Even with diligent diet and exercise routines, the tummy area can be one of the most difficult areas to shape. If you would like a tighter, firmer midsection, tummy tuck surgery may be an ideal solution. Performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brenda Schiesel, a tummy tuck can improve your contours and give you the self-confidence you deserve.
To find out more about the tummy tuck procedure and your candidacy for the surgery, please contact South Tulsa Plastic Surgery today by completing the form on this page or calling 918-518-5144 to schedule a complimentary initial consultation with Dr. Schiesel. We proudly help men and women throughout Oklahoma, including Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks and nearby areas.
On this page we discuss:
- What Is a Tummy Tuck?
- Benefits of Abdominoplasty
- Am I a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
- Your Tummy Tuck Procedure
- Mini Tummy Tuck
- Tummy Tuck Recovery
- How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?
- Why Choose Dr. Schiesel for Your Abdominoplasty?
- Schedule Your Free Tummy Tuck Consultation Today
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a popular body contouring procedure designed to remove excess fat and skin from the stomach area and tighten stretched abdominal muscles, almost like an internal corset. This comprehensive procedure has been proven to enhance the waistline and restore the abdomen to its youthful, beautiful shape.
Benefits of Abdominoplasty
Most simply put, abdominoplasty flattens your tummy for a more attractive appearance. However, tummy tucks are much more than just that. The abdominoplasty procedure targets multiple aesthetic issues and focuses on each to provide the toned, flat tummy you desire.
During the aging process, many men and women develop loose skin and small pockets of unwanted fat. Even those who live active and healthy lifestyles are not impervious to the effects of these changes. Over time, the natural processes our bodies utilize to tighten skin and burn fat begins to decelerate. In addition to aging, genetics, pregnancies and weight fluctuations can all take their toll on the youthful appearance of the abdomen.
Fortunately, at South Tulsa Plastic Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brenda Schiesel has the skill, experience and artful eye necessary to address the aesthetic concerns that arise from these circumstances. With abdominoplasty, Dr. Schiesel can:
- Remove excess fat and skin from the stomach area
- Tighten loose abdominal muscles
- Reduce or eliminate stretch marks
- Create a slimmer and more sculpted midsection
- Improve your self confidence
Abdominoplasty is a safe and effective way to eliminate the loose skin and fat that can develop on your tummy. Even more, once you’ve fully recovered, the surgery helps you feel more confident and comfortable in your own body.
A tummy tuck can be performed as a single procedure or combined with other procedures such as liposuction or a mommy makeover.
Am I a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
At South Tulsa Plastic Surgery, patient safety is a top priority. We take time to thoroughly discuss your goals, assess your physical condition and evaluate your medical history to ensure you are a good candidate for any surgical procedure you choose to pursue. By carefully determining your candidacy, Dr. Schiesel can ensure your procedure will be both effective and safe.
The best way to know if you are a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery is to meet personally with Dr. Schiesel in a free, confidential consultation. During this important one-on-one meeting, Dr. Schiesel will take a number of considerations into account to determine if abdominoplasty is right for you. Typically, you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you:
- Are in good overall health
- Are at or near a stable, healthy weight (under a BMI of 35)
- Don’t smoke, or are willing to quit before your surgery and throughout your recovery
- Do not take any medications that thin the blood or inhibit healing
- Want to attain more attractive contours around your midsection
- Have areas of abdominal fat that are resistant to diet and exercise
- Have skin or muscle that is loose and stretched by weight loss or pregnancy
Your Tummy Tuck Procedure
Your abdominoplasty will be customized to effectively address your personal goals. There are different types of tummy tucks, designed to address specific issues and target certain regions of your midsection. In your free personal consultation, Dr. Schiesel will discuss your concerns, evaluate your needs and physicality and thoroughly explain all of your treatment options.
Traditional, or “full” tummy tucks, involve the removal of excess fat and loose, sagging skin from the abdominal region. During a traditional tummy tuck, three incisions are made along the lower abdominal region: a circular incision around the naval, a horizontal incision across the midsection and a vertical incision connecting the previous two. The incisions are made as low as possible, never near the organs, to ensure discreet scarring that can be easily hidden below the bikini line. Through these incisions, Dr. Schiesel can remove excess fat and skin, tighten underlying abdominal muscles and create a flat, toned abdominal appearance.
