Tummy Tuck with Body Contouring
Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Manhattan and Long Island, NY
A tummy tuck with body contouring, or a lipo abdominoplasty, is a procedure that involves excess skin and fat removal, abdominal wall repair, and additional liposuction of the flanks and back to promote a smoother, hourglass-like figure.
Lax skin and stubborn pockets of fat in the abdominal region are common issues that can be difficult to address through diet and exercise alone. Furthermore, factors such as pregnancy, significant weight loss, or natural aging can negatively affect the aesthetics and strength of the abdomen. If you are seeking a permanent solution to restore a more youthful, attractive midsection, consider this more comprehensive approach offered at New York Surgical Arts.
Dr. Gordon Andan is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon with extensive experience and involvement with co-authoring the latest surgical research and techniques. At our practices in York City and Garden City, NY, each patient is treated with the individualized care that they deserve. Call (516) 746-0155 today to schedule your thorough consultation with Dr. Andan concerning your interest in a tummy tuck with body contouring. Alternatively, you can reach a member of our staff with our contact form, and you will get prompt assistance in getting a timely appointment.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Abdominal Tissues
Abdominal bulging can be caused by a multitude of reasons that may not have anything to do with being overweight or obese. Some people accumulate more fat in this area due to genetics, or the degrading of skin quality with age. Just like any other area of the body, the connective proteins that keep skin looking youthful and tight degrade with time, and some people begin to experience this process as soon as their 30s. This is roughly about the time when the skin produces less collagen fibers and elastin fibers begin to degrade, leading to overall dermal atrophy, or weakening of the second layer of skin. (1) As a result, any fat buildup can protrude more easily. While a tummy tuck with body contouring isn’t designed to help patients lose weight, the skin-tightening and fat-removal aspects of the procedure can restore one’s sense of body confidence.
Benefits of the Tummy Tuck with Liposuction
This 2-in-1 procedure offers a range of benefits that appeal to many patients seeking to attain a beautifully sculpted midsection from all angles:
- It produces more natural-looking results than just a tummy tuck alone.
- The surgeon can hide the tummy tuck scar discreetly beneath the waistband, just above the pubic area.
- Liposuction scars are very small, only a couple of centimeters in diameter.
- Weakened abdominal muscles can be strengthened with permanent sutures, correcting diastasis recti, a common condition where the muscles separate from each other due to pregnancy or weight gain.
- The results can be lifelong with proper weight maintenance.
- The process of skin excision can eliminate unsightly stretch marks and surgical scars.
- It can help reduce symptoms of incontinence caused by abdominal weakness. (2)
Candidates
A tummy tuck with body contouring procedure is designed for patients with a BMI under 30 who are in good overall health with no serious health conditions. Those who have experienced massive weight loss can benefit greatly from the skin excision portion of the procedure since it restores skin rigidity. Those who have undergone bariatric surgery should wait 1 year or more before considering another surgery. Prospective patients who only have mild skin laxity are only suited for abdominal liposuction alone or a mini-tummy tuck; an abdominoplasty that involves less skin and fat removal.
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation with Dr. Andan, he will evaluate the skin quality of your abdomen and the amount of fat buildup present at the front, sides, and back of the midsection. He will discuss your specific concerns and examine your overall health history to determine if surgery is appropriate for your situation. During this appointment, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and detail your cosmetic goals, effectively working together to come up with a personalized treatment plan. To schedule your consultation today, call New York Surgical Arts in New York City or Garden City, NY at (516) 746-0155, or get in touch by sending us a message through our contact page. We can’t wait to help you along in your journey toward achieving your new body.
Procedure Steps
Patients who carry weight in the abdomen tend to put on fatty tissue throughout the entire midsection. Though a tummy tuck can produce transformative results, it can sometimes look incomplete since the fat deposits on the flanks and back aren’t addressed. Dr. Andan strives to enhance the procedure by implementing minimally invasive liposuction techniques to sculpt the area further.
