Tummy Tuck in Tampa

A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that tightens loose skin and weak abdominal muscles while also removing excess fat from the abdominal area. The end result is a much smoother and more toned physique. Tummy tucks are popular for women after they have had kids and men who carry weight in their midsections. At the Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center in Tampa, our experienced cosmetic surgeons can help you achieve a flatter, more contoured and more attractive abdomen.

Our cosmetic surgeons at Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center in Tampa, Florida have decades of experience between them performing body contouring surgeries like abdominoplasty, and specialize in body and breast procedures. Both Dr. Joseph Castellano and Dr. Mindi Giglio are active members of some of the most prestigious medical associations in the country, including The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons and The American Medical Association.

We are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and results to each and every one of our patients in our state-of-the-art Tampa office. 

Request a consultation with us today and see why patients come back to our office again and again. With extensive cosmetic surgery experience, our surgeons can help you determine if a tummy tuck is the best option for you.

Both women and men can be good candidates for a tummy tuck, provided they are in good health, are at or close to their target weight and have finished having children. In general, the most common candidates for abdominoplasty in Tampa are:

• Women who have been pregnant.
  During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles stretch in order to accommodate your growing baby. Unfortunately, these muscles and stretched skin do not always bounce back afterward. Over time, this can create a bulge that can be nearly impossible to address through diet and exercise alone. With an abdominoplasty, Tampa moms can regain their formerly flat tummies. Oftentimes, stretch marks are also removed during the procedure.
• Women and men who have recently lost a lot of weight.
  Following significant weight loss, many women and men are left with loose or excess skin that wasn’t able to “snap back” into place to complement their new figures. The result is loose, hanging folds of skin that can only be resolved through surgery. By removing this excess skin and tightening the remaining skin and muscle tissue, a tummy tuck can help you look as good as you feel now that you’ve reached your target weight.
• Anyone with loose skin in the abdominal area.
  If you’ve done so many crunches you can’t see straight, but your belly is still hanging past your belt, you may be fighting a losing battle. Even if you’re perfectly healthy weight-wise, loose folds of skin can develop as a result of aging, genetics and other factors. The abdominoplasty procedure can help you finally tone and tighten your stomach for a flatter abdomen.

Note that a tummy tuck by itself will not give you a “six-pack” with prominent and defined abdominal muscles. The procedure tightens the covering of the muscles, which can become loose over time or after pregnancy. It does not tone, tighten or build muscle on its own. After you’ve recovered from your tummy tuck, you should feel more comfortable to do exercises such as crunches and sit-ups that will build abdominal muscle.

During your tummy tuck consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will carefully listen to your individual goals and trouble spots, review your medical history and perform a physical evaluation to help you decide if abdominoplasty could be right for you. Dr. Castellano or Dr. Giglio will also explain your various tummy tuck options, including the difference between a full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck, as well as the innovative drainless Avelar tummy tuck technique.

Together with your cosmetic surgeon, you will create a customized tummy tuck procedure that meets your goals and expectations for your final result.

During a tummy tuck, your cosmetic surgeon will make an incision across the lower abdomen below the belly button. The incision is placed low enough to be discreetly hidden by most styles of underwear and even small swimsuits after healing up. Working through this incision, your surgeon will then suture the abdominal muscles to restore tautness. Once this new supportive framework is in place, excess skin and fat are removed, and the remaining skin is sutured closed at the incision site.

While the exact duration of your tummy tuck procedure will depend on the details of your surgery, most tummy tucks are performed in 2 to 3 hours under general anesthesia.

Following your tummy tuck, you’ll initially have to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and aid in the healing process. For the first day or two, we advise that you get some help getting around, as standing completely upright might be difficult at first. Most people are able to go back to work and resume normal daily activities around 2 to 3 weeks after their tummy tuck, although this can vary depending on how physically demanding your job is.

You will need to limit strenuous physical activity for several weeks after your abdominoplasty. Your cosmetic surgeon will let you know when you can gradually begin to reintroduce exercise and other physical activity into your routine. Most of our Tampa tummy tuck patients can resume their normal workout routines within 6 to 12 weeks after their procedure.

A tummy tuck can deliver dramatic results. However, keep in mind that swelling will disguise your new figure for a little while, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see the results you were hoping for right away. You should start to see improvements in your physique in the coming weeks as your body continues to heal and swelling diminishes. For most people, full tummy tuck results are visible within 6 to 12 months after abdominoplasty, though you should have a good idea of what your results will look like much sooner.

Tummy tuck results can be very long-lasting, provided you maintain healthy eating and exercise habits to avoid significant weight fluctuations. Many of our Tampa tummy tuck patients enjoy their results for years to come.