Tummy Tuck FAQs

If you’re considering a tummy tuck, you probably want to know more about what to expect. Here, we answer the most commonly asked questions our patients have about tummy tucks. You can also request a consultation with us for more information.

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a procedure that helps Tampa men and women repair lax or separated abdominal muscles to slim and reshape the belly. Any excess skin and tissue are removed at the same time. In some cases, liposuction may be included for further body contouring.

Dr. Castellano offers an innovative approach toward abdominoplasty called the Avelar Tummy Tuck. This procedure, pioneered by Brazilian surgeon Dr. Juarez M. Avelar, uses smaller incisions, incorporates liposuction and offers patients a faster recovery time. The same slimmer, smoother body contours can be achieved with the Avelar Tummy Tuck as with traditional abdominoplasty.

The best candidates for abdominoplasty are those who are already within a few pounds of their ideal weight, and who enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle. Men and women considering tummy tucks should also be in good general physical and mental health, and have realistic expectations about their results.

Everyone wants the best tummy tuck results so that they can enjoy the tight, toned abdomen they envision. You may have found several tummy tuck surgeons near you in Tampa, but not all of them can deliver the results you want. Dr. Castellano and his team have decades of aesthetic experience and hundreds of satisfied repeat patients. During your consultation, you can see more before and after images and find out how we are able to reshape your midsection with a tummy tuck and other body contouring plastic surgery options.

Although women do see major changes in their abdomen following pregnancy, men can certainly notice similar changes in muscle tone as they age. Either men or women who go through rapid weight loss can be left with loose folds of skin that can only be resolved through abdominoplasty.

For male and female patients alike, a tummy tuck removes excess skin, corrects any laxity or separation in the abdominal wall and slims and firms the waistline. Men deserve to feel confident about their midsections rather than embarrassed about considering a tummy tuck. If you’re a man who can’t seem to get the leaner, more-athletic looking stomach you’d like despite efforts to diet and exercise, come in for a consultation to see if a tummy tuck is right for you.

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that should in no way affect your ability to have healthy pregnancies in the future. However, I generally advise women to put off their tummy tuck until they’re finished having babies for aesthetic reasons. Women who get pregnant after a tummy tuck may find their stomachs bounce back to how they looked after surgery, but subsequent pregnancies can sometimes stretch the skin, separate the abdominal muscles and “undo” the results of the prior tummy tuck. To be sure you’ll love your results in the long run without the need for a revision surgery, it’s best to wait until your childbearing years are behind you.

Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure. Although some amount of fat is removed during the surgery, the best results are seen on men and women who are already at or near their target weight. Abdominoplasty is intended to repair loose muscles and remove excess skin and tissue that diet and exercise are incapable of resolving.

Expect to experience moderate discomfort directly after your tummy tuck, particularly in the first few days. Pain, discomfort and tenderness are typically easily managed with pain medications as prescribed by your cosmetic surgeon. Discomfort usually improves noticeably within the first week or two. Wearing your compression garment and applying cold compresses can also help to increase comfort and reduce swelling and bruising.

Tummy tucks can be combined very effectively with liposuction for a full lower-body sculpting. The result will be a slimmer, more toned-looking body. Oftentimes, those who feel better about their physical appearance also find a new confidence and positive outlook about the rest of their lives as well. This kind of total improvement is the ultimate goal.

During surgery, Dr. Castellano will make an incision across the very low abdomen, running from hip to hip. If performing an Avelar Tummy Tuck, the incision will be shorter. Through this incision, he’s able to access the underlying musculature of the abdomen. The lax or separated muscles are repaired, making them tighter and firmer. Next, the skin and tissue are redraped over the improved musculature. If liposuction is needed for fine-tuning, the Avelar Tummy Tuck uses a special technique to maintain the blood supply integrity for superior results with fewer complications. Finally, the incision will be sutured using specially layered stitches to minimize scarring.

Following your surgery, you can expect to feel a little sore and uncomfortable at first, especially if trying to stand up straight. Dr. Castellano may ask you to wear a special compression garment to reduce swelling and help keep you comfortable. Most patients are back to their normal daily routine in about two weeks, but more vigorous activities should wait until you feel more comfortable.

It’s understandable and common for patients to have difficulty carving out downtime in their busy schedules. However, if you decide to move forward with a tummy tuck, it’s imperative that you dedicate the proper time to resting and recovery after surgery, not only for your safety but also to ensure you get the results you’re hoping for. Every patient is different and recovery times will vary based on health, anatomy and the tummy tuck method chosen. Although you may feel anxious to get up and get moving again after surgery, pushing yourself too hard too soon can actually slow healing and extend your recovery period. Follow your postoperative orders and take it easy to allow your body to heal fully and properly.

Although abdominoplasty can’t be performed without leaving a scar, Dr. Castellano is careful to ensure that the incision placement will be hidden by your favorite underwear or swimsuit. The majority of patients feel that the positive results of their surgery far outweigh concerns over scarring.

You should notice a difference almost right away after your tummy tuck, with the effects becoming more apparent as post-operative swelling dissipates. Most Tampa patients can see their final results after just a few weeks.

There are some nonsurgical skin tightening and fat reduction treatments that can help you achieve a slimmer contour without surgery. However, these options are best for those with mild skin laxity and will not be able to address loose or separated abdominal muscle tissue.