What Is A Tummy Tuck?
Excess skin and fat around the abdomen can be frustrating for both men and women, often due to pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. At Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery in Pensacola, FL, we offer tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) to redefine the stomach area and boost confidence. This procedure is customized to each patient's needs. For less extensive correction, a mini tummy tuck targets the lower abdomen, removing excess skin and tightening muscles. Contact us to schedule your consultation, and find out which option is best for you.
What Is the Surgical Technique?
Tummy tuck surgery at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery is done under general anesthesia and tailored to individual needs. The incision size depends on the excess skin. An extended tummy tuck, ideal for extensive sagging, uses a hip-to-hip incision. For less skin laxity, a mini tummy tuck targets the lower abdomen with a smaller scar. Both methods remove hanging skin and fat, achieving a contoured look. Contact us to schedule your consultation.
What to Expect After a Tummy Tuck
After the procedure, you will be monitored and released with a compression garment to help reduce swelling. Standing and walking may be challenging initially, so it's recommended to rest for a few days. As your abdominal muscles adjust and the incision heals, movement becomes more comfortable, and most patients can resume normal activities in about two weeks. Light workouts can typically start around two months or sooner with your surgeon's approval. While you may experience some soreness and tightness, you'll feel and look more like yourself once fully healed.
What Are the Benefits of A Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery in Pensacola, FL offers many benefits, including:
- Trimming and toning the abdomen
- Tightening abdominal muscles
- Removing excess fat and skin
- Improving overall trunk stability and appearance
- Potentially reducing back pain and correcting hernias or incontinence
- Strengthening spine support and flexibility
For less extensive needs, a mini tummy tuck focuses on the lower abdomen with a smaller incision and quicker recovery.
Tummy Tuck Reviews
100% Recommend Dr Butler! - Dr Butler and his team were absolutely amazing! He made me feel completely comfortable through the entire process and gave me the results I was looking for! I would recommend him to anyone!!!! His craftsmanship and expertise is unmatched!
Hands down, I would recommend!I didn’t want to leave a review until I truly knew how I felt. Now that I’m on the other side of my surgery, I can confidently say that my experience with Dr. Patterson, his nurses, and the entire staff at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery has been nothing short of exceptional.After years of research, I scheduled a consultation with Dr. Patterson for an abdominoplasty. Not only was he incredibly patient, but he also took the time to explain everything in detail and answered all of my questions thoroughly. Understanding that this was a major surgery, I later called to request another appointment to address follow-up questions—and they scheduled me without hesitation. The entire staff made me feel like every concern I had was valid and never treated my questions as a burden or repetitive.After surgery, the staff ensured I was comfortable, that my pain was well managed, and that I left with all the information I needed. I followed Dr. Patterson’s post-operative instructions closely, and my recovery has been a breeze. By six weeks, I was back to light workouts and have been feeling stronger every day.
2 days post op today and am so excited to see myself after I heal because what I can see now I love! Dr. Butler, his nurses, and the entire staff I came into contact with at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery was AMAZING! During my consultant Dr. Butler was very professional but also funny. He explained everything so well for what to expect and listened to every word and question I had to say. I knew he was the perfect match to do my surgery. My pre-op appointment went smoothly as well. Everyone is just so professional and nice. Day of surgery all the nurses who prepped me were very good about telling me exactly what they were doing and how things were going to work. Dr. Butler came to see me and talk to me before surgery as well. My mom came with me and the staff was so amazing by checking in with her 3x during my surgery to let her know how it was going. The surgery went flawless! A nurse called me 1 day post op to check in on me and then I just had my 2 day post op appointment this morning where they removed all the dressings and looked over my incisions making sure all was good. I finally got to see my body (I got a tummy tuck and breast lift) and despite being swollen and staples in I am so excited for my healing journey as I am already impressed with my results. I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Butler and his nurses. Hands down a wonderful experience. I would recommend them to anyone looking to get plastic surgery done.
