Tummy Tuck in Scottsdale, AZ

So many of us feel self-conscious about our midsections. Aging, weight gain, and pregnancy may have left your tummy with stretched skin, fat accumulations, and loose abdominal muscles. When diet and exercise fail to achieve the results you desire, tummy tuck surgery can produce a slimmer and more defined midsection that makes you feel more confident in your appearance. Also known as “abdominoplasty,” this procedure effectively restores a tighter, more toned, and flat abdominal area.

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What Are the Benefits of Tummy Tuck Surgery?

More Clothing Options

Many patients feel their unflattering midsection prevents them from wearing certain clothing options. Tummy tuck surgery can produce an aesthetically pleasing midsection to help you look and feel beautiful when wearing the outfit of your choice.

A Youthful Midsection

Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight may find themselves struggling to get rid of stubborn fat depots and loose skin, no matter how much they exercise. Tummy tuck surgery combined with liposuction can restore your midsection to its once slim and youthful appearance.

Improved Self-Esteem

Many men and women who struggle with excess skin along their lower tummy feel insecure about the way they look. Tummy tuck surgery can help you achieve the results you desire to boost your self-esteem.

Tummy Tuck Testimonials

“I just wanted to thank you for being so good at what you do. I appreciate so many things about you your perfectionism, your experience, your sense of knowing exactly what size would look perfect on me, your positive energy, and your heart. You’re a wonderful doctor and a wonderful person. I’m very happy with how I look and feel. Thanks for everything!”

“I just wanted to say thank you for all of your kindness & wonderful work I felt so comfortable with you & the staff that you all made this a good experience!”

“Thank you for everything. I am very happy with the results of my Tummy Tuck. I appreciate your professionalism and genuine concern. I would and do highly recommend you guys to friends and neighbors and family.”

What Can a Tummy Tuck Achieve?

A More Slender Midsection

Stubborn fat tends to accumulate in the abdominal area. Tummy tuck surgery removes these fat deposits to produce a leaner midsection. Liposuction is often combined with tummy tuck surgery to slim other areas of the body as well, such as the back, hips, and thighs, for an overall more slender silhouette.

More Toned Abdominal Muscles

The abdominal muscles can become stretched and loose over time, especially as a result of pregnancy. Tummy tuck surgery tightens the abdominal muscles by suturing them together, which creates a more toned abdominal contour and improves core strength.

Smoother, Tighten Abdominal Skin

Skin that has stretched for a long time loses its elasticity, which means that it cannot return to its original, smooth shape. Tummy tuck surgery eliminates loose, sagging skin on the abdomen and pulls the remaining skin tight for a smooth, attractive abdominal appearance.

Tummy Tuck Procedure

Each tummy tuck is unique to the needs, goals, and anatomy of the patient.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A traditional or standard tummy tuck incorporates revision of the abdomen from the ribcage to the pubic bone and features an incision that runs from hip to hip. Most patients opt for the standard tummy tuck option as they prefer as much revision as possible.

Tummy tuck surgery is usually considered a procedure that requires an overnight stay at our state-certified recovery center for improved pain control.

You will also be placed under general anesthesia for your optimum comfort and safety. On the day of your procedure, Dr. Spies will check in with you, go over your surgical plan once more, and mark the incision locations in the treatment area. Once you are safely asleep, the procedure will begin.

During your procedure, an incision will be placed horizontally within the bikini line that extends from hip to hip. Excess fat will be removed, and Dr. Spies will examine the abdominal tissues and muscles and make necessary repairs, tightening the muscles for a firmer contour. The skin will be draped over your new abdominal contours, and all loose skin will be removed. Incisions will be closed using surgical sutures.

What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

Some patients may not need as much skin and fat removed, and in this case, they may be candidates for a mini tummy tuck, which uses a smaller incision and only deals with skin, fat, and muscles below the navel. Some post-partum women may be candidates if they have good skin elasticity and less hanging skin. Another benefit of the mini tummy tuck is that a patient usually does not have to stay overnight at the recovery center.

What Can I Expect During Tummy Tuck Recovery?

The amount of time it takes to recover from a tummy tuck varies between patients. Although most patients feel comfortable enough to return to work in two to three weeks, patients should avoid all strenuous exercise and activity for at least six weeks following surgery. Dr. Spies will give you specific post-operative instructions to ensure the safest and most efficient recovery possible. While each patient is different, some tummy tuck recovery tips include:

Standing and sitting upright will be difficult; pillows and recliner chairs can make rest more comfortable for the first few weeks
Be sure to wear your compression garment day and night, as directed by Dr. Spies
Rest as much as possible, but try to get up and walk around a little bit each day to encourage blood circulation
Call Dr. Spies first if you have any questions or concerns

When Will I See My Tummy Tuck Results?

It’s likely that you’ll notice an immediate difference in your midsection, although your results will be obscured by swelling, bruising, and your compression garment. While you may notice that your midsection is noticeably slimmer early on in your recovery, your final results will take quite some time to become apparent.

Most patients start seeing noticeable results once they are cleared to remove their compression garments; usually about six weeks after surgery. At this time, you should feel much more like yourself, and your midsection should be clear of any bruising, while swelling will continue to reduce for another few weeks.

