Tummy Tuck in New York City—Tone Your Midsection
It is normal for bodies to change are we age, have children and fluctuate in weight. Changes commonly occur in the midsection area. Skin becomes looser and begins to hang, abdominal muscles separate allowing bulging, stretch marks appear, scars appear, and there can be scars from previous surgeries such as c-sections. These changes may make you feel self-conscious and unconfident. The frustration can get even worse when you don’t see any improvements with diet and exercise.
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 tummy tucks in order to maximize results and minimize recovery.
Your surgical Tummy Tuck, combined with a healthy lifestyle afterwards, will allow you to keep your streamlined body or decades. It’s time to learn more today.
What Is a Tummy Tuck in New York City?
Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as tummy tuck, can help restore flatter, tighter abdominal contours. While the exact specifics of a tummy tuck can vary depending on each person’s needs, it involves removing loose skin, tightening muscles, and removing excess fat in a single operation.
During tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Schulman will make a low bikini-line incision to access the underlying abdominal muscles. These muscles are often separated during pregnancy, the aging process, and fluctuations in weight. Several layers of internal sutures are used to tighten these muscles along the midline, all the way form the breast bone to the pubic bone. The excess skin is removed, eliminating all the overhanging skin. Your original belly button is then brought through a new opening in the newly tight abdominal skin, creating a much more youthful appearing belly button. Dr. Schulman takes great care to place the incision in a low position, where it can be concealed beneath a bathing suit and underwear.
One of the most common body contouring procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Schulman, tummy tuck surgery can successfully:
- Restore muscles for a tightened abdominal wall
- Remove excess skin
- Create a more youthful looking belly button
- Remove stretch marks
- Remove unsightly scars from previous surgery, such as C-sections
- Contour the abdomen and flanks with additional liposuction
Tummy tucks are an excellent way to remove loose and excess skin, minimize scars and stretch marks, and return your abdomen to a younger, firmer state. It is not, however, a lifelong replacement for diet and exercise. Rather, think of it as a way to correct the issues that are impossible to correct with diet and exercise. Like with all cosmetic procedures like Breast Augmentation or Brazilian Butt LIft, you can maximize your tummy tuck results by continuing to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Types of Tummy Tuck in New York City
If you’re considering a tummy tuck, you’ve likely encountered some information about them already. You have probably already figured out there there are several different types of tummy tucks. To limit confusion and help you choose the right solution for your needs, here is a quick breakdown of the different types of tummy tucks:
- Full tummy tuck: This is the standard tummy tuck, involving an incision at the bikini line, often from hip-to-hip, internal tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles, and limited removal of fat with liposuction.
- Mini tummy tuck: This is a tummy tuck that concentrates more on the skin below the belly button. It is best for people with a small amount of loose skin at the bottom of the abdomen, but with good shape and contour of the upper abdomen. A mini tummy tuck will allow removal of the lower skin through an incision shorter than is required during a standard tummy tuck. This usually does not involve tightening of the underlying muscles and may not require relocation of the belly button. The recovery from a mini tummy tuck is faster because it is less invasive. However, a mini tummy tuck may not be right for everyone, especially if the abdomen skin and muscles have been stretched out through multiple pregnancies.
- Extended tummy tuck: This operation is 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 some, the incision may even go up and down the middle of the abdomen (called a “fleur-de-lis” tummy tuck), and even all the way around the lower back (a “lower body lift”). These incisions may seem excessive, but if you are someone who successfully lost a large amount of weight, it may be necessary.
- Smooth Tuck™: A Smooth Tuck™ is a procedure that was created by Dr. Schulman and is exclusive to his office. It is a modification of a traditional tummy tuck that 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 the traditional tummy tuck. You can learn more about Smooth Tuck™ on our website.
Reverse tummy tuck: This is a less common type of 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 breast folds and the skin is removed in the upward direction.
The Tummy Tuck Consultation in New York City
The goal of the consultation is to find out what you need, what your goals are, and how you envision looking afterward. Any procedure is a partnership between you and the doctor, not a one-stop-shop for everyone. Dr. Schulman will evaluate you and discuss with you the best options for your specific needs. He may recommend one of the types of tummy tucks described above, or he may even recommend a combination of several types.
Many patients are nervous about procedures such as this, so Dr. Schulman will take the time you need to explain the surgery fully and let you know what to expect following the surgery. You will leave the first consultation understanding the entire process, the team’s role in it, and what you need to do on your own to get the best results possible. You will also know what to expect after the procedure, during your recovery time, so you can plan accordingly.
Dr. Schulman performs tummy tucks in a fully accredited and certified operating facility located within his New York City office. When you get your procedure done here, you can feel confident you’ll have absolute safety, comfort and privacy. During the procedure, the doctor uses only the most advanced techniques and technologies to sculpt your body. You are able to go home, or to a recovery facility, the same day as your surgery.
