What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin and restores weakened muscles to create a smoother, firmer abdominal profile.
- Abdominoplasty is usually done in combination with liposuction and surgically removes excess skin and fat from the lower stomach.
- This procedure works best for people at a stable weight and dealing with a protruding lower stomach or excess skin from massive weight loss.
- Results are long-lasting, provided you don’t gain weight.
- The muscles are sutured together to create a much tighter abdominal contour.
- Results can be very dramatic when tummy tuck and liposuction are performed together.
Do you exercise regularly but still can’t shed stubborn fat on your stomach? Or have you recently achieved a big weight-loss goal and are now stuck with extra skin around your midsection? Perhaps you’re struggling to regain your pre-pregnancy silhouette.
If any of the above sounds like you, abdominoplasty could be your solution. Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the lower stomach.
At Advanced Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Thomas McFadden and Dr. Peter Felice have helped people reshape their figures and regain confidence for decades. If you’re in the Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson area, schedule a CONSULTATION with us to find out if a tummy tuck procedure is right for you.
Ideal Candidates
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are dealing with stubborn stomach fat or excess abdominal skin after weight loss or pregnancy. Additionally, you should:
- Be in good physical health
- Be at a stable, healthy weight
- Not smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol
- Not plan on becoming pregnant
TALK TO US to find out your candidacy for this procedure and whether a tummy tuck is the right decision for you.
Why Choose Us for Abdominoplasty?
When considering a serious operation such as tummy tuck surgery, it’s crucial to choose an experienced surgeon. At Advanced Cosmetic Surgery, our team is exceptionally qualified to perform your plastic surgery.
- We’ve been performing safe, successful cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries with excellent results in the Greenville area for two decades
- We use only the latest state-of-the-art technologies and surgical methods
- All our staff and anesthesia personnel are certified professionals
Moreover, our lead plastic surgeon, DR. THOMAS MCFADDEN, is the recipient of numerous awards, including:
- The American Institute of Plastic Surgeons’ 10 Best Plastic Surgeons in South Carolina (2016)
- America’s Most Honored Professionals Award for Top 1% of Doctors, from the American Registry (2016)
- 13 various awards from Vitals.com, including Patient’s Choice and Top 10 Doctor in South Carolina
What to Expect During Your Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty is usually performed in conjunction with liposuction of the abdomen. This operation takes 2–5 hours, during which you will be fully anesthetized. Afterward, you will stay overnight or go home the same day, according to our recommendation. In either case, you’ll need someone to drive you home.
When planning your tummy tuck, make sure to allow adequate time for recovery. In the first few days after your surgery, expect soreness, bruising and swelling. For 3–6 weeks, you must wear a compression garment at all times to support your abdominal muscles and minimize fluid buildup. You won’t be able to perform strenuous activities such as exercise or heavy lifting for up to 6 weeks.
Additionally, you’ll need to take antibiotics, follow a specific diet and care for your incisions and drainage tubes according to a schedule prescribed by your surgeon. Multiple follow-up appointments at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery will ensure the healing process goes as smoothly as possible.
Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Reviews
I can't say it enough. I absolutely love my results. Dr. McFadden changed my life forever. He did amazing with my tummy tuck and liposuction. I can't pass a mirror without looking :-) at myself. I knew, the recovery would not be a walk in the park, and it wasn't. Anne Claire is very caring, honest and professional, and takes her time checking the results with every appointment. She takes great "after" pictures, too. I just love everyone, I had contact with, within Advance Cosmetic Surgery, from the first phone calls with Laura for the surgery consultation, the front desk personal scheduling all my appointments, the day in the surgery area with everyone being so friendly and professional, and all my post-op appointments with Anne Claire. I can only recommend Advance Cosmetic Surgery for this kind of procedure. Great place with a great, professional and friendly team!!!
I am 6 months out from my tummy tuck and i can say that from dr. felice to the nurses everything has been an awesome experience, words cant explain how happy i feel to have choosen this place dr. felice and the staff made me feel so comfortable and not just a number, and i personally feel very happy with my results i wasnt wanting a model look but more happier to be in my own body and this has been all around an amazing experience thank you dr. felice and staff!!
Dr Felice did a tummy tuck and Lipo for me. I’m about 4 weeks post op. All I can say is from the surgery itself to the post op appointments I have felt supported and listened to by all the staff! With never having a major surgery like this one, I felt like I always had questions and I loved that when I did have questions I could call and be able to talk to Dr. Felice, Dr. McFadden or Laura the nurse practitioner directly. I am healing great and I can’t be happier with my results. Would highly recommend!
1 day post-op - he was very professional, kind and truthful - I chose Dr. Felice based off a few things to do my tummy tuck. Once we met for my consultation he was very professional, kind and truthful. I also respected him for being very much about my safety!!!!
