Tummy Tuck
Get a Flatter Belly with Customized Abdominoplasty Surgery in the Philadelphia Area
As a triple board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Brian Buinewicz is widely known for his experience, skill, and drive to create natural-looking results while simultaneously educating patients on their options for maximizing the effects of surgery. He has been helping both women and men to achieve their desired look for decades, with hundreds of patients enjoying their new body contours thanks to a tummy tuck. BOOK DIRECTLY ONLINE
What is a Tummy Tuck?
Some cosmetic procedures have a single focus. Liposuction, for example, is all about removing fat. A tummy tuck, however, is a more general term for multiple surgical techniques combined to provide a unified result: a flatter midsection.
Rather than being just one thing, a tummy tuck is a customizable approach that can pull together any of several strategies. The most common elements of a tummy tuck—also known as abdominoplasty—are skin excision to remove excess tissue that hangs at the belly, liposuction to suction out fat cells, and surgical repair or tightening of the abdominal wall muscles that have separated, stretched, or loosened due to pregnancy or significant weight gain or weight loss.
Note that having a baby or losing weight will not pull stretched-apart muscles back together. Sit-ups and other exercises are also not the solution to this problem, known medically as diastasis recti, or a separation of the rectus muscles in the abdomen. Buinewicz Plastic Surgery also offers Emsculpt® Neo, which can build and strengthen the abdominal muscles prior to a tummy tuck. This happens after massive weight loss with GLP-1 agonists.
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Why Choose Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa for a Mini or Traditional Abdominoplasty in the Philadelphia Area?
Over several decades of work in the field, triple board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Buinewicz has demonstrated his skill and experience in all of the aspects necessary for a successful abdominoplasty surgery. From in-depth medical knowledge to an eye for natural-looking aesthetics, he continues to provide his patients with beautiful results, always based on modern techniques.
Who is a Candidate for a Traditional Tummy Tuck or Mini Tummy Tuck?
Traditional abdominoplasty is best for patients who have excess abdominal skin, are in generally good health, are non-smokers, maintain a stable weight, and have realistic expectations regarding the benefits and possible outcome of the surgery. If you have excess abdominal fat, hanging skin, and overly stretched apart abdominal muscles that do not improve with exercise, you may be a good abdominoplasty candidate. In many cases, diet and exercise may have helped patients with weight loss but their abdomen is still protruding and lacks tone.
The ideal candidate for a mini abdominoplasty is a patient who has a small amount of fatty tissue and loose skin in the area below the belly button. Women who are experiencing an extended pouch of belly fat just under the belly button due to a C-section scar are excellent candidates. Individuals who are slim and at their ideal weight, but who also desire a beautifully contoured silhouette, are also excellent candidates for a mini abdominoplasty. The mini tummy tuck is the perfect procedure for individuals who have good skin tone and elasticity, strong muscle form in their abdominal wall and who are in good physical health.
Traditional and mini tummy tucks are best for patients who are within the ideal weight range for their height and body type and following a diet and exercise regimen. Abdominoplasty is usually not advisable for individuals who are significantly overweight or have an unstable weight. If you are still trying to reach your goal weight, it is best to wait until you have reached this milestone to have abdominoplasty surgery. We can work with you to determine whether a mini or traditional abdominoplasty is suitable for your aesthetic goals.
Can I Have a Traditional or Mini Tummy Tuck Between Pregnancies?
Dr. Buinewicz recommends that patients postpone the traditional or mini abdominoplasty procedure until after the birth of all planned pregnancies. A pregnancy could alter the results of a traditional or mini tummy tuck procedure. Although it is safe to have a baby after abdominoplasty, any future pregnancies will stretch the skin and muscles.
How Do You Prepare for a Traditional or Mini Tummy Tuck?
The first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Buinewicz. If you qualify as a candidate for this procedure, you will be advised on what to expect before surgery and how to prepare. You may need to get lab testing or a medical evaluation, quit smoking if you are a smoker, and avoid taking aspirin or other medications or supplements that increase bleeding. In preparation for abdominoplasty surgery, it may be best to make arrangements for someone to help you during the first week of recovery as you may need assistance with basic things. Stocking up on any supplies you will need to have on hand will also help to make recovery smoother. You may also need to adjust your medication and supplement regimen in advance of the surgery as advised by your doctor.
What Are the Details of Abdominoplasty Surgery at the Philadelphia Area’s Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery?
There are two abdominoplasty variations available at Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Buinewicz will consult with you to examine your midsection and learn about your aesthetic goals, then make a recommendation for either the traditional tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Excess fat and loose skin are stubborn issues that plague men and women who are in otherwise excellent condition and who maintain a healthy and stable weight. The lower stomach area that lies just above the pubic region is a specific trouble spot that can sag and bulge despite exercise and diet changes.
