Tummy Tuck NYC | Best Abdominoplasty New York City

About your NYC tummy tuck procedure

While we are happy to offer noninvasive alternatives to liposuction (CoolSculpting is an excellent option) we have been consistently disappointed by noninvasive techniques for tightening the skin. Therefore, abdominoplasty is currently the only effective option for improving the appearance of significantly loose skin in the abdominal area. Procedures that use the word “tuck” are exactly that. Meaning, in order to “tuck” the skin, the excess skin must be removed. As a result of “tucking” the skin, abdominoplasties have a scar in the lower abdomen, which can generally be placed within the area that would be covered by a bathing suit or underwear.

Before & After

Tummy Tuck

Who is a candidate for abdominoplasty?

Depending on skin elasticity, removing fat alone may not adequately improve the overall appearance of the abdomen. Younger individuals typically have excellent elasticity, and the skin can be expected to “bounce back” following liposuction or CoolSculpting, which lends to an excellent overall result. However, factors such as history of pregnancies, significant fluctuations in weight, age, history of smoking, and genetics can all contribute to diminished skin elasticity.

Unfortunately, non-invasive skin tightening techniques – including Ultherapy and Thermage – are on the whole extremely poor in achieving meaningful tightening of lower abdominal skin. Dr. Rapaport does not recommend these procedures. His NYC tummy tuck may well be the procedure of choice for patients with poor skin elasticity.

Different types of tummy tucks: When do you fix the muscles?

An abdominoplasty has two components: One is the skin and fat that occurs beneath the skin and above the muscles of the abdominal wall. We refer to this fat as "pinchable fat," as opposed to the fat that occurs beneath the abdominal muscles. That fat, also referred to as visceral fat, lies within the abdomen and is therefore not “pinchable.” The other component of some tummy tucks is the muscle, whose front portion you can feel with your fingertips when you pinch the skin and fat of your abdomen.

As part of normal anatomy, there is a fine line (linea alba) between the two vertical rectus muscles in the front of the abdomen. These are the muscles that create a six-pack when well developed. As one of the natural changes that occur during pregnancy or major weight gain, the abdominal wall stretches. In some women, the linea alba between the two muscles stretches and does not return to normal. This is called a diastasis recti.

To repair diastasis recti during an abdominoplasty, the muscle edges are sutured together, thereby tucking in the loose abdominal wall. Sutures can also be placed at other portions of the abdominal wall to create further tightening and shaping of the muscle.

While tightening the abdominal muscles during an abdominoplasty can provide substantial improvement for some of our patients, this can lead to some abdominal soreness during recovery. When a patient has abdominal muscle weakness, or abdominal wall laxity, they may be a candidate for abdominal muscle tightening during the abdominoplasty procedure.

In many patients, there is no real problem with the abdominal wall. For patients whose primary complaint is their loose skin and fat, there is no need to perform any suturing of the muscles. Typically, these patients will not complain of abdominal pain following their surgery; however, they may experience some lower back pain during the six-day recovery period when it is required to walk bent over. An abdominoplasty that removes loose skin but does not tighten the underlying abdominal muscles is called a skin-only abdominoplasty.

Mini vs. Full Abdominoplasty

As discussed above, abdominoplasties can either tighten skin alone, or both skin and underlying abdominal muscles. The distinction between a "mini" and "full" abdominoplasty has to do with the amount of loose skin that needs to be removed.

The skin of the tummy area can be divided into that which is above the umbilicus (belly button) and that which is below. The skin below the belly button is pretty much always part of the problem in women seeking abdominoplasty. At the time of consultation we will determine to what extent the looseness of the skin above the belly button is a problem. More often than not, it is, especially in older patients. If it is indeed a problem, then the only way to tighten that skin is to place a scar around the umbilicus (belly button) so that the upper abdominal skin can be pulled down without lowering the umbilicus at the same time.

In cases when only skin below the umbilicus is loose, then only that skin needs to be removed. Therefore, there would be no need for a scar around the umbilicus, and the lower abdominal scar may be shorter in length, depending on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. A typical case for a mini abdominoplasty may be a woman in her 30s who has had a c-section, with loose skin of the lower abdomen, bulging out over the scar. In such a case, the lower abdominal muscles may or may not be repaired, depending on the conditions in each individual case.

In cases where there is loose skin above the umbilicus, a full abdominoplasty (with a scar around the belly button) will most likely be required to tighten the upper and lower abdominal skin. During the patient consultation, Dr. Rapaport will discuss whether or not to tighten the muscles in addition to the skin.

The decision regarding which type of abdominoplasty is appropriate for any given patient is made at the time of a personal, one-on-one consultation with Dr. Rapaport, and will involve review of the patient’s concerns as well as an appropriate physical examination.

Tummy tuck scars

The scar from a full abdominoplasty must, by necessity, be a long scar in order to remove the large area of skin. Top New York City tummy tuck surgeon Dr. Rapaport frequently likens this scar to a hem on clothing; the hem has to cover the length of the area to be reduced. In fact, Dr. Rapaport has seen some extremely unfavorable results when other, less experienced surgeons have tried to achieve the results of a full tummy tuck with a short scar.

