Northern Virginia & Washington DC
Have you ever stood in front of a mirror holding in your tummy and wishing it were flat? An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) may be the answer. This procedure is useful for abdominal improvement, including the removal of excess fat and skin, as well as the tightening of muscles.
A tummy tuck is designed to give the abdomen a firm and smooth appearance. It will also serve to tighten the abdominal muscles and trim the waistline. The best candidates are men and women who have excess fat and loose skin or muscle of their abdominal wall, from pregnancy or weight loss, despite diet and exercise. The incision at the lower part of the abdomen can be hidden in the bikini line or underwear.
Pain Level After Surgery
Moderate
Anesthesia
General
Duration of Surgery
3-4 Hours
Scars
Lower abdomen, from hip to hip, and around the belly button
Final Results
6-12 Months
Return to Regular Work
3 Weeks
Resume Exercise
4 Weeks
Price Range
Call for Pricing
An initial consultation is scheduled, during which we discuss the tummy tuck procedure and determine if you are a suitable candidate for the surgery. Your medical history will be reviewed, and you will be asked to see your medical doctor for a physical check-up and a few laboratory tests to ensure you can undergo the surgery safely. You are given the opportunity to be seen by your own doctor to obtain clearance for surgery. You are asked to stop smoking, if you are a smoker, two weeks before and two weeks after surgery, for the surgery to be performed safely, and for you to have optimal results. You are given the opportunity to speak with patients who have undergone the same surgery you are considering. We will see you shortly after the surgery (in a day or two, usually). You are seen regularly after your surgery. You are always welcome to return for a follow-up, even years after your surgery, at no additional charge.
Patients who are not happy with the way their tummy looks may benefit from one of several procedures:
Some people requesting an abdominoplasty may be better candidates for abdominal liposuction. If they have a good skin tone, good muscle tone, and minimal to moderate extra fat, then liposuction will offer a viable alternative to an abdominoplasty. The advantage is a quicker recovery period and avoidance of the lower abdominal scar. A special form of abdominal liposuction involves creating a six-pack abdomen through abdominal etching, which showcases the abdominal muscles after the fat surrounding them has been removed through liposuction.
This procedure applies only to a very small population. We do not encourage my patients to have a mini tummy tuck because, in my experience, patients who undergo this procedure are usually unhappy with the result and end up having a regular tummy tuck in the future. The primary reason for dissatisfaction with a mini tummy tuck is that it does not provide a significant improvement in the abdominal contour. Nevertheless, this procedure leaves the patient with a scar that is almost as long as that of an abdominoplasty.
The procedure typically takes about two to three hours on average and involves making an incision from hip to hip in the lower abdomen, elevating the skin and fat flap up to the rib cage, and removing excess skin without injuring the belly button. As the skin and fat flap is elevated, the abdominal muscles are tightened to create firm abdominal muscles. By tightening the muscles, a nice waistline is formed. Next, the skin is closed, leaving scars in the lower abdomen and around the belly button. The flanks, or sides, are liposuctioned, if needed, further enhancing the patient’s waistline. The end result is a firmer, more aesthetically pleasing abdomen.
Lipo Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, combines a tummy tuck with more significant liposuction to contour the entire torso. This procedure takes approximately three to four hours and is highly effective in contouring the abdomen, waistline, and lower back through a combination of skin removal and targeted liposuction. The muscles of the abdomen are tightened, and the excess skin is removed. This procedure is highly effective in restoring the “hourglass” figure that many women strive to achieve.
This procedure can be thought of as an exaggerated tummy tuck: More skin is removed, more fat is removed, and more significant muscle tightening is accomplished. One particular type of extended tummy tuck that is popular in my practice is the “inverted T” extended abdominoplasty. It is performed in a similar way to the regular abdominoplasty, but if excess skin is noted in the middle of the abdomen, then that skin is excised in a vertical fashion, leaving a vertical scar that forms an “inverted T,” with a lower horizontal scar. This operation is highly beneficial for individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight, such as those who have undergone a gastric bypass procedure. The extra midline scar is offset by the nice waistline contour that this extra step provides to the patient.
At the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, we take pride in ensuring that we provide our patients with the best possible surgical experience, anticipating potential problems or setbacks and addressing them before they occur. This process encompasses preoperative preparation, the actual surgery, and postoperative care.
General complications can occur with any surgery. Cosmetic surgery is typically a safe procedure performed on healthy patients and, like all surgeries, carries a low risk. To further reduce the risk of complications, we operate at a first-class hospital with board-certified anesthesiologists and nurses. To avoid postoperative complications, we advocate for early mobilization – patients seen in our office one or two days after surgery- and active participation in their own postoperative care. When we create a partnership, the results invariably improve.
By elevating the skin in the abdomen to perform an abdominoplasty, the nerves that provide sensation to the abdomen are cut, and sensation over most of the abdomen, especially the lower portion, is lost for months. After a year, sensation usually returns, but not completely. This fact is significant for patients to understand so that they will not place heating pads or cold compresses on their abdomen after surgery, as the absence of nerve sensation can lead to a burn.
Smoking is an absolute contraindication in a tummy tuck surgery. The carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarette smoke cause a severe reduction in blood supply to the skin and tissue during healing. This results in delayed wound healing, wound separation, skin death, and a higher risk of infection. Cotinine testing is performed in patients with a smoking history to ensure that they are safe when having this procedure.
Bleeding after a tummy tuck is rare. Before surgery, our patients are tested to make sure they don’t have any common bleeding disorders by their own physicians and by lab tests. The use of tumescent solution before liposuction of the abdominal flanks, if it is performed during a tummy tuck, minimizes bleeding. Additionally, at the conclusion of the operation, two drains are inserted under the skin to manage any potential early post-operative bleeding. In our practice, the rate of significant bleeding is less than 1%. The treatment of a hematoma or blood clot under the abdominal skin involves opening the incision and evacuating the blood clot. Typically, this is a straightforward procedure.
In my opinion, the most important step in avoiding infections and wounds is to undergo surgery at a first-rate surgical facility with board-certified anesthesiologists and nurses. Patients are given the appropriate intravenous antibiotic coverage throughout the surgery. During the surgery, the patient’s skin surface is cleaned thoroughly. After the procedure, our patients are prescribed a one-week course of antibiotics to minimize infection. As a result of these extra precautions, our rate of infection after a tummy tuck is extremely rare. Conservative removal of skin is crucial for achieving good results, as well as preventing the skin from being under too much tension after abdominoplasty. It may occur at the superficial incision level, where tension is highest, in the lower mid-abdomen. A small open wound may result, which typically heals nicely with dressing changes and antibiotic ointment. Pre-operative hibiclens (chlorhexidine) showers, avoidance of shaving the surgical site, smoking, and hypothermia during surgery are all effective ways of reducing the risk of infection.
Our office will provide you with a detailed post-operative instruction sheet tailored to your specific needs. We typically see patients the day after surgery in one of our offices to ensure everything is going well and that you are healing as planned. Multiple visits in the year after the procedure will help ensure the best possible outcome.
For more information about this procedure, please call our office and speak with a friendly staff member at 703-206-0506.
If you would like further information, please feel free to contact our office to schedule an appointment by calling (703) 206-0506 or filling out an online request form.
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“Natural beauty but doing a little somethin’ somethin’ to make beautiful features pop is what the Model Lift™ accomplishes.”
–
Dr. George Bitar
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