(678) 894-9200

Tummy Tuck

In Atlanta

woman with flat stomach | Arslanian Plastic Surgery Atlanta

Introduction

Tummy Tuck

A Tummy Tuck, or abdominoplasty, is one of the most transformative procedures that plastic surgeons can perform. It is a procedure that can be used to contour the abdomen to a much more youthful, healthy, and desirable state. It involves removing excess skin and fat from the lower and upper abdomen together, repositioning the belly button, and tightening up the abdominal musculature. It may often be performed with liposuction or sometimes in conjunction with other procedures such as Breast Augmentation and/or Breast Lift, like in the Mommy Makeover.

Gallery

Tummy Tuck Before & After Photos

| Arslanian Plastic Surgery Atlanta Before & After Plastic Surgery Results | body procedure| Arslanian Plastic Surgery Atlanta Before & After Plastic Surgery Results | body procedure| Arslanian Plastic Surgery Atlanta Before & After Plastic Surgery Results | body procedure| Arslanian Plastic Surgery Atlanta Before & After Plastic Surgery Results | body procedure

Enter Gallery

woman with a flat stomach | Arslanian Plastic Surgery Atlanta

Create Curves!

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) aims to improve your abdominal contour giving your stomach a flatter appearance. This procedure removes excess skin and fat deposits from the stomach with the additional benefit of repairing loose and damaged abdominal muscles.

With age and circumstances, our abdomen goes through various elastic challenges, especially extreme weight gain, weight loss, and childbearing. These realities can make it incredibly tough to regain tone and tightness in the abdomen, regardless of diet and exercise, how many sit-ups we do, or the extent of caloric intake we control.

This frequently happens during pregnancy when the stretching of the stomach causes the abdominal muscles to separate, a condition known as diastasis recti. Once this happens, no amount of diet or exercise will deliver the results you desire, not until the separated abdominal muscles are repaired. Often, the skin is stretched beyond the limits of natural repair during pregnancy and weight fluctuation, leaving the individual with stretch marks and loose, hanging skin and fat.

A tummy tuck procedure addresses these concerns by streamlining and sculpting loose skin around the midsection, restoring your abdominal anatomy to a more youthful state.

Mini-Tummy Tuck

Some patients have very minimal excess fat and skin but still have muscle weakness that requires repair. In this technique, a smaller incision can usually be utilized, and the muscle repair and skin excision can then be performed. This first breast reduction surgery usually does not require moving the belly button to another location.

What are the benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

Patients who have opted for Tummy Tuck in Atlanta at Arslanian Plastic Surgery have been able to see some of the following examples of the benefits that this surgery can provide:

  • Better overall flexibility
  • Gives your body a better appearance and can increase self-confidence
  • Have significant skin laxity
  • Improved control over bodily functions
  • Increases your tolerance for more intense exercises once that excess skin is gone
  • Minimize the risks for certain medical conditions
  • Motivates to lose excess weight and achieve better health
  • Prevents painful hernias
  • Relieves stress urinary incontinence (after pregnancy, some women find they have an issue with accidental leaks)
  • Repairs issues such as diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal wall) which often results from straining during pregnancy
  • Stronger and improved core

Who are the best candidates for the Tummy Tuck procedure?

The ideal candidate for a Tummy Tuck in Atlanta, GA is one in good health without significant medical problems. They should have reasonable expectations of outcome and understand the potential risks and complications that may occur. Women who have not had children and those who are done having children are both excellent candidates if they understand the nuances of their situation. For optimal results, women should be close to their ideal body weight. Patients who are considerably overweight are at increased risk of complications and dissatisfaction with their overall results.

First Steps

What’s the first step?

hello gorgeous interior | Arslanian Plastic Surgery Atlanta Before & After Plastic Surgery Results | male procedure

During your personal consultation, you will meet with Dr. Arslanian and his staff and have the opportunity to discuss your situation as well as your concerns and aesthetic goals. Dr. Arslanian will take a thorough history and perform a complete examination checking for diastasis and hernias. Photos will be taken to help Dr. Arslanian point out certain things and explain his approach to a tummy tuck. 

If you are deemed a good candidate, he will discuss the various options for tummy tuck procedures, and make sure you are happy with your decision. He will also show you photos of other patients before and after to give you a reasonable idea of expectations*. After answering all your questions, you will then sit down with the surgical coordinator to discuss timing, pricing, and any other questions you might have.

