Pregnancy or obesity stretches the skin over time. And as we age, the skin loses its ability to spring back into place after pregnancy or weight loss.
This lack of elasticity in the skin can cause extra skin folds of tissue — and an unflattering "love handle" around the belly and lower back.
Aging may also produce sagging skin and excess fat that impact the appearance of people in ways they might not find acceptable.
These physical changes may motivate people to seek procedures done by a plastic surgeon to regain natural shape and firmness.
There are two procedures popular today: tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and lower body lift (belt lipectomy).
Here, Tara L. Huston, MD, associate professor of surgery and dermatology and a member of our Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Division, answers frequently asked questions about tummy tuck and lower body lift.
Q: What is a tummy tuck?
A: A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a term used to describe rejuvenation of the abdomen. The goal is to address some of the common physical changes that can occur following weight gain/loss as well as pregnancy.
Q: What cosmetic concerns can be treated with a tummy tuck?
A: Removal of excess skin and stress marks. Bulges above or below the belly button can be tightened to create a flat contour.
Q: How long after a tummy tuck are the desired results noticeable?
A: The swelling takes a few weeks to mostly resolve and a few months to completely resolve. However, the improved contour and skin quality may be seen immediately.
Q: What does the procedure entail?
A: First, the abdominal muscles are tightened to strengthen the midsection, decrease any bulging and narrow the waist. Second, the excess lower abdominal skin with stretch marks is removed.
Our plastic surgeons are true leaders in the field of plastic surgery: they not only provide cosmetic and reconstructive services but advance the art of plastic surgery
Q: Can a tummy tuck be combined with another procedure?
A: Yes, we will commonly work with gynecologists to pair with a uterine or ovarian procedure that requires an incision on the abdominal wall. We also frequently work with general surgeons when a hernia repair is done.
This team approach allows the patient to undergo one operation, one anesthetic, and one recovery while having two procedures.
Q: What is the difference between a full and mini tummy tuck?
A: In a full tummy tuck, both the upper and lower abdomen are addressed. This requires an incision along the lower abdomen from hip to hip as well as around the belly button. In a mini tummy tuck, primarily the lower abdomen is addressed. The lower abdominal scar is smaller, and there is no incision around the belly button.
Q: What is recovery from a tummy tuck like?
A: Patients generally go home the day of surgery and are encouraged to begin walking immediately. There are drains, but they will be removed by two weeks most of the time. We encourage our patients to plan four weeks of slow return to normal activities.
Q: What is the best time to resume exercise and sexual relations after the tummy tuck procedure?
A: In approximately four weeks.
Q: Is there much pain after surgery?
A: With muscle tightening, there is discomfort. However, we are able to manage this discomfort with muscle relaxants, non-narcotic medication such as acetaminophen, and narcotic medication when necessary.
Q: Is it okay to have tummy tuck surgery before having kids?
A: This is not recommended because the skin will stretch again and is unlikely to return to its tight postoperative state. It is better to wait if considering childbearing for the best long-term aesthetic result.
Q: What is a lower body lift?
A: A lower body lift is a tummy tuck that basically encircles the entire waist. This procedure is more common in massive weight loss patients.
Q: What cosmetic concerns can be treated with a lower body lift?
A: It helps to lift the gluteal (buttocks) regions as well as the lateral thighs.
Q: How long after a lower body lift are the desired results noticeable?
A: Similar to a tummy tuck, the swelling takes a few weeks to mostly resolve and a few months to completely resolve. However, the improved contour and skin quality on the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks may be appreciated immediately.
Q: What does the procedure entail?
A: A lower body lift is more involved than a tummy tuck because it requires surgery to be done on the back and then the front. First, the excess skin and tissue are removed from the back, and the incision is closed.
Next, the patient is turned over while still under anesthesia. The abdominal muscles are tightened to strengthen the midsection, decrease any bulging, and narrow the waist.
Lastly, the excess lower abdominal skin with stretch marks is removed from the front and joins the incision from the back.
Q: What is recovery from a lower body lift like?
A: Similar to a tummy tuck, you are encouraged to begin walking immediately. There are drains, but they will be removed by two to three weeks most of the time. We encourage you to plan four to six weeks of slow return to your normal activities.
Q: Is there much pain after surgery?
A: With muscle tightening and an incision that goes around the entire body, there is discomfort. However, we are able to manage this with muscle relaxants, non-narcotic medication such as acetaminophen and narcotic medication.
What our faculty have discovered allows them to incorporate the most novel surgical techniques with a safe surgical environment to provide our patients with the best surgical outcomes.
Q: Is it okay to have a lower body lift before having kids?
A: If there are chronic or hard to control rashes, open wounds, and sores that need to be addressed, this procedure is not recommended.
With pregnancy, the skin will stretch again, and is unlikely to return to its tight postoperative state. It is better to wait if considering childbearing for the best long-term aesthetic result.
Q: When is it advised to have both a tummy tuck and lower body lift?
A: It is more often recommended for patients who have undergone massive weight loss and who have enough excess skin around the posterior aspect of the body.
Q: What is the advantage of having tummy tuck and lower body lift done at Stony Brook Medicine?
A: First, we have plastic surgeons who are board certified in plastic surgery. This certification is relevant because many physicians who are not trained in plastic surgery are now doing "cosmetic" surgery.
Physicians not board certified in plastic surgery have not received the approved education, nor have they completed an examination process designed to assess the knowledge, experience, and skills required to provide high-quality plastic surgery.
Patients may put themselves at greater risk when using these non-certified physicians, many of whom are not even surgeons. The results of their work may be disappointing, even disfiguring, or lethal.
Another distinguishing factor about the care we provide is that our plastic surgeons are true leaders in the field of plastic surgery. They not only provide cosmetic and reconstructive services but advance the art of plastic surgery.
Some of the research done in our division focuses on patient safety and surgical outcomes. What our faculty have discovered allows them to incorporate the most novel surgical techniques with a safe surgical environment in order to provide our patients with the best surgical outcomes.
Finally, our plastic surgeons who specialize in tummy tuck and lower body lift have years of experience doing these procedures. Experience counts a lot, and so do the wonderful results that have made our patients happy they came to Stony Brook Medicine.
