Tummy Tuck

Both fashion and our active lifestyles have placed increased importance on personal appearance. We are conscious of the benefits of weight control and physical fitness on health and body image. Consequently, more interest is directed toward surgery to improve one’s figure. Dr. Alireza “Reza” Najafian and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Jewell offer abdominoplasty, also called a tummy tuck, in Eugene to help people from Salem, Corvallis, Bend, and throughout Oregon correct excess skin and looseness in the tissues of the abdominal area.

Tummy Tuck
 Before & After Photos

WARNING:

This feature contains nudity. Please click OK to confirm you are at least 18 years of age and are not offended by such material.

What is the cause of problems in the abdominal area?

The 3 major reasons for laxness within the abdomen are pregnancy, weight gain/loss, and aging. The abdominal skin loses tone and cannot regain its normal tightness. The stomach muscles are also stretched apart and contribute to laxness in this area. Tummy tuck surgery recontours this area by permitting liposuction to the entire abdomen, waist, flanks, and pubic area, removing excess skin, and by tightening the muscles. It is often performed as part of a combination procedure called a “mommy makeover” to renew women’s bodies after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Tummy Tuck Models in Bikinis Beautiful

Where are tummy tuck incisions placed?

The incisions for the tummy tuck are placed along the lower abdomen in the “bikini line” (see illustration). Excess skin is removed and the abdominal muscles are made tighter. At times it may be necessary to reposition the navel when there is a large amount of lax skin to be removed. Liposuction is frequently utilized to improve the contour of the waist and abdominal area.

Why is it necessary to tighten the abdominal muscles?

The major support of the abdominal area comes from the layer of muscle in the abdominal wall. This is called in medical terms the rectus abdominus muscle. There are two large bands of this muscle that run side by side from the rib cage down to the pubic bone. The internal support of the abdominal wall depends on the muscles. During pregnancy, the two bands of the rectus abdominus muscle are stretched apart as the baby grows. After the baby is born, the muscles may remain apart. This makes it impossible for you to have a tight abdomen. No amount of abdominal type exercise will correct the separation of the muscles, which causes the laxness of the abdominal wall. The muscle separation is corrected during the tummy tuck surgery. Some patients who have reported problems with low back pain and poor bowel/bladder function report some improvement in this area after the abdomen is tightened.

Will a tummy tuck remove my stretch marks?

The abdominoplasty will remove stretch marks from the lower stomach area. Skin tone is improved. Depending on the location of your stretch marks, it may not be possible to remove all stretch marks.

What is the scarring like after a tummy tuck?

Whenever a surgical incision is made, the body will produce scar tissue. Both Dr. Jewell and Dr. Najafian pride themselves on using the best techniques in wound closure and healing. If you already have scars from an earlier surgery such as a C-section and have healed well, the abdominoplasty incision will probably resemble the existing scar but a bit longer. As a patient, you must decide whether excess loose skin, stretch marks, and a prominent lower abdomen are more desirable than the surgical incision from the tummy tuck.

Can a tummy tuck remove scar tissue?

While tummy tuck surgery leaves a scar (as described above), in many cases old scars can be removed depending on where they are on your abdomen. This is an additional benefit of tummy tuck surgery.

Can I do lipo instead of a tummy tuck?

While both are body contouring procedures, abdominoplasty and liposuction are not interchangeable. Often, a combination of procedures is best for optimal abdominal rejuvenation.

Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction

ImprovementTummy TuckLiposuction
Tightens skinYesNo
Removes pockets of fatNoYes
Repairs ab musclesYesNo
Reshapes navelYesNo

What if my lower tummy is not fat, but just “sticks out”?

This is a fairly common problem in ladies who have had children. Despite being thin and athletic, nothing seems to tighten the lower abdominal area. The “mini” or “limited tummy tuck” is the solution here, which is an operation to tighten the abdominal wall and remove skin from the lower abdomen. The position of the navel is not disturbed. This operation uses a smaller incision and has a faster recovery time. Liposuction is frequently performed at the time of a limited abdominoplasty to thin areas of fat within the abdomen, waist, flanks, and pubic region.

What if I have belly fat, but good skin and muscle tone?

