Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Your Tummy Tuck Options
Standard tummy tuck
Tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is one of triple-board certified Bellevue cosmetic surgeon Dr. Alex Sobel’s signature procedures. This procedure is the most effective way of removing excess abdominal skin and supporting the abdominal corset, thus restoring a pleasing, hourglass contour to the lower torso.
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- Triple board-certified in general cosmetic surgery, facial cosmetic surgery, and otolaryngology
- 15+ years of experience specializing in cosmetic surgery
- Operates in an on-site accredited surgical suite for patient safety and privacy
- National leader in cosmetic surgery, including as Past President of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and as an expert speaker at medical conferences
- Former Seattle Met Top Doctor with hundreds of 5-star patient reviews
Lipoabdominolasty: Liposuction + abdominoplasty
The modern twist on this procedure is the combined liposuction and tummy tuck procedure, also known as the lipoabdominoplasty. This procedure, as popularized by Avelar, Illouz, Saldana, and others, is the most powerful way to contour the midsection. It affords both removal of diet and exercise-resistant fat while removing skin and supporting the abdominal corset simultaneously. Though Dr. Sobel offers more traditional tummy tuck procedures as indicated, the aesthetically comprehensive lipoabdominoplasty is often the procedure of choice as it provides for less discomfort and faster recovery, among other benefits.
Mini tummy tuck
If you are looking to treat excess, loose skin in just the lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck might be a better option for you. A mini tummy tuck, also called a mini abdominoplasty, is a less extensive version of a standard tummy tuck that tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess skin in the lower abdomen. A mini tummy tuck is an ideal procedure if you are in overall good shape but want to remove the bulge just below your navel.
Create your custom tummy tuck plan
If you are interested in combining a tummy tuck with liposuction or another cosmetic procedure, you can start putting together a wish list with our WishList feature. Or, contact us today to schedule a personal consultation, and Dr. Sobel will listen carefully to your concerns and help you choose the right procedures. Your patient care coordinator will also guide you through the whole process, helping you with planning and financing, if needed.
Dr. Alexander Sobel uses refined techniques and tailors every aspect of your procedure for natural, personalized results.
Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
People considering abdominoplasty are generally looking to get rid of excess skin after weight loss or childbirth. Tummy tucks can also correct diastasis recti, or abdominal seperation.
Since the lipo-abdominoplasty procedure does not require the patient to be at goal weight for optimum results, many of Dr. Sobel’s patients have found it a psychological boost to enjoy the results of the procedure while they are part way along the path to their diet and exercise goals. The procedure is best suited for non-smoking individuals who are committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. During your consultation, Dr. Sobel will discuss your goals, your health, medical history, and determine if you are a candidate for this procedure.
Do I have to be done having kids before I get a tummy tuck?
Patients who are considering tummy tuck surgery but are confident that they plan on having children in the near future are generally advised to wait. It is likely that the surgical procedure that helps flatten and tone the abdominal area during surgery will stretch somewhat and change during pregnancy; though perhaps not to the excess as prior to the tummy tuck.
So, if you plan to continue growing your family, it is best to save a tummy tuck procedure for after you are done having kids. In the meantime, you can choose any other procedures of the face, breast, and body that will enhance your confidence, and enjoy the results through future pregnancies.
How much does a tummy tuck in Seattle cost?
The price of a tummy tuck in Seattle depends on the extent of the procedure needed to reach your desired goals. If you’d like to get a general idea of the total tummy tuck cost, you can use our mix & match pricing tool. Please note that these prices are ballpark estimates, and can vary based your individual surgery plan.
After your consultation with Dr. Sobel, you will be provided with a detailed fee quote for your consideration. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about paying for your cosmetic surgery, and we also have financing options available.
Funding your abdominoplasty
At Anderson Sobel Cosmetic Surgery, we believe everyone should have access to cosmetic medicine, and we therefore strive to make payment for services clear and easy. We have partnered with companies that offer convenient financing solutions for patients by providing extended financing options, low monthly payments, and convenient customer service. If you would like to apply for financing, please contact our office to get started! It’s very easy to apply!
