Tummy Tuck Columbus Ohio

You’ve been hitting the treadmill, doing sit-ups, your doctor says you’ve reached your ideal weight, and yet that muffin top still won’t go away. You may be a great candidate for a tummy tuck, also called an abdominoplasty. Designed to address areas that are more resistant to traditional exercise and weight loss methods, tummy tuck surgery improves the appearance and aesthetic of the abdomen.

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Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) explained

One of the most popular requests at Columbus Cosmetic, the abdominoplasty procedure removes excess abdominal skin and fat, tightens muscles, and leaves patients with a rejuvenated abdomen. Although you should be at or near your ideal weight for this plastic surgery procedure, that treadmill isn’t necessary. There’s no need to work on your abdominal muscles to prepare for a tummy tuck. In fact, the surgery works on your abs for you!

The Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tuck surgery involves an incision in the lower bikini line that extends from hip to hip. Before your tummy tuck, you will be given anesthesia, which ensures that you don’t feel any pain throughout the procedure. During the surgery, all excess skin up to the belly button will be removed, and the belly button will be repositioned to maintain a natural aesthetic. After surgery, your surgeon will stitch and bandage your incision site to ensure that it is protected during recovery.

With tummy tuck surgery, incisions are discreetly placed to minimize visible scarring. Additionally, the tummy tuck helps to tighten abdominal muscles that may have become separated after pregnancy, a condition known as diastasis. The specifics of your procedure will depend on whether you are having a traditional tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck, but the result of tummy tuck surgery will be a flatter, thinner abdomen that reflects your true health.

The mini tummy tuck

For those in need of more gentle toning, there’s also the mini abdominoplasty, or a mini tummy tuck. This procedure is very similar to the full tummy tuck, but only about half the skin below the belly button is removed, and the belly button is not repositioned. As with the full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck incisions are positioned to create a smoother look and reduce the appearance of scarring. This procedure won’t tighten abdominal muscles as a full tummy tuck would, but it’s still a great option for patients who require less intensive work.

Other tummy tuck options

Dr. Houser and Dr. Kraft also perform the umbilical float procedure as well as a hybrid abdominoplasty, which both allow for a full muscle repair with no scar around the belly button. During your treatment consultation, you and Dr. Houser or Dr. Kraft can go over all of the options and discuss which procedure will be right for you.

While tummy tuck surgery should not be confused with liposuction (a cosmetic surgery used to remove excess fat), some patients may receive liposuction as part of their tummy tuck. Liposuction can be beneficial for women whose skin has stretched after multiple pregnancies, or for individuals with a history of obesity who have lost weight but still have loose skin or fat deposits in the abdominal area. If you are interested in receiving liposuction in addition to a tummy tuck, you can speak with your plastic surgery provider to determine whether liposuction will provide the results you seek.

Many patients also visit our practice for lift surgery, including the upper body lift, lower body lift, and full body lift. Tummy tuck surgery and body lift surgery are both excellent options to address excess skin, but body lift procedures are more extensive and require more surgical incisions. If you’ve had bariatric surgery, have lost a significant amount of weight, or are left with loose skin after pregnancy, you may benefit from a body lift. Your plastic surgery provider will help you decide whether a tummy tuck, liposuction, lift surgery, or another procedure will best suit your needs and aesthetic goals.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Whereas the recovery time for a full tummy tuck is usually about two to three weeks, most patients can recover from a mini tummy tuck in half that time. After surgery, you will likely be given pain medication to enable an easier recovery. Most patients wear an abdominal garment, typically an abdominal binder, to provide additional abdominal support for about six weeks after surgery. The most important thing to remember during your recovery period is that your body needs sufficient time and rest in order to achieve the best results, so you should avoid strenuous activities after surgery.

Although it can take up to six months to fully recover from an abdominoplasty, most patients can return to work after about two or three weeks and can resume their regular exercise regimen after about five. Your surgeon will walk you through the steps of the recovery process and show you how to care for your full or mini abdominoplasty incisions in the weeks following your surgery. You will also attend regular follow-up visits with your surgeon to make sure that you are recovering healthily.

