What is Abdominoplasty?
Tummy Tuck, also called Abdominoplasty, is one of the most popular procedures I do because it gets rid of loose, hanging skin and folds, excess fat, tightens muscles and contours your body to a more youthful look.
Abdominoplasty does the following:
- Tummy Tuck helps restore a flatter, smoother stomach
- Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fatty tissue
- Tummy Tuck tightens and lifts relaxed muscles
- Can remove damaged skin due to weight shifts and/or pregnancy
- Repositions remaining skin to a more youthful position
- Tummy Tuck corrects muscles separated from the abdominal wall
- Repositioned muscles achieve a firmer, younger-looking abdomen
- Tummy Tuck can restore a pre-pregnancy look, feel and function
- Can give you Fab Abs long term if you commit to maintenance
Good Candidates for Abdominoplasty
Health and youthfulness are conveyed in today’s world by a flatter abdomen, tighter skin, and a contoured waistline. We all realize that aging, lifestyle, genetics and weight fluctuation are common challenges today. And yet we all would like to keep a flatter abdomen as we age. Often, in spite of diligent dieting and rigorous exercise, loose skin and muscle laxity resist our best efforts. It happens at various ages and stages in life and some people struggle with it all their lives.
A tummy tuck can help address these issues.
Do you have one or more of the following concerns?
- Large fat deposits and loose skin that resists diet and exercise
- Loss of skin elasticity from pregnancy/weight fluctuation
- You still look pregnant and other people think you are
- Lost abdominal muscle tone is causing postural changes
- Pooched lower abs due to significant weight loss
- You look and feel much older due to stretch marks and wrinkles
- You’ve always struggled with abs weight in spite of diet and exercise, training, coaching, etc.
- You are in otherwise good health with realistic expectations
If you answered yes to one or more of these concerns, you could be an ideal candidate for Dr. Rudderman’s Tummy Tuck surgery.
Some patients may have relatively good skin and mostly excess fatty volume. These patients may be a candidate for liposuction alone or in combination with a mini-abdominoplasty. This operation has a shorter downtime of 4-5 days and maybe the best option for a working mom or male professional who desires improvement with minimal downtime. Those patients, particularly women with one or more pregnancy may have developed laxity of the abdominal wall due to the separation of the midline muscles and abdominoplasty can both remove excess skin and fat and at the same time repair the abdominal wall. This does not guarantee a flat belly buy can dramatically improve the contour and put your anatomy in a normal position to be able to continue to improve your appearance with exercise and health maintenance. Some men may be candidates for abdominoplasty after significant weight loss if their remaining weight and soft tissue are outside their abdominal muscular wall.
And there are some women that are in generally great health that may desire an abdominoplasty operation not to remove excess skin or fat but to repair the muscle separation (call a diastasis repair). We have patients that range from personal trainers to yoga instructors who work out 8 hours a day 6 days a week and still require a surgical procedure to restore their abdominal wall integrity after childbirth. The separation of the rectus muscles (abdominal wall muscles) can occur regardless of weight gain and in the best of health moms due simply to genetics. It is common to see moms with an umbilical hernia with a belly more rounded than expected based on their height weight and physical activity level. These women are often impacted by a muscle separation resulting in the round abdomen and the weakness that allows for the development of a hernia.
The Abdominoplasty Surgery
Surgery for abdominoplasty can range from 1-2 ½ hours. If a mini. Abdominoplasty is done, you would go home the day of surgery. If a full abdominoplasty is done, you would stay overnight and go home the next morning. Remaining overnight allows us to provide the best in management of discomfort and safety.
Patients that have abdominoplasty without muscle repair are often taking acetaminophen within 1-3 days. Patients with muscle repair usually describe the discomfort as similar to the spasm you might have after an extensive ab crunch workout. You would as well have drains that are in place for 5-10 days and most can return to work in 2 weeks, and exercise in 4-6 weeks depending on the muscle repair.
View our Abdominoplasty Photo Gallery
THE TUMMY TUCK CONSULTATION
Dr. Rudderman believes the consultation is critical for you and him. During your consultation, he will listen carefully to your concerns and goals, do a thorough evaluation of your health, lifestyle, family history and more, and then design a treatment plan specifically suited to you. You will be well educated with all your questions answered. This is done in an embracing, relaxing environment. From the consultation evolves…trust, respect, mutual understanding, and a personalized treatment plan.
