Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

One of the most common body areas that people tend to want to improve is their abdomen. Your tummy often undergoes unwanted changes over time, whether from aging, weakened muscles, childbearing, weight loss, or previous surgeries. As a result, the stomach can begin to protrude and develop loose skin. To help patients restore their midsection to a more youthful, toned contour, Dr. Steven Yarinsky offers tummy tuck surgery.

• What Is a Tummy Tuck?
• Tummy Tuck Benefits
• Tummy Tuck Candidates
• Tummy Tuck Procedure
• Tummy Tuck Recovery
• Tummy Tuck Cost
• Tummy Tuck Complications
• Complementary Procedures

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, can significantly improve the contour of your body. Unlike liposuction, a tummy tuck tightens loose skin as well as repairs stretched or loose abdominal muscles when necessary. This causes your stomach region to appear smoother, flatter and tighter and often provides you with a cinched-in waistline for a more curvaceous figure. Our plastic surgeon is experienced in performing different techniques for the tummy tuck procedure, customizing to address your unique needs.

Before

After

Individual Results May Vary

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Dr Yarinsky and his staff gave the best medical care I have ever received! I am so happy with the tummy tuck results. They provided complete and caring information every step of the way. Following their instructions my recovery was smooth; much easier than I anticipated. Dr. Yarinsky and his staff were happy to answer any questions and never made me feel rushed. I will definitely recommend him to anyone interested in cosmetic surgery!

What Are the Benefits of Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Tummy tuck surgery offers several advantages to those who are good candidates. During your consultation, Dr. Yarinsky will go over the pros and cons of the procedure to ensure you understand what to expect. In general, patients of Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery, PC typically receive a combination of the following improvements from their tummy tuck:

• A smoother, flatter abdomen.
• Taut, tighter abdominal skin.
• Repair of abdominal muscles stretched from pregnancy or weight gain and loss.
• Removal of excess skin.
• Reduction in stretch marks.

In addition, many patients can significantly benefit from liposuction of their waistline, hips and lower back or “bra fat” areas performed at the same time as their tummy tuck. Liposuction removes stubborn fat pockets that may be contributing to a protruding appearance.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Yarinsky, a board-certified plastic surgeon who is one of the area’s only members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Society, the national group of plastic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic surgery. During this appointment, Dr. Yarinsky meets with you to discuss your concerns, review your medical history and perform a physical examination. With this information, he can create a customized treatment plan, recommending the most beneficial procedure(s) to fulfill your desires and needs. Although tummy tuck surgery is a very personal decision, common concerns that Dr. Yarinsky often sees among his patients include a desire to improve or eliminate:

• Loose, sagging skin and/or fat deposits frequently associated with abnormal relaxation or stretching of the anterior abdominal wall muscles. This condition is common after pregnancies, prior surgery, or after massive weight loss.
• Rashes that develop beneath the abdominal skin fold.
• Inability to tighten the abdominal wall skin with diet and exercise.
• Clothing not fitting well due to loose or protruding abdominal muscle, skin and fat.

To be considered for a tummy tuck, patients should generally be in good health and have realistic expectations about their final results. Tummy tucks should not be considered or misconstrued as a weight loss technique or substitute for a proper diet and exercise. The ideal candidate is at or no more than 20 or 30 pounds above their ideal body weight. However, some improvement in the waistline allowing clothing to fit better is seen and obtained even in those who are overweight.

How Is the Tummy Tuck Procedure Performed?

