Yo-Yo dieting – the cyclic gaining and losing of weight – often results in loose skin around the waistline and a large sagging midsection that is out of proportion with the rest of the body. An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, can create a flatter tummy, bringing it into balance with the rest of the body.
For plus size patients, a tummy tuck does more than improve appearance. A Plus Size Tummy Tuck® can restore muscle strength and stabilizes the back by repairing the abdominal muscles and reducing the weight of the midsection.
High BMI patients and tummy tuck
A tummy tuck is becoming among the most popular procedures for post-pregnancy women, as well as men and women with a high body/mass index. A tummy tuck removes hanging skin, abdominal fat and tightens abdominal muscles that have separated or weakened. People with stretch marks are delighted to find that most of these have been removed with the excess skin.
While it is optimum that patients have reached their optimum weight before surgery, plus size patients can benefit from a Plus Size Tummy Tuck® provided they are healthy enough for surgery.
Candidates
Patients who have undergone massive weight loss make up the majority of patients who are seeking a Plus Size Tummy Tuck®. These patients are good candidates for an overweight tummy tuck. Patients with asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease would not be good candidates for elective surgery of any kind.
Dr. Repta is a board certified plastic surgeon in Scottsdale, with many years of experience helping heavier patients achieve their goals. If weight is stable and they are in good health, he can provide a surgical plan that will safely and effectively treat a plus size patient.
Advice from Dr. Repta:
How much weight do I need to lose to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
"This is a question that I often get from patients that are considering a tummy tuck.
The vast majority of patients that undergo a tummy tuck are to some extent overweight. Whether the patent is undergoing a tummy tuck because of weight loss or after pregnancy, most patients still have some degree of excess weight at the time of their tummy tuck consultation and at the time of their tummy tuck procedure.
While it would be ideal for each patient to be at a perfect weight prior to getting a tummy tuck procedure, this is not realistic and may not even lead to the best result possible. I have found that the tummy tuck process alone can result in improved shape and some additional weight loss when designed and performed properly.
I often tell my patients to live a life with regards to diet and exercise that they are planning on maintaining after their tummy tuck. If they are planning on losing a significant amount of weight, delaying their tummy tuck may be reasonable so as not to have residual loose skin after the weight loss. If, however, the weight loss is going to be moderate such as 20-30 pounds, a tummy tuck can be performed since that amount of weight loss is often jump started by the tummy tuck procedure and the overall tummy tuck result will not be diminished.
So, if you are considering a tummy tuck but not sure if you are a good candidate, the best thing you can do is to schedule a consultation. The extra weight that you may be struggling to lose may not prevent you from getting an excellent tummy tuck result."
Procedure
A tummy tuck involves making an incision from the hip bone to hip bone, very low over the pubic bone. This is so that the resulting scar can be hidden under a bathing suit or underwear. In some Plus Size Tummy Tuck® surgeries, an incision is also made vertically from the navel. Dr. Repta will discuss where he plans to place the incisions prior to surgery.
As a board certified cosmetic surgeon, his goal is to create an aesthetic result. Incision placement is a big part of any surgical plan as there will always be a scar after an incision.
This patient is shown here as an early postoperative photo at one month following Dr. Repta's Plus Size Tummy Tuck ® procedure as well as a breast lift. In addition to having children, the patient also had prior abdominal surgery resulting in a vertical scar in her upper and lower abdomen. The patient desired to improve the shape and appearance of her abdomen, waist, and breasts. We elected to perform a plus size fleur-de-lis tummy tuck to allow removal of the vertical scars on her abdomen as well as additionally narrow the abdomen.
Before & After
Before & After
Shown here is one of Dr. Repta's Plus Size Tummy Tuck ® patients. The patient did lose an appreciable amount of weight prior so there was the need to remove the skin as well as perform additional liposuction and tissue removal around her waist. As can be seen, the plus-size fleur-de-lis tummy tuck allowed the patient to have maximum waist narrowing and flattening. Muscle repair was performed as is frequently the case since it strengthens the core and narrows the waist further. Liposuction of the side of the abdomen as well as the center of the abdomen was performed.
