TUMMY TUCK

A tummy tuck, also called an abdominoplasty, is a safe and effective procedure performed to reduce excess stomach fat, tone sagging skin, and refine laxity in the abdominal wall. Tummy tucks are often accompanied by liposuction in the back, waist, thighs, or buttocks area for a more complete body contouring experience. Because body types and target regions for improvement vary so much from patient to patient, your surgeon will recommend a specific type of tummy tucks: mini, standard, full (extended), or circumferential. Your surgeon will discuss your ideal procedure at length during your initial consultation.

Good candidates for a tummy tuck include those who have excess skin and/or tissue on the abdomen that doesn’t remedy with a regular fitness and nutrition routine. Sometimes the natural progression of aging means that these wellness techniques will help us get healthier but not necessarily address our aesthetic needs in the way that we might want them to.

Here at Capizzi MD Cosmetic Surgery & Med Spa, we pride ourselves on offering the most cutting-edge treatments for our patients. With our Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program, tummy tuck recovery is quicker and easier than ever before. This allows our patients to resume normal activities like showering, driving, and returning to work sooner.

Different Types of Tummy Tucks

Mini Tummy Tuck

This popular procedure boasts minimal scarring and great results. It is most often drainless and your surgeon will close the skin with knotless sutures. The surgeon will make a modest bikini-line incision, 6-8 inches long, and then will remove excess skin folds. This technique is well prescribed for fairly in-shape individuals with problem areas below the belly button. Recovery from the mini tummy tuck is usually more rapid than with other procedures. Patients wear a compression garment after surgery and normal activity can begin immediately. Our patients are able to resume working, exercising, and driving within 24-48 hours.

• Small scar (6-8 inches)
• No drains during recovery
• Removes excess skin below the belly button
• Does NOT remove excess tissue or address abdominal muscle concerns
• Fastest recovery: Back to work and driving in 2-3 days

Standard Tummy Tuck

The standard abdominoplasty is the most common type of tummy tuck and involves tightening the entire stomach wall, ensuring a tight, flat belly. This procedure is a great option if a patient has a stubborn belly pouch extending 1-2 inches, has undergone severe weight loss, or had several pregnancies.

• Bikini line scar (8-10 inches)
• Drains during recovery to improve healing time
• Removes excess skin and tissue above AND below the belly button
• Addresses diastasis recti and umbilical hernias
• Moderately fast recovery: Back to work and driving in 5-7 days

Full (Extended) Tummy Tuck

As its name suggests, a full tummy tuck is like the standard version, but also includes the removal of excess fat and skin folds in the back and hips. “Love handles” can be re-contoured with this procedure for a more attractive waistline with a hip-to-hip incision. A full tummy tuck is used for patients that have more marked skin laxity either due to genetics, childbearing, or weight loss. These patients typically have more stretch marks and loss of elastic properties of the skin.

• Addresses excess skin/fat in the back and hips
• Moderate recovery: Back to work and driving in 7-10 days

Full tummy tuck recovery with the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery includes Lymphatic Therapy to aid with healing and comfort, as well as access to skincare products such as Biocorneum Silicone Scar Gel or Capizzi MD Firm & Contour moisturizer to aid with the appearance of scars.

Circumferential Tummy Tuck

When a more comprehensive abdominoplasty is required—usually in cases of extreme weight loss where excess sagging skin drapes the hips, back and buttocks—your surgeon will advise a circumferential tummy tuck, also known as a body lift. Liposuction is often used in conjunction with this procedure to further streamline and sculpt the torso.

Your recovery is of the utmost importance to us. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery is our approach to providing world-class cosmetic surgery, aesthetic treatments, and procedures to ensure patients achieve optimal results.

Tummy Tuck FAQs

How Long Will it Take to Recover From a Tummy Tuck?

Long story short, it depends on the type of tummy tuck you receive as part of your personalized treatment plan. Common recovery windows are as below, and you will be cleared for activities with each follow-up appointment.

• Back to work: 2-5 days, as you feel comfortable
• Driving: 2-5 days, as you feel comfortable
• Drains (if you have them): Removed 5-7 days post-op
• Light workouts: 2-3 weeks
• Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, physical labor: 4-6 weeks

Recovery time is different for each patient and is based on the complexity of the surgery. However, because Capizzi MD offers among the best tummy tucks, Charlotte residents and visitors can expect to resume gentle daily activities within 5-7 days. Throughout the entire process, your surgeon’s trustworthy team of medical experts will be on hand to guide you, so don’t hesitate to ask for anything. Outstanding patient satisfaction is Capizzi MD’s foremost professional goal.

What is a drain?

An integral part of your post-operative recovery, a drain is a tube connected to a receptacle to allow drainage of excess fluid after surgery. Drains help with wound closure and decrease the risk of infection. At Capizzi MD we use Jackson-Pratt drains to offer enhanced care to our patients and they are very important to a quick recovery. They are very simple to take care of and your surgical nurse will show you how to manage them in the coming days. Patients receive a “drain log” at their pre-op appointment for documenting fluid output twice a day after surgery. This log is especially important to our surgical team. Fluid output determines how long the patient will need to have the drain, which is usually about 5-7 days.

What is diastasis recti? Do I have it?

Diastasis recti occurs when the two large parallel bands of muscles in the middle of the abdomen separate. The muscles will naturally separate during pregnancy as the uterus expands, but for some women, the muscles become so stretched out or damaged that they never fully go back together. This causes a bulge between the two separated bands of the abdomen. It’s not physically dangerous, but it is referred to as a “pooch” and is especially common in women who have given birth.

Some patients are diagnosed with this by another doctor but oftentimes our patients have no idea that they have it until after their tummy tuck surgery. This is very common and Dr. Capizzi will remedy the concern as part of your procedure.

