The midsection is one of the most difficult areas of the body to tighten and tone. If you’ve given up on your dreams of ever having an amazing midsection, we’re here to tell you otherwise. At Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO, we offer the tummy tuck for those who want to contour their stomachs and get the kind of midsection that may have never been possible without this procedure.

A beautiful, contoured midsection is completely within your reach, and you don’t need to go on a restrictive diet or do 100 crunches every day to get it. As a bonus, Dr. Murphy has perfected a nearly scarless technique so that you can get the results you’ve always dreamed about, minus the scar.

How Many Sizes Can I Lose With a Tummy Tuck?

The results from this procedure vary among patients because different patients with different body compositions seek out this treatment to contour and define their stomachs. However, when you choose this procedure, you can expect to lose anywhere from one to three sizes in total.

The most dramatic results are experienced by those who have the most excess fat and skin. Some patients may not experience a significant size drop, but they will lose stubborn fat, excess skin, and get a tighter and more toned midsection, and as a result, their clothes will look and feel better.

The Tummy Tuck

This procedure is technically referred to as an abdominoplasty. It is specifically designed to completely contour and redefine the abdominal region by removing both excess fat and skin. Depending on your needs and your goals, this procedure can also restructure the muscles in the abdominal area to make you look more toned.

Many patients choose this procedure after undergoing significant weight loss or as a way to address the state of the abdomen after one or more pregnancies. It can remove everything from excess fat and loose skin to bulges and pockets of stubborn fat that negatively impact your appearance.

What To Expect

The procedure takes approximately two to four hours to complete based on how extensive surgical work is required. Most patients feel ready to return to work after one to three weeks, and they return to their normal daily activities by or before twelve weeks post-op. The good news is, once you undergo this procedure, your results will be permanent, as long as you take the necessary diet and fitness-related steps to maintain those results.

What It Treats

An abdominoplasty is a versatile procedure because it can address multiple concerns at once. It can restructure the abdomen, address separated muscles, remove excess, loose skin, tighten the remaining skin, and remove excess fat.

Customizing Your Procedure

The tummy tuck is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. It can be customized to your exact needs and concerns. For that reason, we offer two different types of procedures: mini-abdominoplasty and full abdominoplasty. During your initial consultation with our surgeon, we will help determine which of these two types of tummy tucks is the best option for you.

The Mini Abdominoplasty

The mini-abdominoplasty is exactly as it sounds: it is a mini version of the tummy tuck. It is designed for those who want to address the lower region of their abdomen, specifically below the belly button. An incision is made somewhere between the two hip bones during this procedure, and the entire area is tightened.

The Full Abdominoplasty

A full abdominoplasty can address aesthetic concerns by transforming the entire midsection from the upper region to the area below the belly button. This procedure can be customized to your needs and can include everything from excess fat removal, skin tightening, contouring, and remodeling the entire area.

The incision is typically made below the belly button during the procedure, and then the necessary work is done. The incision is then closed, and the incision will be concealed.

Liposuction

Liposuction is often used during this procedure to help create the most aesthetically pleasing midsection. It is used to help gently suction stubborn fat from the area to make the stomach area flatter and more attractive. Removing the stubborn fat helps eliminate all of those excess fat cells that contribute to rolls and bulges beneath the skin’s surface.

During the procedure, your surgeon will insert a cannula into the treatment site to gently suction out the fat. Once these cells are removed from the body, they will be gone for good. If you have a lot of stubborn fat in your abdominal region that keeps you from reaching your body goals, liposuction may help you get rid of that fat for good.

Tummy Tucks vs. Non-Invasive Body Contouring Treatments

Body contouring treatments help reduce the total amount of fat volume in problem areas without requiring a surgical procedure. While these treatments are effective, they do nothing to tighten or remove excess skin, nor can they restructure the abdominal muscles. Those who need or want to address loose skin and muscular separation will benefit from a tummy tuck rather than a fat-reduction treatment.

FAQs

When Should I Schedule My Procedure?

There are some factors to consider before you schedule this procedure to ensure that you get the best results possible. Most people can schedule this procedure, regardless of the life stage, they are in. We typically recommend that patients who plan on becoming pregnant wait until they are done having children to schedule their procedure, as an additional pregnancy post-op will negatively affect their results.