Hands down, I would recommend!I didn’t want to leave a review until I truly knew how I felt. Now that I’m on the other side of my surgery, I can confidently say that my experience with Dr. Patterson, his nurses, and the entire staff at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery has been nothing short of exceptional.After years of research, I scheduled a consultation with Dr. Patterson for an abdominoplasty. Not only was he incredibly patient, but he also took the time to explain everything in detail and answered all of my questions thoroughly. Understanding that this was a major surgery, I later called to request another appointment to address follow-up questions—and they scheduled me without hesitation. The entire staff made me feel like every concern I had was valid and never treated my questions as a burden or repetitive.After surgery, the staff ensured I was comfortable, that my pain was well managed, and that I left with all the information I needed. I followed Dr. Patterson’s post-operative instructions closely, and my recovery has been a breeze. By six weeks, I was back to light workouts and have been feeling stronger every day.
Love this group of people! From walking in the door, to rolling out of their beautiful surgery center was top notch care from all. Dr Butler is the best! Appreciate this group! 💕😊. Extra thanks to Jenny. Such an amazing person.
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Am I A Candidate for A Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery can be offered to both men and women. If you cannot lose or reduce sagging skin and excess fat in the lower abdomen, this cosmetic surgery can help create a tighter and slimmer silhouette. Dr. Butler recommends you be at an average weight prior to surgery. Tummy tuck surgery is not a substitute for weight loss — it surgically corrects loose skin. A form of liposuction is usually used during surgery to remove fat. If your abdominal area has healthy skin tautness but you are still unhappy with how your tummy looks and feels even on a healthy diet, you may be a better candidate for liposuction. Women interested in abdominoplasty should be past childbearing to ensure the surgical outcomes are not affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a tummy tuck cost?
During your consultation, we will customize your unique tummy tuck plan to reach your specific concerns and goals before discussing costs. We can better estimate your costs once the type of abdominoplasty has been selected, what technique will be used, which anesthesia is needed, and more. To ensure you get great results from an experienced, Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery makes it easier to afford your tummy tuck by taking several payment methods and giving you information on low-interest medical financing.
What type of tummy tuck should I get?
There are three most common types of abdominoplasty: full, extended, and mini. We will ask about your concerns and goals in your initial consultation before examining your stomach. Then, we can help you decide the technique that will produce your best results. A full tummy tuck is good if you want to correct issues in the lower and upper stomach, while a mini tummy tuck is better if you only have problems under your belly button, like a "pooch." An extended tummy tuck is designed to address issues in the stomach, hips, and upper thighs.
What will my scars look like?
Incisions for your tummy tuck will depend on which technique is being used. During all tummy tucks, we make the smallest incisions possible to minimize scars. We also make incisions in areas that are less visible (through the belly button or in the public region) so they can be concealed by underwear or a swimsuit. After your tummy tuck, it's important to adhere to your scar management instructions so your incisions heal properly and blend into your natural skin.
Can I get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
Although you can get pregnant following a tummy tuck, it will affect your results. We recommend that you be finished building your family before you get a tummy tuck. If you do get pregnant following your tummy tuck, a second surgery may be performed to refresh your results.
Can I get a tummy tuck with another surgery?
Several patients combine another body surgery with an abdominoplasty to see more dramatic improvements. At your consultation, discuss your desires so a personalized surgical plan may be developed to match your goals. You may combine abdominoplasty with a thigh lift for a lower body lift or other areas for all-over body contouring. If you are trying to rejuvenate your whole body after pregnancy or losing a lot of weight, you may be a good candidate for a mommy makeover or after weight loss surgery.
Achieve Your Ideal Shape
A variety of factors can lead to a stretched-out abdomen that creates hanging folds of skin. We understand this can be almost impossible to correct — tummy tuck surgery is usually the primary way to overcome this. If you are bothered by the hanging skin on your abdomen, regardless of the severity, Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery in Pensacola, FL can help you get the body you want.