IMPROVE THE CONTOURS OF
YOUR MID SECTION
TUMMY TUCK
Tummy Tuck
At Buckhead Plastic Surgery, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alan Larsen can improve the contours of your midsection. Abdominoplasty, often called a tummy tuck, at our Atlanta practice can accomplish what exercise and dieting cannot – a flat abdominal area that helps renew your confidence in your body.
Men and women considering a tummy tuck travel from Decatur, Marietta and throughout Georgia to Buckhead Plastic Surgery to have Dr. Larsen perform abdominoplasty. Request a consultation using the online form or give our office a call at 404.367.9005 and a member of our team will help schedule your appointment.
Your Tummy Tuck Procedure
No amount of exercise can lift and tighten sagging abdominal skin. A tummy tuck can do this and more. The procedure tightens droopy abdominal skin and repairs the bulging abdominal muscles that are often stretched during pregnancy. It also removes a limited amount of excess fatty tissue and provides a tighter, flatter, more youthful abdominal contour and waistline.
If you’re like most other patients coming in for a tummy tuck you have excess skin from the ribs to the pubic area. This is often accompanied by loss of muscle strength or a separation of the abdominal muscles called diastasis, resulting in an abdominal bulge. The amount of fatty tissue ranges from almost none to fairly thick.
A full tummy tuck begins with Dr. Larsen making an incision that runs across the top of the pubic area and up along each side from hip to hip. The surgery is performed while you are under general anesthesia. He recommends this procedure if you have more than just a little bulge in the lower abdominal area. You likely also have separated tummy muscles, an abdominal bulge, and sagging skin. If the bulge is large or the sagging skin extends up over the belly button, this is the procedure for you.
Dr. Larsen repairs the underlying abdominal wall, reshapes the underlying tissue, and removes excess fat using liposuction, if necessary. Once he is satisfied he’s achieved the desired shape, Dr. Larsen stretches the skin and pulls it tight for a smooth, natural appearance. He then removes any excess skin before closing the incisions.
A tummy tuck flattens and smooths the stubborn abdominal bulge, removes excess skin, and may even erase stretch marks located above the belly button.
It is one of the procedures Dr. Larsen includes for women who are getting a mommy makeover. Abdominoplasty tightens the skin the most over the midline abdomen. There is less correction as you get closer to your hip area.
“I couldn’t be happier with my results!! Dr. Larsen did a fabulous job on my tummy and hips. My outcome is better than I could have ever imagined.”*
*Your results may vary.
See more reviews from Dr. Larsen’s actual patients at Buckhead Plastic Surgery.
Tummy Tuck Prices:
Average Price: $13,500
What Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?
Cosmetic surgery prices vary based on a number of factors. The plastic surgery practice’s geographic location, the surgeon’s training, experience, and qualifications, and the techniques used can all influence the final cost of your surgery. At Buckhead Plastic Surgery, the average price of abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) is $12,500.00. The panniculectomy procedure, a tummy tuck procedure which removes excess skin starts at $7,600.00. A specific price is quoted for you after your consultation. Dr. Larsen is dedicated to making his services accessible to people from all walks of life, which is why he partners with companies that specialize in elective health care financing to help qualified patients pay for their surgery.
It’s important to remember that even though a tummy tuck is an elective procedure, it requires a well-trained, experienced and double board-certified plastic surgeon to get consistently excellent results. Your budget is one consideration in choosing a surgeon, but cost should not be the primary reason for choosing one practice over another.
Recovery & Results
A common concern among tummy tuck patients is the amount of discomfort they will have during their recovery. Dr. Larsen uses the On-Q PainBuster® pain control device to help control pain for patients undergoing tummy tuck surgery. This pump adds numbing medicine underneath the skin to the targeted area, significantly decreasing postoperative discomfort for most patients. Prescription pain medication also helps control postsurgical discomfort.
Even though each patient’s recovery experience in unique, most tummy tuck patients believe the level of discomfort improves after one night. The most difficult time is the first night after surgery. This is why we require an overnight stay – for the comfort of the patient, and peace of mind for the patient and his or her caregiver.
While experiences vary, during the first 3 to 4 days after the procedure you will likely feel increasingly better and you should be up moving around much easier within your home. At about 2 weeks after the surgery you should be back to work and may be able to return to limited exercise after about a month. It takes a full 8 weeks for most patients to return to full activities and strenuous exercise.
By 3 months, your tummy tuck will begin to reveal its new contours, but it typically takes a full year before the full results are realized. Diet and exercise are essential to create the optimal outcome and maintain long-lasting results. Dr. Larsen’s patients are often thrilled with the results of their procedure and cannot wait to try on new clothes they may not have felt comfortable wearing before.
Visit our blog, The Science of Sexy, to learn more about Tummy Tucks with articles such as 6 Steps to Building Solid Exercise Post Tummy Tuck.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tummy Tucks
Tummy tuck surgery, (which is also sometimes called Abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure to remove excess fat stores and skin from the abdomen. A tummy tuck can even restore weakened or separated muscles (which is often caused during pregnancy) leaving an improved profile with a smoother and firmer look.
