Diet and exercise can help you accomplish a toned figure, but there are limits to what weight loss can do for your skin. As you shed those pounds, your skin does not necessarily shrink with you. Women who've gone through pregnancy or adults who've lost a massive amount of weight often struggle with loose, sagging skin in the abdomen. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a body contouring procedure that can give you the slim, firm contour you've been working toward but has been unattainable because of excess skin tissue.
Our board-certified plastic surgeon specializes in tummy tucks and offers this transformative procedure to our East Greenwich patients and nearby Rhode Island areas. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Andrea Doyle at the Centre for Aesthetic + Reconstructive Surgery today at 401.336.3770.
Who Can Benefit from Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Abdominoplasty is not a fat reduction procedure or weight loss solution. It is a body contouring surgery designed to restore your midsection after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or sagging skin due to natural aging. When your skin stretches over time, it often lacks the elasticity to tighten up once the body reverts to a smaller size, but Dr. Doyle can refine your body shape and restore your self-confidence.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Abdominoplasty?
The best candidates for tummy tucks are within 10-15 pounds of their goal weight, in overall good health, nonsmokers, and have realistic expectations for the tummy tuck procedure, recovery, and outcome. If you have loose skin in multiple body areas, an arm lift, thigh lift or combination procedure may be right for you.
Full Tummy Tuck or Mini Tummy Tuck
The Centre for Aesthetic + Reconstructive Surgery offers the full abdominoplasty and the mini-abdominoplasty. Dr. Doyle will discuss your body goals and take a look at your condition to find the best approach to deliver a well-toned physique. The full tummy tuck addresses the upper and lower abdomen and involves trimming the excess skin tissue and tightening your abdominal muscles for a flatter belly.
The mini tummy tuck focuses on the lower abdomen and is best for those with less severe skin sagging. Both options can address stretch marks, and Dr. Doyle may recommend using liposuction to give you the best results possible.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Your tummy tuck procedure will vary as this plastic surgery is customized to your unique body and cosmetic goals. You will go under general anesthesia, which means you’ll need a loved one available to take you home the day of your tummy tuck and help you during the first days of recovery.
The procedure starts with Dr. Doyle making a horizontal incision a few inches below the belly button which extends from hipbone to hipbone. (A mini tummy tuck requires a smaller incision.) Our board-certified plastic surgeon will proceed by trimming away excess skin tissue and repairing underlying muscles where necessary. She will pull the skin tight to give you a firm, smooth core before closing the incisions and applying post-op dressings and drains.
Questions about Tummy Tuck?
How Long Does the Tummy Tuck Procedure Take?
Tummy tuck surgery may take anywhere from one and a half to two and a half hours, depending on factors unique to the procedure. You may need to plan on three to four hours for the entire experience, including paperwork beforehand, the procedure itself, and release from the surgical center.
Dr. Doyle will help you plan accordingly and ensure you are made aware of how long your particular procedure will require from start to finish well before the day of your surgery.
Tummy Tuck Before & After Photos
How Long Will the Results of a Tummy Tuck Last?
Tummy tuck surgery is permanent. Once loose and sagging skin has been removed from the abdomen, it cannot come back. However, skin can stretch again, obscuring your results, if steps are not taken to maintain your new figure.
Committing to a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise will be essential for maintaining your tummy tuck results. Keeping your weight consistent helps to prevent the accumulation of excess fat and reduce the risk of sagging skin. It is important to remember that pregnancy following tummy tuck will undo results as well. This procedure is best for women who do not plan on having children in the future.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
You will notice a slimmer body contour immediately, but you’ll have some redness, bruising, and swelling that take time to heal. These visible signs can take several months to dissipate entirely. Dr. Doyle will go over your post-op instructions, which will include:
- Wearing surgical dressings and compression garments.
- Taking at least two weeks off from work.
- Avoiding high levels of activity and exercise for 1-2 months.
Your complete tummy tuck results will settle in two or three months after your procedure when your body has healed. We encourage our patients to try on all of their favorite clothes or go for those outfits they were too shy to wear before.
Dr. Doyle and our skilled staff love seeing the positive impact tummy tucks can have on the lives of our patients, and those results will last years with a healthy lifestyle.
Can You Have a Tummy Tuck and Liposuction Done at the Same Time?
