Tummy Tuckin Upper East Side

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 a tummy tuck in New York, 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.

What is a Tummy Tuck? Key Benefits Which Tummy Tuck is Right for You? Types of Tummy Tucks Candidates Getting Ready for Abdominoplasty Surgery Procedure Details Recovery Results Your Consultation Evaluating Your Body Your Abdominoplasty with Dr. Hutchinson Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that is designed to achieve a flat, sculpted stomach and waistline. During a tummy tuck, the abdominal muscles are realigned and tightened with permanent sutures. Loose skin is removed, and the abdominal area is contoured. Patients often benefit from a tummy tuck after significant weight loss or pregnancy, which can result in loose skin and stretched-out abdominal muscles. These concerns cannot be resolved with diet and exercise alone, but surgery can improve the appearance of the abdomen.

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 abdominal muscles that have weakened or separated
Achieves a smoother, firmer stomach
Eliminates excess skin
Eliminates stretch marks in the lower abdomen
Shapes and contours the abdomen and waistline
Increases core strength
May help alleviate lower back pain and reduce urinary incontinence

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 in New York. 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 in Upper East Side. 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 after your tummy tuck in New York. Following these instructions can help speed up your recovery and reduce the risk of any postoperative complications.

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 in New York, 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 in New York with Dr. Hutchinson, contact us online or call us at (212) 452-1400.

Tummy Tuck Frequently Asked Questions

How long after my tummy tuck will I see results?

Does your waist get smaller after a tummy tuck?

What other procedures go well with a tummy tuck?

Where will my scar be after my tummy tuck?

Does a tummy tuck get rid of excess fat?

What risks are involved in a tummy tuck?

How long after my tummy tuck will I see results?

Immediately after your tummy tuck, the loose, sagging skin will be gone. Some swelling is normal after surgery, and will gradually fade over several weeks. More significant results are usually noticeable in two to three months, with the final results fully apparent in about four or five months.

Does your waist get smaller after a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck will improve your abdominal contour and may reduce the size of your waist, either producing subtle sculpting results or actually taking inches off. The amount your waist circumference is reduced depends on the type of tummy tuck you undergo and the amount of tissue that can safely be removed. For some patients, liposuction performed concurrently with a tummy tuck can provide additional improvements in contouring the waistline.

What other procedures go well with a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is often combined with other procedures, such as liposuction, breast lift, or breast augmentation, or performed as part of a mommy makeover. During a mommy makeover, the breasts, abdomen, hips, and other areas are enhanced and sculpted to rejuvenate a woman’s feminine figure and achieve an attractive hourglass shape.

Where will my scar be after my tummy tuck?

The scar for a tummy tuck is typically a horizontal line at the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area. The length of the scar depends on the extent of the tummy tuck and amount of skin excess that needs to be removed. The incision is specifically designed according to each individual patient’s anatomy and clothing preferences so the scar is concealed by their underwear or swimsuit.

Does a tummy tuck get rid of excess fat?

A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat in the abdominal area in addition to tightening weakened and splayed stomach muscles. For those patients who have additional fat in other areas, such as the flanks and hips, liposuction can be combined with their tummy tuck to remove greater amounts of fat.

What risks are involved in a tummy tuck?

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.

Tummy Tuckin Upper East Side

A Customized Tummy Tuck

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Key Benefits of Abdominoplasty

Which Tummy Tuck is Right for You?

Types of Tummy Tucks

Mini Abdominoplasty

Full Abdominoplasty

Schedule An Appointment

Candidates for Abdominoplasty

Getting Ready for Abdominoplasty Surgery

Abdominoplasty Procedure Details

Recovery

Results

Your Abdominoplasty Consultation

Evaluating Your Body

Abdominoplasty with Dr. Hutchinson

Tummy Tuck Frequently Asked Questions

How long after my tummy tuck will I see results?

Does your waist get smaller after a tummy tuck?

What other procedures go well with a tummy tuck?

Where will my scar be after my tummy tuck?

Does a tummy tuck get rid of excess fat?

What risks are involved in a tummy tuck?

Schedule a Consultation