Tummy Tuck
in Novi, Michigan
Aging, weight gain, and childbirth can dramatically change your abdomen. You don’t have to suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of confidence, though. A tummy tuck could be just the thing you need. This procedure is specially designed to remove excess skin, tighten abdominal muscles, and eliminate or improve stretch marks across your abdomen. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lakin, is an expert in body contouring surgeries and will customize the surgery to you and your goals.
Tummy Tuck Overview
What’s It All About?
What is a tummy tuck, aka abdominoplasty?
A tummy tuck is a type of cosmetic surgery more properly referred to as abdominoplasty. It is an invasive procedure and does require full sedation (meaning you’ll be asleep during the process). A tummy tuck removes sagging skin and addresses muscle separation, known as diastasis recti, from your abdominal area left from childbirth, weight loss or gain, and more.
What Abdominal Concerns Do Tummy Tucks Address?
Abdominoplasty can address a wide range of concerns about your abdomen, including the following:
Sagging skin can develop through weight gain and subsequent loss or due to pregnancy and childbirth. This is removed during an abdominoplasty, giving you a flatter abdomen.
With this cosmetic surgery, you can remove or at least reduce visible stretch marks by removing the excess loose skin containing them.
Pregnancy can widen your abdominal muscles, causing the lower stomach to protrude. Dr. Lakin can tighten those muscles, as well as the abdominal wall, reducing the protrusion and flattening your stomach.
Weight gain and loss over time can create sagging, loose abdominal skin and a rough texture. A tummy tuck removes that excess skin and smooths the surface, helping you create the toned, flat physique you desire.
The Different Types of Tummy Tucks
While you might assume that abdominoplasties are all the same, the truth is that there are several different types out there. Each offers different skin removal, muscle tightening, and tummy tuck scar options. Which is right for you, though? Here’s a closer look at the three options.
Traditional Tummy Tuck aka Complete Abdominoplasty
With a full tummy tuck, Dr. Lakin will create an incision at the top of one hip and extend it across your abdomen to the top of the other hip, just over the pubic area. The scar line will be low on your abdomen below the bikini line and hidden by undergarments. This type of procedure also allows your belly button to be repositioned after removing the excess skin and fat. Dr. Lakin is known for creating a natural-appearing belly button with hidden incisions. This surgical procedure gives access to the entire abdominal wall, allowing Dr. Lakin to tighten the abdominal muscles and giving you better tummy tuck results. This surgery is great for moms suffering from a mom pooch or for people with moderate skin laxity.
Traditional Tummy Tuck aka Complete Abdominoplasty
With a full tummy tuck, Dr. Lakin will create an incision at the top of one hip and extend it across your abdomen to the top of the other hip, just over the pubic area. The scar line will be low on your abdomen below the bikini line and hidden by undergarments. This type of procedure also allows your belly button to be repositioned after removing the excess skin and fat. Dr. Lakin is known for creating a natural-appearing belly button with hidden incisions. This surgical procedure gives access to the entire abdominal wall, allowing Dr. Lakin to tighten the abdominal muscles and giving you better tummy tuck results. This surgery is great for moms suffering from a mom pooch or for people with moderate skin laxity.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is precisely what it sounds like: a smaller version of the traditional procedure. You might also hear it called a Brazilian tummy tuck. The surgeon uses a smaller incision along the bikini line and only removes excess skin from the lower abdomen. This procedure doesn’t affect the belly button, and liposuction can be used to remove excess fat simultaneously. This type of procedure is usually conducted on patients with mild extra skin and no muscle separation.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is precisely what it sounds like: a smaller version of the traditional procedure. You might also hear it called a Brazilian tummy tuck. The surgeon uses a smaller incision along the bikini line and only removes excess skin from the lower abdomen. This procedure doesn’t affect the belly button, and liposuction can be used to remove excess fat simultaneously. This type of procedure is usually conducted on patients with mild extra skin and no muscle separation.
Extended Tummy Tuck
With an extended tummy tuck, the incision is extended a little further. Rather than stopping at the top of the hips, it goes farther back. This also allows the surgeon to tighten the entire waistline and address the hanging skin. Great for patients with severe excess skin.
Extended Tummy Tuck
With an extended tummy tuck, the incision is extended a little further. Rather than stopping at the top of the hips, it goes farther back. This also allows the surgeon to tighten the entire waistline and address the hanging skin. Great for patients with severe excess skin.
Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck
This procedure is recommended for patients who have experienced massive weight loss. The incision site is similar to a full tummy tuck (along the bikini line), but another vertical incision is made from the middle of the chest to the pubic hairline. After significant weight loss, patients may experience a significant amount of skin laxity that can be corrected by this surgery.
Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck
This procedure is recommended for patients who have experienced massive weight loss. The incision site is similar to a full tummy tuck (along the bikini line), but another vertical incision is made from the middle of the chest to the pubic hairline. After significant weight loss, patients may experience a significant amount of skin laxity that can be corrected by this surgery.
Tummy Tuck Surgery Recovery
What to Expect
Tummy tucks are invasive procedures. That means you’ll need downtime afterward. Understanding what to expect during the recovery process will help things go more smoothly. Here’s what you need to know.
Drain Tubes and Compression Garments
You will likely be fitted with drain tubes to allow fluid to drain from the incision. Your doctor will explain how to care for them, and they’ll be removed usually 1 week after surgery. Sometimes they need to stay in for a few weeks after the procedure. You will be given compression garments which will be worn for 23 hours a day for 1 month, then 12 hours a day for 2 months, then as needed for up to 3 more months. The compression garments will help your body adjust to its new shape and to control swelling.
