Tummy Tuck in New Jersey
Many people dream of having a flat, toned abdomen, but even if you work hard on refining your core muscles through targeted exercises like planks and crunches, it can be challenging to achieve that goal. Perhaps you are genetically predisposed to accumulate fat around your midsection, or pregnancy has left you with weakened abdominal muscles and unwanted, sagging skin and fat deposits on your belly. A tummy tuck is a surgical way to address all these concerns simultaneously.
Tummy tuck surgery, or abdominoplasty, is the removal of excess, loose skin around the midsection, which may include removing excess fat and repairing abdominal wall defects, such as diastasis, hernias, and general abdominal wall weakness.
A protruding or loose abdomen may be due to aging, genetics, pregnancy, previous surgeries, or weight fluctuations that have caused the abdominal walls to weaken and sag. I use a customized approach for my tummy tuck procedures to meet every patient’s needs and create a smoother and firmer midsection to dramatically improve your shape.
To learn more about how a New Jersey tummy tuck can transform your proportions, call (973) 736-5907 or contact us today.
Tummy Tuck Before & After
View our Tummy Tuck before and after photographs to see our patients’ extraordinary body transformations! Request a consultation today for a firmer and flatter midsection.
Tummy Tuck Candidates
Ideal candidates for tummy tuck surgery are non-smokers, at a stable weight, physically healthy, and have realistic expectations for their results. The goal of a tummy tuck is to strengthen the abdominal muscles and remove excess fat and skin from your midsection for a more toned and sculpted stomach. It is not for people looking for a weight loss solution.
Motivated surgical candidates have done their research on their desired procedure and are willing to respect and trust my recommendations which come from over 27 years of experience. The ideal patient will also follow all the pre and post-operative instructions that my team and I have carefully prepared to maximize patient safety and outcomes.
Meet Scott SpiRo, M.D., F.A.C.S.
SURGEON BY TRADE
I am a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in deep plane facelifts and neck lifts, breast procedures including breast reduction, reconstruction and breast augmentation. I’m also an expert in body contouring including mommy makeovers, liposuction, tummy tucks, and more. To me, every patient is unique and deserves exceptional, natural-looking results. You can understand my approach to care by reviewing the testimonials and before and after galleries on this site and learning more about why I’ve been named a top plastic surgeon in my field.
ARTIST AT HEART
Art is my other passion, and my artist’s vision guides my work as a surgeon. I have done technical illustrations for many journal articles, book chapters, and patient resource pamphlets for national societies. I am also an accomplished painter, sculptor, and photographer. When you visit our office, you’ll see a gallery of reproductions of many of my pieces in oil, graphite, and photography.
What to Expect During a Tummy Tuck Consultation
A candid, one-on-one conversation about your health history and aesthetic goals can help you decide if getting a tummy tuck is a good choice for you. My staff and I take time to conduct thorough, informative consultations, during which you will meet personally with me, my nursing staff, and our practice coordinator.
During your tummy tuck consultation, I will talk to you about your current medications, previous surgeries and health history, and your surgical goals. My team and I will also evaluate your overall health, review potential risks and complications, and recommend a customized tummy tuck procedure for you.
A tummy tuck consultation is also an excellent opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about this surgery. I encourage you to bring a list of your concerns so I can provide detailed answers that help you feel confident in your decision to get a tummy tuck. My extensively trained team is happy to answer any questions you may have after your consultation.
Preparing for a
Tummy Tuck
Preparing for tummy tuck surgery may require you to receive an additional medical evaluation from your primary doctor. Additionally, ADHD and weight loss medications may also increase the risk of bleeding and complications and must be stopped.
After a tummy tuck, you should not drive a vehicle. Please arrange for someone to take you to and from surgery. Since you will also need to avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting, ensure you have plenty of time to take a break from work and other aspects of your life while your body heals. In the first few weeks of recovery, we advise asking a friend or family member for help around the house and with driving.
