Tummy Tuck
Boston, MA
Introduction to Tummy Tuck
Weight loss is an incredible achievement, but depending on the degree of change, some patients are left with stretch marks and loose, sagging skin. Dr. Vickram Tandon offers the Tummy Tuck to our Boston patients as a way to help them feel more confident in themselves and live more fulfilling lives by removing excess skin and fat caused by significant weight loss or pregnancy. To learn more about this particular plastic surgery and what it can do for you, please continue reading the information below.
What Is A Tummy Tuck?
A Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) aims to remove excess skin and fat deposits from the stomach with the additional benefit of repairing abdominal muscles, which in turn, improves your abdominal contour and gives your stomach a flatter appearance.
As we get older, there are a number of things that can wreak havoc on our midsection, particularly extreme weight loss and childbearing. These circumstances can make it incredibly difficult to regain tone and tightness in the abdomen, regardless of how many sit-ups we do or calories we cut, which occurs when the abdominal muscles have been damaged or weakened, causing the stomach to protrude.
This frequently happens during pregnancy when the stretching of the stomach causes the abdominal muscles to separate. Once this happens, no amount of diet or exercise will deliver the results you desire, not until the muscles are repaired. Often, the skin is stretched beyond the limits of natural repair during pregnancy and weight fluctuation, leaving the individual with stretch marks and loose, hanging skin and fat.
- A tummy tuck procedure addresses all of these issues by streamlining and sculpting loose skin around the midsection, restoring your stomach to a more youthful state.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is the same plastic surgery procedure as a full tummy tuck, just performed on patients with less fat and skin to remove, hence the “mini”. During a mini tummy tuck, Dr. Tandon will make a small incision similar to the incision made during a cesarean section. The incision, typically just a few inches long, will be made along your bikini or underwear line. Through this incision, he tightens loose muscles, removes excess fat, and removes sagging skin to flatten and smooth your abdominal wall.
You will have a draining tube for one week, and wear a compression garment for six weeks. You may initially need to keep your waist bent to prevent over-extending your newly repaired muscles, but many patients are able to stand up straight after about two weeks. We recommend that most patients take at least two weeks off of work and limit their physical activity for around six weeks.
- A mini abdominoplasty scar is small and easily concealed by underwear and swimwear. There is less scarring because, unlike a full tummy tuck, your belly button will not be moved or reconstructed.
What Are The Benefits Of A Tummy Tuck?
Our Boston Tummy Tuck patients have been able to see some of the following examples of the benefits that this surgery can provide:
- Better overall flexibility
- Gives your body a better appearance and can increase self-confidence
- Have significant skin laxity
- Improved control over bodily functions
- Increases your tolerance for more intense exercises once that excess skin is gone
- Minimize the risks for certain medical conditions
- Motivates to lose excess weight and achieve better health
- Prevents painful hernias
- Relieves stress urinary incontinence (after pregnancy, some women find they have an issue with accidental leaks)
- Repairs issues such as diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal wall) which often results from straining during pregnancy
- Stronger and improved core
Who Are The Best Candidates For A Tummy Tuck?
At the office of Vickram Tandon, MD, we believe you could be a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck surgery in Boston if you have some of the following characteristics:
- Bothered by the aesthetic of your abdomen
- Committed to maintaining results through a healthy diet and routine exercise
- Has no abdominal wall laxity
- In good overall physical health
- Keeps realistic expectations for their tummy tuck results
- Maintained a stable, healthy weight
- Non-smoker and can commit to staying so
- Tried losing weight in the abdominal area with limited or no success
What's The First Step?
The first step in getting a Tummy Tuck in Boston is to contact the office of Vickram Tandon, MD. When you come in for your consultation, you will be able to meet with Dr. Tandon and discuss what you’re looking to achieve from the procedure. He will also be able to answer any questions that you may have, give you an examination of your stomach and body type, and ask you questions about your medical history.
You should be very open and honest when talking about your medical history as this will help Dr. Tandon determine if you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck and make the safest decisions when creating your surgical and treatment plan.
Once your plan has been made and you agree with it, then you will meet with our Patient Coordinator who will help you select your surgical date. You will also be given a list of instructions that will help give you a more optimal surgical experience.
What To Expect On The Day Of Tummy Tuck?
When you come in for your Tummy Tuck, it will begin with you being administered some anesthesia in the form of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, depending on what is discussed during your consultation. When you are fully sedated, Dr. Tandon will begin making his strategic incisions.
A full tummy tuck utilizes a horizontally-oriented incision placed between the pubic hairline and the belly button. The shape and length of the incisions are determined by the amount of excess skin. After your abdominal skin is lifted, the weaker, underlying abdominal muscles are repaired. If necessary, Dr. Tandon will make a second incision around your naval to remove the excess skin in your upper abdomen.
The upper abdominal skin is pulled down and any excess skin is trimmed. The remaining skin is sutured together and a new opening for the belly button is created. Dr. Tandon will pop the belly button up through the surface and suture it into position. Finally, the incision is closed with sutures, skin adhesives, tapes, or clips.
This procedure will take approximately two to three hours.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
After your surgery, you will be able to return home to recover in peace, however, you should have a friend or family member available to give you a ride home. You will have dressings or bandages applied to your incisions and you may also be wrapped in an abdominal binder (elastic bandage or compression garment) to minimize swelling and give underlying muscles in your abdomen additional support. Dr. Tandon may temporarily insert some small tubes called cannulas under your skin to help drain any blood or fluid that collects.
You will likely be sore during the first week or so and should plan on resting and taking some downtime the first few days post-surgery, this is to reduce scarring and avoid any excess bruising or swelling. You may be able to return to work after a few days but only if you have light work, there should be absolutely no heavy lifting until Dr. Tandon clears you to do so. Most patients require at least two to three weeks before they can do even gentle tasks.