Ideal for patients who have excess skin and fat, but in smaller amounts, a mini tuck involves only a single, shorter horizontal incision made just above the pubic area. This incision allows Dr. Buinewicz to perform the necessary adjustments and suture the skin into its flatter position. After the incision, step one is to loosen the skin from the abdominal wall. The muscles of the lower abdomen are then pulled into a tighter position, excess fat is removed, and the muscles are sutured. Once the procedure is completed, the incision is sutured and bandaged. All of the work happens below the navel, so no belly button repositioning is necessary.
A mini tummy tuck is very similar to a full tummy tuck. However, the mini tummy tuck requires only a short scar and is beneficial for individuals with a limited amount of fat and saggy, excess tissue in the area that lies just beneath the belly button. The incision that is made above the pubic region creates a minimal scar that can be more easily concealed than the scars that are created by a full abdominoplasty. The second incision that circles the belly button and is required in a full tummy tuck is not used in a mini tummy tuck. A mini abdominoplasty also requires less recovery time.
These cosmetic procedures are not appropriate for everyone. A consultation and approval are required by Dr. Buinewicz.
Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck at a Glance
The largest difference between a traditional tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck is that the mini tummy tuck is less invasive. The traditional tummy tuck is a complex operation, and the mini tummy tuck is a minor operation. The mini tummy tuck only treats the abdominal area that lies beneath the belly button and does not require its repositioning. The full tummy tuck requires the belly button to be repositioned, and an additional scar is created. Additional differences are seen in the goals, procedures, candidate suitability, anesthesia, recovery, and price.
Procedure
The traditional tummy tuck procedure separates the belly button from the abdominal wall skin, the created flap of skin is then stretched downward, the excess tissue and fat are removed, and the belly button is brought out through a new position. The mini tummy tuck procedure uses a short incision at the bikini line. The skin and muscles are tightened, and the excess fat and tissue are removed.
Suitable For
The traditional tummy tuck is suitable for patients who have stretched, hanging skin and weakened abdominal muscles created by pregnancies or due to extreme weight loss. The mini tummy tuck is suitable for those who are healthy, near their ideal weight and who currently have firm abdominal muscles without significant protruding fat.
Anesthesia
The traditional tummy tuck requires general anesthesia with nerve blocks to lessen postoperative pain levels. The mini tummy tuck is commonly performed under either general anesthesia or minor local anesthesia plus sedation.
Scarring
The mini tummy tuck creates a very thin, short scar that extends horizontally across the base of the belly and is measured from mid-thigh to mid-thigh. The traditional tummy tuck requires a longer scar that measures from hipbone to hipbone and a second scar around the belly button.
Recovery
The recovery time of a mini tummy tuck is one to three weeks. The recovery time of a traditional tummy tuck is four to six weeks.
Before & After Photo Gallery
How Long Do the Results of a Tummy Tuck Last?
The results of a mini or traditional tummy tuck are very long-lasting unless you gain a significant amount of weight or become pregnant. They may last for ten to twenty years or sometimes longer. The longevity will be affected by whether you maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid significant weight gain. Unhealthy habits and gaining a large amount of weight can contribute to the early loss of tummy tuck results. Your skin will also be affected by aging, and this will have an impact on abdominoplasty results. It’s important to commit to a balanced diet and regular exercise to maintain surgical results.
WHY CHOOSE DR. BRIAN BUINEWICZ?
AT HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ and BUCKS COUNTY, PA
Dr. Brian Buinewicz is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with over 23 years of experience specializing in breast, abdominal, and BII.
He is an award-winning, internationally recognized surgeon and the Emeritus Chief of Plastic Surgery at Abington Hospital, where he served for 30 years. Dr. Buinewicz is a Clinical Instructor at Temple University in the Division of Plastic Surgery. His approach prioritizes personalized patient care, ensuring tailored solutions for each individual.
His philosophy embodies his mission:
"One surgeon, one team, dedicated to you, the patient."
Are There More Body Contouring Procedures Available Beyond Abdominoplasty?
Beyond tummy tuck surgery, we offer a range of body contouring surgeries and treatments, including thigh lift, arm lift and a more-encompassing body lift for tissue tightening, and nonsurgical options for fat reduction. A thigh lift removes excess fat and sagging skin from your thighs to enhance the shape of your legs while an arm lift improves the tone and definition of the upper arms by tightening and lifting the tissues. CoolSculpting® causes resistant fat cells on specific areas to be broken down and flushed out of the body for leaner body contours. Emsculpt® Neo reduces stubborn fat while building muscle at the same time. We also provide non-surgical skin tightening options such as Exion and Exion RF with microneedling, ThermiRF® and ThermiTight®. Talk to us about what could be best for you!
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