Tummy Tuck Surgery in Eugene, OR
For women or men who feel unhappy with the loose skin or bulging of their midsection, an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, may help restore your confidence. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen while tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. While this procedure can leave a scar on the lower abdomen, most people find it a very worthwhile trade-off for significantly improved body contours.
Dr. Lee B. Daniel received Board Certification in both general surgery and plastic surgery and specializes in tummy tucks and other body contouring procedures for men and women. Together with his team at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Eugene, Dr. Daniel is dedicated to helping you meet your appearance goals through cosmetic surgery.
If you’d like to learn more about whether a tummy tuck is right for you, contact our office in Eugene today for more details or to schedule your consultation.
At Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we offer enduring enhancements where regular fitness routines may not suffice. Dr.Daniel’s meticulous tummy tuck procedures remove excess skin and fat and tighten weakened abdominal muscles, sculpting a refined waistline that complements your natural body shape. The result is a permanent elegant and contoured silhouette.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, or Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure aimed at contouring and refining the abdomen. This procedure eliminates excess fat and skin and reinforces abdominal muscles that might have weakened or stretched. For individuals who desire a toned, firm midsection, traditional diet and exercise may offer some toning, but fall short when dealing with weakened muscle framework or a condition called diastasis recti, in which the abdominal muscles are separated. However, you can achieve a taut, sculpted abdominal profile with a tummy tuck.
How Does a Tummy Tuck Work?
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure designed to create a smoother, flatter abdomen. The process involves an incision made just above the pelvic area extending to near the belly button. The surgeon then strengthens any lax abdominal muscles and stretches the skin from the upper abdomen downward. After the excess skin is trimmed away, fine stitches are applied to close the incision, sculpting your abdomen into a tighter, more toned appearance.
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck Treatment
A tummy tuck offers a remarkable enhancement to the abdominal area for individuals who have experienced significant weight fluctuation or the after-effects of pregnancy. This procedure creates a smoother and firmer abdominal profile. It involves the removal of extra fat and skin from the midsection, which may also lead to a more refined waistline, an aesthetically pleasing belly button, and stronger underlying abdominal muscles. In addition to enhancing the abdominal contours, a tummy tuck may also reduce the number and visibility of stretch marks.
Tummy Tuck vs. Other Treatments
Deciding between different types of surgery and non-invasive treatments is crucial when desiring a more sculpted and defined physique. A tummy tuck is ideal for those dealing with saggy skin or weakened abdominal muscles, offering a significant transformation by eliminating excess skin, reducing stretch marks, and tightening the core area. Liposuction, on the other hand, is a less aggressive option that uses tiny incisions to remove fat deposits but won’t fix loose skin or improve muscle tightness. Non-surgical options like CoolSculpting gradually dissolve fat without any cuts, although they lack the immediate reshaping effects of liposuction. Combining a tummy tuck with liposuction can lead to superior fat loss, while CoolSculpting can further finesse body contours when used in conjunction with these surgical methods.
Before Your Tummy Tuck
While a tummy tuck may be an option for anyone unhappy with the appearance of a belly paunch, the procedure is commonly performed for women who have had children, along with men and women who have undergone weight loss and are left with a significant amount of excess skin. The appearance of loose skin can also develop as a result of age. Women also frequently undergo tummy tuck surgery as part of a mommy makeover, which includes breast reshaping.
Before your procedure, you will meet with Dr. Daniel for a consultation where you can talk together about your expectations and appearance goals. Depending on your preferences and physical evaluation, Dr. Daniel will explain whether a good candidate for the procedure and what kind of results you can expect.
Your Tummy Tuck Procedure
Abdominoplasty can be ideal for sculpting the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the musculature underneath. Because Dr. Daniel believes that the best cosmetic surgery results come from customized procedures that are tailored to each patient, he offers more than one option for tummy tuck surgery:
Full (Traditional) Tummy Tuck: For a full tummy tuck, a horizontal incision is made very low in the abdomen (just above the pubic bone), along with a small incision made inside the navel. The size of the incisions is determined by the amount of skin that will be removed. This technique includes tightening the abdominal wall with internal stitches.
The Mini Tummy Tuck: A limited tummy tuck, or mini tummy tuck, is best for removing excess skin on the lower abdomen only. A shorter incision is made at the pubic bone below the navel, and excess skin and fat are removed. Typically, a mini tummy tuck does not offer the same level of correction as a full tummy tuck.
Skin Only Tummy Tuck: Some patients have a flat abdominal wall with only loose skin above and below the navel. No abdominal wall tightening is necessary, the incisions are the same as a traditional tummy tuck.
For patients with stubborn deposits of excess fat around the midsection, the tummy tuck may be paired with liposuction for more refined abdominal contours.
Recovering from Your Tummy Tuck
The results of your tummy tuck may be difficult to see immediately after surgery because standing fully upright is challenging during the first few days after the procedure. This should improve after about a week, as swelling lessens and you can stand comfortably again.
Dr. Daniel may recommend you wear a compression garment following surgery to keep your midsection supported and promote healing, as well as refraining from vigorous activity that could prolong the healing process. If a traditional tummy tuck is performed, it should be six weeks or more before core muscle exercise is done.