The amount of pulling in and crimping of the tissues, and/or excess of skin on the sides (dog ears), can be very disturbing. It is important to differentiate between a long scar and a wide scar. In the vast majority of cases, Dr. Rapaport’s abdominoplasty scars are narrow and fine because of the techniques employed in closure and the fact that tension in the closure is kept to an absolute minimum.

Post-abdominoplasty care and downtime

A tummy tuck surgery is a significant surgery. Because of the skin removal, it is crucial that the area of closure be kept under minimal tension for the first several days after the operation. This is why all abdominoplasty patients are instructed to walk bent over whenever they are upright for the first 5-7 days.

All of Dr. Rapaport’s full abdominoplasty patients are required to stay overnight in Manhattan, New York under the supervision of a nurse, both for patient safety as well as comfort. The nurse ensures that the patient is resting in the proper position (back elevated 30-40 degrees, legs bent with pillows under the knees). The nurse monitors blood pressure, as well as discomfort and can medicate accordingly, as needed. The nurse also monitors drainage (drains are almost always used) and instructs the patient on drain care for the days following their abdominoplasty in New York City.

Prior to the nurse’s departure on the morning after surgery, photographs of the abdomen will be taken and sent to Dr. Rapaport to confirm good healing. Typically, between days 5 and 7 following surgery, drainage is low enough that the patient can come into the office and have her or his drains removed. At this point, the patient can stand upright again.

The minimum downtime after abdominoplasty surgery is about 10 days. If surgery is performed on a Friday, one can generally expect drains to be removed the following Thursday or so, and one may return to very non-active work 10 days after surgery. However, it must be emphasized that even at 10 days after an abdominoplasty, activity must be kept at a minimum in order to ensure proper healing and to avoid complications.

A patient coming from another city or country should plan to arrive in New York at least 1 full day (preferably 2) prior to surgery and to stay in New York for a minimum of 14 days following surgery.

Procedure length

A complete tummy tuck surgery normally takes approximately 2.5-3 hours to perform. A mini tummy tuck, on average, takes between 1 and 2 hours to perform.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia is typically utilized for abdominoplasty surgery. Epidural anesthesia may be employed in selected cases.

Risks related to smoking in tummy tuck surgery

When one smokes cigarettes, there is a very significant disturbance of the blood flow within the skin. This abnormal blood flow can lead to major complications in surgeries where the skin is significantly manipulated, such as an abdominoplasty. These complications can include necrosis of the skin, which essentially means that the skin does not survive, and the patient subsequently would experience an open wound and poor scarring to follow.

It is for this reason that Dr. Rapaport will not perform an abdominoplasty on people who are actively smoking. We require that our abdominoplasty patients stop all smoking for a minimum of six weeks in order to help reduce the risk of major complications.

Why Choose Dr. Rapaport For a Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Trained at Harvard and NYU, and a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. David Rapaport combines his certified expertise and artistic vision to ensure outstanding results. His 25 years of experience performing body contouring procedures has placed him at the forefront of non- invasive body contouring and sculpting, making him a leader in the field.

A successful NYC tummy tuck surgery entails a delicate blend of aesthetics and technical precision, capturing the proper proportions to produce a natural-looking waist and attractive tummy contour. Dr. David Rapaport has made it his mission to wed the art to the science, and the results he’s achieved for his clients are a testament to his status as a renowned surgeon.

FAQs About Tummy Tuck Surgery

What are the side effects of a tummy tuck?

Because abdominoplasties require the surgical removal of the extra abdominal skin, the procedures result in a scar in the lower abdomen. The good news is that this area is easily hidden beneath underwear or a bathing suit.

How do I prepare for a tummy tuck surgery?

There are a number of steps to take to maximize the safety and success of the procedure. They include a medical evaluation, quitting smoking, and adjusting the intake of certain medications and supplements in coordination with your doctor.

Are there different kinds of abdominoplasties?

Patients may have a full or partial tummy tuck, depending on the amount of skin deemed necessary for removal and whether the muscles need suturing.

When can I exercise again after a tummy tuck?

You can return to light exercise, such as walking, after 10-12 days. More vigorous exercise resumes after 4-6 weeks, with approval from Dr. Rapaport.

How long is the tummy tuck procedure?

A tummy tuck procedure typically takes 2-4 hours.

Is the recovery after a tummy tuck painful?

There will be some pain during your recovery period. Most patients describe the pain to be moderate and manageable.

Can I have a tummy tuck before having kids?

While pregnancy will certainly stretch the skin, there are some patients who have sustained significant weight loss before having children, and would like to enhance their appearance in order to feel more confident about finding a partner. In these cases, a tummy tuck may be appropriate for someone who is planning to have kids in the future. However, Dr. Rapaport does not recommend tightening the muscles for women who plan to have children later.

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