Before & After
Before & After
Here is one of our patients that had a hernia repair and abdominal reconstruction as well as a tummy tuck all performed at the same time. She is shown here at 4 months after surgery with improved shape and appearance of her abdomen. The patient desired to improve the strength of her core as well as repair the hernia present. We removed her prior scar tissue and repaired the hernia without using mesh (just her own tissue). Liposuction of the abdomen and waist was also performed. Liposuction is always included in all of Dr. Repta's tummy tuck procedures.
Before & After
Before & After
The patient desired to improve the appearance of her waist and remove the heavy overhang of tissue over her pubic area. She is pictured here at 6 months post-Dr. Repta's Plus Size Tummy Tuck ® procedure. During her surgery, skin and fat was removed and her abdominal muscles tightened. Significant improvement was achieved by making the abdomen smaller, flatter, and tighter. Additional narrowing of the waist can be achieved and the patient could have elected to do so, by also undergoing a vertical incision on the abdomen called a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck.
Before & After
Before & After
In addition to improving the shape and appearance of her waist and breasts, this patient also desired to strengthen her abdominal core caused by loose abdominal muscles secondary to pregnancy. She is only 2 months out from Dr. Repta's Plus Size Tummy Tuck ® procedure. At only 2 months out her incisions are still red but this will continue to fade. The patient also had a breast lift without implants done at the same time. The vertical incision above and below the belly button was elected by the patient as part of a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck to maximize waist narrowing.
Before & After
Before & After
This patient is actually in her early seventies. She had several children and proving that it's never too late, she decided to finally do something about the bothersome loose skin that resulted from her pregnancies. She is shown here three months following her tummy tuck with a well-positioned incision and improved shape.
Before & After
Before & After
Liposuction is an integral part of most if not all tummy tuck procedures and this patient is a great example of how much liposuction can improve the appearance of the abdomen and waist. This patient is in her early sixties and decided to undergo a tummy tuck to remove the extra loose skin, tighten the abdominal muscles, and narrow her waist. She is shown here four months after her tummy tuck procedure.
Before & After
Before & After
The only way to significantly and permanently remove loose skin and stretch marks is through surgery. This is why a tummy tuck is needed to treat loose abdominal skin. This patient had several pregnancies that resulted in loose abdominal skin and stretch marks. A tummy tuck was performed to treat the loose skin. While muscle tightening and liposuction was also done most of the result that is shown here is secondary to the skin that was removed.
Before & After
Before & After
The ideal tummy tuck patient has stretch marks below the belly button only so that the skin removal that is done with a tummy tuck allows full removal of all stretch marks. This patient had twins and subsequently developed stretch marks throughout the abdomen both above and below the belly button. Although not all of the stretch marks have been removed the shape and overall appearance of the abdomen was still improved.
Before & After
Before & After
This patient is shown here at three months following a full tummy tuck. In addition to skin removal, the abdominal muscles were tightened and liposuction of the abdomen and waist was also performed. The patient also had a breast augmentation and a breast lift performed at the same time. The combination of these procedures together is often known as a mommy makeover.
Before & After
Before & After
This is another excellent example of how a patient can benefit from Dr. Repta's Plus Size Tummy Tuck®. This patient was told by other surgeons to lose weight before getting a tummy tuck. The reality is that the patient liked the way the rest of her body looked and simply wanted to improve the appearance of her waist. Dr. Repta's Plus Size Tummy Tuck® helped to narrow and flatten the waist, remove the overhang, and rejuvenate the appearance of her belly button.
Before & After
What are the steps of a Plus Size Tummy Tuck®?
Liposuction can be done during abdominoplasty in some cases and in others, liposuction must be done prior to surgery. Defining the waistline and contouring the abdomen will usually involve some liposuction.
The abdominal muscles are then sutured together restoring strength to the area. This part of the procedure is vital to obtaining a flat profile and to restoring abdominal strength.
Next, excess skin is removed and with it most of the stretch marks. An important aesthetic part of the procedure is the repositioning of the belly button, which must be moved to a natural position after the excess skin is removed.
