If you are dealing with unattractive and sometimes uncomfortable folds of skin or fat that don’t respond to your efforts and you are generally healthy, you are very likely an outstanding candidate for a tummy tuck. In addition, you should be close to your ideal body weight and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle.

A full tummy tuck is usually recommended for individuals with significant amounts of loose, hanging skin and fat, above and below the belly button. The incision is generally made from hipbone to hipbone in the bikini line. In this procedure, the abdominal muscles, which may have been stretched apart, can be brought back together, creating an internal, natural corset to tighten the abdomen.

A mini tummy tuck is a less invasive version of a full tummy tuck. It involves removing excess skin and tightening the abdominal muscles below the belly button. A mini tummy tuck does not require a new incision for the bellybutton. The incision is much smaller than for a full tummy tuck.

Yes. The larger the weight gain, the more the skin and underlying tissues are stretched. When you lose the weight again, the tummy tuck results may look less good than before. Therefore, it’s obviously best to maintain a stable weight after your procedure.

No. These treatments are for people who have already lost their weight. Patients typically lose only a few pounds from the procedure.

A tummy tuck addresses excess skin, fat, and loose muscle, while liposuction only addresses excess fat. Sometimes a patient only needs liposuction to achieve a satisfactory result. Other patients will have an improved appearance with either liposuction or a tummy tuck, or sometimes both, and the choice is based on the goals and expectations of the patient.

Following the tummy tuck procedure, you will have a dressing on your abdomen. It will remain on until the doctor removes it several days after surgery. Occasionally, patients may be required to have drainage tubes to remove excess fluid underneath the skin. Dr. Varkony will give you specific instructions on how to care for them and when they will be removed. They are typically in place for about 7-10 days.

Recovery time varies from patient to patient. One can expect to return to work approximately one to two weeks after surgery, largely depending on the amount of physical activity required for your type of work. As for physical activity, it is gradually increased over the first several weeks and full activity can usually be resumed between six to eight weeks.

Please note, to ensure a rapid recovery, it is important to stay away from aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Advil following your surgery since these increase bruising. The doctor will advise you when you are ready to start taking them again.

If the abdominal muscles are tightened, it will feel sore like after a hard workout. You will be prescribed pain and/or anti-nausea medication to keep you as comfortable as possible while healing.

Yes. It is very important to have a family member, friend, or medical professional care for you during the first few days following your procedure.

You can have surgery in the morning and be back home or in your hotel room in the afternoon. An overnight stay in a post-operative nursing facility or a private nurse in your home or hotel room for the first day can be arranged if desired.

Procedures are done in our fully certified out-patient surgical center. We use board-certified anesthesiologists.

For almost all cases, general anesthesia will be used, which means you will be completely asleep and pain-free during the entire procedure. Some other patients with shorter procedures can have lighter sedation. However, everyone will be completely comfortable during the procedure.

The procedure could take between one to three hours depending on the plan Dr. Varkony and the patient have agreed upon.