The way to remove extra skin and stretch marks, and tighten separated muscles is through a Tummy Tuck, or abdominoplasty. This procedure can address the issues that diet and exercise fail to correct. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in New York City, Dr. Matthew Schulman, uses the latest and most effective technologies when performing this surgery in order to maximize results and minimize recovery.
Despite a healthy diet and regular exercise, excess skin, stretch marks, and loose and separated abdominal muscles can be persistent problems for many people.
Fortunately, tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is incredibly powerful at repairing these issues. Dr. Matthew Schulman, Plastic Surgeon NYC utilizes the latest and most effective technologies when performing abdominoplasty, effectively maximizing results and minimizing recovery for his patients.
It’s normal for the body to change as we age, have children, and fluctuate in weight. These changes are often most-obvious in the midsection. The skin becomes looser and begins to hang, abdominal muscles separate allowing bulging, stretch marks appear, and surgeries can cause scarring. The result is a lack of self-confidence and overall frustration — often made worse when the effects of diet and exercise don’t help.
The good news is that a abdominoplasty, combined with a healthy lifestyle after surgery, will contour and enhance the appearance of your abdomen, allowing you to keep your body streamlined for decades.
Abdominoplasty aims to restore flatter, tighter abdominal contours. It is an excellent way to remove loose and excess skin, minimize scars and stretch marks, and return your abdomen to a younger, firmer state.
Specifically, New York abdominoplasty surgery can:
Abdominoplasty is highly effective at improving the appearance of the abdomen. It is not, however, a lifelong replacement for diet and exercise.
Rather, think of abdominoplasty surgery as a way to correct the issues that are impossible to correct with diet and exercise. As with all cosmetic procedures like breast augmentation or Brazilian butt lift (BBL) surgery, you can maximize your results by continuing to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Anyone may be a candidate for tummy tuck NYC. However, the most common abdominoplasty patients are women who’ve gone through pregnancy and men and women who’ve lost a significant amount of weight.
These changes can loosen the abdominal muscles, alter the contours of the skin, cause stretch marks and — in the case of cesarean deliveries (C-sections), for example — result in scarring. Patients generally want to tighten their ab muscles, smooth their tummies, and get rid of excess fat and skin.
Beyond individual goals, patients will also be assessed for surgery candidacy based on their health. In general, abdominoplasty patients must be:
Below is a quick breakdown of the different types of tummy tuck:
This is standard abdominoplasty surgery. It involves an incision made at the bikini line (often from hip to hip), internal tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles, and limited fat transfer with liposuction.
Mini tummy tucks concentrate more on the skin below the belly button. It’s a good option for people who have a small amount of loose skin at the bottom of the abdomen but good shape and contour on the upper abdomen. The procedure usually does not involve tightening of the underlying muscles or relocation of the belly button.
In some cases, the mini tummy tuck cost New York patients pay will be slightly less than the full tummy tuck surgery cost. The recovery may be shorter for mini tummy tucks as well.
This operation is best for people who have a significant amount of loose skin, usually from a large weight loss.
Because more skin needs to be removed, the incisions will be longer, usually extending past the hips. In some cases, the incision may even go up and down the middle of the abdomen (called a “fleur-de-lis” tummy tuck) and sometimes, all the way around the lower back (a “lower body lift”).
The Smooth Tuck™ is a procedure created by Dr. Schulman, so it is exclusive to his office. It is a modification of traditional tummy tuck surgery, but it offers higher volume liposuction and no muscle repair. This may be an option for people who require a more rapid return to normal activities or who may be considered too overweight for a traditional surgery and will need a plus size tummy tuck.
This is a less common type of NYC tummy tuck in which the abdominal skin is pulled up, as opposed to down. This may be the best option for men and women who have excess skin above their belly buttons, but minimal skin below. The incision is made in the removal breast folds and the skin is removed in the upward direction.
“The ‘old’ way of doing a tummy tuck was simply to make an incision, pull the skin as tight as you can, then remove the excess. The results were usually super tight bellies without any contours. The bellies looked ‘surgical’ and everybody can easily see that you had surgery. A natural tummy has contours, with high points and low points.
When doing a them today, I work very hard to give a result that looks beautiful, but not ‘surgical’. I combine careful liposuction, as well as internal suturing to create valleys in the right places. Another part of my modern technique is to reduce the risk of complications and reduce your recovery using modern techniques and non-narcotic pain medicines.
I accomplish this with a variety of surgical techniques and modern technologies. So, if you are looking for the same old tummy tuck your mother had, then I am not your guy. But, if you want a modern tummy tuck, with improved cosmetic results, less pain, and faster recovery, then you are in the right place.”
Once you’ve had your consultation and decided on the best tummy tuck for you, your surgery will be scheduled. Remember, your consultation is a great place to ask questions such as:
During the actual surgery, Dr. Schulman will make a low bikini-line incision to access the underlying abdominal muscles. Several layers of internal sutures are used to tighten these muscles along the midline, all the way from the breast bone to the pubic bone. The excess skin will be removed, which will eliminate all the overhanging skin.
Your original belly button is then brought through a new opening in the newly tightened abdominal skin, creating a much more youthful appearing belly button. Your incisions will be carefully closed, and you will go to a short-term recovery room for one to two hours of monitoring.