The incision is then closed using a multi-layered technique, which evenly applies tension to the entire incision. These result in a very thin, almost invisible scar, once healing is complete.
Watch Live Plus Size Tummy Tuck® Surgery Videos
What does a Plus Size Tummy Tuck® treat?
A Plus Size Tummy Tuck® can be an effective way to treat the following:
- Removing excessive and sagging skin tissue
- Potentially minimizing or removing stretch marks
- Tightening the abdominal muscles
- Strengthening the abdominal walls
- Lifting the buttocks and thighs
- Tightening the buttocks and thighs
What are the contraindications for a Plus Size Tummy Tuck®?
One of the ways we ensure the greatest possible results and success rate is by ensuring our patients are well set up for the procedure. Some of the most common contraindications for a Plus Size Tummy Tuck® include:
- You intend to get pregnant in the next two years, as that will negate the procedure’s results
- You don’t want permanent scars, even if it’s concealed along the bikini line
- You’re a smoker, and you can’t or won’t quit smoking either before or after the procedure
- You have a severe underlying medical condition, like asthma, breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc
- You’re experiencing massive fluctuations in weight
How much does a Plus Size Tummy Tuck® cost?
During your consultation, Dr. Repta will listen to your concerns, discuss your goals and curate the ideal treatment plan to address all your needs. Following the consultation, we will provide a quote for your Plus Size Tummy Tuck® procedure. We also work with several medical financing companies, and can assist you in finding affordable financing plans.
The precise cost of your Plus Size Tummy Tuck® will depend on several factors, including the conditions you present with and the details of the procedure. As everyone has a unique body, we provide a unique treatment plan to each patient, addressing their own specific needs. However, the typical cost of a Plus Size Tummy Tuck® with Dr. Repta ranges anywhere from $16,000 to $31,000, depending on your specific needs and procedures.
Recovering from Plus Size Tummy Tuck®
Patients should arrange at least two weeks off from work and their daily activities for the initial phase of recovery. Exercise should be postponed for at least four weeks. Those who have strenuous jobs will need to get an estimate from Dr. Repta on how much time to arrange for recovery.
Recovery is much easier when preparations are made well in advance. Since the abdominal muscles will be sore for several weeks, small movements will be difficult. Those with small children should arrange for full-time assistance, at least for the first few weeks. Lifting anything heavier than a few pounds is not recommended until well into the recovery.
For more information on the abdominoplasty recovery process, please visit Dr. Repta's tummy tuck recovery tips article.
What are the risks of a tummy tuck?
The tummy tuck is a safe procedure when done correctly, but as with all surgeries, it does come with a set of known risks, each of which can be mitigated by seeing only a board-certified cosmetic surgeon.
- Risks associated with anesthesia usage (allergic reactions)
- Bleeding or Infection
- Seroma, i.e., fluid accumulation beneath the skin. We use drainage tubes after the surgery or remove fluids with syringes to prevent seroma
- Skin loss, irritation or discoloration
- Poor wound healing around the incision line. We provide antibiotics during and after surgeries to prevent wounds from getting infected.
- Prolonged swelling
- Numbness and changes in skin sensations around the upper thighs and abdominals. In most cases, the numbness and irritation diminish in a few months
- Unexpected incision scars. We place incisions along the bikini line to help them remain hidden
- Fat necrosis. Depending on the area, the tissues may heal on their own, or you may need a touch-up later. You should avoid smoking to minimize the risk of tissue damage
- Deep vein thrombosis, i.e., accumulation of blood in the veins
- Cardiac and pulmonary problems caused by deep vein thrombosis
- Asymmetrical results
- Persistent pain
FUPA Surgery
The appearance and feel of the pubic area right above the private area is a common area of concern for many patients that are carrying extra weight or have lost a significant amount of weight. Loose skin, extra fat, or the combination of the two can create extra skin or fullness within the pubic area.
FUPA is a common term that references fatty tissue in the pubic area. Although the "P" in FUPA originally referenced the female private area, we understand that both fatty tissue and loose skin can be an issue for both male and female patients. Therefore, for us FUPA stands for Fat/Full Upper Pubic Area.
