Tummy Tuck Surgery

After pregnancy or extreme weight loss, your belly may not look the same. It’s common for skin to lose its elasticity and sag. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is surgery to remove excess skin and fat from your abdomen and tighten the underlying muscles to create a smoother, firmer appearance.  

Plastic surgeons at University of Vermont Health Network have years of experience performing abdominoplasty and a track record of successful outcomes. When you come to us for care, you’ll find a compassionate, expert team committed to helping you feel more comfortable and confident in your body.

As a leading plastic surgery program in the region, we offer: 

• Leading expertise: Our plastic surgeons use the latest techniques to make surgery as safe and effective as possible. Many are academic leaders, training the next generation of experts. 
• Supportive team: Every team member works to give you an exceptional experience. From consultation to surgery and follow-up care, you have a knowledgeable and compassionate team by your side. 
• Personalized approach: Our surgeons take time to get to know you and learn about your goals for surgery. We help you understand your surgical options so you can decide what’s right for you. 
• Comfort and convenience: Your comfort, safety and privacy are top priorities for our team. With offices in Vermont and northern New York and digital health options for some follow-up visits, we make it easy to access care.

Types of Procedures

In addition to abdominoplasty, we offer: 

• Circumferential abdominoplasty: This procedure involves removing excess fat and skin from the abdomen, waist, sides and lower back.
• Panniculectomy: Similar to a tummy tuck, this procedure removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen, but without tightening the underlying muscles. Panniculectomy is typically an option when there’s an apron of skin hanging over the groin (panniculus), but your abdominal muscles are intact.
• Combined procedures: We may be able to perform two procedures in a single surgery. Some people choose to get a tummy tuck and breast lift at the same time. After weight loss, some people combine a tummy tuck with other body contouring procedures, such as an arm or thigh lift. 

What to Expect

Consultation 

Your first appointment is a one-hour consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. We use this visit to get to know you, review your medical history and understand your goals for surgery. 

Your surgeon will also review your options and set clear expectations for the results. Our aim is to provide accurate, unbiased information so you can choose what’s right for you.

Factors that may affect your eligibility for abdominoplasty or panniculectomy include:

• Current nicotine use: Smoking and the use of other nicotine products can increase your risk of infection after surgery and slow your healing. 
• Unstable weight: Weight fluctuations after surgery can affect your results. If you have recently lost weight, you should be at a stable weight for at least six months before surgery.

Abdominoplasty and Panniculectomy Surgery 

Abdominoplasty and panniculectomy are performed in an operating room using general anesthesia, so you are asleep. During the procedure, your surgeon makes one or more incisions in your abdomen to tighten and reshape the underlying tissue. The size and location of these incisions depends on the procedure and the amount of excess skin to be removed: 

• Complete abdominoplasty (full tummy tuck): Your surgeon makes a horizontal incision below the belly button, just above the pubic region, and another around the belly button.
• Partial abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck): Your surgeon makes a small horizontal incision below the belly button, just above the pubic region. 
• Circumferential abdominoplasty: Your surgeon makes an incision around your entire waistline, extending around your front and back.
• Panniculectomy: Your surgeon makes a horizontal incision from one hipbone to the other and usually another around the belly button. Sometimes, especially after massive weight loss, these incisions are extended in a pattern like a “fleur-de-lis.” 

Depending on your needs, your surgeon may tighten the abdominal muscles, remove excess fat (either surgically or using liposuction) and reposition your belly button. 

Recovery and Follow-Up Care 

After surgery, you may go home that day or stay overnight in the hospital. Before you leave the hospital, we provide: 

• Instructions on how to care for your surgical incisions 
• Medication prescriptions to help manage pain 
• Supplies, such as dressings and support garments 
• An appointment for your first follow-up visit, usually one week after surgery 

Soreness and swelling are common in the first few weeks after surgery. You will likely have tubes under your skin to drain fluid for one to two weeks. Your surgeon will remove these drains at one of your follow-up appointments.

You will need to wear an abdominal binder, a girdle-like garment, for up to four weeks after surgery. Between two and six weeks after surgery, you can gradually increase physical activity. Most people can go back to work at two weeks and resume typical activity between six and eight weeks. Depending on the type of surgery, you may have some swelling on and off for several months.

Our surgeons do their best to minimize scarring by carefully placing the incisions in less visible areas. Your care team will give you tips on how to help your incisions heal properly. 

Patient Resources

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Tummy Tuck
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Body Contouring

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