Many people of both genders are unhappy with the shape of their abdomen. A tight well-toned stomach is something many of us want to achieve, but sometimes diet and exercise aren’t enough. Many people think of a tummy tuck as a weight loss procedure. It is a surgery for individuals with an average healthy body weight who are unhappy with the contours of their abdomen.
There are several causes for this, such as:
- Your genetic make-up, much of your body type is hereditary
- The aging process
- Changes caused by pregnancy
- Results from prior surgeries
- Significant weight fluctuations
However, as wonderful as this procedure is, the chances of a lasting positive outcome from your surgery are higher for those who are not planning substantial weight loss, or future pregnancies. Also, it’s important to note that tummy tucks do not correct things like stretch marks. If stretch marks are a concern for you, we recommend that you mention this to Dr. Larsen during your consultation and initial examination. He can provide you with all the best options for your specific situation.
This is one of the most common questions we receive. Here are a few things to consider if you are considering this procedure.
- Are you in good overall health? This is important for the optimal success of any surgery.
- Have you maintained your current weight for a year? It is not a good idea to have a tummy tuck if you are planning on losing an extreme amount of weight.
- Are you planning on getting pregnant? We do not recommend this surgery if you are planning a pregnancy.
- Are you a non-smoker? Smoking affects your overall health and recovery.
- Are you currently unhappy with the appearance of your abdomen?
At Buckhead Plastic Surgery, this procedure starts at $13,500. Some patients choose to pair this procedure with other surgeries such as the Mommy Makeover. The best way to determine your optimal treatment options is to book a consultation. Dr. Larsen will listen to your concerns and provide you with the best plan of action to achieve the results you desire.
A tummy tuck procedure is performed under either intravenous or general anesthesia. Dr. Larsen will choose the best option for you. Dr. Larsen will make a horizontal incision across your lower torso between your pubic area and your belly button. The shape and length of this incision is dependant on your specific surgery goals.
Then the skin is lifted, and the underlying muscle is repaired if needed. In some cases, a second incision is made if excess skin needs to be removed from the upper abdomen. The skin is redraped, and excess skin is removed. The incisions are closed with sutures, surgical tape or clips.
During your procedure, dressings and bandages might be applied to your stomach. You might also be wrapped in a compression garment or elastic bandages to reduce swelling in the abdomen after your surgery. Your medical team at Buckhead Plastic Surgery will send you home with detailed care instructions. It is important that you have someone to stay with you, especially your first night and day after surgery.
It is not uncommon for thin plastic tubes to be placed to drain excess liquid away from the areas where the incisions were made. These drains help to reduce swelling, and you will be sent home with specific instructions on how to care for them.
You will also likely wear an abdominal binding garment for 6 weeks after your surgery. This helps to offer additional support to the muscles as they heal as well as keeping swelling to a minimum. It’s recommended that you take it easy for at least 6 weeks after surgery to allow your muscles and tissues to heal correctly. It’s also recommended that you sleep at an incline for the first few days following your surgery. Also, you mustn’t drive for a few weeks while you heal.
The hardest part of recovering from a tummy tuck procedure for most of our patients is that they have a desire to do too much too soon. While some activity is good, and it’s recommended to move around lightly. It’s easy to overdo it and end up sore and overly tired. It takes a while for your muscles to heal fully.
Technically the results from a tummy tuck procedure are permanent. However, as with all cosmetic procedures, we cannot stop the aging process. The key to maintaining your optimal results and protecting your investment is to live a healthy lifestyle. Eat a variety of nutrient-rich fresh foods, exercise, avoid smoking, and take care of your mental health.
Dr. Larsen is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience and outstanding reviews for this specific procedure. He has carefully chosen a staff that shares his ‘people first’-attitude to ensure your comfort through the entire process.
Dr. Larsen prides himself on communicating clearly and providing you with realistic options for your optimal results. He takes great pride in his surgical skills and is known for his kind and direct approach with his patients.
If this is a procedure you’ve been considering, give us a call today and schedule your consultation. This is your chance to visit our facility, meet our medical team, and voice all your questions and concerns. You’ll be glad you did. Most of our patients report their only regret about this procedure is not calling sooner. Call us today!
Patient Photo Gallery
The before-and-after photos of Dr. Larsen’s actual patients showcase the kind of results he consistently achieves.
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Alan N. Larsen, MD.
Double Board-Certified Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Larsen established Buckhead Plastic Surgery as a boutique practice to offer world-class, personalized service to women and men throughout the Southeast. Dr. Larsen’s compassion and talent are complemented by his elite training with some of the nation’s finest plastic surgeons.
Alan N. Larsen, MD.Double Board-Certified Atlanta Plastic SurgeonDr. Larsen established Buckhead Plastic Surgery as a boutique practice to offer world-class, personalized service to women and men throughout the Southeast. Dr. Larsen’s compassion and talent are complemented by his elite training with some of the nation’s finest plastic surgeons.