What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that removes excess abdominal skin and fat, tightens the skin on the abdomen, and helps patients achieve a smoother, flatter stomach and more slender look. We all desire a flat, youthful tummy. However, age, child bearing, lack of exercise and weight gain are the enemies in this battle. A tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) is an excellent option to help reverse the adverse effects of this battle. In addition, Dr. Salemy designs the procedure to narrow the waist and tighten the abdominal muscles that often loosen with pregnancy, time or age, and he does so through a limited incision placed very low in the bikini line. This comprehensive and detailed approach gives Dr. Salemy’s Seattle tummy tuck patients the youthful, flattened and narrowed waistline they desire.
Before and After Gallery
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck can help you achieve a flatter abdominal contour that diet and exercise alone may not be able to provide. This can be especially helpful for women who have stretched abdominal muscles and skin due to pregnancy or people who have lost a significant amount of weight. A tummy tuck can help achieve a more toned, taut, and defined midsection
In addition to improving the overall profile and contour of the abdomen, a tummy tuck also removes excess skin. Individuals who have lost significant weight but struggle with loose, sagging skin as a result can benefit from abdominoplasty
Patients who have undergone a tummy tuck report feeling more confident in their bodies, which can contribute to more positive life experiences
Who is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are in good physical condition with pockets of fat or loose skin that haven’t responded well to diet and exercise. We can also help older, slightly obese people whose skin has lost some of its elasticity.
Abdominoplasty can also be useful for weight loss, and for women with stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy. Results from the tummy tuck procedure will likely diminish if women continue to bear children, so we advise patients who plan to become pregnant to delay abdominoplasty.
We also encourage patients who intend to lose a lot of weight to wait before undergoing the procedure, since skin in the abdominal area typically loosens after substantial weight loss. Patients who want a tummy tuck surgery due to weight loss should be at their goal weight before the surgery.
Customized Treatment for Optimal Cosmetic Results. Dr. Salemy makes it a point to take the time in our Seattle clinic during every pre-operative consultation to learn what his patients want to achieve from a tummy tuck both for their bodies and for their self-confidence. By listening to what patients have to say and closely examining them rather than performing a one-size-fits-all procedure on every person, Dr. Salemy provides patients with a completely customized treatment that takes into account their specific goals and individual needs. Patients also learn during their consultations with Dr. Salemy what to expect during their procedure and their recovery.
Finding the Right Surgeon in Seattle
Researching Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons
When researching tummy tuck surgeons in Seattle, you’ll want to check their credentials and verify that they are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which guarantees that the surgeon has undergone rigorous training and has the necessary skills and qualifications to perform the procedure safely and effectively. (Learn more about which board certification matters). Having the peace of mind of knowing that you are in the hands of a qualified and experienced surgeon can be priceless.
Reading Patient Reviews and Testimonials
Additionally, it can be essential to read testimonials and reviews from previous patients. Doing so can help you gain valuable insight into a surgeon’s track record, communication skills, bedside manners, and the results they achieved. You can find reviews on the surgeon’s website, social media pages, and third-party review sites like RealSelf and Yelp.
Consultations
Once you’ve zeroed in on potential plastic surgeons, you’ll want to meet them for a personal consultation. During the consultation, you can expect the surgeon to evaluate your health, examine your abdomen, discuss your aesthetic goals, outline realistic expectations, and detail what you can expect during and after the procedure.
This is also a good time to ask questions – for example, about the surgeon’s experience, the surgical facility, and the recovery process. Also ask to see before-and-after photos of the surgeon’s previous tummy tuck surgery patients.
You’ll also be provided with a list of pre-operative instructions, including which medications and foods to avoid, as well as arranging for someone to accompany you on the day of the procedure.
Choosing the right surgeon for you comes down to many factors, but feeling comfortable and confident in their ability to help you meet your goals shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Flatten, Tighten, and Restore with Abdominoplasty
An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is customized to meet each patient’s unique needs. The procedure typically takes about two to three hours and is performed under anesthesia (by our Board-Certified Anesthesiologists), ensuring your comfort throughout. During surgery, Dr. Salemy tightens the abdominal muscles, removes excess skin, and sculpts a smoother, firmer-looking abdomen with a naturally positioned belly button. Incisions are carefully closed, and dressings are applied to support your healing. In most cases, a temporary drain is placed to help remove any excess fluid and promote a smooth recovery.
In general, tummy tuck procedures can be categorized into three main types:
Full Tummy Tuck
This is the most popular type of tummy tuck and a wonderful option if you’re looking to restore a flatter, firmer midsection. It’s especially helpful for those with loose muscles, stubborn belly fat, or extra skin. By removing the excess and tightening the area, a full tummy tuck can help you feel more confident and comfortable in your body.