Recovering After a Tummy Tuck In New York City
Following surgery, Dr. Schulman’s highly experienced staff will provide privacy, safety, and high quality care throughout the entire recovery period. You will return home the same day as surgery. Full recovery may require 10-20 days off of work, depending on the specific type of tummy tuck you have done. We will provide you with aids to ease your recovery. There may be post-operative restrictions that limit exercise and lifting for up to six weeks. Rest assured, the benefits will be well worth the investment of time.
After abdominoplasty, Dr. Schulman’s patients have a better-defined waistline and tighter abdomen. Men and women usually feel more comfortable in clothing and when participating in social and physical activities. The results of a tummy tuck often last a lifetime but may change with weight gain or future pregnancies.
Planning for the Procedure
Before you come in for your treatment, it’s important you put good plans in place. This means you should make preparations regarding:
Payment for Surgery: Tummy tucks are considered elective by insurance companies, and you should not expect even partial coverage. Elective surgeries must be paid in full before the procedure. However, there are third-party financing options to consider, offering affordable monthly payments for those who qualify. If you need help finding the right companies to help you, our office staff are happy to provide the companies we participate with. Be sure to check out the financing section of our website.
Get Time Off Work or School: The tummy tuck requires considerable healing time. You may need to take several weeks off work to recover fully, so you will need to make appropriate arrangements. Depending on the type of tummy tuck and your exact situation, the exact amount of time will vary. Dr. Schulman will be able to advise you about your required recovery time so you can make pre-arrangements with work or school.
Enlist the Help of a Partner or Loved One: In addition to help getting home on the day of surgery, you will also need someone to help you out around the house during recovery. This is especially critical if you have children at home. Too much activity too soon after surgery, can damage the internal sutures and cause significant complications and affect your cosmetic results. Dr. Schulman and his staff will guide you during the recovery period and let you know when you can begin increasing activities.
Fill Any Prescriptions: You will be given prescriptions for pain medication and antibiotics. Take the time to fill them ahead of the surgery so that you don’t have to worry about it afterward. That way, you can go right home from the procedure (the same day) and rest.
Dr. Schulman will review these instructions with you during both the consultation and pre-operative appointment. If you have any questions, it’s a good idea to write them down so you can ask them during your pre-op appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re a conscientious consumer and concerned about your safety, you likely have some remaining questions. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions. Read through, then schedule a consultation to ensure you get the best information and make the most informed decision today.
Q: Who is a Candidate for the Surgery?
A. Anyone who has excess abdominal skin and muscle weakness is a candidate for a tummy tuck. This may be the result of aging, weight changes, or pregnancy.
Q: Can Men Have Tummy Tucks?
A. Of course! While tummy tucks are more common in women, because of pregnancies, men can also benefit from a tummy tuck 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.
Q: How Long Does the Procedure Take?
Typically a tummy tuck takes between 2 and 3 hours. For larger stomachs, and for people who require liposuction and contouring of hips and thighs at the same time, the procedure can take up to 3-4 hours. Each person’s situation will be different, and Dr. Schulman can offer a more accurate estimate during the consultation.
Q: Do I go home the same day?
A. Yes. Tummy tucks are performed in our accredited operating facility and after a few hours in the recovery room, you are able to leave. Obviously, you will need someone to take you home and assist you in the recovery.
Q: Can a Tummy Tuck Be Combined With Other Surgeries?
A. It is very common to combine a tummy tuck with other procedures such as breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, and Brazilian Butt Lift. When multiple procedures are combined into a single operation, it is often called a “Mommy Makeover”. Dr. Schulman will be able to tell you if you are candidate for multiple procedures.
Q: What if I Smoke?
A. You will need to stop smoking before any elective cosmetic procedure. Smoking constricts blood vessels, in turn reducing the amount of blood, nutrients and oxygen to the site of the operation. This can lead to major complications, such as tissue death (necrosis), infection, delayed healing, and poor scar formation. Smoking can also increase your risk of having a serious complication from anesthesia. You are required to stop all nicotine-containing products, for a minimum of 4 weeks before surgery and 8 weeks after surgery.
Q: What if I Get Pregnant After My Tummy Tuck?
Getting pregnant after a tummy tuck is not dangerous to your or the baby. However, it will certainly affect your results because the skin will stretch again and the muscle will separate again. You may require a revision surgery to get the results of your original tummy tuck back. For this reason, Dr. Schulman recommends that you wait until you are done having children before going through with a tummy tuck.
Q: What if I Am Overweight?
A. To get the best results from any cosmetic surgery, your weight should be at your ideal weight. 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.
Schedule a Consultation
Do you still have questions? Are you interested in finding out more about tummy tuck options at our New York City cosmetic surgery practice? We invite you to click here to schedule a consultation with Dr. Schulman today. Our friendly staff will guide you through the process, from the first appointment to the last check-in. It’s time to stop wishing and start acting, so don’t wait to get in touch today.
