Aesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive

Could a tummy tuck provide you with the tighter figure you want?

There are many people out there that despite a healthy diet and regular exercise aren’t seeing the results they want, particularly around their midsection. There are a lot of factors that play into excess fat and skin around the stomach and sides; fortunately, our Oak Brook, Elmhurst, and Hinsdale, IL, plastic surgeon Dr. Alexandrina Saulis offers abdominoplasty to help you achieve the appearance you are looking for.

What is abdominoplasty?

You’ve probably heard of an abdominoplasty being called by its colloquial name, “tummy tuck”. The goal of our Oak Brook, Elmhurst, and Hinsdale, IL, cosmetic surgeon is to make your stomach flatter by removing excess fat and skin while also tightening the abdominal muscles.

Even though an abdominoplasty shouldn’t be confused with liposuction, this is still considered a major surgery so it’s important to know more about it before deciding whether it’s right for you.

What happens during an abdominoplasty?

This will depend on whether you are getting a complete or partial abdominoplasty. During a complete tummy tuck, an incision will be made across the stomach from hipbone to hipbone. From there, we will remove excess fat and skin from the area while also repositioning the belly button.

If you are dealing with excess fat just below the navel, then a partial abdominoplasty may be all you need. While we will still remove excess fat and skin from this area, we won’t need to move the belly button.

How long is the recovery period?

You will have to wear a binder around your stomach for several weeks, which will provide the area with support and prevent fluid from building up. You will need to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity during your recovery period.

You will continue to come in for follow-up appointments to make sure everything is healing properly. During this time we can chat with you about when it might be safe to return to your regular physical activities.

Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?

Healthy men and women who are looking to remove excess fat and skin around their midsections may find a tummy tuck to be the best treatment option for them. This can be a great cosmetic treatment for women who have excess skin or weakening abdominal muscles due to pregnancies, as well as patients who used to be obese but lost a lot of weight and are dealing with loose skin as a result.

A tummy tuck isn’t ideal for patients who still want to lose a lot of weight or for patients who are still considering getting pregnant, as pregnancy can affect the results of your abdominoplasty.

Dr. Alexandrina Saulis is proud to offer comprehensive cosmetic surgery in Hinsdale, Naperville, Oak Brook and Elmhurst, IL. Call Aesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery today if you are ready to find out whether you could be a good candidate for abdominoplasty.