Tummy Tuck

There are many reasons a person's midsection may not be as flat and tight as they'd like: stubborn fat, loose skin, damaged or lax abdominal wall muscles, or all of the above. With a tummy tuck at the Philadelphia area's Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Brian Buinewicz can address all of these issues at once. The result is a firmer and more contoured belly that provides a slimmer silhouette and helps clothes to fit better.

As a triple board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Brian Buinewicz is widely known for his experience, skill, and drive to create natural-looking results while simultaneously educating patients on their options for maximizing the effects of surgery. He has been helping both women and men to achieve their desired look for decades, with hundreds of patients enjoying their new body contours thanks to a tummy tuck.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Some cosmetic procedures have a single focus. Liposuction, for example, is all about removing fat. A tummy tuck, however, is a more general term for multiple surgical techniques combined to provide a unified result: a flatter midsection.

Rather than being just one thing, a tummy tuck is a customizable approach that can pull together any of several strategies. The most common elements of a tummy tuck—also known as abdominoplasty—are skin excision to remove excess tissue that hangs at the belly, liposuction to suction out fat cells, and surgical repair for an abdominal wall that has separated due to pregnancy or significant weight gain or weight loss. Note that having a baby or losing weight will not pull stretched-apart muscles back together. Sit-ups and other exercises are also not the solution to this problem, known medically as diastasis recti, or a separation of the rectus muscles in the abdomen.

What Are the Details of Tummy Tuck Surgery at the Philadelphia Area's Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery?

There are two abdominoplasty variations available at Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Buinewicz will consult with you to examine your midsection and learn about your aesthetic goals, then make a recommendation for either the traditional tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck.

Traditional Tummy Tuck

The conventional form of this surgery typically involves the skin and fat removal, as well as the muscle wall repair as necessary. Dr. Buinewicz makes two incisions: one around the navel and one that extends across the public areas from hip bone to hip bone. The horizontal incision gives him access to remove tissue and make repairs. He will then pull the skin tighter over the newly flattened contours and remove any excess. A hole is made to allow the navel to show in its normal position.

Mini Tummy Tuck

Ideal for patients who have excess skin and fat, but in smaller amounts, a mini tuck involves only a single, shorter horizontal incision made just above the pubic area. This incision allows Dr. Buinewicz to perform the necessary adjustments and suture the skin into its flatter position. All of the work happens below the navel, so no belly-button repositioning is necessary.

Both approaches require the tummy tuck patient to be put under general anesthesia and take about two to three hours to complete.

What Happens After a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty surgery will result in some pain, swelling, and bruising for the first week after the procedure. Patients are advised to rest and take prescribed medications. If drains are put in place to handle excess fluid, these are typically removed within a few days of the tummy tuck.

Side effects start to ease in weeks two and three, which is also when tummy tuck patients may begin wearing a compression garment to support their midsection as they heal. Mobility should be increased gradually at the direction of Dr. Buinewicz.

After about a month to a month and a half, abdominoplasty patients should be able to return to work and other light activities—assuming no physical exertion is involved. Swelling and visible scars will still be present, but beginning to fade.

Months two and three after the surgery will bring noticeable improvement to the midsection. As swelling goes down, the flatter contours will be more obvious. Expect incisions to possibly appear pink and raised. It is important to avoid sunlight, which can cause scars to darken, as well as any physical activity that would strain the abdominal muscles.

Life should be pretty much back to normal by months four to six. Dr. Buinewicz and his team will consult with you and advise you throughout your healing journey in order to maximize your results. Any raised scars should be faded and flattened, and the final look will be revealed.

Why Choose Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa for a Tummy Tuck in the Philadelphia Area?

Over several decades of work in the field, triple board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Buinewicz has demonstrated his skill and experience in all of the aspects necessary for a successful abdominoplasty surgery. From in-depth medical knowledge to an eye for natural-looking aesthetics, he continues to provide his patients with beautiful results, always based on modern techniques.

Are There More Body Contouring Procedures Available?

Beyond tummy tuck surgery, we offer a range of body contouring surgeries and treatments, including thigh lift, arm lift and a more-encompassing body lift for tissue tightening, and nonsurgical CoolSculpting^® and Emsculpt^® Neo for fat reduction, and Exion^® for skin tightening. Talk to us about what could be best for you!