A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is performed to tighten the muscle wall of your abdominal region and remove excess skin, providing a flattened stomach. If pregnancy, obesity, or aging has left you with anything from a slight bulge in your belly to a fatty apron of skin tissue, a tummy tuck may be the ideal procedure to help restore the toned appearance you once had.

Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck are in good general health and close to their ideal body weight. Women whose abdominal skin and muscles have been stretched by pregnancy and men and women who have loose skin following massive weight loss can greatly benefit from this procedure.

You should wait to have a tummy tuck until you are done having children since any future pregnancies will re-stretch your abdominal wall.

The Tummy Tuck Procedure

At Grossman Plastic Surgery, we perform three types of tummy tucks:

• Standard/classic abdominoplasty
• Modified classic abdominoplasty
• Mini-abdominoplasty

In the standard/classic tummy tuck, Denver plastic surgeons Dr. John A. Grossman and Dr. Philippe A. Capraro will make an incision from hip to hip in the bikini-line area. A second incision will be made around the belly button to separate it from the adjoining skin. Your skin and fat is separated from the muscles between the pubic area and the ribs. Your muscles are then tightened to reestablish their position that existed before pregnancy and weight gain. Dr. Grossman and Dr. Capraro will remove all excess skin before the incision is closed. All of the skin is removed from the belly button to the pubic region.

A modified tummy tuck is generally performed when there is not enough loose skin to remove all of the skin from the belly button to the pubic region. In this procedure, the belly button is slid down about one inch to aid in the removal of excess skin. The muscles in your abdominal wall are tightened in the same ways as with a standard tummy tuck. This is the most extensive tummy tuck procedure, and it produces the longest scar.

The mini-tummy tuck is the least invasive procedure of the three. It is generally performed when the desired region to be treated is contained between the belly button and pubic region. This procedure requires a smaller incision, and only the lower half of the muscle wall is tightened. Any excess skin is removed.

After Surgery and Follow-Up Care

Dr. Grossman and Dr. Capraro will apply a soft dressing which will be held in place with an abdominal binder. After one week, the binder will be replaced by a girdle. Dr. Grossman and Dr. Capraro use a biological tissue sealant and adhesive to seal the abdominal skin back to the muscles. They usually do not use drainage tubes in this surgery.

You can generally resume light activity the night of your surgery; however, it is important to avoid activities that cause you to use your abdominal muscles. Walking is generally the best activity immediately following abdominoplasty surgery. It will take about six weeks for your body to develop enough scar tissue to support the abdominal wall. Therefore, you should refrain from rigorous activities during that time period.

Exceptional Tummy Tuck Care

Dr. Grossman and Dr. Capraro have more than 40 years of combined experience performing tummy tuck procedures. Both of our surgeons are board certified and have developed reputations as some of the finest plastic surgeons in the world. You will receive highly personalized care and a customized procedure that addresses your unique body characteristics and aesthetic goals, ensuring the best possible results.

Please contact our Denver plastic surgeons today to schedule your initial consultation. Grossman Plastic Surgery serves tummy tuck patients in the Littleton and Denver, Colorado area.