As one of Ohio’s top plastic and cosmetic surgery providers, year after year, Dr. Houser and Dr. Kraft have accommodated patients from Ohio and beyond. Our staff is happy to help arrange for convenient hotel stays near the time of surgery. If you’d like to know more about how to prepare for your surgery and what to expect during your recovery, watch Dr. Houser’s instructional video on tummy tucks.

Tummy Tuck Results

Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat and increases the strength of your abdominal wall, giving your abdominal area a slimmer and more toned look. You should see a notable difference in your appearance after recovering from a tummy tuck. Patients report feeling an increase in self-confidence and an improvement in their overall quality of life after a tummy tuck. The results can last for 10 years, 20 years, or even longer if you are able to maintain a stable weight.

Skin rejuvenation with the tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are particularly popular among patients who have been pregnant or who have lost significant weight. In addition to removing fat, the surgery can help to restore firm, tight skin to the center of the body where it may have become stretched or loose. You’ll see significant abdominal rejuvenation and minimal visible scarring with both the full and mini abdominoplasty incisions.

The benefits of tummy tuck surgery

After treatment with a tummy tuck, patients find they feel better about how they look in bathing suits as well as everyday clothing. If you undergo a tummy tuck, you’ll no longer have sagging abdominal tissue and fat, and you’ll feel more comfortable in your skin. Abdominoplasty can also help reduce itching and skin infections that can be caused by excess skin. Patients may also experience a decrease in back pain and an improvement in posture due to their newly tightened abdominal muscles. While tummy tucks have many aesthetic benefits, they can also enable patients to maintain weight loss and improve their overall physical health.

Candidates for the Tummy Tuck

Tummy tucks are performed on patients from many walks of life and are highly customizable to each patient’s needs. Both men and women who have remaining fat around the belly after significant weight loss may be good candidates for the procedure. With some people, that extra abdominal skin and fat may be hereditary or due to a congenital spine disorder. You may be a healthy candidate for a tummy tuck if you:

Have lost a significant amount of weight
Are in good physical health
Have large fat deposits or loose abdominal skin that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise
Have realistic expectations for tummy tuck surgery

After reviewing your medical history and discussing your goals for surgery, your surgeon will determine whether you are a good candidate for the tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck procedure. If you are interested in undergoing another procedure, such as liposuction or a body lift surgery, your plastic surgery provider will evaluate your candidacy to ensure that any procedure they perform is both safe and effective.

Tummy Tuck Surgery in Columbus Ohio

Abdominoplasty is a common procedure for Dr. Houser, Dr. Kraft, and the staff at Columbus Cosmetic. Every provider at our Columbus Ohio office is experienced and skilled in the latest tummy tuck techniques, ensuring an effective surgery and a healthy recovery. Your procedure will be performed on site in Dr. Houser’s and Dr. Kraft’s accredited surgical suite, in the same convenient location of all your prior appointments. We pride ourselves in putting our patients first, so our staff is happy to answer any questions you may have and provide you with additional information about your procedure.

Whether you visit us for tummy tuck surgery, liposuction, body lift surgery, or another procedure, your care is our top priority. As an accredited surgical facility through the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, we provide the highest levels of cleanliness, safety, patient care, and emergency response procedures. At our plastic and cosmetic surgery practice, you can trust that you are in good hands.

If you’re ready for a little help showing off what you’ve worked so hard to achieve, call Columbus Cosmetic today at (614) 890-5565 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Houser or Dr. Kraft at our Columbus Ohio office.

Tummy Tuck

Before & After

Patient 1

Patient 2

Dr. Houser did a full tummy tuck for me and did an amazing job! I am still very pleased with the results. My scar is so low and has faded so much. I would and have recommended him to many people. Thank you so much for changing my life!

Michele H.

Selecting a surgeon for plastic or cosmetic surgery is a very important task. Dr. Kraft performed an abdominoplasty for me and I have been very pleased with the quality of his work and the care provided by his staff. To anyone looking for a great plastic surgeon and an outstanding medical and administrative support staff in a single practice–I recommend Columbus Cosmetic

Beth H.

I had a mini tummy tuck after having a C-section four years ago. I have referred friends to Columbus Cosmetic as well and everyone LOVES Dr. Houser and his professional staff! They are wonderful people, they make you feel safe before surgery and recovery, and Dr. Houser has an amazing eye for detail–his work is wonderful.

K.B.