During a full tummy tuck, Dr. Salemy makes a horizontal incision from hip to hip, carefully positioned as low as possible along the bikini line to help keep it discreet. He then makes another incision around the belly button to free the patient’s navel from the surrounding skin. That skin is then separated from the abdominal wall. This reveals the muscles and fascia, which are then tightened, and excess skin and fat are trimmed away. Once the surgical incision is closed, the belly button is repositioned. Quite often, liposuction of the flanks is a common addition to a tummy tuck, helping to create a smoother contour and a slimmer waist. After that, dressings and a drainage tube are applied to remove any excess fluid. Immediate downtime is generally two weeks with six weeks of physical restrictions.
Extended Tummy Tuck
This procedure requires a longer incision and is recommended for people with excess skin that extends past the hip area (flanks and lower back ) and/or excessive skin in the trunk. This procedure is ideal and can be dramatic for people who would like to restructure their abdomen after substantial weight loss or pregnancy.
During an extended tummy tuck, the surgeon makes a longer horizontal incision that extends beyond the hip bones, often wrapping around to the back or sides of the torso. This more extensive incision allows access to a larger area of skin and underlying tissue. The surgeon then separates the skin from the abdominal wall and often continues this separation around to the flanks and lower back area. Like in a full tummy tuck, the abdominal muscles and fascia are tightened, but the procedure also addresses excess skin and fat around the sides and sometimes the lower back. The belly button is repositioned, and the extended skin removal creates a more comprehensive contouring of the torso’s circumference. After that, dressings and a drainage tube are applied to remove any excess fluid. Immediate downtime is generally two weeks with six weeks of physical restrictions.
Mini Tummy Tuck
This procedure is designed for patients with generally good skin and muscle tone who have loose skin and excess fat mainly in the lower abdomen, below the belly button. It uses a shorter incision, and only the muscles below the belly button are tightened. While it’s suited for a very specific situation, Dr. Salemy will carefully evaluate your unique needs and help determine the best approach for you.
During a mini tummy tuck, the doctor makes a smaller incision, and the skin and fat are detached in a more limited way. The skin is stretched down, and any excess is removed. Sometimes the fascia and muscles are tightened. The belly button will stay in its natural position, and dressings along with a single temporary drain will be placed to support healing. Immediate downtime is generally one week with six weeks of physical restrictions.
Do I Need a Mini or a Full Tummy Tuck?
Should You Get a Full Tummy Tuck or Mini Tummy Tuck?
A Tummy Tuck, whether full or mini, is a plastic surgery procedure that’s used to give a patient a flatter and tighter stomach and midsection. Most patients who choose a tummy tuck are looking to address loose, excess skin that has remained despite aging, pregnancy, or significant weight changes.
Choosing between a mini, full, or extended tummy tuck comes down to the unique needs and anatomy of each individual. The decision between a full, mini, or extended tummy tuck depends primarily on the extent of skin laxity, muscle separation, and fat accumulation in the abdominal area. During your consultation, we will assess how much excess skin extends below the belly button, the degree of muscle separation (diastasis recti), and whether concerns extend beyond the central abdomen to the flanks and back area. Your individual anatomy, previous surgical history, and aesthetic goals all play crucial roles in determining the most appropriate procedure.
The choice between these procedures comes down to the amount and location of loose skin, fat deposits, and muscle separation. While most tummy tuck patients are good candidates for a full tummy tuck, some can achieve excellent results from a mini tummy tuck. During our consultation together we can determine the approach that aligns with your personal goals and physical anatomy, helping you achieve a flatter, firmer midsection tailored to your needs.
Regardless of the type of tummy tuck chosen, patients often enjoy a firmer, tauter, and more youthful stomach profile, and a boost of self-confidence. For many patients, Tummy Tucks can be life-transforming.
When to Get a Mini Tummy Tuck:
A mini tummy tuck is the least invasive method and is best suited for patients who possess mild sagging or a small bulge below the belly button. The surgeon makes a shorter incision, usually hidden in the bikini line, and tightens just the lower abdominal area. Muscle separation and skin looseness above the navel aren’t treated with this approach. Because it’s less extensive, recovery is generally quicker and produces a less noticeable scar, appealing to those with more localized concerns in their lower abdomen.
When to Get a Full Tummy Tuck:
A full tummy tuck addresses a wider area, removing extra skin and fat from both the upper and lower abdomen and repairing muscles across the entire abdominal region. A full tummy tuck becomes necessary when excess skin extends both above and below the belly button, accompanied by significant muscle separation throughout the entire wall of the abdomen. This procedure is often chosen by patients who have experienced substantial weight loss or multiple pregnancies that have resulted in stretched skin and separated muscles across the entire abdomen. The full tummy tuck addresses these comprehensive changes while repositioning the navel for optimal aesthetic results.
When to Get an Extended Tummy Tuck:
An extended tummy tuck is reserved for patients who have excess skin and fat that extends beyond the central abdomen to include the flanks, love handles, or lower back area.
This procedure is frequently recommended for individuals who have undergone massive weight loss, either through bariatric surgery or lifestyle changes, and have developed circumferential skin laxity around the torso. The extended approach can allow for more comprehensive body contouring but first we carefully weigh whether the additional complexity associated with this more extensive procedure is warranted.
