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What is a Tummy Tuck?               

Many people have tissue laxity or a skin envelope that hangs over the waistline after pregnancy or weight loss. These life events can leave loose, wrinkled skin on the abdomen, often above and below the belly button. It may be like an “apron” of tissue that hangs over your waistline. Troublesome and difficult-to-treat stretch marks may be present, often below the belly button. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that can address all these concerns and more. Tummy tuck surgery allows Dr. Sweat to remove excess skin and fat, strengthen the abdominal area, and address separated abdominal muscles.

At J. Sweat Plastic Surgery, we offer two different types of tummy tucks: a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck, or traditional tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck focuses on the lower abdomen while a traditional tummy tuck focuses on the entire abdomen.

Who is a Candidate?

Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck include healthy people who have undergone significant weight loss and are struggling with excess fat and skin, as well as weakened abdominal muscles.

Women who have had their abdominal wall muscles stretched and separated by pregnancy often complain of an abdomen that bulges and may even be asked if they are currently pregnant based on the prominence of their belly. The tummy tuck procedure can be used to tighten the muscles of the belly wall as well as remove excess skin. That said, you should ideally be finished having children; while a pregnancy can be carried successfully to term after a tummy tuck, the results of the surgery will likely be undone by the pregnancy and further surgery may be necessary to regain previous results.

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to the timing of a tummy tuck. Patients can benefit from this surgery even into their 70’s if they’re active and have good health. In general, younger patients should have either stabilized/finished their weight loss journey or finished having children. Postoperative mobility will be an important part of the recovery process so patients need to be in fit ambulatory condition.

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Jeffery A.Sweat, M.D.

“Bringing out inner confidence and helping the patient through their own personal journey makes what we do so fun and rewarding.”

Meet Doctor Sweat

What our patients say

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It’s so important to have someone knowledgeable and friendly and you find that here at J. Sweats.

All of the staff is amazing and so personal in the sense they remember your name and treat you like a person not a number. The new office is gorgeous and both offices have always been so clean and well decorated. Just great people and great energy when trusting someone with a body modification it’s so important to have someone knowledgeable and friendly and you find that here at J. Sweats. – Lex L.

This surgeon is an artist!

I have had a multi-procedure surgery that was very difficult to recover from: a breast lift with augmentation, a lower body lift, and a BBL. This surgeon is an artist! I had a lot of extra skin after losing a lot of weight from bariatric surgery. The symmetry of his cuts is amazing. And even though I’m still recovering, I can already see how amazing the results are! I cannot recommend Dr. Sweat enough for these types of procedures. – Melissa S.

Now that the work has been done I can say he has magic hands.

I cannot put into words how much J Sweat and his office staff made my experience amazing! I consulted with different Dr’s and within 5 mins of being at J Sweat’s office, I knew he’d be my Doctor. Now that the work has been done I can say he has magic hands. – Mandi E.

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The Procedure

Tummy tucks can occasionally be combined with other surgeries of the abdomen, such as a hysterectomy, but most commonly are done either alone or in combination with other body contouring surgeries like breast augmentation or liposuctionBreast surgery done in combination with a tummy tuck is often referred to as a “mommy makeover”. Tummy tuck surgery is done under a general anesthetic and, depending on other surgeries to be done at the same time, can take as little as two hours (or upwards of six hours in combination with other procedures).

Benefits

of Tummy Tuck

The tummy tuck comes with many benefits, and Dr. Sweat will discuss them at length during a private consultation.

Flatter Abdomen

The tummy tuck can achieve a flatter abdomen whether you’ve undergone pregnancy or weight loss, or you simply carry fat in your stomach. This cosmetic surgery can give an overall slimmer appearance to your body.

Better Clothing Fit

If you struggle to find appropriate clothing because of excess skin and fat, a tummy tuck can enhance your wardrobe and give you better confidence in and out of clothing.

Enhanced Confidence

Many people are self-conscious of their stomach, and the tummy tuck can provide a long-lasting confidence boost with a single surgical procedure.

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The Results

Although you can return home the same day as surgery, it’s important to be up and moving after surgery as quickly as possible (even on the day of surgery) to avoid developing blood clots in your legs.  A compression garment is used for at least 2-3 weeks after surgery – even upwards of six weeks, if tolerated. This helps decrease postoperative swelling and fluid accumulation and can help reduce tummy tuck scars. A drainage tube most commonly exits through the pubic area and is present for 1-2 weeks after surgery (occasionally longer). Most patients will take 1-2 weeks off surgery and a 6-week tummy tuck recovery period is necessary before beginning strenuous exercises or maneuvers that will place tension on the incisions. You’ll require help around the house for 4-6 weeks since you’ll be unable to lift/push/pull more than about 5-10 pounds.

If you’re able to maintain postoperative weight control, the results will be permanent. The incision should be low and hidden in your waist or panty line, easily hidden within a bathing suit or underwear.  The scar can be somewhat thick or prominent due to tension placed on the incision for maximal postoperative contour, but scar treatment systems such as Embrace or Biocorneum can help the scar to fade maximally with time. Occasionally, scars are injected with steroids to help calm thickness or redness, sometimes along with laser treatments or microneedling to help the scar remodel. While the abdomen will relax slightly with time, it should not regain the preoperative laxity and skin excess.  You may experience tightness that prevents standing completely upright for a few days or weeks after surgery. Although abdominoplasty is not indicated for back pain, tightening the core abdominal muscles may help to strengthen the core and support the back, resulting in partial relief of back pain.

Before & Afters

real patient Results

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