Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

Can a tummy tuck be done by only tightening the rectus abdominous if you don’t have excess/sagging skin?

A full diastasis repair can be done without making an incision around the umbilicus and with only a little skin removed from the lower abdomen (an umbilical float abdominoplasty). Whether or not you are a candidate for this procedure depends upon how “stretchy” your skin is (determined at consultation).

You might be pleased (relieved) to hear that abdominoplasty procedures have been revolutionized over the last few years by the Progressive Tension Suture Technique (no drain tubes needed) and with the use of EXPAREL. EXPAREL is an injectable anesthetic that we inject into the muscles and incisions at the time of surgery.

Abdominoplasty and muscle tightening

We have found in our practice that patients with EXPAREL need on average 50-60% fewer narcotics in the postoperative period and recover much more quickly. Be sure to consult an experienced board certified plastic surgeon (or two) to learn your options. (Kevin L. Smith, MD, FACS, Charlotte Plastic Surgeon)

It is possible to tighten the muscle and remove minimal skin. An exam is needed though – as you may have looser skin than you think.

The muscle tightening can be done through a shorter tummy tuck scar – the belly button is releasedto get to the upper muscle and then reset. The muscle tightening though will bunch up your skin and it will have to be re-draped to look right.

And that often means more skin has to be removed than expected. Discuss all this with your surgeon and see if together you can come up with a plan you are both confident is the best for you.  (Elizabeth Morgan, MD, PhD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)

Can muscles be tightened without removing skin in a tummy tuck?

In general some skin will need to be removed. Once the muscles are tightened there will be a lot of crumpled up skin that will need to be smoothed out and some removed. Sometimes a modified abdominoplasty can be done thpugh which removes just a small amount of skin below, like where your C-section scar is located. Your surgeon can discuss this after an examination. (Ronald Schuster, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)