Aesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive

Here’s what our patients should know about getting tummy tuck surgery.

Often referred to as a “tummy tuck,” abdominoplasty is a popular surgical procedure performed by our Elmhurst, IL, plastic surgeon, Dr. Alexandrina Saulis, to remove excess fat and skin around the stomach.

A tummy tuck is a great treatment to help flatten stomachs and even tighten abdominal muscles. Of course, before undergoing cosmetic surgery it’s important to understand the entire abdominoplasty process.

When to Consider Abdominoplasty

Since abdominoplasty involves surgery and recovery time, it’s important to understand who is ideal for treatment. Since this is not a weight-loss treatment, an ideal candidate will be an individual that is already maintaining healthy body weight and body mass index (BMI), but is still unable to achieve a flatter stomach through diet and exercise alone.

There are many factors that can lead to the loose, sagging skin and excess fat around the abdomen. These factors include:

• Past surgeries (e.g. bariatric surgery)
• Extreme fluctuations in weight
• Pregnancy
• Heredity
• Aging

Tummy tuck surgery isn’t ideal for those who deal with significant weight fluctuations or women who plan to become pregnant, as these factors can affect long-term results. A tummy tuck may also be able to reduce the appearance of stretch marks by tightening and stretching the skin.

Getting an Abdominoplasty

Our expert plastic surgeon will perform your abdominoplasty right here in her Elmhurst, IL, practice. General anesthesia is used for this procedure, so you will be asleep during the procedure. Tummy tuck surgeries usually take anywhere from 2-5 hours. During your consultation, we will be able to give you a better idea of the length of your surgery and the recovery time once we understand the results you are hoping to achieve with this procedure.

Recovery varies from patient to patient but typically takes weeks and even months for a full recovery. During your recovery process, it’s important to avoid activities such as heavy lifting or exercise. Our plastic surgeon will be able to tell you when you can return to your normal routine after surgery.

Give Us a Call

If you are interested in getting abdominoplasty our Elmhurst, IL, board-certified plastic surgeon can help you decide whether this treatment is right for you. With an office in Hinsdale, Aesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery serves the Oakbrook, Naperville, and western suburbs of Chicagoland. Call us today at (630) 920-9404.