How do I find the right surgeon for my tummy tuck?

A few things to consider when researching surgeons: board certification, before and after photos, reviews on reputable websites such as Google and RealSelf, and recognition for the specific procedure you are seeking.

Recognized throughout North Carolina and beyond as a specialist in body contouring, Dr. Peter Capizzi’s familiarity with the latest innovations in the industry and his meticulous perfectionism sets him apart from other physicians.

Committed to achieving the most successful outcome for each client through his proven approach, Dr. Capizzi reviews your medical records, previous surgeries, measurements, and photographs of your desired outcome to make his most informed recommendation. Because your health is vital to the longevity of this procedure as well as the postoperative care, Dr. Capizzi has developed the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. This method ensures that patients receive the highest level of care before, during, and after their treatment to ensure they see exceptional results.

Different Types of Tummy Tucks

Mini Tummy Tuck

This popular procedure boasts minimal scarring and great results. It is most often drainless and your surgeon will close the skin with knotless sutures. The surgeon will make a modest bikini-line incision, 6-8 inches long, and then will remove excess skin folds. This technique is well prescribed for fairly in-shape individuals with problem areas below the belly button. Recovery from the mini tummy tuck is usually more rapid than with other procedures. Patients wear a compression garment after surgery and normal activity can begin immediately. Our patients are able to resume working, exercising, and driving within 24-48 hours.

• Small scar (6-8 inches)
• No drains during recovery
• Removes excess skin below the belly button
• Does NOT remove excess tissue or address abdominal muscle concerns
• Fastest recovery: Back to work and driving in 2-3 days

Standard Tummy Tuck

The standard abdominoplasty is the most common type of tummy tuck and involves tightening the entire stomach wall, ensuring a tight, flat belly. This procedure is a great option if a patient has a stubborn belly pouch extending 1-2 inches, has undergone severe weight loss, or had several pregnancies.

• Bikini line scar (8-10 inches)
• Drains during recovery to improve healing time
• Removes excess skin and tissue above AND below the belly button
• Addresses diastasis recti and umbilical hernias
• Moderately fast recovery: Back to work and driving in 5-7 days

Full (Extended) Tummy Tuck

As its name suggests, a full tummy tuck is like the standard version, but also includes the removal of excess fat and skin folds in the back and hips. “Love handles” can be re-contoured with this procedure for a more attractive waistline with a hip-to-hip incision. A full tummy tuck is used for patients that have more marked skin laxity either due to genetics, childbearing, or weight loss. These patients typically have more stretch marks and loss of elastic properties of the skin.

• Addresses excess skin/fat in the back and hips
• Moderate recovery: Back to work and driving in 7-10 days

Full tummy tuck recovery with the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery includes Lymphatic Therapy to aid with healing and comfort, as well as access to skincare products such as Biocorneum Silicone Scar Gel or Capizzi MD Firm & Contour moisturizer to aid with the appearance of scars.

Circumferential Tummy Tuck

When a more comprehensive abdominoplasty is required—usually in cases of extreme weight loss where excess sagging skin drapes the hips, back and buttocks—your surgeon will advise a circumferential tummy tuck, also known as a body lift. Liposuction is often used in conjunction with this procedure to further streamline and sculpt the torso.

Your recovery is of the utmost importance to us. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery is our approach to providing world-class cosmetic surgery, aesthetic treatments, and procedures to ensure patients achieve optimal results.

Tummy Tuck FAQs

How Long Will it Take to Recover From a Tummy Tuck?

Long story short, it depends on the type of tummy tuck you receive as part of your personalized treatment plan. Common recovery windows are as below, and you will be cleared for activities with each follow-up appointment.

• Back to work: 2-5 days, as you feel comfortable
• Driving: 2-5 days, as you feel comfortable
• Drains (if you have them): Removed 5-7 days post-op
• Light workouts: 2-3 weeks
• Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, physical labor: 4-6 weeks

Recovery time is different for each patient and is based on the complexity of the surgery. However, because Capizzi MD offers among the best tummy tucks, Charlotte residents and visitors can expect to resume gentle daily activities within 5-7 days. Throughout the entire process, your surgeon’s trustworthy team of medical experts will be on hand to guide you, so don’t hesitate to ask for anything. Outstanding patient satisfaction is Capizzi MD’s foremost professional goal.

What is diastasis recti? Do I have it?

Diastasis recti occurs when the two large parallel bands of muscles in the middle of the abdomen separate. The muscles will naturally separate during pregnancy as the uterus expands, but for some women, the muscles become so stretched out or damaged that they never fully go back together. This causes a bulge between the two separated bands of the abdomen. It’s not physically dangerous, but it is referred to as a “pooch” and is especially common in women who have given birth.

Some patients are diagnosed with this by another doctor but oftentimes our patients have no idea that they have it until after their tummy tuck surgery. This is very common and Dr. Capizzi will remedy the concern as part of your procedure.

How do I find the right surgeon for my tummy tuck?

A few things to consider when researching surgeons: board certification, before and after photos, reviews on reputable websites such as Google and RealSelf, and recognition for the specific procedure you are seeking.

Recognized throughout North Carolina and beyond as a specialist in body contouring, Dr. Peter Capizzi’s familiarity with the latest innovations in the industry and his meticulous perfectionism sets him apart from other physicians.

Committed to achieving the most successful outcome for each client through his proven approach, Dr. Capizzi reviews your medical records, previous surgeries, measurements, and photographs of your desired outcome to make his most informed recommendation. Because your health is vital to the longevity of this procedure as well as the postoperative care, Dr. Capizzi has developed the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. This method ensures that patients receive the highest level of care before, during, and after their treatment to ensure they see exceptional results.