I want to improve my tummy. Should I have liposuction or a tummy tuck?
That depends. Liposuction works best when the skin is nice and elastic, the abdominal wall is in good shape, and there is a little extra fat to be removed from below the surface of the skin. The tummy tuck surgery works better if there is a lot of looseness of the abdominal skin, stretched out muscles, stretch marks or previous abdominal surgery.

What’s the difference between the mini-tummy tuck and the regular tummy tuck?
A mini tummy-tuck removes less skin than a regular tummy tuck, so there is only tightening in the lower half of the abdomen with a mini tummy tuck. The regular tummy tuck allows tightening of loose skin and muscle in both the upper and lower half of the abdomen. Only about 10% of the patients I see are candidates for mini tummy tucks.

How long is the scar?
The more skin looseness you have, the longer the scar needs to be to take care of the looseness. Lean forward, and pinch the loose skin. If you can pinch loose skin at the sides of your waist, then the scar will need to come out at least that far.

What is the recovery like from a tummy tuck?
Most people say that it takes about a month to feel “back to normal” in terms of energy. We recommend 10-14 days off from work after the surgery. Operations that require tightening of the muscles, such as a tummy tuck ("abdominoplasty") have discomfort equal to that of a C-section.

Do you use drains? How long do they stay in for?
Yes – they are a routine part of the tummy tuck. They typically remain in place for 5-7 days after surgery.

Do you use staples?
No. Typically, the incision is closed in layers – all done carefully by hand.