After we administer general anesthesia to the patient, Dr. Andan will begin the liposuction portion of the procedure. First, he will inject the treatment areas, the flanks and back, with a solution called tumescent fluid. As this tumescent fluid penetrates into the fatty layer, it loosens the fat and makes it dense, preparing it for removal. The solution contains lidocaine to ensure the tissues are properly anesthetized. Next, a long, thin cannula will mechanically suction the fat. Once Dr. Andan completes his sculpting, he will repair the incisions with gauze and surgical tape- these incisions are only about 2 cm in diameter, so sutures aren’t necessary.
Next, Dr. Andan will make a single horizontal incision from hip to hip, ensuring that the resulting scar can be hidden underneath a bikini or waistband. From there, he will remove fat using excision and suture the abdominal muscles. As the midsection heals through recovery, these muscles will heal tightly, restoring core strength, improving back posture, and contributing to a flatter appearance. If Dr. Andan determines that you already have a strong core- an assessment from the consultation, he may skip this part of the procedure. Finally, Dr. Andan will take careful note of the placement of the navel by ensuring that the remaining skin redrapes over it in a natural way. He will then close the incision with sutures.
Recovery
Recovery after a tummy tuck with body contouring is similar to standard tummy tuck recovery since it typically involves the same procedure steps. After your procedure, Dr. Andan will place surgical drains along the horizontal incision above your pubic area in order to reduce fluid buildup and allow swelling to go down.
In addition to the drains, Dr. Andan will give more comprehensive instructions regarding care for your incisions. When the procedure is complete, he will use surgical compression dressings to keep the incisions secure and to prevent further swelling and/or infection. As soon as you are able to, you should engage in light movements and walking to allow sufficient blood flow to the treatment area.
Depending on the extent of the surgical changes, you will need to take time away from work for around 2 to 3 weeks. By the time you are 6 to 12 weeks into your recovery, you will be able to return to your normal workout routine and all other daily activities.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
360-Degree Liposuction
If the idea of lipo-abdominoplasty appeals to you, but you are seeking a less invasive procedure, 360-degree liposuction can provide you with the same toned look you are desiring. 360-degree liposuction addresses all sides of the abdomen, ensuring that there are no unnatural bulges from any angle of the midsection. This technique only works for those with taut, young skin that can retract well after fat removal since there is no skin excision involved.
To further accentuate muscle definition, Dr. Andan may employ a VASER (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance) device that emits ultrasound into the fat layer. This ultrasound energy gently and efficiently breaks up fat with more ease, allowing patients to experience a more comfortable recovery with less bruising. (3) This unique liposuction process involves strategically leaving behind a small portion of fat on each abdominal muscle to promote a leaner, athletic look.
Cost of a Tummy Tuck with Body Contouring in NYC
The cost of a tummy tuck with body contouring will depend on Dr. Andan’s chosen tummy tuck technique for your unique shape, whether or not he uses the VASER device, anesthesia fees, surgical fees, and the cost of follow-up appointments.
At New York Surgical Arts, we want to be welcoming and affordable to as many patients as possible, which is why we offer patient financing plans with Cherry Financing, CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit. With all factors considered, we will provide you with a cost estimate during your first consultation.
If you’d like to assess other options for your aesthetic rejuvenation, please feel free to browse through our blog. We want each and every patient to be happy, satisfied, and well-informed. When you feel ready to consult Dr. Andan, reach out to us by dialing (516) 746-0155 or contacting us in New York City or Garden City, NY online.
References
- Rousseaux I, Robson S. Body Contouring and Skin Tightening Using a Unique Novel Multisource Radiofrequency Energy Delivery Method. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2017;10(4):24-29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5404777/
- Carruthers KH, Kocak E, Hulsen JH, McMahan JD. Improvement in stress urinary incontinence after abdominoplasty. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2014;34(7):1091-1098. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X14544023
- Ruff PG, Garcia O, Nykiel M, Galanis CJ. Consensus-based Recommendations for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction. Plastic and reconstructive surgery Global open. 2023;11(7):e5110-e5110. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005110