By using advanced techniques and progressive tension sutures, also known as quilted sutures, Dr. Schiesel can perform abdominoplasty without the need for inconvenient, uncomfortable drains. Tummy tucks usually last anywhere from 90 minutes to several hours, depending on the type of procedure being performed and the extent of work necessary to deliver optimal results.
Mini Tummy Tuck
If you suffer from an unwanted pouch of fatty tissue just below your belly button, a mini tummy tuck may be able to help flatten your lower abdomen and give you a more youthful abdominal appearance.
As a modified form of abdominoplasty, mini tummy tucks are intended to only address the lax, stretched tissue below the naval. While a full tummy tuck removes unwanted skin and fat all along the midsection, it requires a longer incision, running from hip to hip. Mini Tummy Tucks involve shorter incisions, made just above the pubic line. A mini tummy tuck can give you a slimmer midsection with minimal scarring, which is easily concealed beneath clothing.
While mini tummy tucks offer great benefits to men and women alike, the procedure is not right for all patients. Dr. Schiesel will work with you during your initial consultation to determine if a mini tummy tuck is right for you.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Tummy tucks are complex surgical procedures, and are not without a certain degree of pain and discomfort after surgery. It’s important to prepare for your surgery according to Dr. Schiesel’s pre and postoperative instructions to ensure a smooth procedure and optimal recovery.
For the first seven days following your surgery, you should take it easy and refrain from any strenuous activity. Everyone heals differently, but you should generally be able to return to work after about seven to ten days after your procedure. You can gradually start cardio exercise after three weeks and begin to slowly return to your normal activities after about six weeks.
Dr. Schiesel will prescribe pain medications to help make your recovery more comfortable. As an additional service, she also offers Exparel, a powerful anti-pain medication that reduces the need for opioids by providing long-lasting post surgical pain control in a single dose. It is injected directly into the site of your surgery and effectively manages pain for up to four days from the moment you wake up from surgery.
Full recovery from abdominoplasty can take a few months. Dr. Schiesel will schedule multiple follow up visits to ensure your recovery is on track.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?
The price of abdominoplasty varies from patient to patient, depending on the type of tummy tuck being performed and whether the surgery is performed in conjunction with other procedures such as liposuction or as part of a mommy makeover. During your initial consultation, Dr. Schiesel will discuss your goals, your candidacy and what you can expect as far as recovery and cost.
Dr. Schiesel is committed to providing quality, individualized care that provides beautiful, long-lasting results. We know that cost is a common concern for many patients, and although some may be tempted to seek out the best bargain for surgical procedures, your health and safety are too important to place in the hands of an unqualified surgeon.
Dr. Schiesel is a board-certified plastic surgeon. This means that she has met the rigorous standards of the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of safety and satisfaction to her patients. We have many payment and financing options available to help you achieve your unique aesthetic goals, including CareCredit which offers 0% financing for up 12 months.
Why Choose Dr. Schiesel for Your Abdominoplasty?
At South Tulsa Plastic Surgery, we are committed to the safety and satisfaction of you, our valued patient. Our commitment to excellence begins during your initial consultation, when Dr. Schiesel learns about you and your unique goals. Once she clearly understands what you hope to achieve, she will conduct a thorough analysis of your physical condition before recommending a treatment plan that is customized specifically for you. She will also discuss alternative treatment options and help you make an informed decision. She is passionate about patient education and making you an informed, active partner in the decision making process.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Schiesel has demonstrated a proven history of providing exceptional levels of quality and safety to her patients. But don’t just take our word for it. We encourage you to visit our before-and-after gallery to see examples of her world-class results for yourself.
Schedule Your Free Tummy Tuck Consultation Today
You deserve to have the flat, sculpted midsection you desire. If diet and exercise have failed to deliver the results you want, contact South Tulsa Plastic Surgery today online or at 918-518-5144 to schedule a free initial consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brenda Schiesel. We welcome patients from Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks and other areas throughout Oklahoma.
