weeks	After - 7 weeks	After - 7 weeks

Patient Three

This is a 56 year old woman who is 5’4” and 140 lbs with 3 grown children. She came to us complaining of excess heaviness in her abdomen that she had not been about to change through the years with diet and exercise. After consulting with Dr. Hunsicker, she elected to have a tummy tuck (and a breast augmentation!). At 7 months her scar is still healing well and she is elated in her results!

Before	Before	Before
After - 7 months	After - 7 months	After - 7 months

Patient Four

This is a 55 year old woman who is 5’8” and 160 lbs. She complained of severe abdominal distortion after having two children delivered via C-section, one of which weighed 13lbs at delivery. She suffered from excess abdominal skin, skin rippling, and muscle diastasis (separation). She elected to have a tummy tuck which removed 1,666 grams of tissue from her abdomen. Even though she has gained some weight, at 15 months post-op her scars have healed wonderfully and she loves the smooth contour of her body and the ability to fit into clothes!

Before	Before	Before
After - 15 months	After - 15 months	After - 15 months

As with any surgical procedure, complications from a tummy tuck, although rare, do exist. The specific risks, as well as suitability, for any given individual cannot be determined until the time of consultation. While we hope this information is helpful, it can not substitute for a consultation. We invite you to contact us at 720-283-2500 or online to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hunsicker. Together, you can determine if you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck as well as specific risks and complications that may occur.

For more detailed information please visit The American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS) ®