Bikini season is right around the corner. How confident do you feel about baring your midsection? If you’re unhappy with the amount of loose, sagging skin in this area, Tummy Tuck Surgery may be able to help you achieve a flatter, more contoured abdomen and build your confidence to take on a two-piece!
“Tummy Tuck, or Abdominoplasty, is a surgical body contouring procedure that addresses the concerns so many women have with their stomach area, especially after childbirth, like sagging skin, torn abdominal muscles, and that annoying little “pooch” below your belly button,” says Dr. Robert Wilke, a board-certified plastic surgeon with Edina Plastic Surgery and a Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine 2021 ‘Top Doc.’ “Yes, the procedure will leave a scar, but many women are surprised at how low the scar is and how easily it can be hidden with the right clothing, even a bikini bottom,” he says. “The result of a Tummy Tuck, especially when coupled with Liposuction, can dramatically transform the abdominal area for BOTH women and men.”
How can a Tummy Tuck change the appearance of your abdomen?
Abdominoplasty surgery can seriously streamline your silhouette by removing excess skin and tightening the remaining skin and underlying muscles.
The procedure restores a patient’s waistline and can literally reshape the entire midsection when coupled with Liposuction surgery, which further removes stubborn pockets of fat. When combined, these two procedures create a more contoured waist, a flatter, tighter stomach, and a more balanced and toned appearance to your midsection.
What happens during a Tummy Tuck procedure?
“During your initial consultation for Tummy Tuck, your surgeon will evaluate your midsection to see where your ideal incision should be placed to safely remove as much excess skin as appropriate,” explains Dr. Wilke. “Depending on the proportions of your abdomen and where your belly button sits, this incision may be able to be placed well below the hips,” he continues. “Your surgeon will also be looking to see if any underlying muscles will need to be repaired and tightened, especially if a woman has gone through childbirth. You will have a good idea of where your scar line will run after your consultation.”
Your surgeon may also recommend Liposuction performed during the same operation as your Tummy Tuck. Liposuction is focused on removing excess fat, while a Tummy Tuck targets excess skin. If a patient has stubborn pockets of fat on their low back, flanks, and upper abdominals – this can be addressed before your Tummy Tuck to enhance your results further.
What is the scarring like with a Tummy Tuck?
Every surgical incision causes a scar, but how visible that scar will be is dependent on the necessary placement of your incision and the skill of your plastic surgeon.
“We recommend that our patients first view our Tummy Tuck Before & After Gallery on our website so they can see the variations in scars and how truly discreet they can be,” says Dr. Wilke. “It is rare to find a Tummy Tuck patient who doesn’t think that the results far outweigh the appearance of a scar, especially when it’s so easy to hide!”
Are there different kinds of Tummy Tucks?
With a traditional or extended Tummy Tuck, the incision is placed very low on the abdominal area, making scarring easy to conceal with undergarments and bathing suits. The incision to reposition the belly button may even be performed internally, as not to be visible. Sometimes, a patient only needs a “mini” tuck. In this case, a smaller, shorter incision is made across the lower abdomen, making it even easier to hide. If you have an existing C-section scar, your plastic surgeon may use this same incision line for your “mini” tuck.
“I encourage my patients not to let the fear of post-surgical scars prevent them from pursuing Abdominoplasty surgery to feel more confident about their appearance,” says Dr. Wilke. “In most cases, any scarring is easily hidden, even under smaller bikini bottoms. Life AND Summer are way too short not to love and feel confident about how you look in a swimsuit!”
Would you like to learn if you’re a good candidate for Tummy Tuck surgery? Do you want to feel more confident in your bikini or swim trunks this Summer?
Schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss Tummy Tuck surgery with an Edina Plastic Surgery surgeon by calling (612) 688-3177 or CLICK HERE!