How is FUPA surgery performed?
Treatment of FUPA can be accomplished in a variety of ways including:
- Liposuction
- Excision of skin
- Adominoplasty/Tummy Tuck
- Panniculectomy
Frequently, patients such as Plus Size Tummy Tuck® candidates, also present with concerns of a FUPA. By custom tailoring FUPA surgery in Scottsdale, the area can be thinned, reduced, lifted, and tightened at the same time.
Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck
If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight and are living with an excess of sagging skin and tissue, our Scottsdale fleur de lis (FDL) tummy tuck may be the perfect technique to restore a flat, taut, youthful tummy. FDL tummy tucks follow the same basic steps as a standard tummy tuck, but the difference is in the shape and location of the incisions.
How is a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck different?
A standard tummy tuck involves a linear incision near your waistline to remove excess skin, repair stretched or split muscles in your abdomen, and then pull the remaining skin down to give you a tight, flat tummy. However, if you have a more extensive quantity of excess skin, then a standard tummy tuck may not be the best approach. FDL tummy tucks allow for the removal of skin vertically, which a standard tummy tuck does not do.
An FDL tummy tuck requires careful planning to ensure proper healing and natural, firm skin contour; the right amount of skin removed in the right shape can enhance your waist and provide you with a natural-looking belly button structure, at the right spot on your body.
Understanding and using the anatomy of the abdomen properly, we can create a seamless transition where the contour flows naturally from your breasts down through your belly button to the pubic area. FDL tummy tucks are the perfect complement to the fantastic achievement of achieving significant weight loss.
Who is a candidate for a Fleur de Lis tummy tuck?
If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight and your skin no longer has the elasticity needed to tighten around your new abdomen both horizontally and vertically, then you may be a candidate for an FDL tummy tuck. You must be willing to have a vertical incision and understand that there is a post-care healing program that may require two to three weeks of recovery. Most patients who have the amount of excess skin to warrant an FDL tummy tuck find the incredible results to be extremely satisfying and definitely worthwhile.
Preparation is the key to recovery
Preparing the area that will be used for recovery is also beneficial. If possible avoid stairs for the first few weeks. Have any necessary items such as your medications, magazines or books, the TV remote, your cell phone, etc. within easy reach.
Make sure all prescriptions have been filled and that any other household chores have been done or designated to someone else. Resting during the initial phase will make the rest of your recovery faster and easier and will impact your results.
There will be complete instructions provided covering immediate post-operative care and what to expect, as well as instructions on bathing, caring for the incision and when to return for your first check up.
Following Dr. Repta’s instructions concerning wound care and the medications and supplements to avoid is the best way of ensuring that your Plus Size Tummy Tuck® results will be as exciting as you hoped they would be.
Why choose Dr. Repta for your Plus Size Tummy Tuck®?
Dr. Remus Repta is an exceptionally talented cosmetic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has a brilliant educational background, having completed two challenging fellowships in cosmetic plastic surgery. He has worked with some of the world’s finest cosmetic surgeons, even authoring a reference textbook on contouring surgery that’s now used by surgeons from across the globe.
Dr. Repta is currently one of the most reputable cosmetic surgeons in Scottsdale. He believes in empowering his patients to make the correct decisions for themselves. To that end, he carefully and patiently goes over all of your treatment options, detailing all the potential risks and benefits. He examines your body and discusses your cosmetic goals to curate a treatment plan suitable for your specific needs. As such, Dr. Repta tailors each procedure to your individual needs, making sure that you have natural-looking results that you’re proud of.
Getting started
Come into Dr. Repta's office to speak with him, and go over your options. He will listen to your concerns and offer you his recommendations based on his many years of delivering among the best Plus Size Tummy Tuck® in Scottsdale.
Schedule a Consultation
If you would like to know more about your Scottsdale abdominoplasty options, request a consultation online. Or if you prefer, you are welcome to call the office at 855-377-3782 and one of our staff members will be happy to assist you.
Schedule Online