It is common to have liposuction performed at the same time as a tummy tuck. Tummy tuck surgery removes excess skin, helping to restore a firmer and more defined abdominal area. Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits, helping to ensure the area being defined is ideally toned.
Can You Lose Weight With a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery is not a weight-loss procedure. There may be minor weight loss brought about by the removal of excess fat and tissue, but the procedure is not bariatric and cannot safely be used to significantly reduce a person’s weight.
How Soon After a Pregnancy Can You Get a Tummy Tuck?
You should wait at least six months following the birth of your child to undergo any plastic surgery procedure. Tummy tuck surgery can correct many of the issues brought about by pregnancy – excess skin, stretch marks, stubborn fat, and diastasis recti – but your body will need time to recover before it is sensible to address these concerns.
Will There be Scarring After My Tummy Tuck?
As with any surgical procedure, scars will be inevitable following tummy tuck surgery. The extent of scarring is dependent on the type of tummy tuck you undergo and the care you take of your body following surgery.
You can help reduce your risk of highly visible scarring by refraining from all products containing nicotine, keeping your incisions clean and dry, wearing a compression garment, and closely following the pre and postoperative directions provided by our office.
How Painful is a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery is performed under general anesthesia. You will not feel any pain during your procedure. After surgery, some swelling, bruising, and discomfort are to be expected. These things can be handled with medications, limiting activity, and the use of compression garments.
Severe discomfort should not be expected following tummy tuck surgery. Excessive pain may be an indication of complications and should be brought to the immediate attention of Dr. Doyle.
Why Choose The Center for Aesthetic + Reconstructive Surgery
At The Center for Aesthetic + Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Andrea Doyle stands out as a leading plastic surgeon in Providence, offering a welcoming and patient-focused experience. Board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Doyle brings a wealth of experience and an artistic eye to every procedure, specializing in body contouring to help enhance your body confidence and reveal your inner beauty. Her dedication to delivering exceptional results has earned her the title of "Top Plastic Surgeon" in Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, as voted by her peers, as well as numerous excellent reviews from satisfied patients.
One of the innovative techniques Dr. Doyle offers is the drainless tummy tuck. This modern approach uses a unique layering suture technique to eliminate the need for post-surgical drains. This advanced method not only improves the healing process but also provides a more comfortable recovery experience. As an experienced aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Doyle's expertise and commitment to achieving natural, beautiful results make The Center for Aesthetic + Reconstructive Surgery the premier choice for your tummy tuck journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I get pregnant afterward, and will it affect my results?
Yes, you can get pregnant after a tummy tuck, although surgeons typically advise patients to wait until they are done having children beforehand. Since pregnancy stretches the abdominal muscles and skin, it can reverse or affect the results of your tummy tuck.
Can a tummy tuck fix diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles)?
Yes, a tummy tuck can effectively repair diastasis recti--when the abdominal muscles separate--often caused by pregnancy or weight fluctuations. During the procedure, Dr. Doyle tightens the abdominal muscles, helping to restore a flatter, more toned appearance.
Are there any risks or complications of a tummy tuck?
As with any surgery, a tummy tuck may cause infection, bleeding, scarring, blood clots, changes in skin sensation, or fluid accumulation. An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Doyle will help minimize these risks.
How should I prepare for the tummy tuck surgery?
Follow your surgeon's instructions, including stopping smoking, avoiding certain medications or supplements, and arranging for someone you're close with to drive you home after the procedure. It's also important to prepare your home for a comfortable recovery with essentials like pillows, loose clothing, and any prescribed medication.
Is it normal to experience numbness or tightness after a tummy tuck, and how long does it last?
Yes, it's normal to experience numbness, tightness, or a pulling sensation in the abdominal area after a tummy tuck. This is due to the stretching and tightening of tissues and nerves during surgery. These sensations typically improve within a few weeks to months, but in some cases, it can take up to a year for complete sensation to return.
Ready to schedule your Tummy Tuck consultation?
Dr. Andrea Doyle would love to discuss your Tummy Tuck options with you during a private one-on-one consultation. Contact our office online or give us a call to get started on achieving your own aesthetic goals.
Dr. Doyle is a board certified Rhode Island plastic surgeon who performs aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries to help change the lives of her patients in positive and empowering ways.
