Tummy Tuck in Miami, FL

Abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” is a cosmetic surgery by our Miami, FL board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso, used to make the abdomen firmer. The surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. After a major weight loss or pregnancy, a patient may request this type of surgery, as this type of surgery is usually sought by patients with loose or sagging skin. Dr. LaGrasso performs the full, mini, and extended abdominoplasty surgery from start to finish without exception. Patients considering a tummy tuck should be close to their ideal weight. The majority of patients who undergo this treatment report a significant boost in their self-confidence because of the improvement made to their physical appearance.  

In addition to achieving a tighter, more toned stomach and abs, a tummy tuck's benefits include:

• Eliminating the persistent fat that diet and exercise haven't worked on
• Tightening loose, sagging skin
• Reducing the appearance of stretch marks
• Improving your posture
• Reducing the symptoms of urinary incontinence
• Correcting hernias
• Allowing you to wear a wider variety of clothing
• Providing a boost to self-image and confidence

Both men and women can be great candidates for a tummy tuck. If you battle loose skin in addition to excess fat in the lower abdomen, this cosmetic surgery can help you reclaim a tighter and slimmer appearance. Dr. LaGrasso recommends you be at a healthy weight prior to surgery. Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure — it treats loose skin. A form of liposuction is often implemented during the procedure to remove unwanted fat. If your abdominal area has good skin laxity, but you are still unhappy with the appearance of your midsection, especially if diet and exercise have failed, you may be more suited for liposuction. Women considering this treatment should be past childbearing to make sure the surgical outcomes are not affected.

In patients who undergo a full tummy tuck, the incision is made from hip to hip just over the pubic area. This results in a scar line that is horizontal and can be hidden when wearing undergarments. It is commonly performed on women with significant skin folds after multiple pregnancies. This technique allows the surgeon access to a large portion of the abdomen while repositioning the belly button so that its placement appears natural. Liposuction is performed to remove excess fat preceding the skin tightening portion. The internal abdominal muscles are secured for a firm, toned appearance.

An alternative to the traditional technique is the mini tummy tuck, which is also known as a “Brazilian tummy tuck.” The difference is that ideally, the patients that undergo this procedure are already in relatively good shape with a healthy skin tone, but still have loose skin on the lower abdomen. Unlike the full tummy tuck, the belly button is unaffected and the incision is smaller. Liposuction is used (if needed) to remove excess fat, and the loose skin is removed and pulled tight. 

In cases when major skin tightening and body contouring is needed, an extended tummy tuck is recommended. This is a necessary technique for patients who have undergone a significant weight loss. It was developed after some patients noted that even after a full tummy tuck, the parts surrounding the abdomen still showed excessive folds of skin. The incision may extend around the navel, flank, and lower back, depending on where skin tightening is necessary. Liposuction is still used and excess skin is trimmed then tightened. Similar to a full tummy tuck, the belly button is repositioned.

Abdominoplasty operations vary in scope and are frequently subdivided into categories. Depending on the extent of the surgery, a complete abdominoplasty can take 1 ­– 5 hours. A partial abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck) can be completed between 1 – 2 hours. 

A tummy tuck is done under general anesthesia. It is an outpatient procedure, but an overnight stay can be required specific to complex cases. As with any other surgery, abdominoplasty comes with risks so it’s best to discuss any health conditions you have prior to surgery. After surgery, pain medications are provided and a compression garment is worn. The patient will need to rest up to 48 hours. From then, it is recommended that patients make a concerted effort to move around to help blood circulation and reduce the risks of blood clot complications. Recovery may take up to 6 weeks.

Following a tummy tuck, you will be carefully examined and sent home wearing a compression garment to help control swelling. Walking and standing will be slow-going at first, so you should take it easy for a few days. Standing becomes less painful once the muscles relax and the incision begins to heal. You can resume normal activities in approximately two weeks. Exercise can begin later, closer to six weeks or when you are given permission by our team. The midsection will feel tight and uncomfortable, but you will feel healthy and normal again once completely healed.

Tummy tucks are reserved for patients who have stretched, loose skin in the lower abdomen as a result of pregnancy or obesity. Liposuction, on the other hand, is for those who want to remove excess fat in the abdomen but still have a healthy skin tone. During the initial consultation, we will provide a thorough assessment and determine if liposuction alone is all that is needed, or if a tummy tuck will provide the best results. 

Normally, abdominoplasty is performed to improve loose skin and excess fat around the abdomen area. However, sometimes other cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation or a breast lift are done to further improve the overall look and feel of the body. When this combination type of surgery exists, it is known as a “mommy makeover." It is very popular among women after pregnancy who wish to get their pre-pregnancy body and shape back to normal.

Unfortunately, with a tummy tuck surgery, scars are unavoidable. However, extra measures are taken to make sure that scarring is minimal. The incision line is placed in areas that can be concealed by undergarments. Previous C-section scars will be incised in the same spot for the tummy tuck. During the healing process, we will provide a post-operative protocol that includes scar treatment to help assist the scars in becoming less visible.  

It is our recommendation that women who decide to have more children delay a tummy tuck procedure. The stretching of the skin as a result of another pregnancy can reduce the positive outcome of this procedure.

A variety of factors can lead to a sagging abdominal area that creates loose skin. We know it can be a daily struggle even with regular exercise and a healthy diet — when these aren't enough to get results, surgery is generally the best option to overcome this. If you are embarrassed by the loose skin in your abdominal region, whether it is significant or not, tummy tuck surgery performed by Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso can help you get the body of your dreams. We invite you to call our office in Miami, FL, to learn more and schedule a private consultation.