Tummy Tuck
For women and men who can't seem to trim and firm their abs with diet and exercise, the answer might be a mini or full abdominoplasty, also called a tummy tuck. At his Nashville, TN practice, Dr. Brian P. Tierney can give you a smooth, flat abdominal contour and correct the laxity and excess skin that are often left after pregnancy or weight loss. Long considered one of the most transformative body contouring options, today's tummy tucks are more effective than ever, with a wide array of options to suit a diverse population of patients.
If you live in or near Nashville and tummy tuck interests you, request a consultation online, or call our office at (615) 320-8585. Dr. Tierney understands that you work hard to stay healthy. He and his staff are excited to help make your body a reflection of your lifestyle.
Results That Speak for Themselves
Review Dr. Tierney's surgical results to see what's possible for you. In addition to our online gallery of before-and-after tummy tuck pictures, additional photos are available to view at our office.
Before
After
This patient is a 41-year-old woman who got a nice result with a tummy tuck to remove excess, stretched skin.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess fat and skin. A tummy tuck is a not a weight-loss procedure, and it's best suited to a person with unwanted abdominal fat who is otherwise at healthy, sustainable weight. Because it also removes excess skin, tummy tuck surgery is especially popular with women who have had children, as well as those who have lost a significant amount of weight. A tummy tuck may be right for you if:
- You have extra skin or weakened abdominal muscles as the result of pregnancy, aging, weight loss, surgery, or genetics
- You are significantly bothered by the appearance of your abdomen
- The size or contours of your abdomen are not well-proportioned to the rest of your body
- You don't plan on having more children
Your Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck surgery by Dr. Tierney is an outpatient procedure that's performed while you are under general anesthesia. A standard tummy tuck begins with an incision made between the pelvic bones, which is hidden beneath underwear or a bathing suit. There is also an incision encircling the bellybutton. During your consultation, Dr. Tierney talks to you about your goals and expectations and helps you understand what you can expect from your procedure.
Once he makes the incision, Dr. Tierney removes localized fat deposits with the aid of liposuction. If your abdominal muscles are weak or separated, a condition called diastasis recti, he surgically repairs and tightens them with internal sutures. Finally, he removes excess skin and redrapes the remaining skin for a smooth, even contour and a natural-looking final result. A tummy tuck may be combined with breast augmentation or a breast lift as part of a mommy makeover procedure.
A mini tummy tuck requires a shorter incision, but correction is limited to the area below the belly button. This is a good option for some patients, and Dr. Tierney will let you know if you are a candidate for this scaled back approach.
Long considered one of the most transformative body contouring options, today's tummy tucks are more effective than ever, with a wide array of options to suit a diverse population of patients.
Tummy Tuck Recovery & Results
Although you will not be able to walk fully upright for a few days, Dr. Tierney stresses the importance of postsurgical mobility to his tummy tuck patients. Getting up every few hours to walk around the house helps with circulation and the prevention of blood clots. Most tummy tuck patients have surgical drains in place to prevent the accumulation of fluid. You will be given specific instructions for how to care for and monitor your drains. Dr. Tierney removes these drains at a follow-up appointment, typically after 5 to 7 days. Pain is controllable with prescribed medication, but your abdomen will likely still feel tender and sore. Most tummy tuck patients return to work after about 2 weeks, but if your job is physical or requires heavy lifting, you'll need more time at home.
Although the results of your tummy tuck may take several months to fully develop, they can last for many years by maintaining healthy habits. Drastic weight fluctuations, including pregnancy, can alter or reverse your results. If you plan on becoming pregnant in the future, talk to Dr. Tierney during your consultation.