You’ve likely heard of a tummy tuck in conjunction with a “mommy makeover,” a comprehensive postpartum transformation that combines breast augmentation and tummy tuck.
Perhaps you’ve even considered a tummy tuck, but need to see examples of a tummy tuck before and after in Atlanta before committing.
At Artisan Plastic Surgery, our all-female team of board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Bernadette Ashraf, MD, and Dr. Sybile Val, MD, FACS, also led by our founder, Dr. Diane Alexander, MD, FACS, helps patients achieve a slimmer, flatter, and firmer abdomen.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, also called an abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that refines the appearance of the lower abdomen, creating a slimmer silhouette.
During the procedure, the plastic surgeon tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess fat and skin, smoothing and sculpting the stomach for a refined waistline.
Tummy tucks are surgical procedures, and patients often require 4 to 6 weeks of recovery time. You should notice immediate results after your appointment, which continue to improve for 6 to 12 months. Your transformation is long-lasting when supported by a healthy lifestyle and stable weight.
Proven Tummy Tuck Results
After a tummy tuck, patients notice:
- A firmer abdomen and more stable muscle structure
- Tighter, smoother skin with fewer folds
- Fewer fat pockets and a more balanced shape
Explore our gallery for photos of a tummy tuck before and after in Atlanta.
Why Do Patients Get a Tummy Tuck?
Artisan Plastic Surgery patients choose a tummy tuck for a variety of reasons, both functional and aesthetic.
- To Balance Significant Weight Loss: Rapid weight loss often results in loose skin around the lower abdomen. Tummy tucks can remove this drooping skin and reduce any remaining fat pockets resistant to diet or exercise.
- To Reverse the Effects of Pregnancy: The skin on the lower abdomen stretches during pregnancy, leading to stretch marks and loose skin postpartum. Additionally, pregnancy and birth can weaken the abdominal muscles, causing bulges on the stomach. Your plastic surgeon can tighten damaged core muscles and remove loose skin during a tummy tuck.
- To Correct Weak Abdominal Muscles: The abdominal muscles and connective tissues, such as the fascia, deteriorate due to age, injury, or pregnancy, sometimes creating symptoms like back pain, stomach lumps, or umbilical hernias. Tummy tucks provide plastic surgeons the opportunity to repair these tissues for functional wellness.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tucks work best for patients experiencing sagging skin, protruding abdominal muscles, or stubborn fat pockets despite maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Not every patient benefits from a tummy tuck. We do not recommend this procedure for people who:
- Still plan to lose 20 pounds or more.
- Have long-term conditions, like heart disease or diabetes, which can make surgery unsafe.
- Take blood-thinning medications or have a high risk of blood clots.
- Smoke, and are unwilling to quit before surgery.
- Plan to become pregnant in the future.
- Have a BMI of 30+.
Discover a Sculpted Stomach
Ready to be rid of excess skin or fat and reveal a firmer stomach? At Artisan Plastic Surgery, our expert team of compassionate female surgeons enhances your unique features while maintaining a subtle, authentic appearance.
