Tummy Tuck

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Kansas City, MO and Leawood , KS

Tummy Tuck Monarch Plastic Surgery Leawood Kansas City

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a body contouring procedure that removes excess skin and fat and tightens your abdominal muscles to help you achieve a slimmer, smoother abdomen. A toned, flat abdomen can be difficult to achieve even if you exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. Weight fluctuations from pregnancy, aging, or lifestyle changes can stretch your skin, resulting in droopy pockets of tissue that affect the way your clothes fit and how you feel about your body.

The team at Monarch Plastic Surgery has helped thousands of patients improve their figures with customizable treatments designed to strategically sculpt the abdomen for a slimmer look. Many patients find that tummy tucks can help them achieve significantly noticeable results and a toned, smooth midsection after the procedure. Specialists performed the effective procedure more than 170,100 times in 2023 to help patients meet their body goals. (1) If you have stubborn pockets of fat that you wish to remove, we can also combine the procedure with liposuction for a leaner physique.

Why wait when a simple procedure has helped thousands of patients transform their bodies? Contact our office to learn more about how we can help you do the same:

Before and After Photos

Tummy Tuck Before & After Patient #2522
Tummy Tuck Before & After Patient #2522
Tummy Tuck Before & After Patient #2532
Tummy Tuck Before & After Patient #2532
Tummy Tuck Before & After Patient #2539
Tummy Tuck Before & After Patient #2539
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About Tummy Tucks

Many people choose to undergo a tummy tuck after significant weight loss, pregnancy, or changes to their body from aging. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat while tightening the underlying muscles, resulting in a flatter and more toned-looking midsection. As you age, the collagen in your skin declines, which can result in your skin losing its structure. A tummy tuck can address sagging skin to create a smoother and firmer appearance. There are several different types of tummy tuck procedures we can perform to help you achieve your body goals:

  • Full Tummy Tuck: We can make a discrete hip-to-hip incision along your bikini line to correct significant skin and muscle laxity.
  • Mini Tummy Tuck: We can remove a smaller amount of excess skin and fat with a shorter incision just above the pubic area.
  • Extended Tummy Tuck: If you recently experienced weight loss, an extended tummy tuck is specifically designed to remove a larger amount of excess skin for a smoother appearance. (2)
  • Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck: Some massive weight loss patients need their skin tightened in the horizontal, as well as the vertical dimension to achieve the smoothest contour. Therefore there is a vertical excision added to the extended abdominoplasty line incision to achieve that goal.

Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

We commonly combine a tummy tuck with liposuction to remove pockets of excess fat for a smoother abdomen and lasting results. Since liposuction permanently removes excess fat cells, you can enjoy a leaner appearance for several years if you take good care of your body, exercise regularly, and maintain a stable weight. During your consultation, we can perform a physical exam and discuss additional body contouring treatments to create the best treatment plan for your needs.

Tummy Tuck Benefits

Although body contouring has several physical benefits such as alleviating discomfort caused by loose or sagging skin, it can also improve the way you feel about your appearance. Tummy tucks are also a good option for women wanting to restore their figures after pregnancy. After a tummy tuck, patients can enjoy several benefits, including:

  • Balanced body proportions: A tummy tuck can reshape the midsection, removing bulges of excess skin for a more aesthetically pleasing silhouette.
  • Tighter, smoother skin: By removing loose skin, we can help you achieve a firmer, smoother abdomen and more youthful appearance.
  • Repaired muscles: If your abdominal muscles were stretched after pregnancy, we can tighten them to help restore your strength and stability.
  • Enhanced self-esteem: Many patients report improved confidence after the procedure because they feel better about their appearance.
  • Reduced stretch marks: If you have stretch marks on your abdomen, we can reduce their appearance for a smoother look.
  • Customizable options: We can customize your procedure for your specific body goals.
  • Long-lasting results: If you maintain a stable weight, you can enjoy long-lasting results.

Tummy tucks may be especially beneficial for those who have lost a significant amount of weight from their midsections and are left with loose skin. Studies have also shown that patients who have surgery to remove excess skin after weight changes are more likely to keep the weight off. (3)

Tummy Tuck Candidates

The best candidates for abdominoplasty are those who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by loose abdominal skin that does not respond to diet or exercise. If you have pockets of excess fat as well, we can quickly remove them with liposuction to help you achieve a smoother, slimmer appearance.