Post-Surgery Care
We recommend taking 1-2 weeks off from work, depending on how active you are at work. You may resume strenuous exercise and heavy lifting 4-6 weeks after surgery. You should walk 10-15 minutes every 1-2 hours while awake for the first week after surgery, and use compression socks for 23 hours a day for the first week to maintain blood circulation, which helps prevent getting blood clots. You can shower 24 hours after surgery. Expect to walk slightly hunched over during the first week after surgery. You should plan on sleeping in a flexed position with pillows under your shoulders and legs. Over time as your tight new abdomen relaxes, you will be able to walk upright and sleep in a flat position. By one month postop, you should be able to sleep on your stomach. You will be given Arnicare ointments and tabs to help with bruising and swelling. Steri strip tape will be placed along your incision, which should be kept on for one month.
Follow-Up Visits
Your first follow-up appointment will be on postop day 1 to allow Dr. Lakin to inspect the incisions and gauge your initial healing. The drain tubes will also be removed during one of your follow-ups, usually at your first-week appointment. At two weeks postop, we will remove your belly button sutures. Then at 4 weeks postop, we will remove the steri strip tape covering your incision. We like seeing our patients back at 3 and 6 months postop because it takes up to 3-6 months for all of the swelling to go away. Then we like to see our patients back at 1-year postop to get a longer-term follow-up evaluation. If you are traveling from out-of-town, we usually see our patients back on postop day 1, then will follow up with them virtually. Our out-of-town patients will need to coordinate with someone back home who can remove their drain and belly button sutures.
Lymphatic massages
Lymphatic massages are highly recommended to help reduce swelling and improve blood circulation. These will allow you to recover faster. We will give you detailed instructions on how to do daily lymphatic massages for at least the first month after surgery. You are also welcome to obtain professional lymphatic massages but will still need to do your own daily lymphatic massages.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Michigan?
The average cost of a tummy tuck in Michigan is between $6,000 and $15,000. Health insurance does not pay for this procedure, as it’s considered elective. However, your costs will vary depending on many factors, including the type of tummy tuck you choose, your body mass index (BMI), and whether you include additional procedures, like a breast procedure or liposuction. We include up to 1 liter of liposuction from your upper abdominal midline and front of your waist (love handles). There are additional costs if you would like additional areas of liposuction.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Michigan?
How to Prepare for Your Tummy Tuck
If you’ve decided that a tummy tuck is right for you, you’ll need to prepare yourself before the procedure. This can take several months.
4-6 Months Prior
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Frequently Asked Questions about Tummy Tucks
Plastic surgery is not for everyone. However, a tummy tuck can offer some dramatic benefits, including:
- Regain Confidence and Self-Esteem – With a flat, toned abdomen, you’ll feel better about yourself. Imagine feeling free to wear that new two-piece without worrying about your stomach showing.
- Improved Physical Health and Quality of Life – A tummy tuck delivers more than just a boost to your self-confidence. With tighter abdominal muscles and less excess skin and fat on your abdomen, you’ll feel stronger and more capable, and you’ll be at less risk for certain health conditions.
- Achieving a Slim and Toned Body through a Tummy Tuck Surgical Procedure – With a skilled plastic surgeon, you can combine a tummy tuck with other procedures to create the slim, toned body you want.
You can expect some soreness in your abdomen and around the incisions. You will also feel general fatigue. Your lower abdomen may also feel tighter. Full recovery (i.e., returning to your regular activities) can take about four to six weeks.
You’ll notice some results almost immediately. However, because of swelling and the healing process, it can take 3-6 months to see the full results. Most patients see the full benefit of a tummy tuck within about a year.
A tummy tuck permanently removes excess skin and fat, reduces or eliminates stretch marks, and tightens your abdominal muscles. However, you will need to maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise, otherwise, previously existing visceral(deep belly) fat cells can grow.
Yes! You can still have healthy, full-term pregnancies even after a complete tummy tuck.
You will need to wear a compression garment after your procedure. We recommend wearing them for 23 hours a day for 1 month, then 12 hours a day for 2 months, then as needed for 3 more months. t However, everyone’s situation varies and we will explain how long you should wear one during your consultation.
Yes! Many patients choose to combine their tummy tucks with other procedures like breast procedures and liposuction to remove excess fat.
Your surgeon will move the belly button upward and restore its natural appearance. We specialize in creating beautiful, natural-looking belly buttons with hidden incisions.
You will need to take one to two weeks off work, depending on how active you are. After that point, you can return to normal activities, but you should wait four to six weeks (or until you get the green light from your surgeon) to return to regular exercising.
Yes, during a full tummy tuck procedure, the abdominal wall is treated. Tightening muscles will help you achieve a flatter abdomen and treat diastasis recti. A mini-abdominoplasty will only partially correct abdominal muscle separation.
Like all plastic surgery procedures, tummy tucks have several risks and complications. These can include blood clots, poor circulation, and poor wound healing. And while you can have a healthy, full-term pregnancy after the procedure, your abdomen may feel tighter than before. The best way to minimize risks is to follow your surgeon’s aftercare advice to the letter and then maintain a healthy weight after the procedure.
Schedule a Consultation
Whether you’re looking for Dr. Lakin’s expert insight or know exactly what you’re looking for, scheduling a consultation is the obvious and easy next step. Sit down with one of Michigan’s premier plastic surgeons and start your journey into illuminating the best version of yourself.
