Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fat around the abdominal area while tightening weakened or separated muscles. This is necessary for abdominal contouring for most patients whose muscles have separated after pregnancy and/or moderate to severe weight gain. This comprehensive approach ensures a smoother, firmer, and more youthful appearance.

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Dr. Kamran Azad is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life to improving his patients’ aesthetic features. He is a highly skilled surgeon with a wealth of experience performing tummy tuck procedures. Dr. Azad is committed to delivering outstanding results while prioritizing patient safety at his Orlando plastic surgery center.

If you are considering tummy tuck surgery, we invite you to schedule a private consultation by filling out this online form. You may also call our office at (407) 848-3400. We look forward to speaking with you!

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is particularly beneficial for individuals who have excess abdominal skin, stubborn belly fat, or separated abdominal muscles due to factors such as pregnancy, weight loss, or natural aging. A traditional or full tummy tuck removes redundant skin in the lower abdomen, pulls down the skin above the belly button, and tightens the abdominal muscles to reconstruct the abdominal wall. Dr. Azad combines this procedure with liposuction to create a lean and aesthetically pleasing midsection. Often called lipoabdominoplasty, using these two techniques together allows for a slimmer, streamlined appearance for the patient. ⁽¹⁾ Abdominoplasty is a form of body contouring that greatly improves a patient’s overall shape and proportions.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A “mini” abdominoplasty only removes redundant skin from below the belly button. The incision is shorter, and there is usually no incision around the navel. Dr. Azad removes some of the lower abdominal skin. Mini-tummy tucks can be effective with patients who have relatively mild abdominal bulges or excess skin only in the lower part of the abdomen. ⁽²⁾

Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that goes beyond a traditional tummy tuck by addressing not only the front of the abdomen but also the sides and lower back. It is particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced significant weight loss or have excess skin and fat in these areas.

How Can I Benefit From A Tummy Tuck?

Ideal Tummy Tuck Candidates

The best candidates for a tummy tuck are patients who have:

In the majority of cases, tummy tuck patients are moms who have finished bearing children. Men and women who have lost a considerable amount of weight are also good candidates. Some of these patients may have had weight loss surgery such as a gastric bypass or lap band procedure, while others may have lost significant weight from medications such as GLP-1 or tirzepatide. Both of these situations can leave patients with large amounts of excess skin and tissue above and below the belly button and muscle separation. To qualify for surgery, they should be in good overall health with no serious underlying medical conditions. Some women carry their weight in their abdomen–and worse–inside their abdomen. This is “visceral” fat or male-pattern fat (think of a man’s “Beer belly” where there is no loose skin and the abdomen is firm and full). These patients are not good candidates for abdominoplasty because there is no way to tighten the muscles; there is no place for the fat to go. Patients over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of complications from abdominoplasty and mommy makeover surgery. We do not advise these procedures in patients of this age group.

Choose Dr. Azad for a Tummy Tuck Consultation

During this consultation, we will discuss your goals, assess your candidacy, and address any questions or concerns you may have. Dr. Azad understands that every individual is unique and will take the time to listen to your concerns, assess your anatomy, and create a customized treatment plan that aligns with your specific goals and expectations. He will then explain the procedure, discuss potential outcomes, and address any questions or apprehensions you may have. A member of his attentive staff will then help you schedule your tummy tuck surgery.

Preparation for Surgery

In general, plastic surgery is best approached from an ideal body weight. This provides optimal results with the lowest chance of complications. Each person’s ideal weight is different, but as a rule, your BMI should be less than 30 to have a tummy tuck. The goal should be to have more loose skin and less fat. This does not mean a crash diet before your tummy tuck surgery, but rather gradual weight loss.

Patients should avoid certain substances before surgery including:

Tummy Tuck Procedure

After you receive general anesthesia, Dr. Azad will mark the area of skin before making an incision along the bikini line from hip to hip. Next, he will make a second incision around the navel. He will pull down excess skin and remove it, along with the underlying fatty tissue. At this point, he may also bring your abdominal muscles together with internal sutures to tighten them and trim your waist. Dr. Azad will create a new opening for the belly button in the shifted skin, then invert it when suturing it into place to avoid an external scar. To finish your tummy tuck, he meticulously closes the incisions with several layers of sutures to minimize scarring.

Recovery

Azad Plastic Surgery has an on-site surgical center equipped with the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery technology. This ensures you receive the highest standard of care throughout your tummy tuck journey. Our dedicated staff will provide detailed postoperative care instructions, including information on managing discomfort, monitoring incisions, and gradually resuming daily activities. We are here to support you throughout the recovery process.

Recovery time is highly dependent on the patient and the extent of the tummy tuck surgery. Before leaving the center, you will be given specific instructions on when to follow up with Dr. Azad. Most patients should be able to return to work 10-14 days after the surgery and resume most activities after 6-8 weeks. A week after the surgery, you may resume light exercise, but heavy lifting of more than 5 lbs, sit-ups, and crunches, should not resume until 8 weeks after the surgery.

Results

The length of time to see the results from a tummy tuck depends on the extent of the procedure and how well a patient heals, but the excess skin will be gone immediately. The patient will have swelling for several weeks after the procedure, but compression garments can help minimize this and cut down the healing time. The majority of patients will see results after 3-6 months, though ultimate results will be evident 6-9 months after the surgery when the swelling has completely subsided. Many patients experience long-lasting abdominal contour and muscle tone improvements. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can contribute to the longevity of your results.

The Azad Plastic Surgery Tummy Tuck

During each tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Azad also addresses the pubic area to make sure it stays flat and lifted. He uses liposuction on the flanks and upper abdomen to further tighten the entire abdominal area. To ease the postoperative journey, he administers Exparel, a local anesthetic injected during your surgery. This essentially makes you pain-free for 4 days and decreases the need for narcotics. It also allows you to get up and walk around right after your surgery, significantly shortening your recovery time.

Within our all-inclusive tummy tuck procedure, we administer hyperbaric treatments right after your surgery to help your recovery time by easing pain. We also provide lymphatic messages, customized fitting garments, scar care, and overnight stay at our facility for the first night with our nurse as part of our concierge service in a boutique environment that caters just to you.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Orlando?

Pricing varies widely for tummy tucks, especially in the state of Florida. Do not take shortcuts with your body. Our procedures are all-inclusive so your overnight stay, scar care, garments, anesthesia and facility fees, and all of your aftercare are included. To receive an estimated cost total, please schedule a private consultation at Azad Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Azad looks forward to meeting with you to discuss your plastic surgery inquiry. You will find him and his entire staff at Azad Plastic Surgery to be pleasant, knowledgeable, and helpful. Fill out this online form or call our office at (407) 848-3400 to request a consultation today.

FAQ

References

1. O’Kelly N, Nguyen K, Gibstein A, Bradley JP, Tanna N, Matarasso A. Standards and Trends in Lipoabdominoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2020;8(10). doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003144
2. Daniel El Israwi, Watfa W. Rectus Muscle Plication in Mini-abdominoplasty with Umbilicus Preservation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2023;11(5):e4998-e4998. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000004998