Before surgery, you will be given instructions on the day, time, and location of your procedure. You will be given pain medication and antibiotics that Dr. Arslanian prescribes, and all of your paperwork including consent forms will be signed. In some cases, you may need to obtain medical clearance from your physician or specialist, and possibly meet with the anesthesiologist and undergo additional lab work depending on your medical issues and personal situation. 

Current smokers will unfortunately not be offered a full tummy tuck as the complication rate is considerably higher. Dr. Arslanian can discuss options for smoking cessation so that you may still be a candidate for the procedure.

What to expect on the day of Tummy Tuck surgery

The procedure will be performed as an outpatient in an accredited surgery center with a board-certified anesthesiologist in the safest conditions possible. The surgery will be performed under general anesthesia. Pre-operative markings will typically be made on the morning of surgery.

After you are asleep, Dr. Arslanian will start by making his incision, which typically will be very low to hide the scar in your underwear or bikini line. He will then lift the abdominal skin and fat as a flap. The belly button will then be released from the surrounding skin and a narrow tunnel will be created in midline almost to the chest. Dr. Arslanian will then decide if you need a muscle repair and will perform that repair to the appropriate tension required. The excess skin and fat will then be removed and the incisions will be closed. Drains will be placed under the skin to allow for fluid removal. 

Local Anesthetic will be administered directly into the muscle to allow for post-operative pain relief. A new belly button hole will then be created and your belly button will then be brought out and sewn into place. Bandages and either a compression garment or binder will be placed and you will be transferred to the recovery room after awaking.

Tummy Tuck recovery

You will go home the same day of surgery and rest. You will need to modify your sleeping and sitting positioning. There will be some tension on the incision closure, and a modified “beach chair” position will be required. This means keeping both the head/back and legs/knees bent and supported with pillows to remove any tension on the repair.

You will be walking the first day after surgery but will likely need to stay bent over slightly for the first 1-2 weeks until the skin begins to stretch enough for you to stand upright. Moving around will be important to prevent blood clots. You will also start on a blood thinner the day after surgery and continue that for approximately 10 days to minimize the chances of developing a blood clot in your legs.

You will likely have two drains in place and will be given detailed instructions on how to manage them and record the output. They will typically be removed at 10-14 days after surgery, which is almost painless and done in the office*.

You will be able to return to light work duty within 2 weeks if you have a desk or computer jo*. You will not be able to lift anything heavy for at least 6-8 weeks*. You can slowly increase your activity and begin exercising again at the discretion of Dr. Arslanian based on your progress and individual healing. At 3 months you will be able to resume ALL activities including heavy lifting, sit-ups and crunches, and full cardio exercise*.

Tummy Tuck Cost

How much does a Tummy Tuck cost in Atlanta, GA?

The cost of your surgical procedure will vary depending on the extent of your case and whether you choose to add any additional procedures. Dr. Arslanian will create your surgical plan, after which, our Patient Coordinator will be able to provide you with a breakdown of your Tummy Tuck costs.

Doctor Arslanian | Arslanian Plastic Surgery Atlanta
Doctor Arslanian | Arslanian Plastic Surgery Atlanta

Why choose Arslanian Plastic Surgery?

Arslanian Plastic Surgery is reputed for its excellent patient care. Founder and double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Arslanian has built a practice that is a busy mix of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to help patients from all over the Metro Atlanta area. A Tummy Tuck procedure is part of their regular work, so you can have the peace of mind that you will be received with expert experience.

A graduate of SUNY Geneseo College, Dr. Arslanian obtained his medical degree from the University at Buffalo. He completed one of the most rigorous training programs in General Surgery at one of the prestigious Harvard Hospitals: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. During his residency he discovered his passion for plastic surgery: both cosmetic and reconstructive. He then decided to perform another 3 years of specialized training in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Emory University, an epicenter for plastic surgery in the United States.  Dr. Arslanian is an active member of the most prestigious plastic surgery societies, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Aeshteic Society.

Contact

Schedule a consultation

We know that choosing plastic surgeons can be a daunting task, which is why when you come to us for your plastic surgery, you are choosing quality AND care. If you have excess skin and fat in your abdominal region caused by weight fluctuations or pregnancy and you’ve tried everything else to reduce a protruding abdomen, a Tummy Tuck in Atlanta from Arslanian Plastic Surgery can help remove excess skin and improve abdominal contour.

Call our office today or use our website to fill out a consultation request form and we will be in touch with you! We look forward to meeting with you and helping achieve a more toned abdomen.

Schedule a Consultation

Tummy Tuck FAQ’S