The tummy tuck removes excess fat and sagging skin around the stomach to produce a slimmer torso.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
in Birmingham, AL
Losing a significant amount of weight or giving birth can cause your stomach to have excess loose skin, fat deposits, and weakened abdominal muscles. These issues are difficult (and often impossible) to correct through diet and exercise alone. A tummy tuck can reshape your stomach by eliminating stubborn fat in this area, removing excess skin, and repairing damaged ab muscles. The remaining skin is pulled taut and smoothed out, leaving you with tighter, slimmer abs.
Is a Tummy Tuck Right for Me?
Robert I. Oliver, Jr., M.D. and Jason M. Jack, M.D. offer tummy tuck surgery at their practice, Plastic Surgery Specialists in Birmingham, Alabama. Providing patients with personalized care and close attention to detail, our plastic surgeons and caring staff welcome those interested in this body contouring procedure. We are devoted to rejuvenating and enhancing your natural beauty using state-of-the-art methods. A tummy tuck may be right for you if you struggle with some of the issues listed below.
Excess Sagging Skin
If you have loosely hanging skin due to pregnancy or significant weight loss, abdominoplasty can help you achieve a smooth, tight result by removing excess skin.
Stubborn Fatty Tissue
Diet and exercise are often not enough when it comes to improving the appearance of the abdominal area. A tummy tuck can reduce any residual fat on the stomach for a slimmer, more contoured abdomen.
Stretched Abdominal Muscles
Loss of skin elasticity or diastasis recti (damaged ab muscles) are common after pregnancy. The skin and fat deposits are removed, then the abdominal muscles are properly aligned and pulled tightly together. Abdominal muscle repair helps to restore core strength and can also help alleviate other issues like lower back pain.
What Does A Tummy Tuck Entail?
Anesthesia and Incisions
Abdominoplasty surgery usually lasts between two and three hours, depending on the desired look and the patient’s unique physiology. To begin the procedure, anesthesia medication is administered, and an incision is made just above the pubic bone area. This incision extends horizontally across the lower abdomen towards the hip bones. The extent of correction necessary will determine how long the incision needs to be.
Fat and Skin Removal
The skin on the midsection is stretched away from the muscle tissue, and excess skin is excised. Abdominal muscle tissues are tightened to provide a firmer, more contoured stomach and a more defined waistline. The remaining excess skin is removed, and, in some cases, an additional incision is made around the navel to create a new opening for the belly button. This process gives your stomach a flatter, more toned appearance.
Additional Procedures
Some tummy tuck procedures also include liposuction for enhanced results. During the liposuction procedure, a sterile solution is injected into the targeted locations. The tumescent solution reduces pain, constricting blood vessels to minimize blood loss and post-procedure swelling. A thin tube called a cannula is inserted into small, strategically placed incisions, and the fat and fluid are suctioned out. In some circumstances, power-assisted liposuction is used, which utilizes a device that gently breaks up the targeted fatty tissue and suctions it out.
Closing Incisions
Lastly, your abdominal skin is repositioned, and the incisions are closed. You will have sterile dressings protecting your incision, which you will need to change periodically. Usually, one or two surgical drains are placed at this time to drain excess fluid from the area. Drains are typically removed at a follow-up appointment early in the postoperative recovery.
Before & After Photos
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Have Questions About Tummy Tuck in Birmingham Alabama?
If you are interested in a tummy tuck, contact our office in Birmingham, Alabama to schedule your consultation.
Contact UsWhat Are Your Concerns?
Recovery
Patients are provided with detailed postoperative care instructions, including how to care for yo incision and what activities to avoid during recovery. No heavy lifting or strenuous activities should be attempted for the first few weeks to help ensure proper healing. As your body recovers, you can expect some discomfort and minor swelling and bruising.
Absorbable sutures are used whenever possible to help minimize suture removal. Normal activities can generally be resumed within two weeks, but no strenuous exercise or activities are allowed for about six weeks. You will also wear a compression garment as you heal to help support the area and shape your new contour. While you will see some immediate results from your tummy tuck, it may take up to a year for your full results to show. With proper diet and exercise, the striking results of your surgery can be long-lasting.
Scars
Scarring occurs after any incision, and your surgeon takes special care to make inconspicuous incisions whenever possible. Tummy tuck scars are placed around the bikini line and can be concealed with underwear or a swimsuit. Most scars fade over time and become a thin, light-colored line.
Cost
The cost of a tummy tuck procedure varies depending on which techniques are utilized and if any other procedures are combined with the operation. Different methods will incur different costs. Dr. Oliver will discuss these details during your consultation and provide a price estimate. Plastic Surgery Specialists also offer options for financing your tummy tuck surgery.