After about eight weeks, your swelling should be much better, and you can start to see the new contours of your midsection. Excess skin will no longer detract from your middle; your abdomen will be firmer, slim, and smooth. Tummy tuck results continue to improve–final results may take up to a year. Take it day by day, and celebrate your continued improvement as you heal.

Tummy Tuck FAQ

What type of anesthesia is used for tummy tuck surgery?

Tummy tuck surgery is usually considered a procedure that requires an overnight stay at our state-certified recovery center for improved pain control. The patient is constantly monitored by a board-certified anesthesiologist to ensure the highest degree of patient safety.

Is a tummy tuck painful?

Dr. Spies uses a long-acting injectable anesthetic medication called EXPAREL® that significantly reduces pain and recovery time. It is injected into the muscle repair during the procedure to lessen muscle tightness and pain.

Does tummy tuck surgery cause scars?

The incision for tummy tuck surgery is placed low in the pubic area, which can easily be covered by a swimsuit or underwear. In general, tummy tuck scars take one to two years to fade. Most patients hardly notice the scar once it heals.

Will tummy tuck surgery remove stretch marks?

Tummy tuck surgery does not specifically address stretch marks, but stretch marks that exist on the lower abdomen will be removed with the skin that is excised.

What risks are involved with tummy tuck surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, there is always the risk of a complication developing, including bleeding and infection. However, complications are rare, especially if an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is performing the procedure in an accredited facility.

What procedures can be combined with a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck can provide fantastic body contouring results alone; combining it with another provides even more harmonious results. Liposuction is a complementary procedure that works wonderfully to sculpt the body along with a tummy tuck’s skin-tightening results. Many plastic surgeons use liposuction in tandem with a tummy tuck to create a more harmonious result: by slimming fat pockets from adjacent areas of the body–like the hips, flanks, or buttocks–this combination procedure can create a more natural-looking result.

Additionally, tummy tucks are commonly featured in the surgical plan for Mommy Makeover patients, during which process patients choose two to three procedures to combine at once for a full-body transformation after pregnancy and breastfeeding have taken their toll. If you’re interested in a tummy tuck and you think your breasts could use some rejuvenation with a breast lift or breast augmentation as well, a Mommy Makeover gives you the flexibility to combine the exact procedures you want, reducing your time in the OR and in recovery.

Are you curious about what combining your tummy tuck might look like? Take a look at our tummy tuck photo gallery to see some of the beautiful results Dr. Spies has created.

How can I maintain the results of my tummy tuck?

Your tummy tuck has the potential to greatly transform your body, providing a slimmed result that makes working out much more fun and effective. Once you are fully healed and cleared for exercise by Dr. Spies, you can gradually begin incorporating workouts that engage your core, refining and strengthening your tightened abdominal muscles and enhancing the results of your tummy tuck.

Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial to maintaining the longevity of your tummy tuck, as is keeping a consistent weight and not having any subsequent pregnancies. Following these guidelines will help you maintain your tummy tuck results for years to come.

What is a tummy tuck belt? Can a tummy tuck belt give me the same results as a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck belt and other waist trainers are advertised as being a “non-invasive tummy tuck,” providing comparable results to that of a real tummy tuck procedure. This is simply not true. While compression garments and waist trainers can provide minor slimming results through directed spot reduction, nothing compares to the skin tightening and artful contouring of a tummy tuck from a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Will a tummy tuck affect pregnancy?

No, having a tummy tuck will not affect your ability to get pregnant, nor will your procedure cause complications with subsequent pregnancies. However, if you’re planning to become pregnant, it’s best to wait to undergo your tummy tuck until you are confident you are finished having children.

Weight fluctuations, due to pregnancy or otherwise, can negatively impact the results of your tummy tuck. Your abdominal wall and skin become stretched again, essentially undoing the work of your tummy tuck procedure. In some cases, if a patient becomes pregnant or gains a substantial amount of weight after their initial procedure, they usually require a secondary tummy tuck.

I just lost a significant amount of weight. When can I undergo a tummy tuck?

Losing weight for your health and confidence is an exciting thing, and we understand our patients are eager to get closer to their ideal bodies. The number one factor we look for is that our patients are at a stable, healthy weight when considering a tummy tuck. We want to make sure that you are as close to your goal weight as possible so that your results can be the best they can be. Additionally, we want to ensure that you are no longer in the “yo-yo” phase of weight loss and that your current weight, fat distribution, and excess skin are pretty set. This means that we can reasonably expect that you won’t lose or gain a significant amount of weight before or after your tummy tuck without negating the results of your tummy tuck down the road.

A tummy tuck after weight loss or pregnancy can be especially beneficial. Everyone is different, but it’s usually safe to say that we want our post-weight loss patients to be at a stable weight for about three months, while new moms looking for tummy tucks should wait about six months or longer after giving birth and breastfeeding.

Verified Realself

Dr. Spies' office is located in Paradise Valley, Arizona, adjacent to the Paradise Valley Cosmetic Surgery Center.

Robert J. Spies, M.D.
5410 N Scottsdale Rd C 100
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Tel: 480-359-1019