If you need surgery only in your lower abdomen, or have a limited amount of fat and skin to remove, you may be a candidate for a partial (or mini) tummy tuck instead of the full procedure. Liposuction may be performed along with the tummy tuck to help remove excess fat.

During your consultation, Dr. Kyllo will talk with you about all of these options as well as other factors that will determine the best surgical plan for your situation and goals.

What happens during the procedure?

Abdominoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you can return home the same day. The surgery usually lasts about two to three hours. We use a deep sedative type anesthesia sometimes supplemented with a regional block to help ensure you are as comfortable as possible during surgery. You will need someone to drive you home afterwards.

During a full tummy-tuck procedure a horizontal incision is made right above the pubic area. Through this incision, Dr. Kyllo repairs and tightens muscles, if needed, and removes excess fat, tissue and skin. Generally, a pain pump is utilized to help with post-operative pain control. In a mini tummy tuck, the incision is located in the same area, but will be shorter in length. With either surgery, you will have a scar on your lower abdomen, but it will fade over time.

After surgery, your abdomen will be swollen and sore for a few days. We may recommend you wear compression garments for several weeks to minimize swelling and make sure your skin conforms to your new body contours. You should be able to return to work and normal activities within one to three weeks. The results of the procedure are evident soon after surgery, although it may take a few months for the final results to fully show.

Best candidates for tummy tucks

This surgery is best for women and men in good overall health and of average weight. We recommend you first try diet and exercise to lose extra weight and tone the abdominal area in order to get the best result possible. Also, if you’re a woman who plans on getting pregnant, you may want to postpone the procedure until you’re done having children.

Consultation at our clinic

We invite you to come meet with us in person to discuss your surgery goals, see patient before-and- after photos, and learn more about our practice and staff. Please contact us for an appointment or for additional information at 206-343-3118.