Tummy Tuck

Countless men and women worldwide wake up every day with the motivation and drive to conquer that last bit of excess fat and skin stemming from pregnancy, heredity, weight gain, or other similar conditions. Unfortunately, all that dieting and exercise on the road to a more defined midsection often leads to a dead-end before the destination is reached. If this journey sounds familiar to you, you are not alone. Many factors are likely outside of your control, making achieving or reclaiming a sexy midsection seem impossible.

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a versatile plastic surgery procedure designed to treat this quite common source of insecurity. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, tummy tucks are regularly in the top five most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures each year. Dr. Shlomo Widder is a board-certified plastic surgeon and tummy tuck expert who has changed many lives through his superb tummy tuck results and dedication to patient safety and care.

If you would like to learn more about tummy tucks in Vienna, Northern Virginia, and Washington D.C., request a free consultation with Dr. Widder today!

Before and After Photos

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What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty has a long history of efficacy and safety backed by mountains of medical research. The tummy tuck procedure works well for men and women and is used to redesign the contours and tighten the skin and abdominal muscles around a person’s midsection. There are different approaches to the procedure, including the full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, and extended tummy tuck.

During a tummy tuck procedure, excess fat and skin cells are removed from the abdomen surgically. Before this important step, the abdominal muscle fascia, or connective tissue layer that covers the muscles, is tightened helping to create a more toned look. Loose, hanging skin that has been distorted by weight changes or childbirth, in the form of stretch marks, are removed completely or almost completely. Liposuction may or may not be part of a tummy tuck procedure. However, Dr. Widder does not combine the two procedures due to significant increased risk of severe complications, including death, as opposed to abdominoplasty alone.

A tummy tuck may be a standalone procedure, or it may be part of a larger targeted body rejuvenation treatment plan. Many men opt for a tummy tuck in conjunction with male breast reduction surgery, also known as gynecomastia surgery. Many women choose to include a tummy tuck as part of their staged mommy makeover treatment plan.

Candidate

If you are interested in having a tummy tuck, we will screen you during the consultation to make sure you are a great candidate for the procedure. First, we will help you understand what is possible and discuss all your expectations. Know that a tummy tuck is not a substitute for healthy weight loss or a healthy lifestyle.

Any adult who is unhappy with the appearance of their midsection when they stand in front of the mirror and meets these conditions is likely a good candidate for a tummy tuck.

Next, we’ll want to make sure you’re:

• In good health overall
• A non-smoker or planning to quit before your surgery
• BMI of 35 or less
• Not taking any medications that could affect the surgery or recovery

Benefits

The most obvious benefit of a tummy tuck is a new or regained sense of self-confidence and sense of femininity or masculinity. The way you feel about the way you look on the outside has a profound effect on how you see yourself on the inside. Being comfortable and confident in your own skin can be a lifechanging experience that can lead to better relationships, work prospects, and more opportunities.

In addition to being a powerful confidence booster, a tummy tuck can also have several significant physical health benefits, including:

Better posture

Ever heard the phrase, “all movement originates in your core?” A tummy tuck can help rebuild and strengthen the foundation of abdominal muscles, leading to better posture, reduced chronic back pain, and even better sleep.

Weight Loss

You may lose weight due to the abdominal muscles tightening, reducing the amount of food that you can eat and sense of hunger.

Kickstart a healthier lifestyle

Many patients who have a tummy tuck use the transformative experience to begin a much healthier lifestyle. To maintain the results from a tummy tuck, you will want to stay within a healthy BMI anyway, so you might as well use it to improve your health in other areas as well.

These are just a few of the physical and mental health benefits of having a tummy tuck. To put it very simply, the procedure can be a wonderful foundation for looking and feeling your best!

How Does Dr. Widder Perform a Drainless Tummy Tuck?

Widder Plastic Surgery is a patient-centered practice, and this will be apparent from the minute you start your consultation with Dr. Shlomo Widder. Dr. Widder helps educate patients during each clinical consultation before digging in and finding out their unique, “why”—the core reason that they are choosing to have a tummy tuck surgery.

On the day of surgery, you will be given general anesthesia. This will help keep you safe and comfortable while Dr. Widder performs the tummy tuck. When the anesthesia does its job, Dr. Widder will make incisions at the skin crease, just above the pubic bone and work on removing excess skin and repairing abdominal muscle damage.

Another incision will be made around the belly button. After tightening the muscles with permanent sutures, the skin is pulled down and tightened, quilting sutures are attaching the skin flap to the muscle, to avoid fluid build up after surgery which saves the use of the dreaded drain. Excess skin is removed before the incisions are closed using self-absorbing sutures. You will then be taken back to a recovery room where you will be safely monitored until you wake up.

What Can I Expect

Recovery is a bit different for everyone, but plan to have help with most tasks for the first 2-3 days after surgery. You will gradually be able to move around and resume some normal activities, but you will probably have to avoid any strenuous activities or exercise for at least six weeks. Most patients return to light duty work after 1 week. We will monitor your progress regularly to ensure a healthy and effective recovery. Your safety and comfort are always our top priorities.

What Is a Tummy Tuck Revision?

A poorly performed initial tummy tuck, unforeseen weight changes, and surprise babies are all reasons people choose to have a tummy tuck revision. A tummy tuck revision can improve the appearance and location of scars, reconfigure the belly button’s size or shape, and enhance the overall harmony of the bellybutton with other features and contours of the abdomen.

Consultation

If you are ready to learn more about the exciting ways to address your midsection concerns, do yourself a favor and talk with a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon. At Widder Plastic Surgery, Dr. Shlomo Widder and his team of tummy tuck experts build each treatment plan around each unique individual. Whether it is your first tummy tuck or a tummy tuck revision surgery, place your trust in the hands of one of the Washington D.C. area’s best and most renowned tummy tuck surgeons. See what our patients have to say about their experience with Widder Plastic Surgery on our reviews page. Get in touch with us today to learn more information or to schedule your Northern Virginia tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Widder.

To schedule your consultation for a tummy tuck in the Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland areas, please call Widder Plastic Surgery at (703) 506-0300. You can also contact us by sending a message through our website whenever it is convenient for you.

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