As your final results become more visible, you should enjoy a flatter, firmer tummy along with a more well-defined waistline. Although a tummy tuck won’t help you lose weight, many men and women notice that the absence of excess skin and tissue makes it easier to find clothes that fit and feel more confident with their improved body contours.
I couldn’t be happier with my results. The whole experience was wonderful from start to finish. Dr Daniels and his staff really made me feel like I was a priority and I’m convinced it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
– Cheryl c. via google reviews
What To Expect During a Tummy Tuck Treatment
Before a Tummy Tuck Treatment
Before your tummy tuck, you will have a pre-surgical consultation with Dr. Daniel in Eugene. This session will include an overview of your medical background and a discussion about your desired aesthetic outcomes. Dr. Daniel will customize a strategy based on the results and your choices. You will also receive instructions to prepare for surgery, including the recommendation to quit smoking, and to avoid aspirin, herbal supplements, and anti-inflammatory medications, which could increase the chances of bleeding.
During a Tummy Tuck Treatment
During tummy tuck surgery an incision is made just above your pelvic area; the length of this cut is tailored to the amount of surplus skin present. The abdominal muscles, fully exposed, are cinched together tightly to create a firmer, more toned abdomen. The incisions are then sutured and bandaged. The surgery generally lasts two to three hours and is performed under general anesthesia at our exclusive AAAHC-accredited Surgery Center, offering both comfort and privacy to our patients.
After a Tummy Tuck Treatment
Post-tummy tuck, anticipate recovery protocols like bandages over the surgery site and a compression garment to minimize swelling. Drain tubes may be installed to drain excess fluids. Follow your surgeon’s care guidelines, take prescribed meds, and attend follow-up check-ups. Early recovery can involve discomfort and swelling, but these are normally short-lived. Most return to work within two weeks, although this can vary based on the nature of your employment.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
-
You may be an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck if you struggle with loose skin and belly fat that doesn’t seem to respond to diet or exercise. Many tummy tuck patients are also bothered by separated abdominal muscles, which commonly occur after pregnancy or significant weight gain.
-
Abdominoplasty can be ideal for sculpting the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the musculature underneath. The ideal type of tummy tuck for you depends upon a variety of factors, such as your appearance goals and the amount of excess skin present.
The best tummy tuck results come from customized procedures that are tailored to each patient, so three options are available from our practice:
- A full tummy tuck includes tightening the abdominal wall and removing both skin and fat.
- A mini tummy tuck uses a smaller incision and includes a minimal amount of excess skin removal and muscle repair.
- A skin-only tummy tuck can be ideal for patients with a flat abdominal wall who have limited excess skin.
In cases where patients also have stubborn deposits of excess fat around the abdomen, the addition of liposuction can provide additional fine-tuning.
-
Liposuction can be great for patients who want to remove stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond well to traditional exercise, such as the love handles. However, if you have loose skin in addition to excess fat, a tummy tuck may give you better body contouring results. Determining if liposuction alone can give you the desired results can be discussed in more detail during your consultation.
-
Although pregnancy is one of the most common reasons that women find themselves left with stretched-out tummy skin, both men and women can see positive benefits from abdominoplasty, including women who haven’t had children. Some patients have undergone massive weight loss that left behind excess abdominal skin, and a post-weight loss tummy tuck can help complete the transformation that you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
-
Every effort is made to place incisions in the most discreet locations possible and to keep incision size to a minimum. However, as with any surgery, some scarring is inevitable. Typically, a tummy tuck scar is placed low on the abdomen, where it can be easily hidden by everyday clothing or even swimwear. Most patients feel that their results are well worth the trade-off.
-
You should notice a change in your abdominal tightness immediately following your surgery, although standing up straight may be difficult at first. As the swelling lessens over the next few weeks, you should be able to stand more comfortably and start to see a flatter belly.
-
Following tummy tuck surgery, you can expect to experience some soreness and discomfort; however, you will be provided medication to alleviate pain. During recovery, avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for 3 to 4 weeks to ensure proper healing; light activities such as walking are recommended and promote circulation, and aid healing.
-
While a tummy tuck is generally considered safe, especially when conducted by a highly qualified practitioner like dual board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Daniel, it’s important to be aware of possible risks and side effects associated with the procedure. Complications, though rare, can include bleeding, infection at the incision site, negative reactions to anesthesia, changes in skin sensation, unattractive scarring, and fluid build-up under the skin.
-
Before undergoing an abdominoplasty:
- Complete any requisite lab tests or medical evaluations as directed.
- Adjust any current medications as per your doctor’s guidance.
- Cease smoking significantly before your surgery date.
- Avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal remedies as they can increase bleeding risks during the procedure.
Adhering to these measures can enhance the recovery process.
-
Tummy tuck surgery typically takes two to three hours and is performed under general anesthesia at our accredited Surgery Center in Eugene.
-
At Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we prioritize your comfort during a tummy tuck by administering mild general anesthesia, ensuring a virtually painless procedure.
Schedule a Tummy Tuck in Eugene Today
To learn more about your options for tummy tuck surgery, please contact us today. We look forward to your visit at our plastic surgery practice, which is conveniently located near the Oakway Center.
Contact Us
We Would Love To Hear From You