Tummy Tuck Procedures
Based on my recommendations during your initial consultation, I will tailor your tummy tuck procedure to meet your desired surgical goals. I can perform several techniques to create an aesthetically appealing outcome and functionally superior body.
Full Tummy Tuck
The most common form of a tummy tuck is referred to as a complete or full tummy tuck. This type of tummy tuck procedure addresses abdominal wall issues (diastasis, hernias, weakness, and bulges) through restoration and equalization of abdominal wall function. RETAF, as I have called it since 1996, is a process of improving the resting and functional tone of the abdominal wall. The correction of these abdominal wall issues requires true customization, which is where I believe I set myself apart from other plastic surgeons performing this procedure.
In the RETAF process, I perform what could be considered human origami of the abdominal wall to impact the aesthetic shaping of the torso. I make a slightly curved incision in the area just at or within between the pubic hairline. The underlying, weakened abdominal muscles are repaired once the skin is lifted in the abdomen. A second incision is made around the belly button to facilitate the freeing up of all remaining abdominal skin up to the ribs, which allows for the removal of loose skin in the upper and lower abdomen. The excess skin in the upper abdomen is pulled down and trimmed. The remaining skin is sutured together, and a new belly button opening is created and pulled through to the surface.
Mini Tummy Tuck
In women (and men) with skin-only problems, a mini tummy tuck is performed to improve the appearance of the lower abdomen with less extensive surgery. Only one small, slightly curved, or horizontal incision is made far below the belly button and just at or above the pubic area to eliminate the problem skin and tighten the lower abdomen. I can also combine a mini tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks and upper abdomen in patients with good-quality upper abdominal skin and no significant abdominal wall issues.
Umbilical Transposition
An umbilical transposition (skin only) abdominoplasty is performed in cases where there is significant skin laxity or excess skin over the entire abdomen (above and below the belly button) without any significant abdominal wall issues or concerns. During this procedure, an incision is made around the surface of the belly button to detach it from the skin surface, leaving it attached to the abdominal wall. This allows for maximal skin removal and the freedom to mobilize as much skin as possible. The belly button is then “brought back out” through the skin in the proper location.
Tummy Tuck with Liposuction
In certain cases, patients can benefit from a complete tummy tuck as well as abdominal liposuction. I can combine hip, back, flank, and buttock liposuction with any of the above-mentioned tummy tucks. In these scenarios, the liposuction may be performed at the time of the tummy tuck, or if the situation warrants, a second staged liposuction is performed after healing from an abdominoplasty. There are limitations to the amount of liposuction that can be performed simultaneously to a tummy tuck, which includes correlation directly with the amount of skin undermining. The more complete the tummy tuck procedure is performed, the less overlying liposuction can be done safely simultaneously.
Umbilical Float Abdominoplasty
A skin-only umbilical float abdominoplasty is performed for patients with no abdominal issues and skin laxity or excess skin in the lower abdomen that extends above the belly button. In this type of tummy tuck, the attachment of the belly button (umbilicus) to the abdominal wall is divided temporarily (to allow for mobilization and tightening of more skin) and then reattached internally without any evidence of scarring around the belly button. This approach removes and tightens more skin over a greater surface area, requiring longer incisions than a mini tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Time
Tummy tuck recovery varies depending on your age, health, and type of procedure you received. After your surgery, I will apply dressings and bandages to your incisions and place small tubes under your skin to drain any excess fluid or blood. To support your abdomen and minimize swelling as you heal, you may have to wear a compression garment for up to six weeks.
It is also essential to follow your post-op instructions, including:
- How to care for your incisions and drains
- Medications to take
- Specific concerns to look for
- When to return for follow-up care
Tummy Tuck FAQs
On the day of your surgery, plan to arrive about two hours before your start time to complete registration. Then, my surgical team will bring you back to the pre-operative section of the O.R. to get marked and prepped for surgery and review your case a final time with me. At this point, you’ll get your IV started and meet my experienced O.R. nursing staff. Then, you’ll listen to the music of your choice to help you relax.
