6 Questions about Tummy Tuck Surgery

Plastic Surgeon & Skin Care Spa Serving Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee's Summit & Nearby Areas of Kansas & Missouri

Posted: January 30, 2019

Tummy tuck surgery, which is also called abdominoplasty, is a body contouring procedure. Here are several of the top FAQs related to this procedure:

1. What is a tummy tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery removes excess skin and fat on the belly. You may have always had this extra abdominal fat, or you may have developed it because of:

  • Weight gain
  • Pregnancy
  • Aging

For some people, this extra "pooch" on the abdomen seems to be exceedingly stubborn, no matter how fervently you pursue diet and exercise. Surgical intervention removes the excess tissue once and for all, letting you enjoy a tighter, smoother midriff.

Tummy tuck before and after picture of Dr. Perez's patient

Tummy tuck surgery can repair stretched, separated abdominal muscles, which is a condition known as diastasis recti. This condition is quite common after pregnancy. As your abdomen stretches during pregnancy, the overlying muscles also stretch. They may stretch out to the extent that a gap is left between the muscles on either side of your belly button. As a result, the muscles may be weaker, and the separation causes a puffy, protruding abdomen appearance. Exercise is unlikely and sometimes unable to repair these muscles. In fact, exercise like running and planking may even worsen the condition! During a tummy tuck, Dr. Perez can repair and tighten these muscles back to pre-baby form.

2. Am I a candidate for a tummy tuck?

You may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if the following apply to you:

  • Excess skin and/or fat in the abdominal area
  • At or near your ideal body weight
  • Loose tummy muscles
  • Not pregnant or recently pregnant (you should give your body about a year to stabilize after childbirth)
  • Non-smoker or willing to quit

Visit Dr. Perez to discuss your candidacy in-person. Once he understands your goals, he will make recommendations for procedures.

3. What will the recovery be like?

Image of a woman's flat belly with her shirt lifted up and in jeansYou'll need to take some time off from work and strenuous physical activity. Swelling will go down over the course of a few weeks. You shouldn't engage in strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for about three weeks. Dr. Perez will clear you to go back to work when you're ready, typically a week or two after the procedure.

4. Are the results permanent?

The fat and skin removed are removed for good. It is still possible to gain weight in your tummy area. Weight gain and/or any future pregnancies could possibly create new fat and stretched skin in that area. For this reason, some women wait until they do not plan to have any more children. The vast majority of patients continue to enjoy their results for many years, and they feel even more motivated to keep their bodies in tip-top shape.

5. How do I choose a surgeon?

Your plastic surgeon should perform tummy tuck as a regular part of their practice. Dr. Perez is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been performing tummy tuck surgery for nearly two decades. He is personally committed to making each of his patients happy by providing results they love. Please see the before-and-after gallery for pictures of our tummy tuck patients.

6. What Should I Do Next?

Arrange an in-person consultation to learn about your options. Dr. Perez will be able to see if a tummy tuck is capable of achieving the results you want. He'll also let you know if there are any other surgeries you may want to consider.

Arrange Your Consultation to See if You're a Candidate

Ready to find out if you are a good candidate for abdominoplasty? Please call the practice of Dr. Perez to arrange a consultation at 913-685-1108. Our practice is located in Overland Park, KS, and our patients visit us from across the region, including Olathe, Lee's Summit and Kansas City.