Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty (commonly called a “tummy tuck”) is a popular procedure used to flatten and reshape the abdomen by removing excess belly fat and skin and tightening abdominal muscles. As a sought-after body contouring specialist in NYC, Fellowship trained and board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hutchinson delivers beautiful results that are carefully designed to address your goals for improvement.

A Customized Tummy Tuck

Dr. Hutchinson takes a customized approach when performing abdominoplasty, using different techniques to best match each unique patient’s concerns. Patients are delighted with the appearance of their tighter, flatter stomach after surgery under Dr. Hutchinson’s exceptional care.

Key Benefits of Abdominoplasty

An abdominoplasty can be a truly transformative procedure because its benefits can boost self image and confidence, improving quality of life. The tummy tuck does the following:

Removes excess fat and skin from the abdominal area
Repairs muscles that have weakened or separated
Achieves a smoother, firmer stomach

Who Chooses Abdominoplasty?

Individuals who opt for abdominoplasty are those who are unhappy with the appearance of their stomach. They may have:

Loose abdominal skin after pregnancy or weight loss
Extra fat on their abdomen, around their waist, or along their flanks
Widened abdominal rectus muscles (called diastasis recti) after pregnancy in women or from visceral intraabdominal fat in men

I had an overwhelmingly amazing experience with Dr. Hutchinson and her staff. Some of the best care from the very beginning of my experience with them to the end! Dr. Hutchinson was very nice and took the time during my consultation to fully explain to me how my procedure would work and went over and alleviated any and all worries/fears I had about the procedure and my recovery. Dr. Hutchinson truly is the best. This whole experience has honestly been life changing for me and I hope this review conveys that! Many thanks to everyone there!

Ava C.

Which Tummy Tuck is Right for You?

There are several different types of abdominoplasty that may be performed depending on the amount and location of loose skin, degree of fat deposits, and individual patient goals. These surgical methods range from the short scar, limited incision “mini” abdominoplasty that treats the area below the belly button to the most extensive “full” abdominoplasty that addresses the entire abdomen. Before your surgery, Dr. Hutchinson will take the time to learn what you want to achieve with your tummy tuck. After carefully listening to your wishes and closely examining your areas of concern, Dr. Hutchinson will determine the right abdominoplasty technique for you rather than performing a “one size fits all” procedure. She will provide you with a completely customized treatment plan to achieve the best and most natural looking results possible.

Types of Tummy Tucks

Mini Abdominoplasty

Uses the shortest scar
Removes excess skin below belly button
Tightens the rectus muscles in lower abdomen

Full Abdominoplasty

Requires longer scar across lower abdomen/around navel
Removes loose skin from entire abdomen (above and below navel)
Tightens rectus muscles along entire length of abdominal wall

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Candidates for Abdominoplasty

Patients who make ideal candidates for an abdominoplasty are those who:

Are non-smokers in good physical condition and overall good health
Are at or close to their goal weight
Have loose abdominal skin and pockets of fat that haven’t responded to diet and exercise
Have abdominal skin that has lost some of its elasticity, shows stretch marks, and sags
Are women with stretched skin and muscles from a previous pregnancy
Understand that an abdominoplasty is a contouring procedure, not a weight loss procedure

Getting Ready for Abdominoplasty Surgery

In order for you to have the smoothest surgery and recovery process, Dr. Hutchinson will provide you with detailed instructions to be followed before your tummy tuck. Her recommendations will include advice on appropriate weight management, diet, and nutrition; possible preoperative imaging studies such as abdominal ultrasound or CT scan to evaluate for hernias; requirements for medical clearance and bloodwork prior to surgery; maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise; avoiding smoking; and not taking any medication that can increase your risk of complications.

Abdominoplasty Procedure Details

Dr. Hutchinson will perform your abdominoplasty at either her fully AAAASF accredited operating room or at one of her affiliated hospitals.

The tummy tuck procedure takes approximately 1-2 hours and is most often performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. It may be combined with liposuction or other cosmetic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, or as part of mommy makeover.

In order to perform a full abdominoplasty procedure, Dr. Hutchinson will make two incisions: one in the lower abdomen close to the pubic area and another around the navel.

She will separate the skin from the abdominal muscles, which are then pulled together and stitched into place for a firmer abdomen and narrower waist. The skin flap is then stretched down over the newly tightened muscles, excess skin is removed, and the navel is reattached in a natural position. Finally, Dr. Hutchinson will place drains if indicated, close the incisions, and apply sterile surgical dressings over the suture lines.

