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A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess skin on the abdomen and addresses diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation) with muscle repair. At Amelia, Exparel® and waistline liposuction are often included in the cost to support a smoother recovery and natural-looking result.
Amelia specializes in the modern tummy tuck—a combination of advanced techniques that often eliminate the need for post-op drains, support an easier recovery, and result in more natural outcomes.
Many patients plan for 7-10 days of downtime. It’s common to have lifting and water submersion restrictions for up to 6 weeks.
Though you’ll see improvements along the way, tummy tuck results typically take up to a year post-op to fully develop.
It's important to remember that these are general guidelines. Always check in with your provider and follow their specific guidelines for your unique anatomy and treatment.
Amelia specializes in 4 types of tummy tuck scars: standard (full), mini, extended, and fleur-di-lis. The type of tummy tuck scar that is right for you depends on the amount of skin removal needed to achieve your goals.
Abdominoplasty scars typically take around 12 months post-op to heal and when cared for properly can continue to fade for years to come. Consistent scar care and SPF are so important after your surgery, especially in the first year. Your surgeon and clinical team will be there to guide you on a protocol to help ensure your scars fade and heal their best.
The {procedure} type for you is the one that will be the most successful in helping you achieve your goals. A good relationship with a good plastic surgeon will allow you to talk through your options based on your unique anatomy and goals.
The full tummy tuck addresses loose skin above and below the navel, reshapes the belly button, and repairs abdominal muscle separation.
A mini tummy tuck addresses skin laxity below the navel but does not address loose skin above the belly button.
An extended tummy tuck is a lot like a full tummy tuck with a slightly longer incision for more skin removal.
A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is most commonly used for significant skin removal in major weight loss patients.
Patient education is at the heart of Amelia Aesthetics. Here is a little more information to help you in your {procedure} research.
Diastasis recti is the separation and stretching of the abdominal muscles that result in a loss of core strength and control. Pregnancy, weight loss, weight gain, and even aging cause the muscles to separate and stretch.
Once the muscles are separated, the only way to truly correct the separation is by surgically bringing the muscles together. Exercise and pelvic work can certainly help bring them closer together, but in many cases, cannot completely correct diastasis recti.
Muscle repair is often included with a tummy tuck and acts as an internal corset to strengthen the core, relieve lower back pain, and provide additional shape to the torso.
The surgical techniques used in a modern tummy tuck often eliminate the need for post-operative drains in most cases. In many cases, eliminating post-op drains allows for a shower just two days after surgery and reduces tension on the incision for better healing.
Keep in mind that factors like your anatomy and sometimes details of your procedure, like the amount of liposuction done, play a role in whether or not you’ll have a drain.
Exparel® is a long-lasting injectable medication given during your procedure to help make the first few days post-op more comfortable. Exparel® is often included at no additional cost because we believe supporting you in a faster, more active recovery is the right thing to do.
Keep in mind that every recovery is unique. Your surgeon will give you individualized instructions and timelines during your consultation.
Keep in mind that everyone’s healing and results timeline are unique. Your provider will give you specific instructions and timelines based on your treatment and anatomy.
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Here are some of the most common {procedure} questions answered by the plastic surgeons of Amelia Aesthetics.