Dr. Felice is a very skilled plastic surgeon. He performed my tummy tuck and my breast lift and both were done extremely well. I am 2 months out and am so happy with the results! He is a great dr with great communication skills and is easy to approach with any questions or concerns. I called at almost midnight and he called back less than 10 minutes later. He had excellent “bedside manner” and the office staff is kind and professional. I would recommend advanced cosmetic surgery and Dr. Felice every time!
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Advanced Cosmetic Surgical Technique
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, is performed to remove excess skin or fat from the lower belly and tighten sagging abdominal muscles. Tummy tuck surgery is not a weight loss solution, but instead targets the abdominal area to achieve a slimmer waistline and trim silhouette. For people who have recently undergone massive weight loss or can’t get rid of a postpartum belly, abdominoplasty can be transformative.
How it works
Abdominoplasty is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. This surgery involves making a semi-circular incision just above the pubic area, usually from hip to hip. In rare cases requiring large amounts of excess skin, a secondary vertical incision may be necessary as well.
The surgeon then trims away excess fat and skin. To firm up loose skin and the abdominal muscles, they may make internal sutures in the connective tissue, called fascia, that holds in the abdominal wall. Finally, the skin of the abdomen is repositioned, including the navel if necessary, and the incision is closed.
After a tummy tuck procedure, the abdomen is immediately smoother and flatter. Full results may take 6–12 months to appear.
Mini vs. full tummy tucks
There are two main types of tummy tucks: mini and full. A full tuck offers more dramatic results than a mini; it removes excess skin and fat from the pubic area to the rib cage, and may involve internal sutures to improve loose musculature. A mini tuck only addresses skin and fat below the belly button and does not include internal sutures. At your consultation, we’ll discuss which procedure makes the most sense for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is abdominoplasty safe?
Generally, this is a very safe procedure. However, as with any operation, risks are generally related to the patient’s health and lifestyle rather than the operation itself. Any surgery—especially one requiring general anesthesia—does carry some risk and possibility of complications. At your consultation, we will address any concerns you have and empower you in your decision to proceed or not with surgery.
Are the results permanent?
As long as you do not gain weight or become pregnant, your tummy tuck results will last for many years. As with everyone, skin still ages and stretches over time.
Should I wait to have kids before I have tummy tuck surgery?
If you are definitely planning to have another child, it is likely best to wait until child bearing is finished. That way, your results will be as long lasting as possible. We have discovered that patients who have a tummy tuck and then subsequently get pregnant seem to return to their post-operative shape better and more quickly.
Will my scars be noticeable?
Scarring is an individual reaction and scars generally fade over time. It usually takes about a year for scars to mature. The main incision will be hidden by your bikini or underwear. Tummy tuck scars are most noticeable in the first year or two immediately following surgery but fade over time – similar to a C-section scar. People who moisturize their new scars, apply sunscreen, have healthy skin, and do not smoke, experience the least amount of scarring.
Does a tummy tuck remove stretch marks?
A tummy tuck’s primary goal is not to remove stretch marks; stretch marks are a matter of skin quality and history, and aren’t necessarily related to having a protruding lower stomach. However, as the surgery does entail removing skin, you may see fewer stretch marks if the blemished part of your skin is removed during the procedure. The tummy tuck removes a large portion of the stretched area. Additionally, stretching the remaining stretch marks make them less visible.
Complementary and Alternative Treatments
At Advanced Cosmetic Surgery, we offer several surgical and nonsurgical options beyond abdominoplasty to eliminate unwanted fat. These include:
- LIPOSUCTION: This fat-removal surgery can be performed not only on the abdomen but on the hips, thighs, buttocks and elsewhere on the body. Liposuction is a better option than a tummy tuck for anyone with a heart condition or who is trying to lose weight, and for women who plan on becoming pregnant. It is also commonly performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck.
- BELT LIPECTOMY: This type of operation is ideal for people who have lost a large amount of weight and have excess skin on the lower half of the body. This procedure smooths and tightens the skin of the abdomen, hips and thighs. This is more extensive than an abdominoplasty.
- COOLSCULPTING: This noninvasive procedure employs a patented freezing device to destroy fat cells on your abdomen, flanks or upper arms. It’s an excellent option for people dealing with stubborn pockets of fat but unable or unwilling to undergo cosmetic surgery.
Book Your Abdominoplasty Consultation
For both women and men with excess skin or fat in the lower belly area, a tummy tuck can slim down your silhouette and help restore your confidence. If you’re in the Greenville area and interested in a no-strings-attached consultation with Dr. McFadden or Dr. Felice at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery, BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT today.