The mini abdominoplasty may be performed without the need for an incision around the umbilicus. This procedure results in a shorter suprapubic scar and is designed for younger patients with better skin tone and less excess skin.

Recovery

After tummy tuck surgery, you will need to wear an abdominal compression garment. Small, flexible tubing may also be inserted under the skin to drain excess fluid from the surgical site. These tubes are usually removed 1-3 days after surgery. Recovery time will vary depending on each individual patient and the specific procedure(s) that were done, with most patients returning to normal activities after two weeks. Some discomfort, swelling, and bruising are normal in the first few days after surgery and will gradually resolve over time. Most patients need to take off from work for a few days, and may be advised to limit strenuous activities for two weeks. Dr. Hutchinson will give you specific instructions for your individual recovery. Following these instructions can help speed up your recovery and reduce the risk of any postoperative complications.

What Risks are Involved?

Though rare, postoperative complications from any surgical procedure are possible. These may include infection, bleeding, unsightly scarring, and poor healing, which may require further surgery to be adequately treated.

Patients who have had previous abdominal surgery may have existing scars that could be affected by the tummy tuck procedure. In some patients with prior Cesarean section scars, the C-section scar may be removed and revised at the time of abdominoplasty in order to produce a less conspicuous scar. If unsightly scars develop, treatment with topical products on the skin and scar revision procedures may help improve their final appearance.

Results

A tummy tuck leaves patients with a flatter, more shapely abdominal area that fits the natural contours of the body. It can improve a patient’s appearance and confidence by helping them look and feel younger and slimmer.

The results of this procedure are visible right away and will continue to improve over time. When combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, results are long lasting.

A tummy tuck will leave a scar limited to the lower abdomen. Dr. Hutchinson specializes in using the shortest incision possible to produce each patient’s desired results.

She will also place the incision low enough for the resultant scar to be well concealed within your underwear or bikini bottom. Scars will fade with time, leaving your stomach sleeker and more defined than before.

Patients who are considering having additional children may either prefer to defer abdominoplasty or proceed with surgery, as the procedure will not cause any harm to the developing fetus.

Similarly, patients who intend to lose a significant amount of weight may choose to wait before undergoing abdominoplasty since skin in the abdominal area typically may loosen and sag after substantial weight loss.

Your Abdominoplasty Consultation

Before your tummy tuck, you’ll have a consultation with Dr. Hutchinson to make sure you’re a good candidate for the procedure and to go over your personal aesthetic goals. You will be seen in an elegant, quiet, and unhurried ambiance. Here’s what you can expect during this consultation:

A comprehensive in person discussion with Dr. Hutchinson where she will take your medical history
An opportunity for you to explain what bothers you about your body and what results you want to achieve with a tummy tuck
A private physical examination where Dr. Hutchinson will assess your unique physical characteristics
Medical “before” photographs will be taken to provide additional information when discussing your surgery
A detailed explanation of your surgical options
The development of your customized surgical plan, based on your unique features and desired outcome
Information about what is required of you before and after your surgery to ensure a successful operation and smooth recovery
An opportunity for you to ask any questions you have in order to feel comfortable with your decision
An opportunity for you to schedule your surgery if you decide to proceed

Evaluating Your Body

To help you understand what results are attainable with your tummy tuck, Dr. Hutchinson will discuss the specific details of your current abdominal physical characteristics. Factors that may impact your results include the following:

The amount of loose, excess skin that needs to be removed
The degree of separation of abdominal rectus muscles (diastasis recti)
The location of extra fat deposits that can be treated
The quality, tone, and elasticity of abdominal skin (including the presence of stretch marks)
The amount of fat under the skin (rather than inside the abdomen)
The presence of hernia at the navel (umbilical hernia)
Any prior surgery of the abdomen (including general surgery operations such as hernia repair)
Any existing scars on or around the belly

Abdominoplasty with Dr. Hutchinson

Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is a board certified aesthetic plastic surgeon who has been in practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side for over 20 years. Trained in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery and educated at Harvard and Columbia, Dr. Hutchinson sets an extremely high bar for quality of care, safety, and results. Her extensive experience and skills, combined with today’s advanced techniques, allow her to deliver safe, effective, natural looking, and long-lasting results, with the shortest scars and quickest recovery. If you’re interested in a tummy tuck with Dr. Hutchinson, contact us online or call us at (212) 452-1400.