When you meet with us for your tummy tuck consultation, we will have an honest discussion about your desires, expectations, and concerns, as well as the limits and risks of the surgery. We will review your medical history and recommend options that can best help you achieve your goals. We will give you thorough written instructions to prepare for your surgery and will answer any questions you have.

At Summit Medical Group, the patient experience is of primary importance to us. We customize every single procedure we do so that it is tailored to what is best for you and you alone.

“Great tummy tuck experience with Dr. Momeni and his team. The doctor is first-rate, chairman of his department at the local hospital, and very respected by all the other doctors in the area. This is not a sales approach in this office, they educate you, take their time, answer their questions, and are not pushy at all. That would have turned me off.”

                         – Patient on RealSelf.com

Some patients who are candidates for a tummy tuck only need lax muscles retightened (diastasis repair), while others require lax skin to be removed along with excess fat. A lower body lift (excision and tightening of skin from the flanks and sagging buttocks) may be preferable in some cases. Read more about a lower body lift.

Since patients have different needs, there are 4 types of tummy tucks:

Mini Tummy Tuck. This technique is for patients who only require removal of fat and lax skin and/or tightening of the abdominal muscles below the belly button. It requires only a limited lower abdominal incision and can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Standard Tummy Tuck. This technique involves removal of fat and lax skin both above and below the belly button, as well as muscle tightening, if necessary. It can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Extended Tummy Tuck. This tummy tuck includes everything in a standard tummy tuck but extends around to the flanks for a more comprehensive result. This method takes a bit longer in the operating room, so it requires an overnight stay.

Circumferential Tummy Tuck. This technique is used for those who have had massive weight loss or bariatric surgery and have a significant amount of loose skin all around the midsection of the body. Liposuction and muscle tightening are also performed as needed. This type of tummy tuck requires an overnight stay in the hospital.

The incision for a mini tummy tuck is shorter than the incision for the other procedures. An extended tummy tuck requires a longer incision than a standard tummy tuck, and a circumferential tummy tuck must have an incision that goes all the way around the body. The incision must be as long as the amount of excess skin to be removed.

If liposuction is performed as part of your tummy tuck, tumescent fluid is introduced to numb the area and reduce the chance of bleeding, as well as to loosen and soften the fatty tissues. This expansion of the fatty tissue allows the liposuction instrument to travel smoothly as it is moved in and out from beneath the skin in order to suction out the fat. The surgeon then inserts a small tube called a cannula to mechanically break down the excess fat.

After the excess fat and skin have been removed and the muscles have been tightened, the overlying skin is smoothed and stitched back into place over the flattened abdomen. The belly button also might need to be repositioned for some patients.

“I did a lot of research before having my plastic surgery. Dr. Hyans came highly recommended. I had a breast lift and tummy tuck. He did an amazing job, far surpassing my expectations. I feel so much more confident with my body now; he changed my life. Dr. Hyans and his staff treated me with respect and gave me wonderful care. I would highly recommend Dr. Hyans to anyone interested in cosmetic surgery.”

                         – Patient on RateMDs.com

Dressings will be applied to your incisions, and you will have to wear an elastic bandage for a short time. Drain tubes also might be placed under the skin to catch fluids for a few days. If your sutures are not dissolvable, they will be removed a few days to a week after your surgery.

You can expect some swelling, bruising, and mild pain for a week or 2 during tummy tuck recovery. You can take prescription or over-the-counter medications to manage any discomfort. Because of the swelling, however, you may not be able to see immediate results from your surgery. It may take a few months before you see the final outcome. We will monitor your progress in post-operative examinations to make sure you are healing well.

You may be asked to sleep sitting up for the first few nights to avoid stretching the incisions. Most people return to work and normal activities 2 to 3 weeks after a tummy tuck, although you may be able to resume work and activities in less than 2 weeks after a mini tummy tuck. Exercise and sports can be resumed within 4-6 weeks.

The abdominal scar from a tummy tuck is often long and visible. In fact, it may get worse before it becomes less obvious over the first few months. The incision is usually made low on the abdomen, however, and within the bikini line. For this reason, most clothing, including swimwear, can hide it. We take great care to reduce scarring and return patients to their daily activities as quickly as possible. We apply scar cream and perform massage, and we also usually provide cortisone injections anywhere on the incisions where the skin might thicken. This prevents the scars from becoming raised and prominent.

Results from a tummy tuck are long-lasting. New fat can develop over a period of years, but you can best maintain the outcome if you keep your weight steady.

“Dr. Momeni is the most amazing doctor. He is everything you want in a Dr. and more. He spends as much time with you as you need. He follows up personally with you. He is a Dr. who TRULY cares about his patients. I have trusted this man to do breast reconstruction from cancer, lipo, and an abdominoplasty. Each and every time I have seen him he is nothing but wonderful. I am very pleased with the work that I had done. He did a fabulous job on my body. What he said he would do is what he did. He was honest and up front about what was going to happen. There were never any surprises.”

                         – Patient on RateMDs.com