After surgery, you’ll go to the post-anesthesia care unit for about two hours, followed by the recovery room for another two hours. Patients stay overnight in the hospital where I will see you the next day with my nursing team.
A tummy tuck cost can vary widely depending on your customized surgical plan and the technique used. My team and I can provide an accurate estimate after meeting with you and learning about your concerns.
Most of my patients don’t describe their recovery from tummy tuck surgery as painful, but they do experience tightness and soreness. Pain is a subjective matter, though. You can manage any discomfort you experience after your tummy tuck with a brief course of prescription pain medication. After a few days, you can switch to an over-the-counter solution like ibuprofen.
Most patients return to work after two or three weeks. If your job involves lifting or other forms of physical exertion, you may need to take more time off, perhaps four to six weeks, or arrange to return to light-duty work for your first weeks back on the job.
I recommend that you avoid lifting anything heavy, including a small child or a pet weighing more than a few pounds, for about four weeks after your surgery. If you have young children, you’ll probably need to plan to have some extra help.
Most patients notice immediate improvements after a tummy tuck, but it takes a few weeks for the post-surgical swelling to go down. That’s when you’ll start seeing a definite difference from the surgery. It can also take time for your abdominal muscles to adjust to the changes. Between six months and a year after your surgery, the last of the swelling will disappear, your scars will fade, and your abdomen will feel toned rather than tight. At that point, you’ll see and feel the dramatic enhancements from your procedure.
Tummy tuck alterations are permanent if you maintain a stable weight with healthy eating and exercise habits. Of course, your skin will continue to age, but it won’t go back to the sagging you experienced before the surgery if you don’t stretch it again with weight gain or pregnancy.
The changes made by this surgery will not interfere with your ability to get pregnant or carry a child to term. A future pregnancy may or may not affect your tummy tuck, and you may reverse some or all the improvements. For this reason, it’s best to wait until you finish having children before having a tummy tuck.
Decide what areas bother you, and come prepared with questions about how these areas can be improved. It may be helpful to bring a support person to your consultation who will be helping you during your recovery as a second set of ears. Above all, have reasonable expectations and achievable goals.
Dr. Spiro has a unique way of prepping patients by having them wear abdominal binders for 7 days before surgery to get them used to the feeling of a tight abdomen. Tummy tuck surgery is performed in the hospital (for added safety), and it is required that you stay for 1 night. Dr. Spiro will see you before your surgery and mark you before you are taken into the operating room. Once in the operating room, you will meet the OR staff and the Anesthesiologist who will be administering anesthesia. Next thing you know, you will be waking up in recovery with an amazing new abdomen.
Drains are a necessary part of tummy tuck surgery; any time skin is being lifted and repositioned, the body’s response is to fill that newly created space with fluid. Drains are typically in for 6-7 days, which allows the tissues to re-adhere and helps prevent unnecessary complications.
Every patient is different. Dr. Spiro repairs both the fascia between and over the rectus muscle and the oblique muscles to contour the abdomen. In some cases, liposuction is recommended 12 weeks after the tummy tuck surgery to remove excess fat and reveal the abs underneath. Restoring and equalizing tone across abdominal fascia is a unique and creative concept created by Dr. Spiro. Once healed, your “abs” spring back and show. Just look at our website before and afters!
No, tummy tuck surgery is not a weight loss procedure; it is a body contouring procedure. We recommend being within 15 lbs of your goal weight at the time of surgery.
All sutures used in tummy tuck surgery are dissolvable.
In a proper tummy tuck, the abdominal wall repair should start just beneath the breasts and go all the way down to the pubis, which will give the abdomen a flat appearance and prevent any bulging of the upper or lower abdomen. The abdominal scar should be low enough to be hidden in a bathing suit bottom. The belly button should look like a natural belly button and not a large bullseye. The narrowest part of the abdomen should be at or just above the umbilicus.