Learn more about cosmetic surgery financing options
What happens during Abdominoplasty Surgery
For a tummy tuck, surgeons typically use general anesthesia during your surgery; however, for select patients having lipoabdominoplasty, a lighter form of sedation may be used. An incision is made along the natural contour of the lower abdomen to minimize scar visibility – typically, below the level of a c-section scar in women and below the belt line in men. Second, the muscular corset will be restored, if separated, to help result in a flat abdominal area. Lastly, excess skin is removed before sutures close the incision. The wounds are covered with MedPore Paper tape, which Dr. Sobel has found more effective than silicone sheeting for the best resultant scar. Dr. Sobel does not typically use drains; however you will be placed in a spandex compression garment.
Combining a Tummy Tuck with Other Procedures
Tummy tucks are often combined with other body contouring procedures including breast augmentation. Many tummy tuck patients, with their active and busy lifestyles, often consolidate procedures to reduce time away from work and leisure. Other procedures that are often combined with tummy tucks include breast lifting and breast reduction, as well as arm lift, thigh lift, butt lift, and fat grafting for the augmentation of the breast and/or buttocks.
Whether you are putting the finishing touches on your body after a long term, successful weight loss plan or looking to restore the body after childbearing, you can get personalized care and natural-appearing results at Anderson Sobel Cosmetic Surgery.
To explore your options and start working on a plan, we welcome you to contact us online or call us at (425) 453-9060 to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to helping you pursue your personal transformation.
Your Tummy Tuck Recovery & Results
Recovery
After your surgery, you may see swelling in your abdomen and feel discomfort, which will be alleviated by medication. Because it is a fairly intensive surgical procedure, recovery following a tummy tuck does take a bit of time while your muscles and skin heal. Depending on the extent of your procedure, plan for to take at least two weeks off work. If you have young children, it is important to prepare for their care in addition to your own during this time.
You’ll need a couple of days after surgery to take it easy and let the effects of anesthesia wear off. The day after surgery, patients are required to walk 30 minutes, three times a day to promote good circulation and prevent the formation of blood clots. In most cases it’s fine to shower (but not bathe) 3 days after surgery. Just be gentle with incision sites and pat them dry when you’re done. You may be tempted to get back into your busy daily routine, but it’s important to keep your heart rate and blood pressure moderated for several weeks to avoid bleeding around incision sites, as well as modify muscle movements to protect healing results. After three to six months, your recovery will be complete.
Recovery following cosmetic surgery can be an incredibly emotional process. Just as you should prepare yourself for your physical recovery, you should likewise have an idea about what to expect emotionally and mentally as your body heals and your final results take shape.
Throughout the healing process, you will have easy access to Dr. Sobel so that any concerns can be addressed. We’d be glad to discuss the best timeline for your surgery if you need to be ready for summer, winter holidays, or any important event or occasion.
“Now that I am 4 months post surgery, I feel and look amazing. I have my teenager body back, with a flat tummy and perky breasts. I look at myself with confidence and ask myself why hadn’t I done it sooner.”
Results
After your recovery, you can go out in public to flaunt your tummy tuck results as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. To keep your surgery under wraps, however, it’s best to keep the area out of sight until post-op bruising and swelling have gone away. Scars can appear bright pink for several months, but they are usually easy to conceal with cosmetic products if you desire. When cared for properly, surgical scars will continue to heal and fade beautifully over time.
It’s important to understand that while your results will look great within two to four months after surgery, they won’t be final for up to one year. Fortunately, the most dramatic changes occur in the first few months and are subtle thereafter.
- Key Benefit
- Glossary
- Flatter, Toned Abdomen: The primary benefit of a tummy tuck is a flatter, smoother, and more toned abdominal area, which can enhance the overall body contour.
- Removal of Excess Skin: This procedure effectively removes loose, hanging skin, which is often a result of significant weight loss or post-pregnancy stretching.
- Reduction of Stretch Marks: Although not primarily aimed at stretch mark removal, a tummy tuck can eliminate some stretch marks, particularly those located below the navel.
- Improved Abdominal Muscle Tone: A tummy tuck can tighten weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), which often occur after pregnancy or significant weight changes.
- Better Fit for Clothing and Swimwear: Clothes and swimwear often fit better and are more flattering after a tummy tuck, as the abdominal area becomes smoother and firmer.
