Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

What is a Tummy Tuck Procedure?

Abdominoplasty, also called a tummy tuck, is a surgery that flattens and firms the midsection through the removal of excess fat and skin and the tightening of abdominal muscles.

People often have a tummy tuck surgery after pregnancy or after losing a significant amount of weight, both of which can stretch abdominal muscles and leave excess skin. If you’ve tried to flatten and tone your protruding or sagging abdomen through weight loss and exercise but haven’t achieved your goals, the tummy tuck procedure might be right for you.

What are the Tummy Tuck Procedure Steps?

Abdominoplasty is performed while you’re under general anesthesia.

Your surgeon will make an incision in your bikini line, and will elevate the upper abdominal tissues to expose your abdominal muscles. The muscles can be sewn together to flatten the abdomen or reduce your waist. If you have excess skin above your navel, the belly-button will be re-positioned. Excess lower abdominal tissues are removed, and the skin incision is closed.

After the tummy tuck surgery, you’ll have tubes in place to drain excess fluid for one to two weeks.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Tummy Tuck Procedure?

Recovery from a tummy tuck procedure usually takes about two to three weeks, but as with every surgery, recovery is highly individual. During your tummy tuck consultation, your doctor will talk with you about what to expect.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Providers at RUSH

RUSH has tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) providers in and around Chicago.

Meet our providers
stethoscope Meet our providers

Frequently Asked Questions About the Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Procedure

Who Is a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery?

The best candidates for a tummy tuck procedure are nonsmokers who are at or close to their ideal weight and have loose, sagging skin or a protruding abdomen even with a healthy diet and regular exercise.  However, patients above ideal body weight may be candidates for modified abdominoplasties (lipoabdominoplasty).

Will I have scars after the tummy tuck surgery?

The scar from a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) incision is usually low enough to be well hidden by clothing or a bathing suit (even a bikini).

Can I lift my kids after having a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)?

Tummy tuck procedures are popular among moms after pregnancy, so this is a common concern. For several weeks to months after surgery, you’ll have limits as to how much you can lift. If you lift too much too soon, you risk stressing your incision site, which can delay your recovery and affect your cosmetic result.

How long will tummy tuck results last?

Tummy tuck results are meant to last, but pregnancy or weight gain can affect the results. Most doctors recommend waiting until you’ve had your last child or reached your goal weight before having a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure.

What is a “mini tummy tuck”?

A mini tummy tuck is a procedure that only treats the lower abdomen. It usually requires a shorter incision than a full tummy tuck surgery. It is a limited approach to address a smaller amount of skin. However, patients generally need full abdominoplasty surgery to treat the entire abdomen. A mini tummy tuck is an effective operation in the right patient but determining if it’s a good fit, and specific goals and expectations, is something the patient and physician should discuss.

What is the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction?

Liposuction uses suction to remove fat from the body. It can treat areas of fat deposits such as the love handles or help contour the waist. However, it will not remove excess skin like a tummy tuck will. For this reason, it is often used along with the tummy tuck procedure.

Can I get a tummy tuck after a c-section?

Yes, you can get a tummy tuck after having a cesarean section. In fact, the tummy tuck procedure can often revise the c-section scar, especially if it is a high scar, to look better. The procedure can also tighten the muscles to treat the diastasis recti — the separation of the abdominal muscles — that is common after pregnancy.

Is the tummy tuck procedure painful?

Like any surgery, a tummy tuck can be somewhat painful depending on the individual patient. However, any pain tends to be manageable and fades quickly after about a week. Your surgeon will provide a local, long-acting anesthetic directly into the muscles to reduce pain and give you a multimodal pain management regimen to go home with.

RUSH offers an array of cosmetic services including body, breast, face, neck, skin and hair procedures.

See All Available Cosmetic Services
See All Available Cosmetic Services

RUSH Tummy Tuck Surgery Locations Around Chicago

Aurora

Rush Copley 2040 Physician Office Building

RUSH Copley Medical Group Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

2040 Ogden Ave
Suite 115
Aurora, IL 60504

Office
Get Directions

Office Hours:

Mon – Thu: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Fri: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location

Chicago

Exterior view of Rubschlager Building

RUSH Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

1520 W Harrison St
6th Floor - Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building
Chicago, IL 60607

Office
Get Directions Make an Appointment View Location
Rush South Loop exterior

Rush South Loop

1411 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605

Office
Get Directions

Office Hours:

Mon – Thu: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Fri: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Only office and lab hours on Saturday. See additional lab hour information below.
Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location

Oak Brook

Rush Oak Brook exterior

Rush Oak Brook

2011 York Rd
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Office
Get Directions

Hours:

Mon – Fri: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (Every first and third Saturday; diagnostic imaging and lab hours detailed below)
Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location

Oak Lawn

Rush's Oak Lawn facility for weight loss and bariatric surgery

Rush Oak Lawn

5851 W 95th St
Oak Lawn, IL 60453

Appointment
Get Directions

Hours:

Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location

Oak Park

RUSH Oak Park Multispecialty Clinic

610 S Maple Ave
Rush Medical Office Building - Suite 5500
Oak Park, IL 60304

Get Directions Make an Appointment View Location