Most patients experience modest swelling of the abdomen after surgery, but results are immediately visible, and their abdomens typically look better than they did prior to surgery. Swelling can take 6+ weeks to resolve completely, with the last bits of swelling to resolve usually being between the belly button and pubis. Additionally, early “swelling” is usually gas and bloat-related.
Patients typically need to take off from work for 1-2 weeks after tummy tuck surgery. They can return to work sooner if they are able to work remotely. They can drive after 1 week but cannot perform any physical activity (walking, household chores, etc.) for 4 weeks. They can resume fitness at 6 weeks and isolated core exercises at 12 weeks.
The most common complication of tummy tuck surgery is seroma, or a collection of fluid underneath the skin that develops after the drains are removed. This is usually from overactivity. It may need to be drained with a needle weekly and can last for several weeks.
Full body sculpting using liposuction (Lipo360) can be done at the same time as a limited skin-only tummy tuck. Liposuction of the hips and back is often done in conjunction with a full tummy tuck to sculpt the waist and give patients an hourglass figure. If liposuction of the abdomen is recommended after a full tummy tuck, it is performed 12 weeks after the tummy tuck surgery.
After a tummy tuck, you cannot exercise for 6 weeks, and you cannot perform isolated core exercises for 12 weeks. Abdominal wall fascia (internal repaired tissue) is slow to heal and requires time.
It is normal to feel tight after tummy tuck surgery from the abdominal wall repair. You should always follow your surgeon’s instructions about what you should not do in the immediate post-operative period, but regular movement should not affect your results. Early mobility and frequent ambulation are encouraged and strongly recommended.
Most of the discomfort felt after tummy tuck surgery comes from the abdominal wall repair. Pain is managed with a nerve block after surgery, muscle relaxants, and pain medications. Typically, by day 4, patients’ pain is improved, and they are only taking Tylenol.
Yes! Your belly button is left attached to the abdominal wall, and the loose skin around it is pulled tight, excess skin is removed, and your belly button is brought to the surface, leaving you with a small scar around the belly button. However, Dr. Spiro sometimes uses the “neoumbilicoplasty” technique, where a belly button is made new in a later procedure.
In typical tummy tuck surgeries, your belly button is not removed and does not need to be recreated (see previous question). In “float” abdominoplasties, there are no incisions around the belly button. This is a less common procedure reserved for patients whose loose skin excess is only in the lower abdomen.
After initial consultation, patients can typically book their surgery in 1-3 months depending on surgical availability and length of surgery. Patients are required to get bloodwork and/or an EKG or medical clearance within 4 weeks of surgery. They are then seen for an appointment 2 weeks before surgery to review and finalize the surgical plan.
You should always choose an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who you feel comfortable with and is able to address all your concerns. Reviewing the surgeon’s before and after photos is also an important part in the decision-making process. Also, speak to former patients who can tell you about their experiences.
Dr. Scott Spiro – New Jersey’s Leading Tummy Tuck Surgeon
The surgeon who performs your tummy tuck surgery is the most crucial factor in your safety and satisfaction. It is essential to take time to find a doctor who has plenty of experience in performing tummy tuck surgeries, whose bedside manner makes you feel welcome and at home, and whose aesthetic approach has produced outstanding outcomes for other patients like you.
Patients have traveled all over the world to benefit from my expertise and artistic touch. I am board-certified in aesthetic, corrective, and reconstructive plastic surgery, with more than 26 years of experience.
I am passionate about going above and beyond for each patient and helping them achieve their ideal aesthetic outcomes. My team and I want everyone to remember us for the positive influence we have had on their lives. I infuse an artist’s vision with every surgical plan and procedure to optimize each result. Call us at (973) 736-5907 or reach out online to learn more.