Tummy Tuck

A firm, flatter abdominal area looks attractive in fitted clothing and swimsuits. After pregnancy or significant weight loss, many adults end up with a tummy bulge and stretched, wrinkled abdominal skin. Dr. Calobrace and Dr. Quintero offer an effective solution: tummy tuck surgery in Lexington and Louisville, KY. This popular procedure is a remarkably effective way to help people from Floyds Knobs, IN, and other nearby areas re-contour the stomach area for a better look and increased comfort.

To find out more about tummy tuck surgery and other body contouring options in Kentucky, request a consultation at CaloAesthetics® Plastic Surgery Center or call (502) 899-9979 to schedule your visit.

Tummy Tuck
 Before & After Photos

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Improvements From a Tummy Tuck

Dr. Calobrace and Dr. Quintero see a wide range of women and men in Lexington and Louisville who are good candidates for a tummy tuck, including women whose bodies have not been able to fully “bounce back” after pregnancy and men who are looking to trim down a “beer gut” or “spare tire.” Each year, Dr. M. Bradley Calobrace and Dr. Juan Quintero perform dozens of tummy tuck procedures to help patients who want to achieve a flat, smooth stomach appearance by:

  • Smoothing and tightening loose skin
  • Contouring the waist
  • Repairing stretched and separated abdominal muscles, if necessary
  • Reshaping the bellybutton

About the Tummy Tuck Procedure

A tummy tuck is typically performed while you are under general anesthesia. Although the procedure is outpatient, it can last between 2 and 4 hours and will require a friend or family member to drive you home and stay with you for the remainder of the day.

Depending on the level of correction needed, your surgeon may begin by making a horizontal incision that extends from hip to hip across your lower abdomen or a shorter, modified version of this incision. The shorter incision is typically indicated for excess fat and skin limited to the area below the navel.

Once he’s made the incision, your surgeon surgically tightens loosened or weakened abdominal muscles. If necessary, he may selectively reduce unwanted fat deposits using liposuction. He also removes some of the excess skin and re-drapes the remaining skin across your abdomen for a smooth contour. If necessary, he reshapes your navel as well. Finally, he closes the incision and adds surgical drains to reduce excessive, uncomfortable swelling.

Drainless Tummy Tuck

In appropriate cases, Dr. Calobrace or Dr. Quintero offers a “drainless tummy tuck” that involves internal suturing, much like quilting, to secure the abdominal skin and tissues vertically along the abdominal wall. This technique closes the open space where fluid builds up after a traditional tummy tuck, which eliminates the need for drains. The internal sutures dissolve gradually over time. This option can relieve the stress, discomfort, and inconvenience associated with surgical drains, which is a plus for many patients.

What’s a Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck is a less invasive tummy tuck technique that improves the abdominal area beneath the bellybutton. It doesn’t repair the abdominal muscles or reshape the bellybutton and is appropriate for a small number of patients. Learn more in this blog post.

Doctor Bradley Calobrace

Surgeon

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. M. Bradley Calobrace has specialized expertise in a complete range of procedures and is dedicated to bringing the most advanced techniques and technology to the region.

Dr. M. Bradley Calobrace
Doctor Juan Quintero

SURGEON

BOARD-ELIGIBLE PLASTIC SURGEON

BOARD-ELIGIBLE
PLASTIC SURGEON

Dr. Juan L. Quintero is an experienced and highly recognized plastic surgeon known for his exceptional patient care and beautiful, natural-looking results. He specializes in procedures of the face, breast, and body, including vaginal rejuvenation.

Dr. Juan L. Quintero

Concealing Tummy Tuck Scars

Regardless of the incision you require, your surgeon makes it as low as possible for maximum discretion. In most cases, tummy tuck scars can be easily concealed beneath clothing and swimwear.

How Much Does Tummy Tuck Surgery Cost in Lexington & Louisville, KY?

The cost for a tummy tuck depends on the complexity of the procedure, whether or not it is combined with other procedures, and other factors. At CaloAesthetics, tummy tuck prices generally range as follows:

  • Mini tummy tuck: $8,000 to $10,000
  • Standard tummy tuck: $13,000 to $16,000
  • Extended tummy tuck: $16,000 to $18,000

It is important to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons so that they can perform a full assessment to determine the right surgical approach to suit your needs and to provide an accurate estimate for your treatment. We offer several financing options for our patients to set up affordable monthly payments.

Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction

Many people want to know if liposuction will be enough to produce their desired improvements. Tummy tuck surgery and liposuction are both body contouring procedures that can reshape the abdomen. They provide different improvements as follows:

  • Tummy tuck surgery tightens lax abdominal skin, repairs separated abdominal muscles, and reshapes the bellybutton.
  • Liposuction removes isolated areas of fat.