In your case, if you are of normal weight, the best operation for you would be liposuction. Liposuction is an effective solution to localized lower stomach fatty deposits that are “diet-and-exercise-resistant” provided that good skin tone is present. Liposuction is also used at the time of the regular and “mini” abdominoplasty operations. In order to determine your exact needs, a consultation and examination are necessary. Our surgeons believe that for many patients, the combination of abdominal wall tightening through a tummy tuck and liposuction represents an excellent option for most patients. The so-called lipo-abdominoplasty was developed by colleagues in Brazil.

What if I have lost large amounts of weight and have an apron of skin that hangs from my abdomen?

Patients who have undergone massive weight loss often times have a large apron of skin and residual fatty tissue. This can be corrected with an extended abdominoplasty, which requires longer incisions to remove loose skin. Other areas of the body such as the arms, trunk, and thighs can be tightened in a similar manner after a patient has successfully maintained a normal weight.

Our Exceptional Providers

Dr. Jewell and Dr. Najafian combine artistry and surgical expertise to create customized results tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Dr.  Alireza

Dr. Alireza "Reza" Najafian

Dr. Najafian is an exceptionally qualified plastic surgeon who completed a general surgery residency and a post-doctoral research fellowship at the prestigious Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Meet Dr. Najafian
Dr. Mark Jewell

Dr. Mark Jewell

Dr. Jewell is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has decades of experience and is recognized internationally as one of plastic surgery's leading innovators and advocates for patient safety.

Meet Dr. Jewell
Hillary Jewell, NP

Hillary Jewell, NP

A board-certified nurse practitioner and nurse injector, Hillary offers cosmetic injectables and other medical spa services delivered with expertise, passion, and fun.

Meet Hillary

I have heard fat can actually be inside the abdomen behind the muscles. Will liposuction work in this situation?

Individuals with large amounts of fat that is inside the abdominal cavity generally will not achieve good improvement in abdominal contour with tummy tuck surgery.

Is a tummy tuck painful?

After tummy tuck surgery, patients report some pain for a few days, which is usually controlled with medication. Patients report that the lower abdomen feels “tight” after the surgical repair of the muscle layer.

What is the recovery period for abdominoplasty?

Most tummy tuck surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis in a surgery center. In most cases, hospitalization is not necessary nor preferable because it just costs a lot more to have elective self-pay surgery performed in a hospital.

Recovery Milestones

While patient experiences vary with the specifics of the surgery and individual factors, tummy tuck recovery generally includes the following milestones:

  • Gentle walking: As soon as possible (multiple times a day as directed)
  • Return to work: Within 1 to 2 weeks (depending upon the work you do)
  • Stand completely upright: After about 2 weeks (gradually improves)
  • Wear compression garment: For approximately 4 weeks (as directed)
  • Swelling diminished: After about 2 months
  • Resume vigorous activities: After 6 weeks

Can a tummy tuck be combined with other types of surgery?

Depending on the other type of surgery to be performed, frequently patients can undergo an additional elective surgical operation such as hysterectomy, tubal ligation, or other cosmetic procedures at the time of the abdominoplasty.

What are the risks of abdominoplasty?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. Bleeding, infection and scarring may occur. Occasionally, fluid may collect under the skin (seroma). Rarely does the loss of skin occur. Patients who smoke are at risk for skin dying and pulmonary problems after surgery. Abdominoplasty is an operation for non-smokers. While uncommon, patients occasionally have lower abdomen pain, which can last for an extended period. Pulmonary complications after surgery such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism rarely occur. Occasionally, a small secondary operation is necessary to “fine tune” your result after the tummy tuck. Obese patients with body mass indexes of >30 are at greater risk for complications and less than optimal results due to their obesity. This information is given not to frighten you, but to help you make an informed decision concerning this type of surgery. Although a tummy tuck is generally a safe surgical procedure, it should not be taken lightly. It is important that you and your caregiver plan to stay in the Eugene, Oregon area for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. You will have your first follow-up appointment the day after surgery.

Is body contouring surgery right for me?

That’s a question that only you can answer. At your consultation, speak frankly, ask questions, and explain to Dr. Jewell or Dr. Najafian your expectations. We will work together to make the right decision for you regarding body contouring surgery.

To meet with one of our surgeons in person, request a consultation online or give our office a call at (541) 683-3234. They serve tummy tuck patients from Bend, Salem, Roseburg, and other nearby communities in Oregon.

medspa

Jewell Med Spa & Specials

It’s never too early to begin the journey toward healthier, youthful looking skin.

Learn More
Back to Top