Putting on a bikini doesn’t have to be so hard. But significant weight loss, childbirth, and other issues can leave your once tight and slender tummy into one with various lumps and clumps of unwanted fat, excess skin, and bothersome stretch marks.
At Masri Clinic, we are proud to be home for the best tummy tuck Michigan can provide. We are the top provider of cosmetic and plastic surgery in Michigan, understanding the needs, concerns, and goals of those seeking the tummy tuck solution. Over the years we have created a seamless, simple, and easy tummy tuck path, helping patients achieve their dream tummies in no time.
The tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty is a medical and cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the patient’s abdomen area. The tummy tuck is most beneficial for patients who have just lost a significant amount of fat, but now have an abdomen with loose extra skin. This procedure leads to a flatter and smoother abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, thus allowing a restoration of the body’s weakened core muscles.
For individuals who have loose, sagging skin, the tummy tuck is perhaps the best (if not only) option to truly remove it. While other procedures may be able to partially hide the excess skin, no procedure can reverse the growth of that skin. The only option then is to have it removed via the tummy tuck procedure.
The tummy tuck also restores or re-strengthens the core muscles in the abdomen. When we are born, we naturally have a slight gap between the sides of the “six-pack” muscles, or the rectus muscle. This gap begins at half an inch in our youth, but lengthens over time due to age, pregnancy, and other factors. As the gap widens, so does the abdomen, giving it a softer and looser appearance. Only through a tummy tuck can the muscles be restored properly.
Patients can choose from two types of tummy tucks: the full tummy tuck or the mini tummy tuck. Your doctor or surgeon will generally recommend the best type of tummy tuck for you, which will depend on a number of factors centered around your body and expectations.
The full tummy tuck abdominoplasty is, predictably, the more complex and invasive procedures of the two, and is better for patients who are further from their ideal body weight and abdominal appearance. Patients who are looking for a complete abdominal skin rejuvenation, with significant results both below and above the belly button, should consider the full tummy tuck.
This procedure involves a panniculectomy, a medical procedure which removes the excess tissue and skin from the lower part of the abdomen (the pannus). During this procedure, doctors will also usually perform a liposuction to remove any stubborn fat in the area.
After the excess tissue and skin is removed with the panniculectomy, the abdominoplasty is performed to tighten the abdominal muscles. As the full tummy tuck is a more thorough procedure, the incision is generally long, spanning from the two hip bones, or across the bikini line.
The mini tummy tuck (partial or mini abdominoplasty) is better for patients who require less dramatic improvements to their abdomen. Patients who can benefit from the mini tummy tuck are those who currently have decent abdominal muscle tone and upper belly skin, and only need help with their lower abdomen, or the area below the belly button. These patients are generally fit and slender, with just a minor issue of excessive fat and skin in their lower abdomen.
When performing a mini tummy tuck, surgeons cut a much smaller incision into the bikini line, ranging from four to eight inches. Here, the surgeon will tighten the abdominal muscles beneath the belly button and suck out small clumps of fat via liposuction.
To cut and remove excess fat and skin in the upper and lower abdomen (above and below the belly button), creating dramatic changes to the body. Can remove stretch marks and large amounts of skin and fat
To cut and remove small amounts of excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen (below the belly button).
Patients who need help with their entire abdomen region, typically those who have experienced pregnancy or significant weight loss and now have stubborn fat as well as excess skin with stretch mark
Patients who are at or near their ideal body weight and body proportions, who only need some help with the area below the belly button, where there may be stubborn clumps of fat and some excess skin. Generally patients who are in overall good health
A full bikini line incision, from hip bone to hip bone
Incision is just 4-8 inches in the bikini line
Depends on your location, but tummy tuck cost can range from $9000 to $15,000
Depends on your location, but cost can range from $6000 to $12,000
To cut and remove excess fat and skin in the upper and lower abdomen (above and below the belly button), creating dramatic changes to the body. Can remove stretch marks and large amounts of skin and fat
To cut and remove small amounts of excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen (below the belly button).
