Tummy Tuck
Tummy Tuck Surgery in Indianapolis & Carmel
Personalized abdominal contouring designed to improve excess skin, abdominal laxity, and core contour following pregnancy, weight loss, or changes in skin elasticity.
At My Plastic Surgery Group, our plastic surgeons perform tummy tuck surgery tailored to each patient’s anatomy and aesthetic goals. A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is designed to remove excess abdominal skin and fullness while improving abdominal contour and tightening stretched or separated abdominal muscles.
Many patients choose tummy tuck surgery following pregnancy, significant weight fluctuations, or natural changes in skin elasticity when diet and exercise alone are unable to restore abdominal contour. Tummy tuck surgery can help create a flatter, smoother, and more defined midsection while improving overall body balance and proportion.
Our surgeons focus on natural looking body contouring results, thoughtful incision placement, and individualized treatment planning designed to align with each patient’s goals and lifestyle.
Standard tummy tuck pricing typically ranges from $11,000–$15,000 depending on surgical complexity, anatomy, and individualized treatment planning. A consultation is required to provide a customized surgical quote.
Tummy Tuck Procedure Information
An abdominoplasty is a plastic surgery technique commonly referred to as tummy tuck surgery. During an abdominoplasty, skin and tummy fat are removed from the mid and lower abdomen as upper abdominal skin is pulled downward. The muscular wall is repaired by pulling the abdominal muscles tightly back together, thereby narrowing the waistline and strengthening the abdominal wall. As the upper skin is pulled taut downward, a new opening is created for the navel which has been preserved throughout this procedure. Oftentimes, it is necessary to place drains in the abdominal cavity which will stay in place throughout a portion of the tummy tuck recovery period. Recently, however, our surgeons have perfected a new technique that doesn’t require drains at all. Whether or not you are a candidate for our “drainless” abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) will be decided by the physician on an individual basis.
Is tummy tuck surgery right for you? Ultimately, only you can decide that. However, there are some factors that might help our plastic surgeons decide if tummy tuck surgery, or abdominoplasty, is a safe choice for you. Most of this information will be discussed during your initial consultation with us, but it is important for you to be in general good health, be within 20 pounds of your target weight, and be completely free of nicotine products. If you are a smoker, we can discuss helpful tips to “kick the habit,” but we will not consider you a candidate for this surgery if you test positive for nicotine prior to your date of surgery.
We invite and encourage you to view our before and after tummy tuck photos.
Who is a Candidate
Decision
The decision to have elective surgery is, in 1 major way, more difficult than a decision to have surgery for an illness. Elective surgery is not immediately necessary to save a life or limb. It is more of a long-term quality-of-life issue. Therefore, many of us will feel the weight of the decision in a special way; are we asking for trouble? Are we tempting God? There are many and varied ways that patients get through this decision. It helps greatly to talk with those whom you trust; loved ones, close friends, your plastic surgeon, and your family doctor. Not all will come off on the side of proceeding with the surgery, but all are worth listening to. Opinions from acquaintances, coworkers, or those with an agenda other than your well-being are not worth considering on the other hand. The decision process will be lonely unless you let those who truly care for you participate by being heard. Made in this way, your plastic surgeon has never seen a wrong decision. Ultimately, the decision is yours, of course.
Preparation
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is not just a physical transformation but a journey that encompasses both mind and body. It’s a step towards not only enhancing your appearance but boosting your self-esteem and comfort in your skin. To ensure you’re fully prepared for this life-changing procedure, it’s important to take comprehensive steps, both mentally and physically. Here’s how you can prepare:
Mental Preparation: Cultivating a Positive Mindset
- Understand the Process: Familiarize yourself with the tummy tuck procedure, potential outcomes, and recovery time. Knowing what to expect can significantly ease any anxieties.
- Set Realistic Expectations: While a tummy tuck can significantly improve your abdominal area’s appearance, having realistic expectations about the outcomes is crucial for satisfaction.
- Support System: Surround yourself with supportive family members or friends who understand your reasons for undergoing this surgery and can provide emotional support.
- Mental Health: Consider speaking with a counselor or therapist if you have any fears or anxieties. Mental readiness is key to a smooth recovery.
Physical Preparation: Ensuring Your Body is Ready
- Medical Evaluation: Undergo a full medical check-up to ensure you’re fit for surgery. Disclose your medical history, medications, and any supplements you’re taking to your surgeon.
- Nutrition: Adopt a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support healing. Avoid crash diets; instead, focus on wholesome foods that can help reduce post-surgery recovery time.
- Smoking and Alcohol: If you smoke or consume alcohol, it’s essential to quit at least four to six weeks before and after surgery, as these can interfere with your healing process.
- Medications: Discuss any medications you’re taking with your surgeon, as some may need to be temporarily stopped before the procedure.
- Physical Fitness: Being in good physical shape can aid in a quicker recovery. Engage in regular, moderate exercise leading up to your surgery, but avoid strenuous workouts a week prior.
