Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

• Personalize Your Procedure
• Having Tummy Tuck Surgery
• Patient Results

A smooth, firm, abdomen gives the whole body a look of fitness and vitality.  Abdominoplasty (also known as a tummy tuck) trims, flattens, and firms a bulging abdomen by doing 3 things: (1) removing excess skin, (2) removing excess fat, and (3) tightening loose abdominal muscles. By tightening the underlying muscles, Dr. Markarian creates an “internal corset” effect that produces a beautifully balanced waistline and abdominal silhouette.  A tummy tuck may be appropriate if you have trouble trimming your abdomen following changes in your mid-section after pregnancy or after inadequate improvement despite exercise and weight loss.  The procedure can also be useful for women with stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy. After the effects of pregnancy, a breast lift may also be needed. This combination of procedures is commonly referred to as a “mommy makeover.”

 The goals of a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) are to firm and flatten the mid-section after weight loss or pregnancy, to restore the position of torn or sagging abdominal muscles, to tighten and smooth loose abdominal skin, and to remove lower-abdominal fatty deposits.

Personalize Your Procedure

Dr. Markarian will personalize your procedure – a skilled body contouring surgeon, Dr. Markarian is passionate about providing natural, aesthetically pleasing results in every procedure. He will assess your shape carefully, review your health history, and explain your options before crafting an individualized surgical plan focused on your needs.  Since sagging abdominal tissues have many different causes, customization and accuracy are key factors in a successful tummy tuck procedure. When you meet with Dr. Markarian you can be confident that he is well-versed in a full selection of body contouring techniques and will strive to offer you safe, high-quality options and results, which accurately match your objectives.  The three different components of an abdominoplasty which Dr. Markarian will customize to fit your lifestyle and needs to achieve the maximum improvement for your shape include:

• Muscle tightening: Weight fluctuations and childbearing can overstretch and tear the abdominal muscles. Dr. Markarian restores the muscles, or their fascial cover, by repairing them to their original position for a re-tightened contour.
• Fat removal: Many patients will choose to combine a tummy tuck with liposuction (liposculpture) for smoother results that show off their natural muscle tone and improve their waistline silhouette.
• Skin tightening: Muscle tightening and fat removal results in a tight and flat abdomen as well as a slimmer waistline. Dr. Markarian will also tighten and trim away excess skin.

For post-weight-loss patients, Dr. Markarian may also recommend a circumferential abdominoplasty, belt lipectomy, or a body lift to tighten loose skin at the hips, tummy or thighs. Dr. Markarian is well-versed in these procedures, which generally yield dramatic results and extremely grateful patients. Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck procedure are healthy men and women who maintain a healthy diet and a stable weight.

Having Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery is performed under general anesthesia which means you will be asleep and feel nothing during surgery. Expect an overnight stay at a fully accredited surgical center, where a “private duty” nurse is available. The surgery itself generally takes several hours, although you should expect to spend extra time in the operating room if your procedure will focus on multiple areas.

Patient Results