Tummy Tuck North Shore, Massachusetts

What is a Tummy Tuck in North Shore?

Tummy Tuck procedures may be considered by people who are looking for a more contoured, smoother and firmer abdomen. The additional reported benefits of this type of surgery, are removed or reduced stretch marks, with the added confidence when buying and wearing new clothes.

Removing excess skin and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall may be the reason for having a Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery procedure. A patient may consider this type of surgery if they have loose or sagging skin in the abdominal area. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the reasons for this are usually:

  • Aging
  • Hereditary conditions
  • Pregnancy
  • Prior surgery, and
  • Significant fluctuations in weight.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of a Tummy Tuck, visit our blog on the Most Frequently Asked Questions.

What are the different types of Tummy Tuck in North Shore, MA?

When choosing the type of Tummy Tuck a patient must consider their desired aesthetic result. There are a variety of styles and types of Tummy Tuck and choosing the right one will usually depend on the amount of skin a patient wants removing, which area of the abdomen requires treatment, and the length and location of the incision needed.

Patients should always seek out a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in Tummy Tuck and other body procedures. This will ensure they have the best expert aesthetic and medical advice required to make a well informed choice.

Classic Tummy Tuck

Improvement to both the upper and lower abdomen is what most patients are looking for when opting for the Classic Tummy Tuck, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

Weakened abdominal muscles or excessive skin around their midsection may be the reason why patients, who are otherwise is good health, consider a Classic Tummy Tuck. This procedure would help them to achieve a more flattened and contoured area both above and below their belly buttons.

According to Dr. Mark Markarian, a Board-Certified Boston Plastic Surgeon, a Classic Tummy Tuck includes:

  • Making a small umbilical incision, which is not visible (giving patients an “innie” belly button).
  • Making a short, low waistline incision which is designed to be hidden by the patient’s underwear or swimsuit
  • Removing the necessary skin
  • Tightening the abdominal muscles

What is the recovery time? This is one of the most frequently asked questions.

Age, fitness and general health are all factors to be taken into consideration when having any kind of surgical procedure. It is reported by WebMD that patients may need drainage tubes under their skin for a few days. The down time, having had the procedure, is usually a week, within 3 weeks patients can resume most activities and after 6 weeks are able to fully exercise, is the advice given by Dr. Markarian.

Mini Tummy Tuck

The Mini Tummy Tuck is usually the option for patients who wish to address their lower abdomen only (the area below their belly button) and not the full abdomen which would require the Classic Tummy Tuck. Patients who have concerns with a “pooch”, loose skin or stretch marks below their belly button may wish to consider a Mini Tummy Tuck suggests the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Patients who wish to address the stubborn fat between the pubic area and navel, despite leading a healthy lifestyle and exercising often, generally opt for the Mini Tummy Tuck.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a Mini Tummy Tuck involves:

  • Making a small horizontal incision between the hipbones
  • Removing excess skin
  • Tightening underlying muscles

Any excess skin, fat or muscle laxity above the belly button is not addressed when performing a Mini Tummy Tuck, therefore, a patient’s belly button is not repositioned. Patients who are in good health have been known to heal in 2 weeks as the range of the Mini Tummy Tuck is less than that of the Classic Tummy Tuck. However, any strenuous activity should not be undertaken for at least 6 weeks after surgery.

Extended Tummy Tuck

Combining elements of a Classic Tummy Tuck with the addition of improving a patient’s flanks are the procedures involved when having an Extended Tummy Tuck. When the desired result is refining the contours of their body, possibly following substantial weight loss, an Extended Tummy Tuck would be an effective treatment.

Extended Tummy Tuck candidates may have:

  • An abundance of excess skin hanging from their upper and lower abdomen and flanks – weighing several pounds in some cases.
  • Substantial laxity in the abdominal muscles.

In order to achieve their desired body contour, patients may also benefit from liposuction (usually performed on the hips, love handles and flanks) during their Extended Tummy Tuck procedure.

As the range is larger for this procedure than that of a Classic Tummy Tuck, a longer incision is involved. The postoperative scar can often be hidden by clothing or swimsuits.

The Extended Tummy Tuck and Classic Tummy Tuck have similar recovery periods. However, the scar from an Extended Tummy Tuck may take longer to heal, according to MedicalNewsToday.

Fleur-De-Lis Tummy Tuck

The Fleur-De-Lis Tummy Tuck gets its name from the incision shape made by the plastic surgeon, which is similar to that of the petals of a Fleur-De-Lis, explains the Plastic Surgeon, Dr Jamie Schwartz.