Pregnancy changes the position of the abdominal muscles, which often results in loose skin. Waiting until you can confirm with confidence that you no longer plan on having any more children will be in your best interest. If you are concerned about how and when to schedule your planned procedure, we can help iron out any details during your initial consultation with our surgeon.

Am I a Candidate?

Both men and women can make an ideal candidate for this procedure. If you want to improve the appearance of your midsection, address excess skin and fat, and look tighter and toned, you most likely will qualify for a tummy tuck. The best candidates should be in good health and within 10 to 15 pounds of their goal weight. If you are not sure if you are a candidate for this procedure, we’ll help determine that during your initial consultation.

They should also have realistic expectations about the procedure and what kind of results it can deliver. Most of the patients that undergo this procedure are over 40, but that doesn’t mean that the age requirement is 40 years old. It can help patients of different ages achieve their ideal image. The best patients:

• Do not plan on becoming pregnant
• Are not trying to use this procedure as a weight-loss method
• Have reached a weight that is within 15 pounds of their goal weight

How Does the Procedure Work?

At our office, we want to help you achieve the best possible results. Our staff will walk with you throughout this entire process. If you have any questions at any point along the way, we’ll help you so that you have the best possible experience, from your initial consultation, through your procedure, to your final follow-up appointment post-op.

Your Initial Consultation

Your initial consultation is an important part of the process because it helps us confirm that you are a candidate for the procedure. It also helps us design the perfect treatment plan for you to reach all of your body goals. During your initial consultation, we’ll also review your medical history, review any medications you take, and discuss your ultimate goals.

Preparing for Your Procedure

Once we confirm that you are a good candidate for this procedure, we will schedule your appointment, and you can begin preparing for your surgery. Most patients only have to follow a few simple directives to prepare for surgery. You will be asked to temporarily discontinue the use of certain anti-inflammatory medications, as well as any other supplements or herbs that act as blood thinners.

Additionally, you should refrain from alcohol consumption a few days before your appointment. We also will ask you to focus on your diet and to consume healthy foods to prepare your body for surgery and to help ensure a good outcome during your recovery. You will also be asked to refrain from smoking or using any products that contain tobacco or nicotine before your appointment, as they can and will negatively impact your recovery.

Planning Ahead

Before your procedure, we will provide you with a complete list of instructions so that you know exactly what to do to adequately prepare your body. To ensure that you don’t have to lift a finger post-op, you should pre-plan your meals and enlist help at home with basic household duties, shopping, and childcare so that you don’t have to put the energy into organizing your life when you should be resting.

Your Procedure

On the day of your scheduled appointment, you will need someone who can drive you to and from your appointment. Once you arrive, we will prepare you for surgery and then administer the necessary anesthetic. You will be put to sleep for the entirety of the procedure. Your surgeon will carry out your treatment plan to accomplish everything on your wish list, and then your procedure will be complete.

Your procedure will typically take two to four hours to complete, and then you will be on the road to recovery so that you enjoy your new midsection. We may provide you with some type of compression garment post-op to help your body heal quickly. Once your surgery has been completed successfully, we will discharge you so that you can begin to heal and recover at home.

Your Recovery

Once you arrive home, you can expect to spend at least five to seven days resting so that your body can begin healing and you can experience the best results possible. During this time, you can take short walks to help promote blood flow, but you should avoid any heavy lifting or exercise until your body has adequately healed. Most patients experience a full recovery within 12 weeks of their procedure.

Enjoying Your Results

You will see an immediate change in the appearance of your abdominal area, but it will take anywhere from four to eight weeks to see the best results. Once your body has completely healed, you will have a tighter and flatter midsection. The excess skin and stubborn fat that used to make you want to hide your abdomen will finally be gone, and your beautiful flat stomach will now be one of your best features.

Learn More About Abdominoplasty

There is a solution to sagging skin, excess fat, and an unsightly abdomen. We can help you achieve your dream body by changing your midsection for the better. Contact us today at Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO, and schedule your initial consultation to see if a tummy tuck is right for you.