ABOUT TUMMY TUCK SURGERY

For women and men alike, hanging skin and excess fat surrounding the abdomen can be frustrating and present a challenge to remove with diet and exercise alone. Pregnancy, weight loss, and aging are some of the main contributors to skin laxity, which makes it incredibly hard for people to attain a smooth, flat tummy. A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that successfully transforms the stomach area, creating dramatic, youthful-looking results for patients. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kirk Moore performs abdominoplasty for men and women with varying amounts of excess skin and fat. This popular surgery at Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah allows patients the chance to have a slimmer, tighter tummy and renewed self-confidence. Contact our Midvale, UT office to learn more about how a tummy tuck can remove excess skin and fat while also tightening the abdominal muscles. At our esteemed plastic surgery practice, our skilled team is committed to helping patients achieve their cosmetic goals for abdominal rejuvenation. We customize each surgery to ensure optimal safety and results so men and women can return to their way of daily living as soon as possible.

TYPES

At Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah, Dr. Moore performs three tummy tuck procedures for his patients: a full, a mini, and an extended abdominoplasty. Depending on your individual condition and concerns, he will be able to accurately recommend which type of surgery you require to achieve your unique goals.

Full Tummy Tuck
Patients with excess fat and skin, looseness of the abdominal muscles, and minor love handles are great candidates for a standard (or full) tummy tuck. This type of abdominoplasty addresses both the upper and lower abdomen for full tightness and lift. This surgery will require an incision that can be hidden in the bikini area.

Mini Tummy Tuck
Men and women who have looseness of the lower abdominal wall and loose skin in the center of their abdomen may be better suited for a mini tummy tuck (rather than a full). Dr. Moore uses a short incision to remove the extra skin below the belly button. With a small, limited incision, Dr. Moore will tighten the abdominal muscles that separated during pregnancy or weight gain to rejuvenate the appearance of the lower tummy.

Extended Tummy Tuck
Patients who have excess fat and skin, looseness of the abdominal wall, and excess tissue on their sides could benefit from an extended abdominoplasty. This technique requires a somewhat longer incision than that for a full tummy tuck, allowing Dr. Moore to effectively remove the skin and tissue from the sides and contour your waist and abdomen beautifully.

IDEAL CANDIDATES

Abdominoplasty can be performed for both women and men. If you are frustrated with loose skin and excess fat on the lower abdomen, this surgical treatment can help you reclaim a tighter and slimmer silhouette. Dr. Moore recommends you to be at a healthy weight prior to surgery. Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure — its intent is to remove loose skin. However, liposuction is often implemented during surgery to eliminate excess fat pockets. If your lower stomach has healthy skin tightness, but you are still unhappy with your appearance, even with healthy dieting, then we may recommend liposuction. Women considering this treatment should be past pregnancy so that the surgical outcomes are not impacted.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Tummy tuck surgery is performed using general anesthesia at our on-site, AAAASF-accredited surgical facility. There are several methods to consider when the surgery is performed by Dr. Moore, which is unique to the patient’s needs. For starters, the incision size is selected based on the amount of excess skin. Some patients with severe skin laxity may require a full tummy tuck. This method places the incision from hip to hip, just above the pubic area. Other patients who have minimal skin laxity may be better suited for a smaller incision. These patients still benefit from tummy tuck surgery but simply receive a smaller scar. Regardless of the surgery type, all tummy tuck procedures at Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah involve the removal of loose skin and fat.

WHAT TO EXPECT

After your tummy tuck surgery, you will be monitored for some time. You will then be released wearing a compression garment to reduce swelling. Walking and standing will be a bit painful at first so you should rest for a couple of days. Moving about becomes easier once the muscles relax and the incision begins to heal. Most patients should be able to resume normal activities in about two weeks. Exercise can resume later, closer to six weeks post-op or when you are cleared by Dr. Moore. Because we realize that every patient is unique, Dr. Moore carefully monitors the recovery of each patient and will let you know when it is safe for you to perform any activity. The abdominal area will feel sore and tight for some time, but normal sensations will return once you have fully healed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does a tummy tuck cost?
During your consult, Dr. Moore will create your unique abdominoplasty plan based on your specific needs and goals before discussing costs. He will be better able to estimate your costs once the type of tummy tuck has been selected, what technique will be used, what anesthesia is needed, and more. To make sure you get high-quality results from a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon, Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah helps to make your tummy tuck easier to afford by accepting many payment methods and helping you find low-interest medical financing.

What type of tummy tuck should I get?
There are three main types of tummy tucks: full, mini, and extended. At your consultation, Dr. Moore will ask about your needs and goals before examining your stomach. From there, he can decide which tummy tuck will give you the best results. A full tummy tuck is a good option if you want to address issues in the upper and lower abdomen while a mini tummy tuck is good if you only have problems below your belly button, like a “pooch.” An extended tummy tuck is designed to improve the abdomen, as well as the hips and upper thighs.

What will my scars look like?
The incisions needed for your tummy tuck will depend on which type you are getting. For all tummy tucks, Dr. Moore makes the smallest, thinnest incisions possible to limit scarring. He also makes incisions in less visible areas (in the pubic region or belly button) so they can be easily concealed by a swimsuit or underwear. After your surgery, it’s important to follow scar care instructions so your incisions heal flat and blend into your natural skin.

Can I get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
While you can still get pregnant after a tummy tuck, it will alter your results. Dr. Moore recommends that you be done with planned pregnancies and childbirth before you consider a tummy tuck. If you do get pregnant after a tummy tuck, a second surgery can be performed to refresh your results.

Can I get a tummy tuck with another surgery?
Many patients combine another surgery with a tummy tuck to get more dramatic improvements. During your consultation with Dr. Moore, talk to him about all of your concerns so a comprehensive treatment plan can be developed to match your goals. You may combine a tummy tuck with a thigh lift for a lower body lift or several areas for body contouring. If you are trying to improve your whole body after pregnancy or losing a significant amount of weight, you may be a candidate for a mommy makeover or after weight loss surgery.

GET A SMOOTH, FLAT TUMMY

Many factors can lead to the stretching out of your abdominal area, causing skin to hang and lose laxity. We know it can be a troubling problem to have. Because dieting and exercise can only do so much, surgery is generally the only way to overcome the excess skin that plagues you. If you are tired of having the loose skin in your abdomen, regardless of the severity, abdominoplasty by Dr. Moore in Midvale, UT can help you achieve the look you want. Please contact Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah to learn more.

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