Your stomach is a central part of your overall profile, and men and women from in and around greater Nashville and Franklin who have stubborn body fat lodging in their abdominal region that is impervious to diligent efforts at diet and exercise can undergo a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, with Mayo Clinic-trained, board-certified Nashville plastic surgeon Chad Robbins, M.D., F.A.C.S., to reduce the size of their abdomen and improve their overall contour.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
Also known as an abdominoplasty, the tummy tuck allows you to address the issue of excess skin and fat deposits in your abdominal region, in addition to restoring abdominal muscles that have become weakened or separated, and thus creating a contour foundation for your abdominal core. Dr. Robbins will work with you to develop a surgical plan of action designed to help you meet your expectations in addressing the issue of excess fat and skin in your particular abdominal region. While diet and lifestyle can contribute to the need for a tummy tuck, certain factors can be hereditary, as well as age-related or due to recent significant weight loss. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Robbins to see if a tummy tuck is right for your needs.
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck allows you to regain smoothness in your overall contour. Moderate weight gain on the legs or arms does not affect one’s silhouette but because of its prominence in the center of the body, weight gain in the abdominal region can shift your profile in unflattering directions. Even after dedicated exercise and diet, and successful weight loss, some excess skin and fat deposits may be present, regardless of how many sit-ups and crunches you do. If you have a little too much excess skin or flab, undergoing a tummy tuck with Dr. Robbins will help you to address these issues so that your abdominal region postoperatively is toned and flat.
Before & After Pictures
Desired Results of Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery
An abdominoplasty performed by Dr. Robbins can be your first step to a smoother, firmer, more contoured abdomen. Frequently, after a tummy tuck procedure, you will find that the abdominal region is smaller and flatter, and your stomach appears more lean and toned. These positive aesthetic benefits often have a resultant increase in overall well-being and self-esteem, as clothing and figure-hugging fashions look and fit better, and your overall appearance is more toned, lean, and youthful. Spurred on by the confidence that a tummy tuck can cause, it encourages patients to pursue a more active lifestyle so that they can maintain their gains.
Tummy Tuck Procedure Details
Prior to undergoing your tummy tuck, Nashville plastic surgeon Dr. Robbins will discuss your preferences as well as your needs. Once a date for your surgery has been set, Dr. Robbins and his staff will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare. Dr. Robbins typically performs one of two tummy tuck procedures: a full tummy tuck (also known as a full abdominoplasty) or a mini-tummy tuck (which is known as the partial abdominoplasty, and is less invasive). Dr. Robbins frequently complements a tummy tuck procedure with liposuction to enhance your overall results.
Full Tummy Tuck
You may be concerned about sagging, loose, excess, skin, or lax and possibly even separated muscle in your abdominal core. If these symptoms are characteristic of your entire belly region, then Dr. Robbins can perform a full tummy tuck, which is a relatively extensive surgery, addressing both the upper and lower abdominal regions to reduce volume in the midsection. You can have Dr. Robbins address these issues, giving you a firmer, flatter belly, by tightening the abdominal muscles and extricating excess skin in both abdominal regions, and thus restoring shape and tone to your abdomen.
Individual Goals
While each patient is different, and brings their unique goals and concerns, the fundamental objective of a tummy tuck is to remove excess flesh and fatty deposits, while rebuilding abdominal wall muscles, to give much more of a toned contour to your abdominal region. The psychological boon of removing excess folds of skin and tightening your abdominal core very often produces a noticeable improvement in self-esteem, in addition to meeting your physical goals for your stomach as it relates to form and function.
Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
If you have excess skin in your abdominal region that simply cannot be addressed through exercise and diet, then you may be an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck. Contact us today to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Robbins. For those patients whose aesthetic or physical concerns may necessitate additional forms of treatment to sustainably meet their aesthetic goals, Dr. Robbins may also suggest body lift surgery in Nashville, which combines tummy tuck, liposuction and a thigh lift.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?
A tummy tuck is considered to be elective, so most insurance providers won’t cover the costs. To help make tummy tucks affordable and accessible for everyone, Robbins Plastic Surgery offers financing options via CareCredit® and Prosper Healthcare Lending. We also accept cash, personal checks, and major credit cards.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
Tummy tuck vs. liposuction
Tummy tuck and liposuction are both body contouring procedures, but they serve different purposes. The tummy tuck procedure is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and to tighten the abdominal muscles. It's ideal for individuals who have loose, sagging skin due to pregnancy, significant weight loss, or aging. Liposuction focuses on removing stubborn fat deposits from various areas of the body, including the abdomen. It is best suited for individuals who have good skin elasticity and are looking to get rid of localized fat pockets. While a tummy tuck offers more comprehensive results in terms of skin removal and muscle tightening, liposuction is less invasive and focuses solely on fat removal.
How long is recovery from a tummy tuck?
Recovery from a tummy tuck can vary but generally takes up to 6 months to reach a fully recovery. During the initial recovery period, which lasts for approximately two weeks, you’ll need to get lots of rest. Most activities, including work and physical activities, are restricted or significantly limited during this time. For the next 4-6 weeks, patients can gradually resume more activities but should still avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. After about 6 months, swelling should completely subside and reveal the final results.
How to sleep after a tummy tuck
After a tummy tuck, it's recommended to sleep in a reclined position with your upper body elevated and your knees bent. This can be achieved using a recliner or by propping yourself up with pillows in bed. Sleeping in this position helps reduce swelling, decreases tension on the surgical site, and can make getting in and out of bed easier. It's generally advised to maintain this sleeping position for several weeks post-surgery.
How long after a tummy tuck can you have sex?
It's typically recommended to wait at least 4-6 weeks before resuming sexual activity after a tummy tuck. This waiting period allows your body to heal adequately and reduces the risk of complications. It's important to listen to your body and avoid any positions or movements that cause discomfort. Always follow the specific guidelines provided by Dr. Robbins, as individual recovery rates and instructions may vary.
Trained at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Chad Robbins of Robbins Plastic Surgery is exceptionally skilled in the most advanced body contouring surgical techniques including tummy tucks. For both men and women in and around greater Nashville and Franklin, Dr. Robbins combines compassion, quality of care, and a dedicated focus on helping you maximize your quality of life and elevate your self-image by working with you to achieve your aesthetic goals. To learn more about Robbins Plastic Surgery’s capabilities, or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.