A tummy tuck, with the option of liposuction, is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where it can return to normal. A tummy tuck can help you achieve a smoother, more athletic abdomen and restore your pre-pregnancy body. A tummy tuck can also improve skin laxity from obesity in older patients who have lost collagen in their skin, resulting in a loose, droopy appearance. Suitable candidates:

  • Can maintain a stable weight
  • Have realistic expectations
  • Are nonsmokers or are willing to quit for a period of time
  • Are in good overall health

It is important to remember that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure, and candidates for a tummy tuck will need to be close to their ideal weight to optimize their results. Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone a tummy tuck. Women planning on future pregnancies should also wait, since the muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during tummy tuck surgery can separate again during pregnancy.

Consultation

During your consultation, we will ask about your body goals, lifestyle, current medications, and medical history. Your surgeon will also perform a physical exam to determine the best type of procedure for your goals.

When it comes to looking and feeling your best, the trust you feel in your plastic surgeon is paramount. With a personal and comfortable approach, the surgeons at Monarch Plastic Surgery will take the time to understand your concerns and share all aspects of your plastic surgery treatment options, as we work together to help you achieve your desired look. We can help you become familiar with our work and style so you can achieve the results you have always wanted.

We offer several body contouring procedures to help you reach your body goals. To learn more, see the blog.

Preparation

To prepare for a tummy tuck, you will need to:

  • Stop taking medications and supplements that thin your blood
  • Refrain from smoking or vaping for approximately 6 weeks before and after your procedure
  • Fill medications and arrange transportation home post-surgery
  • Plan time away from work and allow for adequate rest during recovery

Tummy Tuck Procedure

Tummy Tuck Monarch Plastic Surgery Leawood Kansas City

During your procedure, we will cleanse your skin and a professional will administer anesthesia. Your surgeon will make a thin incision along your bikini ine to remove excess tissue. Your surgeon can also perform liposuction to contour your abdomen depending on the body goals we discussed during your consultation.

If you receive liposuction, your surgeon will first make a thin incision and cleanse the treatment area with tumescent fluid– a combination of saline, epinephrine, and lidocaine that causes the fat cells to swell for easy removal. Your surgeon will use gentle suction to remove the excess fat while preserving the surrounding tissue for lasting results.

If you have loose muscles that were stretched (diastasis recti), your surgeon will tighten them for a smoother abdomen before closing the incision. (4)

Recovery

Most patients will take approximately 2-6 weeks to fully recover, depending on their unique circumstances. You may experience some bruising or swelling after the procedure, which should subside after the first 1-2 weeks. We will provide a compression garment to help you heal correctly and schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your progress. We will recommend that you nourish your body with healthy meals and get plenty of rest to help your body heal. You should prepare to be flexed at the way for the first week when walking. We also recommend sleeping with your head up and your knees bent to keep the tension off the closure the first week after surgery.

Results

After a tummy tuck, you can enjoy a slimmer abdomen and a more athletic abdominal appearance. Rest assured, your cosmetic surgeon and care team are dedicated to delivering transformative results with minimal recovery and healing time. If you take good care of your body by exercising regularly, eating healthy meals, and resting, you can enjoy your results for several years. It will be important to maintain a stable weight after your procedure to maintain your results; we can recommend resources to help you make healthy lifestyle changes.

The Cost of a Tummy Tuck in Kansas City

The cost of your tummy tuck will depend on your specific treatment plan and whether or not you need corresponding procedures such as liposuction. We offer high-quality care, products, services, and plastic surgery options at competitive pricing because our goal is the same as yours: natural-looking results at affordable prices.

If you are new to our plastic surgery practice, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our team members. We can discuss your body goals and create a personalized treatment plan with an all-inclusive quote to help you meet your needs:

FAQ

Will I have any scarring after a tummy tuck?

Yes, however, we take care to make discrete incisions along the natural folds of your skin that are hardly noticeable. Over time, they will fade into your skin for a more natural appearance.

Can you get pregnant after a tummy tuck?

We recommend that you wait to have a tummy tuck until you are finished having children. While it is possible to get pregnant after a tummy tuck, it can impact your results because weight fluctuations from pregnancy can stretch your skin further.

Can I combine a tummy tuck with liposuction?

Yes, we can discuss combining your tummy tuck with liposuction if you have excess fat that you would like to remove. We will discuss your medical history and body goals during your consultation to determine the best treatment plan for your needs.

How soon after a tummy tuck can I exercise?

Most patients can return to light exercise after 2 weeks, and we will provide specific instructions based on your procedure to help you determine when to return to more vigorous exercise.

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