How Much Does Tummy Tuck Cost In Boston, MA
The cost of Tummy Tuck in Boston is dependent on a number of factors, including the amount of fat and tissue that is required to be removed and the anesthetic choice for your surgery. After meeting with Dr. Tandon and discussing everything, our Patient Coordinator will be able to give you a breakdown of the full price of your treatment.
WHY CHOOSE DR. TANDON?
Dr. Vickram Tandon is a highly skilled plastic surgeon who has dedicated his career to helping patients enhance their appearance and improve their self-confidence through the art of plastic surgery. After receiving his medical degree from Brown University, Dr. Tandon was selected to participate in a prestigious year-long fellowship program in Aesthetic Surgery through Harvard Plastic Surgery.
During this fellowship training, he worked with surgeons throughout Boston and beyond to hone his skills in the most advanced techniques for cosmetic plastic surgery. Dr. Tandon is known for his compassionate and caring approach to patient care, taking the time to listen to each patient’s concerns and goals, while working closely with them to create a personalized treatment plan that achieves the best results.
Tummy Tuck FAQS
A tummy tuck addresses excess skin and fat and tightens abdominal muscles to create a firmer, more toned appearance, especially beneficial for patients after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
A mini tummy tuck addresses only the lower abdomen with a smaller incision, whereas a full tummy tuck treats both the upper and lower abdomen, including muscle tightening and removal of significant excess skin.
The results of a tummy tuck are long-lasting, especially if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, weight fluctuations or future pregnancies can affect the outcome over time.
After a tummy tuck, Dr. Tandon provides detailed post-operative instructions, including wearing compression garments, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments to monitor healing.
No. Since most insurance companies consider tummy tucks to be elective cosmetic procedures, they are not covered.
In the first few weeks following your Tummy Tuck recovery process, you can expect to experience some medium-level pain, or at least some discomfort, during the first week. Your belly will be sore and swollen but may be more comfortable if you continue to use compression garments.
Most patients will have between three and six follow-up appointments after their abdominoplasty procedure (usually at week 1, week 2, and week 6). These check-ups are primarily so Dr. Tandon can monitor your healing process and make sure you are satisfied with your results. We will have you pose for post-op pictures near your final check-up appointment.
Dr. Tandon will be able to give you a better idea of how many times you will need to return and how often during your consultation. He will always let you know if and when he expects to see you again at the end of your appointment.
Many of our patients will combine their Tummy Tuck with other body contouring procedures such as Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, Lower Body Lift, or Thigh Lift. If you are interested in having any other cosmetic procedure performed, please discuss your desires with Dr. Tandon during your Tummy Tuck consultation. He will be able to recommend the best procedures to help you obtain your preferred appearance.
Yes! Many patients suffering from a hernia will often request a repair when inquiring about a Tummy Tuck. Depending on the size and type of hernia you have, Dr. Tandon could be able to work that into your surgical plan. If this is a treatment you are interested in, please discuss it with him during your consultation.
Every surgery has its potential risks and side effects, and despite Dr. Tandon’s best efforts to provide positive outcomes for every procedure, these are the following risks associated with a Tummy Tuck:
- Anesthesia risks
- Asymmetry
- Bleeding
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Infection
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
- Persistent pain
- Poor wound healing
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Recurrent looseness of skin
- Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
- Skin loss
- Suboptimal aesthetic result
- Unfavorable scarring
If you begin to experience concerning reactions or have long-lasting side effects, please contact our office immediately.
Incisions for tummy tuck surgery are made low on the abdomen – often near the pubic region – so any Tummy Tuck scar can often be concealed by most articles of clothing, including bathing suits and the majority of underwear varieties.
Diastasis Recti is when the two abdominal muscles separate from your abdominal wall during pregnancy. If your case is severe, or you’re not making improvements with exercise, tummy tuck surgery will be necessary to repair the muscles. This surgical procedure will also narrow the waistline in your lower abdomen.
There are really no major risks involved if you become pregnant after tummy tuck surgery, but we do like to recommend that our patients interested in the procedure wait until they are finished having children. Doing so can help ensure the results achieved are not compromised by the bodily changes that often occur during pregnancy.
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure but can improve your abdominal area with skin tightening, removing excess fat, and repairing the underlying muscles. While your abs can be more visible and defined after removing the excess skin and fat, the procedure will not give you a “six-pack”.
We encourage our patients looking for a flatter abdomen with more definition to use this procedure as a springboard toward getting the body they truly want.
There are non-surgical options out there to improve your midsection when a proper diet and exercise won’t work, however, patients looking for a more dramatic solution to correct drooping skin, fat pockets, or loose abdominal muscles, will most likely require the tummy tuck procedure. The best way to find out your best options is to schedule your consultation with Dr. Tandon and allow him to examine your body.
Dr. Tandon Understood What I Wanted
I saw Dr. Tandon for Botox and lip filler and couldn’t be happier with my results. I was looking for a skilled doctor who would give me a natural look, and Dr. Tandon understood exactly what I wanted. He took a lot of care and time with my consult, it’s very clear that he cares so much about the quality of his work. I was also happily surprised that procedure was practically painless. I highly recommend working with Dr. Tandon!
I Highly Recommended Him
Dr. Tandon was truly one of the most personable and professionals doctors I hvae been treated by! He took the time to carefully understand the procedure I wanted and what I felt my problem areas are, then adjusted to address those. He both asked insightful questions to understand my needs and answered all my questions with patience to make me feel comfortable and confident. My results demonstrated all of that care and I could not be more pleased. I highly recommend him!
I Am Very Pleased With My Results
Dr. Tandon is a compassionate, personable and highly skilled plastic surgeon. irecently had an appointment with Dr. Tandon to get Botox.