Patients who need help with their entire abdomen region, typically those who have experienced pregnancy or significant weight loss and now have stubborn fat as well as excess skin with stretch mark
Patients who are at or near their ideal body weight and body proportions, who only need some help with the area below the belly button, where there may be stubborn clumps of fat and some excess skin. Generally patients who are in overall good health
A full bikini line incision, from hip bone to hip bone
Incision is just 4-8 inches in the bikini line
Depends on your location, but tummy tuck cost can range from $9000 to $15,000
Depends on your location, but cost can range from $6000 to $12,000
The most common candidate for the tummy tuck procedure is an individual who has recently experienced significant weight loss (fat or pregnancy). Women who have experienced childbirth tend to develop a pannus; this is the loose, soft pocket of skin that exists above the pubic region.
The pannus can be extremely difficult to lose through diet and exercise, and oftentimes remains permanently. This can bring down a woman’s self-image, affect their hygiene, and make it difficult to fit in certain clothing.
Individuals who are good candidates for tummy tucks fall into the following criteria:
While many patients who opt for a tummy tuck are those who have experienced significant weight loss or fat reduction, a tummy tuck is also regularly performed on patients who are close or at their ideal body proportions and weight, but possess sagging or loose abdominal skin and fat. This can be caused by:
Whether you are considering a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck, the tummy tuck procedure is a great step towards loving your body once more, especially after experiences such as significant weight loss or childbirth.
Aging, weight loss, and pregnancy can significantly alter your body shape and body proportions, and with the tummy tuck, you can find renewed self-confidence and a boosted self-image every time you look in the mirror. Wear a two-piece bikini with confidence once again.
Aside from the obvious cosmetic benefits of a tummy tuck, there are actually several medical benefits from the procedure. These include:
According to a recent survey from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, an average tummy tuck in Michigan and the United States costs $6000 - $7000. While this procedure costs more than the average cosmetic surgery, it is important to remember that the tummy tuck is a major procedure that produces dramatic results, improving a patient’s livelihood for years to come.
It is also a one-time-only procedure, meaning unlike other cosmetic and medical procedures, patients do not need to come in for more treatments for tummy tuck maintenance.
The cost of your tummy tuck will depend on your location, the experience of your surgeon, and the type of tummy tuck procedure required. Other costs may include:
Like any procedure, a patient’s success with the tummy tuck is most guaranteed by the expertise and experience of their surgeon.
Your tummy tuck experience will begin with the consultation, in which you and your chosen surgeon will discuss your goals and expectations, any medical conditions or current medications you may have, and your surgical history. If you are a candidate for the tummy tuck procedure, your surgeon will explain the procedure, take photographs of your abdomen, and discuss the possible outcomes and risks.
Should you decide to push through with the tummy tuck after the consultation, there are a few preparation steps required. These include:
After your procedure, your surgeon should provide you with guides on how to properly care for the surgical site, and other ways to maintain your general health. Recovery requirements can vary depending on the patient and the doctor, so be sure to ask your doctor about:
There are various possible risks with the tummy tuck, including:
Be sure to discuss all possible risks with your doctor prior to the procedure. Like any procedure, the success of your results most depends on your surgeon and their experience.
The tummy tuck will always produce a scar. Thankfully, a skilled doctor can partially hide the scar in the bikini line, while also minimizing the scar as much as possible. While the scarring will be most noticeable a few weeks after the procedure, it will fade over time.
Losing weight can definitely help with your tummy tuck. Patients are generally advised to achieve their weight loss goal and maintain it for a period of time before undergoing a tummy tuck, as this will mean that more loose skin can be removed during the procedure.
Many patients ask about the “invisible tummy tuck”, however, this isn’t a tummy tuck at all. The invisible tummy tuck is another name for a waist trimmer or band that compresses the fat around the midsection. While recent breakthroughs in tummy tuck practices have made scarring less of an issue, there is no “invisible” surgical tummy tuck available.
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Dr. Haitham Masri has spent a lifetime working with patients to achieve their cosmetic and medical, and plastic surgery goals. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Masri is a triple board-certified doctor and surgeon who provides a holistic, all-around level of care and attention for every patient he and his team treat.
Contact plastic surgeon Dr. Masri and his qualified team to learn more about how we are the best tummy tuck doctors in Michigan, and exactly how we can help you achieve your ideal tummy. Masri Clinic – for all Michigan plastic surgery needs. Schedule consultation today.
