Plastic Surgeon & Skin Care Spa Serving Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee's Summit & Nearby Areas Of Kansas & Missouri
Even with a healthy diet and disciplined fitness routine, the abdominal region is one of the most difficult areas to shape. If you’ve been eating right and exercising regularly but still can’t achieve the fit, sculpted look you’ve worked so hard for, a tummy tuck may be your ideal solution.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Victor Perez can address the issues affecting the appearance of your midsection and help you get the toned, flat stomach you deserve.
To find out if abdominoplasty is right for you, please call 913-685-1108 today to schedule a confidential consultation with Dr. Perez. We proudly serve Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, and neighboring Kansas communities.
For more information on everything regarding a tummy tuck, read the following sections. You can also click one of the links below to jump ahead and find the exact information you’re looking for:
- What is abdominoplasty?
- Is a tummy tuck weight loss surgery?
- Is a tummy tuck right for me?
- The full tummy tuck procedure
- What is a mini-tummy tuck?
- Tummy tuck recovery
- Tummy tuck scars
- How much does a tummy tuck cost?
- Schedule your abdominoplasty consultation
What Is Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty, commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to improve the appearance of your abdominal region. As one of the most transformative procedures in plastic surgery, a tummy tuck can help you if you have:
- Excess fat in the abdominal area
- Excess skin in the stomach region
- Loose muscles in the tummy
- C-section scar
- Stretch marks
The nature of your abdominoplasty depends on the body you have now and your goals for the future. The results of a tummy tuck are typically long-lasting, as long as you do not gain too much weight following your procedure. For this reason, it is best if you are already around your ideal weight and are finished having children before undergoing abdominoplasty.
Is a Tummy Tuck Weight Loss Surgery?
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery. Although some patients may lose a few pounds from the procedure, a tummy tuck is considered to be a body contouring procedure, and not a weight loss surgery. Abdominoplasty should only be performed when patients are already at or near their ideal weights. Generally, Dr. Perez recommends waiting until your body mass index (BMI) level is at least 30 before undergoing a tummy tuck.
Is Tummy Tuck Surgery Right for Me?
Although tummy tucks are safe and effective for almost all patients, there are certain health and lifestyle factors that may inhibit your candidacy for the procedure. The best way to determine if abdominoplasty is right for you is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Perez in a confidential consultation at Renue Aesthetic Surgery.
During this one-on-one meeting, Dr. Perez will assess your physical condition, review your medical history, pregnancies, and previous surgeries, and determine if abdominoplasty is appropriate for your situation. This consultation is a perfect time to voice your concerns and ask questions.
Generally speaking, you may be a good candidate for abdominoplasty if you have excess skin and fat in the abdominal region due to weight loss or pregnancy. You may also be a good candidate if the following is applicable to you:
- Do not smoke, or are willing to quit
- Are not currently pregnant and do not plan on a future pregnancy
- Are in good overall health
- Are at or near your ideal body weight (not exceeding a BMI of 30)
Honest communication is the foundation of Dr. Perez’s approach to patient care. If he does not believe a tummy tuck is right for you, or not appropriate at this time, he will tell you. He will also explain what you may need to do in order to be a good candidate, and discuss all of your other plastic surgery options. Your safety and satisfaction are always our top priorities.
The Full Tummy Tuck Procedure
Dr. Perez performs tummy tucks in an accredited outpatient surgical facility in Overland Park. There, a board-certified anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia to ensure you sleep safely and comfortably throughout the procedure.
A long-acting local anesthetic will be injected into the surgical area to help minimize any postoperative discomfort. Pain pumps are available upon your request. While no two patients or procedures are exactly the same, a standard, full tummy tuck usually includes the following:
- Excess skin and fat deposits are excised from the area between the pubic bone and just above the belly button.
- Skin in the upper mid-portion of the targeted area is removed from the muscle layer.
- The muscle layer is tightened from the chest bone all the way to the pubis. Most plastic surgeons tighten only the midline, but Dr. Perez also tightens the oblique muscles to achieve superior results. In addition, unlike many tummy tuck surgeons who use a “baseball stitch” to tighten the abdominal muscles with a single stitch, Dr. Perez uses separate stitches. This is done to ensure that even if a strong cough or other factor causes an internal stitch to break, there are other stitches in place to prevent problems from occurring.
- Excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is pulled down and reshaped to the lower incision.
Dr. Perez understands the importance of achieving elegant, natural-looking results. As part of his commitment to excellence and patient satisfaction, he has focused particular attention on the appearance of the belly button during the tummy tuck procedure. His attention to this important detail is his hallmark, and will give you added confidence when wearing a bikini or other attire.
View more before-and-after photos of Dr. Perez's tummy tuck patients!
It is not uncommon for patients to choose to include liposuction in their abdominoplasty procedures. While Dr. Perez can safely and effectively perform liposuction in conjunction with your tummy tuck, he recommends waiting until your abdominoplasty has fully healed before liposuction to minimize the risk of any potential complications.
What Is a Mini-Tummy Tuck?
A mini tummy tuck focuses on the abdominal region from the waist to just below the belly button. It is similar to a full tummy tuck insofar that it is designed to remove excess skin and stubborn pockets of fat. However, the mini tummy tuck is intended for the very rare patient who only has excess skin in the pubic area.
Mini tummy tuck surgery requires a significantly smaller incision than a full tummy tuck, about the size of a c-section scar. The belly button is not touched. This helps to reduce surgical time, recovery time and potential complications.
During your initial consultation with Dr. Perez, he will answer your questions, evaluate your candidacy for a mini-tummy tuck, and explain all of your treatment options.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Your abdomen will likely be swollen for the first few weeks following your abdominoplasty. You will be given pain medication to address any discomfort that may arise during this time. You will need to move and walk as quickly as possible, but exercise is prohibited for at least three weeks after your surgery.
Dr. Perez will insert a drain during your tummy tuck to facilitate proper healing. This drain is typically removed during your first pre-operative visit. You will also wear a compression garment for about two weeks after your procedure to support your abdominal region.
Once he removes the drain, Dr. Perez will apply paper tape to the scar to promote optimal healing. This will be changed at intervals, but the tape is usually worn for about four weeks after surgery. When Dr. Perez determines you are ready, you will be given detailed instructions on how to help your scar mature properly and discretely over the next 6 to 12 months.
Although you should avoid any heavy lifting or exercise for the first three weeks after your abdominoplasty, Dr. Perez will closely monitor your recovery and inform you when you can return to work or increase activity. Regardless, you should continue to avoid vigorous exercise entirely until your body allows you to do it comfortably.
Tummy Tuck Scars
Concerns over tummy tuck scars are common and completely understandable. Dr. Perez shares your desire for the best results possible and makes sure that your scar is as discrete as it can be. With more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Perez has spent decades perfecting his surgical technique to provide the beautiful, natural contours you’ve always wanted.
The length and number of incisions involved in your surgery will depend on the specific procedure being performed. Scars are inevitable after surgery, but Dr. Perez will carefully plan the location of each incision in order to minimize the visibility of your scars.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?
The cost of tummy tucks varies from patient to patient and depends on a variety of factors, such as:
- The type of tummy tuck performed
- Whether other procedures are combined with the abdominoplasty
- Cost of medications, garments, anesthesia fees, hospital fees, etc.
Why Renue Aesthetic Surgery is The Best Choice For You!
At Renue Aesthetic Surgery, we strive to provide exceptional, individualized care that delivers results that you will love for years to come. We know that price is a deciding factor for many of our patients, and while you may be tempted to shop for the lowest price, the safety and quality of your surgery are too important to trust to an unqualified surgeon.
Our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Victor Perez works diligently to provide the highest quality care while remaining competitive. During your initial consultation, Dr. Perez will discuss the fees associated with your tummy tuck and our staff will explain all of your payment and financing options.
Schedule Your Abdominoplasty Consultation Today
If you are considering a tummy tuck and would like to learn more about your candidacy for the procedure, we can help! Please contact Renue Aesthetic Surgery today by calling 913-685-1108, or completing the contact form on this page. We welcome patients from Kansas City, Overland Park and Olathe, Kansas. Our team of health care professionals and experts are excited to serve you!