Once you are discharged, you will be able to go home with a trusted friend or family member. Abdominoplasty surgery does not require an overnight stay.
Before you come in for your treatment, it’s important you put good plans in place. This means you should make preparations regarding:
Following a tummy tuck, expect your abdominal incision and bellybutton to be covered with surgical dressing. In some cases, small tubes may be inserted along the incision site to drain excess blood or fluids.
Dr. Schulman’s highly experienced staff will provide privacy, safety, and high-quality care throughout the entire tummy tuck recovery period. You will return home the same day as surgery.
You will likely receive pain medication, and swelling in the surgical area is a normal part of the healing process.
Drains may remain in place for several days after the procedure. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will instruct you on how to empty and care for these drains. It’s possible that you’ll need to continue taking antibiotics as long as the drains are in use.
Dr. Schuman might also prescribe a blood-thinning medication for a short period after your tummy tuck.
For approximately six weeks after the procedure, you’ll wear a supportive abdominal garment, known as an abdominal binder. This helps prevent fluid accumulation and provides essential support during your recovery. Your doctor will provide instructions on scar care as well.
I always had loose skin and after having two kids it only got worse. Dr. Schulman reshaped and sculpted me. I put my complete trust in him and he certainly proved himself. Everything is top notch, from Dr. Schulman’s amazing bedside manner, to the impeccable cleanliness of the office, to his entire kind staff and of course his magical wand of hands. I can’t say enough good things.
Abdominoplasty do come with scars because incisions are integral to the procedure. Fortunately, Dr. Schulman takes great care to place the main abdominoplasty incision in a low position where it can be concealed beneath a bathing suit and underwear.
On average, your tummy tuck cost NYC will range from $9,500. This is a baseline price and will vary according to the needs of each patient.
Overall, the factors influencing the cost of tummy tuck surgery include:
Naturally, you want the best tummy tuck surgeon in New York City to perform your surgery. But keep in mind that the more experienced and well-trained your surgeon is, the more they will charge for their services.
The tummy tuck cost New York residents pay will automatically be higher because New York City has a higher cost of living.
If additional procedures will be performed alongside your tummy tuck, or if a more involved extended tummy tuck is necessary to meet your goals, this can increase the overall tummy tuck cost.
For female patients who are also looking to undergo more intense body contouring or enhance their breasts with breast implant or a breast lift, a mommy makeover is recommended.
Some patients will require preoperative tests to clear them for surgery. Both the cost of these tests and the cost of postoperative garments, medications, and other supplies will also be charged to the patient.
Yes, most tummy tucks include liposuction.
Anesthesia will keep you comfortable during tummy tuck surgery. Some pain will accompany the first few days of your tummy tuck recovery, but this discomfort will quickly improve over the first few weeks.
Of course! While tummy tuck are more common in women because of pregnancies, men can also benefit from a tummy tuck surgery particularly if they have had weight changes. Oftentimes, men do not have separated muscles, so muscle repair is usually not required in a male tummy tuck.
On average, your tummy tuck cost NYC will range from $9,500. Overall, however, your tummy tuck surgery cost will depend on the specifics of your surgery and your particular goals.
Getting pregnant after a tummy tuck is not dangerous to your or your baby. However, it will certainly affect your results because the skin will stretch, and the muscles will separate again. For this reason, Dr. Schulman recommends you wait until you are done having children before going through with a tummy tuck.
Certain individuals might discover that the tummy tuck surgery scar’s size, shape, or color doesn’t improve adequately. In such instances, opting for a Tummy Tuck scar revision could be considered to attain a more appealing look. Tummy tuck might involve repositioning or removing the scar, as well as addressing any lingering excess skin.
Most patients are able to start exercising again after around four weeks. However, it’s important to start slow. Do not push yourself too hard. Rather, ease yourself back into working out.
The liposuction and tummy tuck cost NYC patients pay is usually the same or similar to the baseline cost of tummy tuck surgery. This is because most tummy tucks include liposuction.
No, tummy tucks are not typically covered by health insurance. Payment options may be available, however.
Yes, if you do not maintain a healthy lifestyle, fat can accumulate on the belly even after a tummy tuck.
To get the best results from any cosmetic procedure, you should be at your ideal weight before surgery. A tummy tuck is no exception. It is a body shaping procedure, not a weight loss procedure. If you are overweight, you will get the best results if you lose weight before surgery.
Typically, a tummy tuck takes between two and three hours. For larger stomachs and for people who require liposuction and contouring of the hips and thighs at the same time, the procedure can take up to four hours.
Diastasis recti leads to a separation of the abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck surgery is crafted to not only tighten the abdominal muscles but also to eliminate excess skin and fat, resulting in a more comprehensive aesthetic enhancement. Typically, abdominoplasty yields a smoother, flatter, and more sculpted abdomen.
Full recovery may require 10 to 20 days off of work, depending on the specific type of surgery you undergo.
Whether you’re sure a New York City tummy tuck is right for you or you’d simply like to learn more about the procedure, Dr. Schulman and his friendly staff are here to help. Please contact our office today to schedule your abdominoplasty consultation appointment and get a procedures overview.
