A tummy tuck can flatten and tighten the abdomen, so it’s a popular procedure after pregnancy or massive weight loss. At Mickel Plastic Surgery, experienced board-certified plastic surgeon Timothy Mickel, MD, FACS, offers tummy tucks to help his patients look better in clothes and bathing suits while feeling more confident about their appearance. To learn more about tummy tuck surgery, call the Monroe, Louisiana, office or click the online booking feature to make your appointment today.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is surgery to flatten and tighten the abdomen. Lower abdominal bulges often develop after giving birth or experiencing massive weight loss.
During tummy tuck procedures, Dr. Mickel addresses the issues that caused the abdominal bulge, including extra fat, excess skin, and stretched-out muscles.
Tummy tucks options include:
The most common kind of tummy tuck is the standard abdominoplasty. In this procedure, Dr. Mickel surgically removes extra fat, trims away excess skin, and uses fine sutures to tighten lax muscles.
While a standard tummy tuck leaves a scar, Dr. Mickel is an artful surgeon who can usually position the scar low enough to be easily hidden by clothing or swimwear. This procedure takes 2.5-3 hours and requires one night in the hospital.
If your primary problem is a thick fat layer and you don’t have excess skin, liposuction (suctioning excess fat out) may be a good solution.
Some patients may have thick fat and loose skin but tight muscles, so they may need a less-complex tummy tuck that doesn’t include muscle suturing.
A small percentage of patients are slender but have an isolated lower abdominal bulge. This group are candidates for a short scar mini-abdominoplasty to correct the bulge.
Dr. Mickel customizes your tummy tuck because there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all procedure.
A mommy makeover combines several procedures, including a breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation, and a tummy tuck. If you want to refine your body after childbirth, a mommy makeover can be a great solution.
Many women who are undergoing hysterectomy opt for a simultaneous tummy tuck. This is an excellent combination because the overnight hospital stay and recovery periods overlap.
Good tummy tuck candidates are at or close to their ideal weight, don’t smoke, and have good general health. If you’re not a good candidate due to extra weight or a condition like diabetes, Dr. Mickel can recommend pathways to qualify for the procedure or nonsurgical alternatives like Coolsculpting®.
Mickel Plastic Surgery provides support before, during, and after your tummy tuck to help you enjoy the very best results. Call the office or click the online booking tool to make an appointment today.
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