The Stomach You've
Worked For

Abdominoplasty, often called a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that can help you tighten abdominal muscles and remove loose skin and fat, getting you well on your way to enjoying a flatter, more sculpted stomach. There are many reasons why tummy tuck patients from Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, are ready to improve their abdominal appearance.

What Is a ‘Plus-Size’ Tummy Tuck?

A plus-size or overweight tummy tuck is a procedure for carefully selected patients with an elevated body mass index (BMI). Traditionally, tummy tuck surgery has been discouraged for overweight or obese patients, as an increased BMI can elevate the risk of complications. However, when it comes to a plus-size tummy tuck, patients should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and discuss their goals with one of our surgeons.

Before & After

Tummy Tuck

*Each patient is unique, and individual results may vary.
See More Before & Afters

What Is Diastasis Recti and How Do You Repair It?

Diastasis recti is the name for a separation of the abdominal muscles that normally run vertically down the front of the abdomen. This condition usually occurs during pregnancy but is also associated with C-section deliveries. In men, heavy lifting and sudden weight gain can cause diastasis recti. In most cases, tummy tuck surgery is needed to repair the abdominal muscles.

Choosing Plastic Surgery

As with all surgeries, our plastic surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, draw on their knowledge to specifically customize the technique they use for each person to address each of their issues. For mild sagging of the lower abdominal skin, a mini-abdominoplasty often will be enough to remove the excess skin and smooth and flatten the abdomen. With more significant excess skin, we perform a greater degree of skin tailoring. Frequently, the abdominal wall needs tightening as well. In these cases, your surgeon will create an “internal corset” that tightens the abdominal wall and narrows the contour of the waist. After the internal corset is finished, the excess skin is tailored to fit snugly against the flatter, narrower abdominal wall.

Get The VIP
Treatment

Designed specifically for our surgical patients, our VIP Skincare Program offers exclusive promotions to enhance your recovery. Get special rates for our most sought-after aesthetic treatments, expertly curated to minimize swelling, accelerate healing, and mitigate scarring. Take your recovery to the next level. Schedule your surgery today to take advantage of the VIP Skincare Program.

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Do I Need a Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, or Both?

Tummy tuck and liposuction are body contouring procedures used for different purposes.

Procedure Tummy Tuck Liposuction Both
Objective Removes lax abdominal skin and repairs stretched or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) Removes isolated pockets of fat Combines excess fat removal, skin tightening, and muscle repair
Ideal Candidates People with loose skin and muscle laxity (usually after pregnancy or weight loss) People with stubborn fat pockets that persist despite a consistently healthy diet and exercise People with unwanted fat, loose skin, and weakened or separated abdominal muscles
Fat Removal Reduces tummy bulge Removes isolated pockets of fat Targeted fat removal in abdominal region
Muscle Repair Yes No Yes
Fat Removal Minimal (some fat may be removed along with excess skin). Yes Yes
Scars Yes, horizontal scar on lower abdomen Yes, tiny incisions with minimal scarring Yes, scarring fades significantly over time
Recovery Time About 2 weeks of downtime About a week (or less) of downtime About 2 weeks of downtime

How Long Is Tummy Tuck Recovery?

While patient experiences vary, recovery after a full tummy tuck typically includes the following milestones:

  • Return to work: Patients can return to nonstrenuous jobs in about 2 weeks.
  • Wear compression garments: Patients will need to wear a supportive compression garment for 4 weeks to minimize swelling and support the surgical area as it heals.
  • Stand upright: To avoid putting tension on the incision, keep your abdomen flexed (bent over) for the first few days to a week or so.
  • Lifting restrictions: Avoid lifting anything that weighs more than a few pounds for the first 2 weeks. From week 2 to 4, limit lifting to 5 to 10 pounds. After week 4, the weight can gradually be increased. At 6 weeks, most patients are ready to go without restrictions.
  • Resume exercise: Gentle walking is important starting the day of or the day after surgery to avoid blood clots and help the healing process. At 4 weeks, patients can begin easy, non-impact activities. Most patients can resume more strenuous exercise at 6 weeks and unrestricted activity by 10-12 weeks. It’s important to listen to your body and get your doctor’s clearance before jumping back into your regular routine.
  • Back to normal: For most patients, by 6 months the swelling has resolved completely, tightness has eased, and patients feel like themselves again. In some patients a final look is achieved by month 3 while in rare patients, full resolution of swelling can take 9-12 months.

If you want to learn more about what to expect during the recovery process following a tummy tuck, we encourage you to read our Post-Op FAQ. It covers post-operative issues such as incision care, time away from work, and the ability to engage in exercise and other activities.

Commonly Combined Procedures

Tummy tuck surgery provides satisfying results on its own. Many women who have had babies or undergone significant weight changes include it in a mommy makeover with any of the following procedures:

The benefits of combining procedures include having a single surgery and recovery period.

FAQs

Discomfort, mainly due to muscle tightening, is most significant the first week after surgery; however, it is typically controlled with prescription medication. The vast majority of tummy tuck patients say that any discomfort after surgery is well worth the improvements they gain.

Most of the swelling dissipates within 3 to 6 months, allowing the majority of patients to enjoy the results of their surgery. It can take up to a year to achieve final tummy tuck results.

A tummy tuck removes excess lax abdominal skin and any stretch marks below the bellybutton. It also moves stretch marks and skin above the bellybutton down where they are less noticeable in underwear and swimsuits.

Most tummy tuck patients have a single, surgical drain for about 1 week to prevent the buildup of fluid within the abdomen. This is combined with progressive tension sutures to further reduce fluid and to contour the abdomen. The drains Dr. Cohen and Dr. Sigalove use do not cause any pain when they are removed.

Tummy tuck results last indefinitely as long as you maintain your weight and do not become pregnant.

While most patients do not lose a significant amount of weight (a few pounds for most patients), a tummy tuck with the removal of excess skin and fat and abdominal muscle repair creates a dramatically improved contour for the torso.

Take the Next Step

Receive a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Cohen or Dr. Sigalove to learn more about abdominoplasty in Phoenix & Scottsdale. Our facility is conveniently located for women and men living in Tempe, Paradise Valley and other areas of Greater Phoenix, AZ.

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Consultation

Every great result starts with a conversation. Meet with our board-certified surgeons to explore your options and take the first step toward the results you’re after.

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