Patients who have excess skin in the middle of their abdomen would benefit from this procedure advises Board-Certified Boston Plastic Surgeon, Dr Markarian.

Patients who have experienced dramatic weight loss leading to a combination of vertical and horizontal laxity would be candidates for this type of procedure. Usually, they have a lower roll of loose skin (like Classic Tummy Tuck candidates) with the addition of looseness from side-to-side.

Two incisions are involved in this type of Tummy Tuck, according to CER Hospital. One incision is made along the pubic bone (as in a Classic Tummy Tuck) and there is a second incision that runs along the middle of the abdomen. This extra incision is designed to allow the surgeon to tighten a patient’s skin not only up-and-down but from side-to-side which has the benefit of drastically improving the look of the abdomen.

The scar burden which the Fleur-De-Lis Tummy Tuck can cause is one aspect of this procedure that Dr. Markarian urges people to seriously reflect upon when considering this type of Tummy Tuck.

Patients who have had this procedure are advised not to return to work for 2-3 weeks and, as with other Tummy Tuck procedures, exercise until 6 weeks following their surgery.

Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

A Tummy Tuck, when performed as a single procedure, is designed to remove excess skin, not a patient’s fat. The procedure that contours a patient’s body by removing pockets of fat, is Liposuction.

The combination of Liposuction with a Tummy Tuck procedure is quite common and can address body fat issues, with excess loose skin and muscle tissue repair, simultaneously.

In her article for WomensHealthMag, Kate Bayless advised patients considering Tummy Tuck surgery that they should not be offended if their surgeon suggests Liposuction as part of their procedure.

One of the reasons why patients may opt for a Tummy Tuck with Liposuction is that they require a range of areas to be addressed. As with all surgeries, patients should contact a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to understand the process for recovery.

Tummy Tuck Cost North Shore

A Tummy Tuck is usually considered an elective procedure and not medically required. Therefore the vast majority of patients will need to consider how to fund their procedure.

The price of a Tummy Tuck will depend on the surgeon, their level of expertise and certifications. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery suggests that the cost may be between $4,000 and $18,000. However, some of these quotes may not include any hospital, anesthesia or other related expenses.

Patients considering a procedure should reach out to a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for expert aesthetic advice and a quotation that includes a full breakdown of fees.

What to look for in a North Shore Tummy Tuck Surgeon

Dr. Markarian recommends surgical or non-surgical prospective patients considering a Tummy Tuck should only book consultations with Board Certified Plastic Surgeons. They should also consider the plastic surgeon’s credentials, expertise and results of other patients. New patients should also consider how comfortable they feel when they meet with plastic surgeons.

Dr. Markarian’s Awards, Certifications and Educational achievements include:

  • Undergraduate: Biology and Criminology; University of California; Irvine
  • Graduate: MS; Public Health; Epidemiology; Emory University
  • Internship: Public Health; Tufts University School of Medicine
  • Residency: Plastic Surgery; Saint Louis University
  • Fellowship: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; Harvard University

Tummy Tuck Before and After

Contact the Office

Dr. Markarian believes the best plastic surgery patients are those that have done their research and understand the full extent of the benefits and risks of their chosen procedures.

If you are considering Tummy Tuck, the next step would be to contact a board-certified plastic surgeon for a consultation.

If you would like to learn more about Tummy Tucks before your consultation, please visit our blog on the Most Frequently Asked Questions about Tummy Tucks.

Wellesley Office

Address:
25 Walnut St, Suite 400,
Wellesley, MA 02481
Tel: 781-713-1198

Hours Open:
Monday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Thursday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Newburyport Office Directions from North Shore, MA

  • Get onto MA-113 E/Storey Ave. in Newburyport. Take exit 57 from I-95 N
  • Continue on MA-113 E to your destination
  • Turn right onto MA-113 E/Storey Ave (signs for Newburyport/Newbury)
  • Turn right onto Arlington St
  • Turn left onto Highland Ave
  • Turn right
  • Destination will be on the left

Local Hospital Privileges

Anna Jaques Hospital

Address:
25 Highland Ave,
Newburyport, MA 01950

Hours Open:
Monday: Open 24 Hours
Tuesday: Open 24 Hours
Wednesday: Open 24 Hours
Thursday: Open 24 Hours
Friday: Open 24 Hours
Saturday: Open 24 Hours
Sunday: Open 24 Hours