Lewis Plastic Surgery: Gordon Lewis, MD
2331-A Robious Station Circle
Midlothian, VA 23113
(804) 267-6009
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

Can I Get a Tummy Tuck Now and Recover by Summer?

Are you dreaming of donning that itsy bitsy bikini this summer? If your sagging belly is keeping you from the two-piece swimsuit of your dreams, a tummy tuck in Richmond, VA could help you eliminate that muffin top and discover the flat stomach you’ve always wanted. Get surgery now and start to enjoy your results by summer.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck—also known as abdominoplasty—is a surgical procedure that flattens, tones, and shapes the belly. It is very popular among women who have had children or in patients who have lost a substantial amount of weight. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat, tightens up abdominal muscles, and restores a flat, smooth appearance to the tummy area. If you have excess belly fat or sagging skin, this procedure may help you to achieve your ideal body.

During a tummy tuck, a long incision is made, curving across the lower abdomen and extending from hip to hip. The length of your incision will vary depending on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. Excess skin and fat are removed from the lower abdomen, muscles are stitched together, and then the skin is redraped over the area. The belly button remains in place and is attached to the remaining skin in the proper position.

What’s Recovery Like After a Tummy Tuck?

Most tummy tuck patients return home the same day of their procedure to recover in the comfort of their own home. You will initially need a lot of help, but you should begin to be more mobile fairly quickly. We’ll give you extensive post-operative care instructions which you should follow carefully. You will have drains that need to remain in place until Dr. Lewis removes them.

Most patients are able to drive once they stop taking narcotic pain medications, which is usually 4-7 days after surgery. Plan on missing a couple of weeks of work. We’ll ask you to avoid strenuous exercise for 4-6 weeks, although we do encourage gentle walking as soon as possible post-surgery. It can take several weeks to several months to feel completely normal again. If you are in good physical condition prior to surgery, your recovery is typically faster.

Will I Be Bikini-Ready by Summer?

Many women opt for a tummy tuck because they want to enjoy a flatter stomach for swimsuit season. Summer is quickly approaching and, if you want to enjoy your results this summer, we encourage you to come in as soon as possible. It can take weeks or months to fully recover from a tummy tuck.

You will likely have dark scarring on your incisions over the first few months. The scars will flatten and fade after about 9-12 months. Although these incisions will never completely disappear, they do fade substantially and are easily covered with clothing and even swimsuits. Even if you aren’t bikini-ready this summer, you’ll look better than ever in your one-piece!

Browse our before-and-after gallery to see real results from our patients. To schedule a tummy tuck consultation of your own, contact us online or by calling (804) 267-6009.

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