Some patients benefit from one procedure or the other; many need both to attain their desired results. Find details about determining the best procedure for you in this blog post.

This CaloAesthetics® patient benefited from a tummy tuck on its own.

Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 588 View #2 View in Louisville & Lexington, KY
Before & After Tummy Tuck
Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 588 View #1 View in Louisville & Lexington, KY
Before & After Tummy Tuck

This patient’s concerns were due to excess fat, not stretched abdominal skin or muscles. She had liposuction of the abdomen, hips, and medial thighs without a tummy tuck.

Before & After Liposuction for Women Case 130 View #1 View in Louisville & Lexington, KY
Before & After Liposuction
Before & After Liposuction for Women Case 130 View #2 View in Louisville & Lexington, KY
Before & After Liposuction

This patient had a tummy tuck combined with liposuction.

Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 572 View #1 View in Louisville & Lexington, KY
Before & After Tummy Tuck & Liposuction
Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 572 View #2 View in Louisville & Lexington, KY
Before & After Tummy Tuck & Liposuction

What To Expect During Recovery

After a tummy tuck, patients usually experience some degree of temporary pain, swelling, and numbness in the area. Discomfort is usually controlled with a few days of prescription pain medication. Your experience may vary.

Fading and flattening of the scars take 3 months to 2 years, depending on a person’s skin type and the care they take during recovery. Risks include blood clots, infection, conspicuous scarring, or skin loss. Minor revisions also may be required.

Return to Work

Tummy tuck patients may be ready to return to work in about 2 weeks, although strenuous activity will need to be limited for 4 to 6 weeks or more.

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Complementary Procedures

Dr. Calobrace and Dr. Quintero often combine tummy tuck surgery with liposuction to contour the abdominal area more completely or address other trouble spots, such as the thighs or upper back. Tummy tucks are included in most mommy makeover procedures along with breast enhancement surgery such as breast augmentation to address changes from pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

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Often Asked

Why can’t I improve my abdomen with diet and exercise?

Many people successfully improve their entire bodies, including their abdomens, using diet and exercise. However, this approach isn’t effective for everyone, especially those who have sagging skin in addition to unwanted fat and weakened muscles. Surgical excision is generally the only option for reducing sagging skin. With time and excessive stretching brought on by pregnancy or weight gain, skin loses its elasticity, reducing its ability to “bounce back” when the weight is gone. Therefore, although working out can reduce fat and tone muscles, it can’t adequately resolve the issue of extra skin.

Do I need to be a particular weight to undergo tummy tuck surgery?

Although there’s no numeric ideal for undergoing tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Calobrace and Dr. Quintero remind patients that tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery, and men and women who are significantly overweight are likely not candidates. Instead, the surgery is intended for people who are at or near healthy weights but are bothered by the appearance of their abdomens, which may be disproportionately shaped in relation to the rest of their bodies. During your consultation, your surgeon carefully evaluates your candidacy to help you understand whether tummy tuck surgery is the best choice for you.

Is the surgery painful?

You will be asleep during the surgery, so you won’t feel pain. Afterward, the pain can be moderate to significant for the first few days. Taking prescription medication and wearing your abdominal binder will help to minimize pain.

How should I sleep after getting a tummy tuck?

The best sleeping position to avoid tension in the surgical area and minimize swelling is on your back with your upper body elevated. We recommend sleeping in a recliner or propped up with pillows. Learn more in this blog post.

How many dress sizes do you lose on average with a tummy tuck?

Patients typically lose 1 to 3 dress sizes after tummy tuck surgery, but the degree of change varies greatly. While tummy tuck surgery is not a weight loss procedure, patients usually look like they’ve lost weight when their excess skin and stretched ab muscles are transformed to smoother, firmer abdominal contours.

Will I be able to get pregnant after surgery?

Although women who have undergone tummy tuck surgery are still physically capable of becoming pregnant, Dr. Calobrace and Dr. Quintero typically advise against it. This is because the changes a woman’s body undergoes during pregnancy can negatively affect her tummy tuck results, potentially necessitating revisionary surgery at a later date. If you’re considering a tummy tuck but aren’t sure whether you’d like to have more children, it may be best to wait until you’re done growing your family.

How long does a tummy tuck last?

Tummy tuck results last indefinitely when patients follow a healthy lifestyle that includes mindful eating and consistent exercise. Subsequent pregnancy or significant weight gain will likely stretch the abdominal skin and muscles again. Learn more about how weight gain affects tummy tuck results in this blog post.

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