These treatments are not an emergency, and plenty of time will be allowed to have a full conversation to consider options. Additional visits can be provided until you feel confident that you are making the best decision for yourself in health, safety, and outcome.
Dr. Rudderman has done hundreds of body surgeries and can project your likely outcomes. The consultation results in a sense of trust, respect, mutual understanding, and a personalized treatment plan.
Like his many other patients, after your first consultation with Dr. Rudderman, you will realize there truly is a difference in the way surgeons approach their profession. For Dr. Rudderman, that difference means understanding your goals and providing a level of service that places safety and comfort alongside predictable and pleasing outcomes.
Contact us at 678.566.7200 to meet with Dr. Rudderman in our Alpharetta or Midtown Atlanta offices.
REAL PATIENT REVIEWS
Dr. Rudderman was fantastic!! I had interviewed with two other surgeons who tried to upsell me and convince me I needed a surgery with bigger scope. Dr. Rudderman listened to me and together we made a decision that worked the best for me. Minimal downtime and back to regular activities quicker than expected.
The doctor and staff were very professional. I loved my results and after care. I felt very cared for and was treated highly. I would recommend this office to anyone.
Dr. Rudderman was very clear on what I should expect from my surgery. Took my concern and gave me the best option to reach my goal. Recovery was smooth and I didn’t even need my full pain dose.
All of the staff are very welcoming. Dr. Rudderman and Kate are great and always patient when answering my questions. I was very well taken care of and always felt comfortable. The only problem is now I want another procedure.
Written and reviewed by:
This article was written by Dr. Randy Rudderman, who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1994). He practices medicine at his offices in Alpharetta and Atlanta.
Learn more about Dr. Rudderman, his medical training, and credentials.
Post Surgery Recovery
- You will wake up with a dressing and binder over the treated area–
- Mild swelling, & some discomfort is normal & to be expected – this resolves on its own and often requires pain medication for several days then only acetaminophen
- You will be sent home the following day post surgery
- Swelling generally is mild and resolves in 3-4 weeks
- You will need help at home if you have children for at least a week and should be prepared for this before surgery.
- Sutures are removed in 1 week. Some sutures are absorbable and do not need to be removed
- Most patients who have surgery can return to work in two weeks
- Avoid strenuous activity for 6 weeks…Dr. Rudderman will tell you when you can start to exercise again
- Measurable results are typically visible immediately…but be patient…healing and stabilizing takes time. It can take months for the “new you” to be clearly seen.
Long-Term Results
The results of this procedure are long-lasting. A good follow-up plan is necessary. Additional surgery to further improve appearance includes liposuction. Occasionally additional skin may be removed in 1-2 years depending on skin laxity and additional weight loss.Tummy Tuck FAQ’s
Yes, he performs all of his patient’s surgeries.
All of our surgeries are performed in a fully accredited surgery facility using state of the art technologies and a world class staff.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is a surgical procedure and all surgeries involve some discomfort. Dr. Rudderman is highly skilled and uses advanced techniques and refined instruments that minimize comfort during his surgical procedures.
You will need to avoid rigorous, strenuous activities for a few weeks until healing is complete and Dr. Rudderman tells you it’s ok.
Dr. Rudderman’s patients often return to desk jobs in about two weeks. He can give you a time frame during your consultation
You will need someone to drive you to your surgery. Patients stay overnight after surgery and go home the following morning when they feel confortable. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for a couple of days (4-5).
Yes. All cases are supervised a Board Certified medical doctor who has specialized in anesthesiology.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is an “elective” procedure not usually covered by insurance. However, you should check directly with your provider for this answer
Yes. Financing is available today for cosmetic procedures. Please check in our business office for information about it.
WHY CHOOSE DR. RUDDERMAN
Dr. Rudderman’s unique, integrated approach to plastic surgery employs only safe, effective, predictable surgical techniques that are driven by uncompromising respect for the natural condition of the human form. He understands that the body changes with time – as do desires. His primary goal is to deliver the best possible plastic surgery … specifically matched to each patient…in a safe environment with ultimate respect for every single individual…their concerns and goals. LEARN MORE »
“The best plastic surgery results must give each individual the opportunity to feel comfortable now and in the future…”
Dr. Randy Rudderman