Tummy Tuck in Atlanta

Abdominoplasty has helped millions of patients worldwide overcome the devastating physical changes that come along with extreme weight loss or pregnancy. For the right candidate, a tummy tuck is considered a safe and effective way to remove loose skin, excess fat, and stretch marks. It can even repair abdominal muscle separation, a condition known as rectus diastasis that commonly occurs due to pregnancy or obesity.

More than a cosmetic procedure, a tummy tuck can have far-reaching benefits such as improved self-image, fewer skin rashes, and feeling more comfortable in your body. The surgical scar is discreet, so no one will know you had surgery to look your best. A tummy tuck may not be suitable for you if you are looking for a way to lose weight. Rather, a tummy tuck is for men and women who follow a proper diet and exercise yet still have fatty bulges on the front and side of the abdomen. A tummy tuck can:

• Tighten the skin
• Remove deposits of extra fat
• Make underlying muscles tauter

In a traditional tummy tuck, a horizontal incision is made just above your pubic hairline; the length of the incision will be determined by the amount of excess fat and skin that you have. As we do in every surgery we perform, our plastic surgeons attempt to make the incision as discreet as possible so that any residual scarring can be easily camouflaged with clothing.

Excess skin and fat is removed from the lower abdomen, and the weakened underlying muscles are tightened, narrowing the waistline while firming the midsection. The remaining skin is pulled taut around the stomach, and the incision is then closed with sutures. Often performed in combination with liposuction, a tummy tuck can greatly reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen.

Like all surgery, a tummy tuck leaves a scar. The surgeons at Astra Plastic Surgery minimize scarring by placing the incision on the lower abdomen where it will be hidden in most styles of swimwear and clothing.

The length of the scar depends on the type of tummy tuck you had. A mini tummy tuck has the shortest scar, a full tummy tuck has a scar from hip to hip, and an extended tummy tuck leaves an elongated scar across the lower abdomen and above the hips. As the surgical scar matures, it should soften and become lighter in color, eventually fading to a fine line. This process takes a year or more. For the best-looking scar, stay hydrated, avoid sun tanning, and consider scar treatments such as scar gel, silicone sheets, or laser scar lightening.