Pain
Any discomfort experienced during your recovery can be alleviated by taking prescription or over-the-counter pain medication. Most patients feel better a few days after their tummy tuck, and many people can return to work 1–2 weeks after surgery.
At Plastic Surgery Specialists, Dr. Oliver and Dr. Jack strive to provide every patient with the finest personalized care while creating beautiful, natural results.
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Recovery
Patients are provided with detailed postoperative care instructions, including how to care for yo incision and what activities to avoid during recovery. No heavy lifting or strenuous activities should be attempted for the first few weeks to help ensure proper healing. As your body recovers, you can expect some discomfort and minor swelling and bruising.
Absorbable sutures are used whenever possible to help minimize suture removal. Normal activities can generally be resumed within two weeks, but no strenuous exercise or activities are allowed for about six weeks. You will also wear a compression garment as you heal to help support the area and shape your new contour. While you will see some immediate results from your tummy tuck, it may take up to a year for your full results to show. With proper diet and exercise, the striking results of your surgery can be long-lasting.
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Scars
Scarring occurs after any incision, and your surgeon takes special care to make inconspicuous incisions whenever possible. Tummy tuck scars are placed around the bikini line and can be concealed with underwear or a swimsuit. Most scars fade over time and become a thin, light-colored line.
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Cost
The cost of a tummy tuck procedure varies depending on which techniques are utilized and if any other procedures are combined with the operation. Different methods will incur different costs. Dr. Oliver will discuss these details during your consultation and provide a price estimate. Plastic Surgery Specialists also offer options for financing your tummy tuck surgery.
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Pain
Any discomfort experienced during your recovery can be alleviated by taking prescription or over-the-counter pain medication. Most patients feel better a few days after their tummy tuck, and many people can return to work 1–2 weeks after surgery.
At Plastic Surgery Specialists, Dr. Oliver and Dr. Jack strive to provide every patient with the finest personalized care while creating beautiful, natural results.
Before & After Photos
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Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck are non-smokers in overall good health. They should also be at a healthy, stable weight and be done having children. Good candidates also have one or more of the following issues:
- Excess skin and flab after pregnancy or weight fluctuations
- Loose or sagging skin on the abdomen
- Damaged abdominal muscles after pregnancy
Patients should also have realistic expectations and be committed to maintaining their tummy tuck results. An evaluation and discussion with Dr. Oliver will help to determine if a tummy tuck is right for you.
How do I prepare for my tummy tuck?
Once you’ve scheduled your tummy tuck surgery, your surgeon will give you instructions on preparing. You will need to stop smoking or vaping for at least two weeks before and after your surgery. If you take specific blood-thinning prescriptions, supplements, or over-the-counter medications, you may need to stop taking them leading up to your surgery.
A tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure that requires rest and following your surgeon’s postoperative instructions to the letter. Before your surgery, prepare your recovery area at home, ensuring you have everything you need to be comfortable. Water, pain pills, a phone charger, the remote control, and extra pillows to help prop you up are just a few items you will want. You will also need to plan transportation for any children in the home, as you cannot drive for at least a week. Other ways to prepare include planning meals in advance and ensuring you have comfortable clothes that won’t irritate your incision. You will also need to have a responsible adult drive you home after surgery and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours.
Can I combine my tummy tuck with other procedures?
Some patients in Birmingham, Anniston, and Tuscaloosa decide to combine their tummy tuck surgery with other body-shaping procedures, such as breast augmentation or a complete Mommy Makeover, to enhance their physique further. Patients often combine procedures because they benefit from multiple aesthetic surgeries with only one recovery period. Please discuss your cosmetic goals and preferences with your surgeon during your initial consultation to see if combining procedures can help you achieve your desired results.
What can I expect from my tummy tuck results?
Tummy tuck surgery is designed to achieve a slimmer, more defined abdominal region with less localized body fat. You will see a reduction in the size of your abdomen immediately after surgery, and your results will continue to improve as swelling diminishes and your body settles into its new shape. Most patients see significant results within a few months; full results are typically visible within six months to a year.
How long will my tummy tuck results last?
Tummy tuck results are long-lasting if you maintain a healthy weight. The fat and skin removed during the procedure are permanently gone, but the remaining fat cells can negatively affect your results if you gain weight after your surgery.
Are there any risks associated with tummy tuck surgery?
Tummy tuck surgery is considered safe when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. However, just as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks, including:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- Seroma (excess fluid buildup)
- Loss of sensation around the surgical area
Following your surgeon’s postoperative instructions is essential and will help you avoid problems as you heal. Contact your surgeon immediately if you experience anything unusual during the healing process.