Tummy Tuck

There are many reasons why 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. BOOK DIRECTLY ONLINE

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 or tightening of the abdominal wall muscles that have separated, stretched, or loosened 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. Buinewicz Plastic Surgery also offers Emsculpt^® Neo, which can build and strengthen the abdominal muscles prior to a tummy tuck. This happens after massive weight loss with GLP-1 agonists.

What Are the Details of Abdominoplasty 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 skin and fat removal, as well as muscle wall repair as necessary. Dr. Buinewicz makes two incisions: one around the navel and one that extends across the pubic 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. An abdominoplasty patient is put under general anesthesia and the procedure takes about two to three hours to be completed.

Mini Tummy Tuck

Excess fat and loose skin are stubborn issues that plague men and women who are in otherwise excellent condition and who maintain a healthy and stable weight. The lower stomach area that lies just above the pubic region is a specific trouble spot that can sag and bulge despite exercise and diet changes.

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. After the incision, step one is to loosen the skin from the abdominal wall. The muscles of the lower abdomen are then pulled into a tighter position, excess fat is removed, and the muscles are sutured. Once the procedure is completed, the incision is sutured and bandaged. All of the work happens below the navel, so no belly button repositioning is necessary.

A mini tummy tuck is very similar to a full tummy tuck. However, the mini tummy tuck requires only a short scar and is beneficial for individuals with a limited amount of fat and saggy, excess tissue in the area that lies just beneath the belly button. The incision that is made above the pubic region creates a minimal scar that can be more easily concealed than the scars that are created by a full abdominoplasty. The second incision that circles the belly button and is required in a full tummy tuck is not used in a mini tummy tuck. A mini abdominoplasty also requires less recovery time.

These cosmetic procedures are not appropriate for everyone. A consultation and approval are required by Dr. Buinewicz.

For more details about a mini tummy tuck or traditional tummy tuck in the Philadelphia area—Doylestown in Bucks County, PA, or Flemington in Hunterdon County, NJ—call Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa at 215.647.9668 or send a message online.

Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck at a Glance

The largest difference between a traditional tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck is that the mini tummy tuck is less invasive. The traditional tummy tuck is a complex operation, and the mini tummy tuck is a minor operation. The mini tummy tuck only treats the abdominal area that lies beneath the belly button and does not require its repositioning. The full tummy tuck requires the belly button to be repositioned, and an additional scar is created. Additional differences are seen in the goals, procedures, candidate suitability, anesthesia, recovery, and price.

Goal

The traditional tummy tuck tightens the muscles above the navel and below the navel. The extra, sagging or loose skin is then removed from the stomach area. The mini tummy tuck is used to tighten the lower abdominal muscles and to remove excess, saggy skin from below the belly button.

Procedure

The traditional tummy tuck procedure separates the belly button from the abdominal wall skin, the created flap of skin is then stretched downward, the excess tissue and fat are removed, and the belly button is brought out through a new position. The mini tummy tuck procedure uses a short incision at the bikini line. The skin and muscles are tightened, and the excess fat and tissue are removed.

Suitable For

The traditional tummy tuck is suitable for patients who have stretched, hanging skin and weakened abdominal muscles created by pregnancies or due to extreme weight loss. The mini tummy tuck is suitable for those who are healthy, near their ideal weight and who currently have firm abdominal muscles without significant protruding fat.

Anesthesia

The traditional tummy tuck requires general anesthesia with nerve blocks to lessen postoperative pain levels. The mini tummy tuck is commonly performed under either general anesthesia or minor local anesthesia plus sedation.

Scarring

The mini tummy tuck creates a very thin, short scar that extends horizontally across the base of the belly and is measured from mid-thigh to mid-thigh. The traditional tummy tuck requires a longer scar that measures from hipbone to hipbone and a second scar around the belly button.

Recovery

The recovery time of a mini tummy tuck is one to three weeks. The recovery time of a traditional tummy tuck is four to six weeks.

What Happens After a Traditional or Mini 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.

Patients walk and move around shortly after a mini tummy tuck procedure. A minor amount of discomfort is expected. The patient’s comfort and energy levels will then noticeably improve in approximately 48 hours. Strenuous activity should be avoided for four to six weeks after the surgery.

After about a month to a month and a half for a full tummy tuck – or one to three weeks for a mini tummy tuck – 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.

How Long Do the Results of a Tummy Tuck Last?

The results of a mini or traditional tummy tuck are very long-lasting unless you gain a significant amount of weight or become pregnant. They may last for ten to twenty years or sometimes longer. The longevity will be affected by whether you maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid significant weight gain. Unhealthy habits and gaining a large amount of weight can contribute to the early loss of tummy tuck results. Your skin will also be affected by aging, and this will have an impact on abdominoplasty results. It’s important to commit to a balanced diet and regular exercise to maintain surgical results.

How Much Do a Traditional and Mini Abdominoplasty Cost?

Buinewicz Plastic Surgery provides affordable aesthetic procedures, such as the tummy tuck and mini tummy tuck, for all our patients by offering financing options. Personal checks, cash, and credit cards are also accepted.

Are There More Body Contouring Procedures Available Beyond Abdominoplasty?

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 options for fat reduction. A thigh lift removes excess fat and sagging skin from your thighs to enhance the shape of your legs while an arm lift improves the tone and definition of the upper arms by tightening and lifting the tissues. CoolSculpting^® causes resistant fat cells on specific areas to be broken down and flushed out of the body for leaner body contours. Emsculpt^® Neo reduces stubborn fat while building muscle at the same time. We also provide non-surgical skin tightening options such as Exion and Exion RF with microneedling, ThermiRF^® and ThermiTight^®. Talk to us about what could be best for you!