Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat that may accumulate after pregnancy, or due to excess weight or age. Additional benefits of full abdominoplasty are tightening of the abdominal muscles/fascia which may have become stretched out over time. This procedure can dramatically aid in the reduction of a once prominent abdomen. A tummy tuck can also be done in conjunction with a thigh lift, breast lift, and many other procedures focused on enhancing your appearance and silhouette.

Dr. Nathan Roesner has performed hundreds of tummy tuck procedures and can ensure success and satisfaction with your treatment, and Aura Advanced Skin Care & Plastic Surgery is renowned across Colorado for our personalized patient care and commitment to success. If you are not happy with excess skin around your abdomen, then we are happy to help you take the steps necessary to eliminate it.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Roesner today to begin planning your abdominoplasty treatment. If you have any questions, please call our Boulder office at (303) 440-7546 to speak with one of our expert staff members.

Before and After Photos

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About the Tummy Tuck

Our skin has a natural elasticity that helps it stretch and adapt to fit our bodies as they change. However, through aging, weight gain, pregnancy, and more, our skin can be stretched to a point where it loses its elasticity. When tissue beneath the skin is reduced through weight loss or other causes, patients are left with unsightly, inconvenient, and frustrating excess skin around their abdomen. Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, procedures help patients improve their confidence and physique by removing this excess skin. This procedure also helps to strengthen the abdominal muscles in patients, which can help them retain their new smooth abdomen for much longer and create more strength in their midsection. ⁽¹⁾

Tummy Tuck After Weight Loss

Excess skin is a very common problem faced by weight loss patients. Not only is it an unsightly feature on the body, but it is a frustrating hurdle to overcome after a long and arduous weight loss journey. As weight loss with GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) become more common, more patients seek tummy tuck procedures to combat the complications of “Ozempic body” as well.

Benefits

A tummy tuck can help you eliminate excess abdominal skin to shape your body to your ideal image. Its benefits include:

Candidates

Good tummy tuck candidates must be in good health, have no active diseases or serious, pre-existing medical conditions, and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of the surgery. If you plan to become pregnant or lose a significant amount of weight, you should discuss these plans with your doctor before surgery. Abdominoplasty is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise.

You may not be a candidate for surgery if you smoke, have recently quit smoking, or if you are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke. Primary and secondary smoking decreases blood flow to the body’s tissues. This can result in prolonged wound healing, skin loss, infection, increased scarring, and several other complications depending on the kind of procedure performed.

Personal Consultation

​​Communication is vital in reaching your goals. You will have the opportunity to discuss your goals and the results you would like to achieve at your consultation appointment. Dr. Roesner will work with you to reach an understanding of what you can expect from this procedure and what long-term benefits you will experience. Every patient is different, and he will choose the surgical technique and treatment plan that is right for you.

Please provide a complete medical history. Include information about any previous surgical procedures, past and present medical conditions, and all medications or herbal supplements you are taking.

We will examine your abdomen; including the quality of your abdominal skin, the location of any existing scars, the amount and location of any excess fat, and the status of the underlying muscles.

Preparation

We will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your surgery and will provide a pre-operative information packet that explains everything you should do and know before your surgery date. Dr. Roesner will instruct you on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and which vitamins and medications should be taken or avoided. You should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery. You may also want to make arrangements for someone to help you out for a day or two after you leave the hospital.

Procedure

General anesthesia is used so that you will remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Most commonly, Dr. Roesner will start by making two incisions. The first is a long incision from hip bone to hip bone, just above the pubic area, with a second incision freeing the navel from surrounding tissue. ⁽²⁾ In a mini-abdominoplasty, the first incision is much shorter and the navel will not be moved, although its appearance may be slightly altered. After the incisions, Dr. Roesner separates the skin from the abdominal wall up to the ribs, and then lifts a large skin flap, revealing the vertical muscles in the abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline. ⁽²⁾ Complete abdominoplasty can take from two to five hours, depending on the extent of work required. Mini-abdominoplasty may take one or two hours.

Recovery

Some patients will require an overnight hospital stay after their procedure so their condition can be monitored. It will be important to closely follow Dr. Roesner’s recovery instructions. These are carefully created specifically for your recovery and will promote healing and improve progress toward your new physical appearance. Also, you must attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so that he can assess your long-term results and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

We recommend having a close friend or family member help you at home for the first week. During this time, you should get plenty of rest, follow a balanced diet, and increase your fluid intake. We also recommend walking during this time to assist in blood flow and promote muscle use. Patients will experience some bruising and swelling during this time, but this will fade as you heal.

You will receive prescriptions for pain medications and antibiotics before your procedure, so please take these as instructed. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen until approved by Dr. Roesner. Finally, you should avoid any heavy lifting, exercise, or strenuous activities for 6 weeks. After this period, you can slowly resume your normal routines, but do so with caution and do not push yourself further than necessary.

Results

Once your swelling has dissipated, you will immediately notice a flatter, firmer abdomen and a narrower waistline. You will walk slightly bent forward due to the soreness, but you will regain strength and return to normal posture about 2 weeks after your procedure. Once healed, you will feel your confidence grow and have a happier outlook on life with a body you are proud of.

Scarring is a concern for many patients. Dr. Roesner is extremely careful to minimize tissue damage and scar formation during the procedure, and incisions typically follow the underwear/bikini line, so they will be hidden in most circumstances. Incision scars will be reddened for about 6 months after your procedure, but after this period they will gradually fade and soften until they are barely visible.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

During your initial physical examination, Dr. Roesner may find that you would be a good candidate for other procedures to meet your appearance goals.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a curated combination of cosmetic surgeries designed to help mothers reclaim their pre-pregnancy bodies. After childbirth, many women experience various physical changes in their breasts, abdomen, and overall body shape due to hormone fluctuations and the rigors of pregnancy and breastfeeding. This procedure is tailored specifically to address those concerns and restore a mother’s confidence and self-esteem and frequently includes a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and liposuction.

Cost of a Tummy Tuck in Boulder

The total cost of your abdominoplasty will depend on your goals, the scale of your procedure, whether or not any other procedures are included, and a few other factors. When you meet with Dr. Roesner to plan your procedure and discuss your goals, you will receive an accurate quote.

We offer financing plans to interested candidates. If you have any questions, or would like to book a personal consultation, please do not hesitate to call our Boulder office at (303) 440-7546 and get the information you need.

FAQ

References

1. Regan JP, Casaubon JT. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431058/
2. Ramirez AE, Hsieh TY, Cardenas JP, Lao WW. Abdominoplasty: My Preferred Techniques. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2021;86(3S):S229. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0000000000002639