Tummy tuck surgery is usually performed using general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure in Dr. Yarinsky’s accredited office facility for your convenience, comfort and privacy. Since every patient has different physical needs, Dr. Yarinsky tailors his surgical approach and designs your procedure according to what will provide the best possible outcome. The details of your procedure and the recommended technique will be discussed with you during your consultation, allowing you to make an informed decision about which is best for you and who to choose for your care. The techniques that Dr. Yarinsky performs include:

• Mini-Abdominoplasty: As a less invasive option, Dr. Yarinsky may recommend and perform a mini tummy tuck, which tightens the lower abdominal wall skin only. While this may be appropriate for some patients, most people will benefit more from a full (standard) tummy tuck.
• Standard Abdominoplasty. Also known as a full tummy tuck, this technique is designed to tighten all of the abdominal wall skin for a more comprehensive waistline contouring. Stretched or torn muscles will also be repaired during this procedure. This is the msot common tummy tuck to repair damage done by pregnancy ot return women to their pre-pregnancy tummy shape.
• Extended Abdominoplasty: For those who have loose skin extending to their hips, an extended tummy tuck addresses the abdomen, similar to a full tummy tuck, with the addition of tightening the flanks or sides.
• Belt Lipectomy: This circumferential abdominoplasty technique is designed to improve the abdomen, flanks and the back. This procedure is ideal for contouring around your waistline if you have loose skin extending all the way around which includes your lower back. Those who have received a belt lipectomy benefit from the results of both the tummy tuck and buttock and lateral thigh lift components.

Instead of you choosing which procedure will most benefit you in advance, Dr. Yarinsky encourages you to see him for evaluation and to review treatment options to provide you with the result you desire. Complete and personalized details about your tummy tuck will be explained to you at your consultation and at the additional pre-op visit several weeks prior to your procedure.

What Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Like?

Within the first three to five days after tummy tuck surgery, you will need total assistance from a responsible adult care-giver at home as your body begins to heal. Discomfort can be controlled by pain medication taken for one to two weeks. Walking begins the day after surgery and is typically comfortable within two weeks. Most people take about two weeks off from work (if at a sedentary job) and up to six weeks off for a job that is more strenuous. You can resume light activity after 10 to 20 days, but you should avoid strenuous sports, anything that would cause you to perspire, for about six weeks. Your tummy tuck results should reach the 90% point within six weeks after surgery. Further healing and improvement will occur over the course of a year.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

The cost of a full tummy tuck typically starts from $7,000 to $10,000, which includes the surgeon’s fee and may increase with additional costs, such as anesthesia and the operating facility. Since there are so many variants involved with and so many varieties of tummy tucks, the complete cost of your procedure will be provided after Dr. Yarinsky examines your anatomy and determines your needs and desires at your personalized consultation. This fee estimate will depend upon the specifics of your treatment plan, such as which tummy tuck technique is being performed and if any complementary procedures (such as liposuction and breast enhancement) are being performed on the same day. Fees quoted by other offices often only include the surgeon’s fee. We provide you with a “Global Fee” which covers everything except for your prescription medication, lab work (if needed) and preoperative medical clearance (if needed). Since we use our own accredited on-site operating facility, our quote is all inclusive (includes anesthesia, supplies, use of our operating facility, nursing care and follow-up visits). So there will be no financial surprises. Our staff will review your fee quote with you and can help you with obtaining plastic surgery financing, if you are interested in signing up for a payment plan.

What Are the Possible Complications of Tummy Tuck Surgery?

As with any surgery, the tummy tuck procedure comes with some degree of risk. Dr. Yarinsky takes time to explain the most common risks and complications and provides great care during the consultation to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure to minimize the potential for problems and to provide you with the best possible outcome. While minor complications may arise occasionally, these typically do not affect your results. Major complications are very rare. Most of our patients are very happy with their tummy tuck outcome, but the specific results cannot be guaranteed. This procedure is performed in our Joint Commission accredited office facility.

Complementary Procedures

Additional procedures can dramatically enhance your result. These include liposuction, breast lift surgery, breast augmentation, mild breast reduction and thigh lifts. Some of these can be done at the same time as your tummy tuck as part of the more comprehensive Mommy Makeover procedure.

To learn more about the abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedures, Dr. Yarinsky would be happy to meet with you during a personal consultation. We invite you to contact our office to schedule your appointment.