Fast Facts: Tummy Tuck Surgery
Achieve a smoother, flatter stomach and slender look
Patients can see results immediately,
but it can take several weeks to
a month to see final results
Procedure typically takes
2.5 - 3.5 hours
Incision length may vary based on patient's individual condition
Plastic Surgery Reviews
Patient Reviews
Dear Dr. Salemy, thank you so much for being a talented, meticulous, perfectionist surgeon. Thank you so much for being such a friendly, sweet, laid back, compassionate person. Thank you…
Recovery After Abdominoplasty
How much downtime after tummy tuck surgery is needed? Though safe, tummy tucks are still surgical procedures, so patients should plan on a recovery time and downtime of about two weeks after a tummy tuck, with additional time for full healing. During this period, patients should avoid any strenuous labor and have someone to help them during their daily routine.
Patients should adhere to the aftercare instructions given by Dr. Salemy to promote proper healing. Additionally, you’ll receive guidelines on how to attend to your dressing and drains.
Throughout the recovery phase, you may experience some level of discomfort, swelling, and bruising in your midsection. To mitigate these symptoms, Dr. Salemy may recommend pain medication.
Patients should also have a healthy diet plan in place, in order to ensure that the results of their procedure are long-lasting.
Abdominoplasty will leave a scar spanning the lower abdomen from hip to hip. Dr. Salemy is very careful to make the incision low enough for even a bikini to conceal the scar.
Tummy Tuck Results
Our goal is always a flat and contoured abdomen, but results can vary based on your starting anatomy. It’s important to discuss with Dr. Salemy what is unique about your body, what can be changed and what can’t, so you have realistic expectations and a clear understanding of your potential outcome.
A tummy tuck can deliver transformative results but maintaining them requires care and commitment. Keeping a steady weight is key to ensuring the longevity of your outcome, as fluctuations can alter your new contour. Protecting your incision from the sun during the first year allows the scar to heal and mature more smoothly, and it’s equally important to follow all post-op physical restrictions even when you start feeling good.
Many patients are tempted to do too much too soon, but overexertion can compromise long-term results. The reward for patience and consistency is not just a flatter, smoother midsection, but also the confidence that comes with it. We often hear from patients who now feel comfortable in swimsuits or bikinis, try new clothing styles, and wear a smile they wouldn’t have before. Looking your best and feeling your best can truly start here.
Tummy Tuck Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of Tummy Tuck Results / Scars should I expect?
Abdominoplasty will leave a scar spanning the lower abdomen from hip to hip. Dr. Salemy is very careful to make the incision low enough for even a bikini to conceal the scar.
How long does a Tummy Tuck last?
Generally speaking, with a balanced diet and regular exercise, results are long-lasting. How long the results of a tummy tuck last depend on a number of factors, but one of the most important factors is maintaining a healthy weight.
Gaining a significant amount of weight after your tummy tuck surgery can compromise your results as weight gain stretches skin and muscles in the abdominal area, thereby undoing the results of tummy tucks. For this reason, it is recommended that patients be at or near their ideal weight before undergoing the procedure.
The natural aging process can also affect how long a tummy tuck can last. As we age our skin loses elasticity and our muscles can weaken. The good news is even with the natural aging process, many patients are able to enjoy the benefits of their tummy tuck surgery for many years, especially if they continue to prioritize their health and wellness.
What are the risks of Abdominoplasty?
Though rare, post-operative complications from surgery are possible. They may include infection, blood clots, and poor healing, which may require further surgery.
Patients who have had previous abdominal surgery should know that their old scars could be raised, stretched or generally more noticeable after the procedure. A scar revision procedure after abdominoplasty may minimize the appearance of an unsightly scar.
What’s the difference between a Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?
We all desire a toned, youthful physique but sometimes find it unachievable through exercise and dieting alone. Thanks to modern medicine, surgical procedures such as liposuction and tummy tuck are available to help you achieve the slimmer profile you want. But what is the difference between the two procedures?
Both procedures can help shape and contour the mid body, but while Liposuction specifically removes excess body fat, especially stubborn pockets of excess belly fat, a Tummy Tuck may be the only option for patients challenged by thin, stretched or excess skin and stretched or lax abdominal muscles that occurs as a result of pregnancy, time or age. Ultimately it is after understanding a patient’s aesthetic goals and evaluating a patient’s anatomy and physique that a qualified plastic surgeon can determine and recommend the best procedure for a patient’s unique situation. In some cases, both procedures may be recommended and undertaken.
Is combining a Tummy Tuck with other plastic surgeries possible?
The combination of a tummy tuck with other procedures such as liposuction or breast augmentation can often be a more time and cost-efficient option than having the procedures performed separately. Mommy makeovers, for example, often combine these three surgeries and are particularly popular. Ultimately your surgeon will determine if you are a suitable candidate for combining procedures.