- Preparation at Home: Prepare your home for your return from the hospital. Create a comfortable, restful space where everything you might need is easily accessible. Consider meal prep and other arrangements to minimize stress during recovery.
- Follow Pre-Surgery Instructions: Your surgeon will provide specific instructions tailored to your procedure. These may include fasting guidelines and what to bring on the day of your surgery.
Before & After Tummy Tuck
Real Results
View before-and-after pictures of real patients of My Plastic Surgery Group.
Tummy Tuck Operation
The operating room is one of the safest places on the plant. Where else do find yourself surrounded by at least 4 or 5 professionals who’s occupation is to keep you safe? The culture in American operating rooms is one of a team. No longer is the surgeon absolute master. Every healthcare professional has a right and duty to speak up to, comment, or to question. In this way, the patient has at least 8 pairs of eyes and 4 brains with them at all times. While the room feels cold, serious attention is paid to keeping the patient warm. Circulating air blankets, warm IV fluid and body temperature monitoring allow warm tissues to function as they should. Warming the skin prevents infection in a more profound way than any known antibiotic. The initial anesthetic goes in via an intravenous line and sleep follows within seconds. While the patient is asleep, a soft plastic tube is inserted from the mouth into the throat to keep the patient’s airway open to the flow of oxygen. Safety monitoring equipment is watched by the anesthesiologist and nurses continually. The incision across the bottom of the abdomen is made down to, but not through the muscle. The skin and fat are elevated off the muscle towards the navel. The navel is left in place by cutting skin around it. Finally, the skin and fat are lifted up all the way to the bottom of the ribs. At this point, the separation of the rectus muscles that happened during pregnancy is repaired. This reduces the ability of the abdominal contents to protrude out from the lower abdomen. Long, continuous sutures synch the waist in like an internal corset. Uncomfortable for the 1st few days, this is the part of a tummy tuck patient’s appreciate most. It helps to return the abdomen to a pre-baby or pre-overweight look. The patient is then placed in a flexed position so that a maximal amount of skin can be removed. After it’s removal, it is waited and then discarded. Almost all patients are curious about the weight of what was removed. Now for a new innovation brought about by Dr. Harlan Pollock in Dallas, Texas and brought to Indianapolis by our practice; No drains! When the average tummy tuck patient is asked after she is healed what the worst thing about her experience was, she almost always says “The drains.” We perform Dr. Pollock’s drainless technique. It involves the placement of additional sutures to stabilize the abdominal wall and skin together. This not only closes the space drains are normally placed in to, thus avoiding fluid build up, but it distributes the tension of a tight wound closure throughout the abdomen, not just on the scar. Long-term, we feel this will give a better cosmetic result. All sutures are self-dissolving underneath the skin. The last layer is what dress makers would call an invisible hem stitch. We call it a subcuticular closure, but it is the same thing. The dressing is a clear plastic Saran Wrap looking material. It is waterproof, so showering is possible anytime postoperatively.
DR’s Tip on The Drainless Abdominoplasty
When inquiring about the challenges associated with an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, numerous patients highlight the discomfort associated with the drainage system. Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate excess fat and skin, resulting in a firmer, more sculpted abdominal profile. In traditional approaches to this surgery, the body tends to accumulate fluid between the skin-fat layer and the underlying musculature before these layers fully adhere during the healing process. To manage this, small tubes are strategically placed to facilitate the removal of excess fluid, ensuring a smoother recovery and optimal results.
Recent advancements and studies have illuminated the efficacy of the quilting technique, which notably obviates the necessity for drains while concurrently facilitating progressive skin tightening from the abdomen downwards. In 2002, Drs. Harlan and Todd Pollock introduced their pioneering method for a drainless abdominoplasty. This approach involves meticulous additional suturing of the abdominal tissues to eliminate the space typically necessitating drainage tubes. This innovative concept resonated strongly with our practice, marking a significant evolution in our surgical methodology.
Healing
My Plastic Surgery Group has done upwards of 1,000 abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgeries in Indianapolis and Carmel over the past 10 years and find it’s one of the most rewarding surgeries to perform because patient satisfaction is overwhelming. We look forward to meeting and helping you on this journey.
You might also be interested in learning more about an Extended Tummy Tuck or a Mini Tummy Tuck.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Tummy Tuck Cost?
Arrange Your Tummy Tuck Consultation
Contact our office today to get started. Our skilled board-certified plastic surgeons have the years of experience needed to get you the results you deserve.
Meet Dr. Aker
Meet Dr. Beckman
After receiving her medical degree with honors, Dr. Beckman was selected for a highly competitive integrated plastic surgery residency position at Rutgers University, where she rigorously trained in both aesthetic and complex reconstructive plastic surgery for six years. During residency, she developed a strong passion for plastic surgery education and research. She earned several teaching and clinical excellence awards and served as Chief Resident in her final year.
After residency, Dr. Beckman was selected for an aesthetic plastic surgery fellowship position at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, one of the nation’s premier aesthetic plastic surgery practices. This additional year gives her the unique opportunity to learn from some of the most recognized names in aesthetic plastic surgery and to train with the most innovative procedures and products available.
