Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in Chicago

What Is A Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is a surgical cosmetic procedure that is used to flatten and tone the abdominal area by removing excess skin. The procedure, also known as an abdominoplasty, is typically performed on patients that have excess fat and inelastic skin due to aging or significant weight loss.

Tummy Tuck Benefits

The main goal of a tummy tuck is to tighten and tone your tummy by removing unwanted and drooping excess fat and skin, and strengthening the muscles below. Drooping can occur with aging or after significant weight loss. After this procedure you should expect more toned and slimmer-looking abdominal area. Dr. Galiano will perform this procedure to yield minimal scarring, and will seek excellent long-term results. You may also expect renewed self-esteem and confidence as a result of your new figure.

Am I A Candidate For Tummy Tuck Surgery

Dr. Robert Galiano performs tummy tuck surgery for both men and women that have gained weight due to genetics, aging, or a recent pregnancy. In general, tummy tuck candidates:

• Are over 18 years old
• Are in good overall health
• Have realistic expectations for the procedure
• Are committed to a healthy lifestyle following their abdominoplasty

Tummy Tuck Procedure Details

Dr. Galiano has unique expertise in abdominal surgery and uses innovative techniques to achieve an ideal result. Generally, he performs a tummy tuck as an outpatient procedure with an occasional overnight stay. His techniques improve blood supply and therefore reduce complications and improve sensation in long-term outcomes. Due to his extensive research in scarring, he is able to achieve the best possible result with regard to a lasting scar.

Often Dr. Galiano will perform liposuction in combination with your tummy tuck to improve results and minimize complications from multiple procedures. This is a variant call lipo-abdominoplasty, or liposuction abdominoplasty. This procedure is excellent for women who are moderately overweight, and by combining liposuction of the abdomen with skin removal, can produce beautiful dramatic results. Dr. Galiano’s aesthetic results produce a pleasing body contour and minimal scarring.

Tummy Tuck Aftercare & Recovery

Tummy tucks are generally performed as an outpatient procedure, so you should expect to go home the same day. Dr. Galiano will plan your procedure to minimize your recovery time as much as possible. A compression garment will be placed around your midsection to control swelling, and temporary drains may be placed to relieve fluid as you heal. Most patients benefit from being away from work for a few days, but you should be able to walk around and do mild activities within a day or two of your procedure. Pain is very patient-specific, but most patients will not have significant pain when they have the procedure performed by Dr. Galiano. There will be swelling, a variable amount of initial bruising. You may do mild exercises as soon as you feel up to it.

Tummy Tuck Surgery Risks

Any surgical procedure has risks, and you will be given a full discussion of these during your consultation. Some known risks include the following:

• Anesthesia risks
• Scarring
• Pain
• Bleeding
• Poor wound healing
• Tissue damage

Dr. Galiano will go over these risks, and will discuss ways that he minimizes the chances of them occurring.

Tummy Tuck Cost

The cost of a tummy tuck will depend on a number of factors including the type of abdominoplasty being performed (mini vs. full), the experience of the surgeon, and the hospital fees.In general, a tummy tuck will cost between $6,000 and $7,500. For a personal price estimate, schedule a consultation with Dr. Galiano.

Tummy Tuck FAQs

Is a tummy tuck right for me?

If your goal is not weight loss, but rather restoring the taut stomach that you remember from before pregnancy or dramatic changes in weight, you may be a good candidate for tummy tuck.

Women often choose tummy tuck to repair abdominal muscles that may have weakened or separated during the nine months of pregnancy. In addition, the procedure is an effective solution for folds of skin that may have appeared in the abdominal area. This frequently happens when skin lacks the flexibility to conform to a smaller abdomen. Tummy tuck removes skin and some fat, but not pounds. Any weight loss is incidental. Dr. Galiano advises that patients should be as close as possible to recommended weight before considering tummy tuck.

Are there other options?

Tummy tuck is one possible choice on a spectrum of proven and highly effective plastic surgery procedures. If stubborn pockets of fat are your primary concern, liposuction will be the better option. Using a hollow, slender tube, Dr. Galiano suctions out excess fat from these areas, resulting in a more attractive body profile. Liposuction does not repair, realign or remove muscles or skin.

When liposuction is done in conjunction with tummy tuck, it is called lipoabdominoplasty. This technique is sometimes recommended for obese individuals or anyone who has not been able to reduce weight sufficiently to ensure a complication-free tummy tuck.

Mini tummy tuck reshapes the lower abdomen only, removing skin that hangs loosely below the belly button.

What is the recovery period like?

Tummy tuck may require an overnight hospital stay, but is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Complete healing takes time, as your abdominal skin and muscles have been cut, reshaped and in some cases realigned. Vigorous physical activity is not prudent within the first few months, although you will be able to return to school or work within three weeks or less.

Recovery does involve some pain. Dr. Galiano takes care to reduce the severity of discomfort by injecting a time-release anesthetic during surgery. It will be effective at managing pain for several days. Avoiding straining the abdomen is important in the early phase of recovery. One way to do this is to wear your prescribed compression garment for as long as Dr. Galiano advises.

Will tummy tuck eliminate stretch marks?

Eliminating stretch marks is not a goal of tummy tuck, but you may see some improvement for stretch marks in the lower abdomen. If skin in this area is partially removed, the stretch marks will be removed along with the excess tissue. Other stretch marks will not change in appearance significantly, although a tighter, fit stomach does have the effect of smoothing out skin to some degree.

Will a pregnancy reverse the results of a tummy tuck?

Pregnancy is a key reason why women choose tummy tuck, so a new pregnancy can reverse many of the gains that were achieved with the procedure. Abdominal muscles may once again weaken or separate, and skin will be tested by the strain and stretching of pregnancy. Dr. Galiano recommends that women wait until their family is complete before undergoing abdominoplasty.

After your final pregnancy, it’s also a good idea to wait a few months before having the surgery. After three months or so, and after the end of breastfeeding, the uterus and other anatomical structures will have had time to recover and regain as much of their original shape and integrity as possible. At that point, you will have a good idea of how much stomach tightening you will require.

To learn more about abdominoplasty and schedule your personal consultation with Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Galiano, please call (312) 926-4382, or request an appointment online today.

Schedule A Tummy Tuck Consultation

Dr. Robert Galiano is a leading cosmetic surgeon that specializes in body contouring procedures. He has ample experience providing tummy tucks for Chicago patients, and consistently produces exceptional results. To view results from real abdominoplasty patients, visit our tummy tuck before and after photo gallery. If you would like to schedule a consultation to learn more about tightening your stomach, contact our office today by calling (312) 926-4382 or by requesting an appointment online.

“[Dr. Galiano] is an artist and perfectionist who creates beautiful, natural results. I would recommend him for any procedure.” – Paul, Tummy Tuck Patient