- Improved Posture: Tightening of abdominal muscles during a tummy tuck can lead to improved posture and reduced lower back pain due to stronger core muscles.
- Corrects Hernias: In some cases, a tummy tuck can correct ventral hernias that may occur due to weakened abdominal muscles.
- Reduced Back Pain: By removing excess abdominal weight and strengthening the core, a tummy tuck can alleviate certain types of back pain.
- Abdominoplasty: The medical term for a tummy tuck, a surgical procedure aimed at removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall.
- Anesthesia: Medication used to prevent pain during surgery. In the case of a tummy tuck, it can be general (patient is fully asleep) or local with sedation.
- Belly Button Reshaping: Part of many tummy tuck procedures, where the belly button is repositioned or reshaped to appear natural after the removal of excess skin.
- Diastasis Recti: A condition where the large abdominal muscles separate, often as a result of pregnancy. Tummy tuck surgery often includes repair of these muscles.
- Drainage Tubes: Tubes that may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess fluid from the surgical site after a tummy tuck.
- Extended Tummy Tuck: A more extensive abdominoplasty that includes the removal of excess skin and fat from the sides and back as well as the abdomen.
- Full Tummy Tuck: A comprehensive abdominoplasty that addresses the entire abdominal area, often involving muscle tightening and removal of a significant amount of skin and fat.
- Incision: The surgical cut made by the surgeon. In a tummy tuck, this is typically made across the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area.
- Liposuction: A procedure often combined with a tummy tuck to remove excess fat. It involves suctioning out fat through small incisions.
- Mini Tummy Tuck: A less extensive version of abdominoplasty that focuses on the lower abdomen, with a shorter incision and often without muscle repair.
- Panniculectomy: A surgical procedure that removes only the overhanging “apron” of skin and fat from the lower abdomen, different from a full tummy tuck that also tightens abdominal muscles.
- Recovery Period: The time it takes to heal after a tummy tuck, including restrictions on activities and guidelines for care of the surgical site.
- Seroma: A complication where fluid accumulates under the skin after surgery. It’s a risk following a tummy tuck and may require drainage.
- Skin Excision: The removal of excess skin during a tummy tuck procedure.
- Swelling: A common post-operative condition where the treated area becomes swollen. It gradually subsides during the recovery period.
- Tumescent Technique: A technique that involves injecting a medicated solution into the area before liposuction, often used in conjunction with tummy tucks.
- Umbilicoplasty: The surgical alteration of the belly button, often part of a tummy tuck procedure.
- Vertical Tummy Tuck: A less common form of abdominoplasty with a vertical incision. It is used in specific cases where excess skin is located above the belly button.
Prioritizing your safety during a tummy tuck
Choosing to have cosmetic surgery is a very personal decision—and it’s important that you feel safe, comfortable, and confident with the surgeon and practice you choose. At our Bellevue cosmetic surgery center, we are fully committed to your safety and comfort.
Because a tummy tuck is an incredibly nuanced surgical procedure, it’s critical that patients choose a doctor who operates in a surgery center with hospital-level safety measures in place. You and your family can rest assured knowing that our private operating suite is accredited by the Washington State Department of Health (WADOH). Our fully-equipped surgical suite is well-appointed with your safety and comfort in mind.
In addition, Dr. Sobel is Cosmetic Surgery Patient Safety® certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.
Why choose Dr. Sobel for your tummy tuck
As an award-winning Bellevue body contouring surgeon, triple-board certified in general cosmetic surgery, cosmetic facial surgery, and otolaryngology, Dr. Alexander Sobel has extensive experience performing tummy tuck surgeries, in addition to breast augmentation with implants, breast lift, fat transfer, mommy makeovers, facelifts, Brazilian butt lift, liposuction, and more. Dr. Sobel had the honor of being voted as a Seattle-area Top Doctor in the Seattle Met’s 2018 Top Doctor awards.
Find out why Dr. Sobel’s Bellevue and Seattle patients love his safe, consistent results—schedule your tummy tuck consultation online or by calling (425) 738-3560. He will be happy to discuss the best procedures to fit your goals and what you can expect from surgery.
Reviews for Anderson Sobel Cosmetic
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Alexander Sobel — Updated on Sep 26, 2024