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7416 N. LA Cholla BLVD, Tucson, AZ 85741

Tummy Tuck in Tucson, AZ

Genetics, aging, pregnancy, and weight loss are all contributing factors to a loose and unattractive abdominal contour.

Many men and women feel self-conscious about this loose and sagging skin, causing them to try to cover their midsection with baggy clothing. For others, their worry about the appearance of this sagging skin can keep them from joining others in activities that they love, especially during the warmer months.

Excess skin and weak abdominal muscles may be preventing you from having a youthful, toned abdomen. Often, these abdominal troubles are resistant to correction through diet and exercise. Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is designed to restore firmness to the abdominal region and create attractive new contours.

What Are the Benefits of Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Men and women opt for tummy tuck surgery to achieve:

  • A more toned abdomen

  • Smooth abdominal skin

  • Slimmer waist contours

  • Enhanced abdominal definition

  • Elimination of the belly “pooch”

  • Correction of separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)

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What Are Your Tummy Tuck Options?

Mini Tummy Tuck

  • Improves the contours of the lower abdomen

  • Ideal for patients with good skin elasticity, minimal sagging skin, and minor fat deposits on their abdomen and flanks

  • Can be performed using local anesthesia

  • The incision is placed below the bikini line

  • Small to medium fat deposits on the abdomen and flanks are removed

  • Excess skin below the navel is removed

  • Patients can return to work within two weeks

  • Normal physical activities can be resumed after three weeks

Standard Tummy Tuck

  • Improves the contours of the entire abdominal area

  • Ideal for patients after pregnancy or weight loss

  • The incision runs from hip to hip discreetly below the bikini line

  • Skin is separated from the abdominal wall, and the underlying muscles are sutured together

  • The belly button remains intact during most standard tummy tucks, and the skin is adjusted around it

  • Patients can return to work within two weeks

  • Normal physical activities can be resumed after four weeks

Extended Tummy Tuck/Circumferential Body Lift

  • Improves the contours of the lower back, hips, and abdomen

  • Can also improve the appearance of loose thigh skin and cellulite

  • Typically performed on patients who have undergone major weight loss or bariatric surgery

  • Incisions are more extensive and can run from the back of the hip (upper buttock) on each side all the way around the front or around the whole waist.

  • Inverted “T” or transverse “H” incisions can be used to eliminate the need for any posterior incisions during surgery

  • Patients can return to work within two to three weeks

  • Normal physical activities can be resumed after six weeks

Reverse Tummy Tuck

  • Designed to treat patients with upper abdominal sagging

  • This technique is reserved only for qualifying patients, which is determined after an extensive consultation

  • Incisions are placed under the breasts rather than on the abdomen

  • Removes tissue from just below the breasts down to the belly button

  • Tightens the midline abdominal muscles

  • Pulls the remaining skin upward for a smoother, toned appearance

  • Patients can return to work within two weeks

  • Normal physical activities can be resumed after six weeks

What Can I Expect for My Tummy Tuck Recovery?

After your tummy tuck surgery, you will experience some bruising and swelling in your midsection. You will also feel some soreness. Any pain you experience can be remedied with medication, but make sure to contact Dr. Nelson if your pain increases or is prolonged. During your recovery, you will want to make sure to rest your body to allow for it to heal more quickly. Additionally, you will want to make sure not to lift anything of weight until you are cleared to do so by your doctor.

What Will My Tummy Tuck Results Be?

Besides the physical benefits of your tummy tuck, which include a more contoured and defined midsection, you will feel more confident and comfortable with the way you look. No longer will you feel like you need to keep a loose-fitting shirt on at the pool or beach. Instead, you’ll be able to show off your new, toned body while you enjoy all the things you’ve been missing out on.

Additionally, tummy tuck surgery can help people dealing with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and can be a treatment for umbilical hernias. Men and women also tend to have better posture (and less posture-related back pain) following abdominoplasty.

Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Liposuction can be combined with your tummy tuck to help improve the contours of your body. Liposuction removes fat from stubborn, troublesome areas such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, and back. On its own, liposuction may leave loose, excess skin. When combined with a tummy tuck, liposuction can eliminate the fat necessary to slim your figure and restore firmness to the abdomen. Combining both techniques into a one-time procedure saves both recovery time and money.

What Other Procedures Can Be Combined With a Tummy Tuck?

Many patients choose to combine their tummy tuck with other body and breast sculpting procedures. There are several benefits that come with combining procedures, such as obtaining even more dynamic results as well as cutting down on the overall price and recovery time, since you are having the procedures performed and are recovering from them at the same time.
Some of the other procedures that patients choose to combine with their tummy tuck surgery include:

Additionally, tummy tuck surgery can be combined with breast surgeries, such as breast augmentation surgery and breast lift surgery (mastopexy), along with liposuction and other procedures listed above for a Mommy Makeover. A Mommy Makeover is a customizable combination of different cosmetic procedures that help return women to their younger, pre-baby body.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you experience sagging skin in your midsection and have stubborn subcutaneous fat that doesn’t seem to go away no matter how healthy your diet and how much you work out, then a tummy tuck might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Candidates for tummy tuck surgery should be non-smoking men and women, who have realistic expectations for their results. At your consultation, Dr. Nelson will evaluate your midsection to determine if a tummy tuck is the right procedure for you.
Not every patient needs their abdominal muscles tightened. However, many patients after pregnancy or weight loss find that their muscles are weak, which may cause a stomach pooch. Tightening the abdominal muscles firms and tones your abdominal contour for a more attractive silhouette.
You will likely experience bruising, swelling, and redness following your tummy tuck. The skin around your abdomen may feel tight, causing minor discomfort. You will wear a compression garment to minimize swelling and facilitate your healing. Any associated pain from your surgery can be controlled using an oral medication.
Patients who are in good general health rarely see complications following their tummy tucks. Some minor complications may include infection, seromas, or prolonged swelling. Patients with blood sugar problems or poor cardiac history should not undergo tummy tuck surgery. It is important to discuss your medical history with your surgeon so they can evaluate your potential health risks.
Like any cosmetic surgery procedure, the price of tummy tuck surgery varies with each patient. This is due to several factors, including the extent of the procedure (including how much fat and skin need to be removed) as well as whether the tummy tuck is being combined with any other procedures. At your consultation, you will be given a cost estimate for your tummy tuck surgery.
A lower body lift is generally used for patients following massive weight loss. These patients often have large amounts of excess skin on numerous areas of the body. Dr. Nelson can combine tummy tuck surgery as a part of a full body contouring plan. Incisions can be specially placed to maximize time and effectiveness. Contouring of the buttocks, hips, and thighs during your tummy tuck can help improve the overall appearance of your silhouette. Techniques such as the inverted “T” and transverse “H” incisions are utilized during a lower body lift to minimize the extent of your scarring.
Tummy tuck surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Some patients will need to stay overnight depending on the extent of correction needed. The procedure can last between one and four hours depending on the extent of correction needed.
The extent of scarring that develops will depend on the extent of the incision used for your surgery. Mini tummy tuck patients typically see the least amount of scarring. Patients who undergo an extended tummy tuck will see the most amount of scarring, which may be visible around the entire waist. Dr. Nelson takes great care to utilize techniques that minimize the amount of scarring when possible. Most scarring is likely to fade over time and can be easily hidden beneath underwear and bathing suits.
Jeffrey M. Nelson M.D. Icon
Jeffrey M. Nelson M.D.
7416 N. La Cholla Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) 575-8400
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