What is Tummy Tuck?

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Tummy tucks can be combined with liposuction techniques or with breast enhancement as part of a mommy makeover procedure. The abdominal area can be stubborn and not respond to diet and exercise, some patients have had significant weight loss and now have excess skin. This skin will not go away unless it is removed by surgery. Patients may also have a rectus diastasis where the rectus muscles are weak and the abdomen protrudes outwards gives the appearance of a flat abdomen. In this case plication of the rectus muscles can help.

Benefits of a Tummy Tuck in Bellevue

Abdominal contouring at RP Surgery Center addresses concerns that diet and exercise cannot resolve. Key benefits include:

• Removal of excess skin
• Tightening of loose skin after pregnancy or weight loss
• Repair of separated abdominal muscles
• Improved posture
• More defined waistline

Types of Tummy Tucks

Traditional Tummy Tuck: The incision is horizontal across the bikini line. The length of the incision is based on how much excess skin there is and contouring. The incision is kept low and hidden by should be hidden by underwear. The mons area is also lifted with this technique and the belly button is transposed. The rectus or 6 pack muscles are plicated or tightened like a corset and the excess skin and fat are removed. Liposuction may combine with a tummy tuck and is usually performed on the sides or flank areas.

Mini-Tummy Tuck: This variant of a traditional tummy tuck will not give the full contour of the traditional tummy tuck. There is no plication of the muscles and the belly button is generally not transposed. True candidates for this procedure are uncommon and are limited to those with a small amount of skin laxity low down with no excess fat above the belly button.

Fleur De Lis Tummy tuck Abdominoplasty: This is a traditional tummy tuck horizontal incision combined with a vertical midline incision. The midline incision is a necessity to contour the full torso in those with a large amount of circumferential excess tissue. The horizontal incision simply is not enough to get all the skin out. The incision pattern looks like a large T.

Reverse Tummy Tuck: This essentially is an incision along the breast creases or IMF. This pulls up the upper abdominal skin laxity towards the breast. It is sometimes needed in those that have a large amount of upper abdominal tissue to be removed.

Dr. Parikh is skilled in all forms of tummy tuck procedures and an expert in body contouring. In consultation, a tailored, customized plan for you will be developed so that you reach your desired goals in a safe fashion.

The Surgery Process

Dr. Parikh evaluates each patient’s anatomy to determine whether a full vs. mini tummy tuck is most appropriate. During surgery, he repairs muscles, removes excess skin and fat, and repositions the belly button to achieve a natural result. The LipoSculpted option adds targeted liposuction for additional surgical fat removal in Seattle.

LipoSculpted Tummy Tuck vs Traditional Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty

LipoSculpted Tummy Tuck 360 by Dr. Parikh

This version of a tummy tuck abdominoplasty allows for a thinner appearance of the soft tissue over the frame resulting in a more sculpted look with your tummy tuck. Dr. Parikh performs this on the right type of candidate only and has evolved his technique over the years in this type of procedure.

This type of liposuction is ADDED to the traditional tummy tuck maneuvers which include:

• Muscle Plication repair of diastasis recti
• Belly button or umbilicus repositioning
• Removal of excess skin and subcutaneous tissue

The LipoSculpted Tummy Tuck results in a thinner look than what can be achieved with a traditional tummy tuck. A mild amount of chiseling or etching delivers natural-looking results without an overdone or overexaggerated look.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Bellevue, WA

The cost of the procedure is based on 1. Anesthesia Fees 2. Facility Fees and 3. Surgeon Fees.

Prices may vary based on the length of time and complexity of the case. During your consultation, Dr. Parikh will discuss the details of the procedure and help develop a customized treatment plan that’s tailored to your individual needs.

Meet Dr. Rikesh Parikh

Dr. Rikesh Parikh is a double board-certified plastic surgeon in Bellevue, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He completed his plastic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University and a research fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Parikh has presented research at national and international conferences and is widely regarded as a trusted Seattle aesthetic expert.

Tummy Tuck Complications

Local Complications of Tummy Tuck

Wound Dehiscence: The incision line can separate. This can be a superficial or deep separation. If it’s superficial meaning just the skin or under the skin is involved, local wound care will likely solve the issue with time. However, separation can occur at deeper levels in the tissue this may require revision or more aggressive wound care techniques.

Wound Infection: Infection can happen with any surgery. Signs of infection include redness, pain, swelling, drainage or fever. Treatment can vary from oral antibiotics to IV antibiotics to surgical drainage or debridement.

Recovery After Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck recovery follows a structured timeline. Swelling and bruising peak in the first week and gradually subside. A compression garment is worn to support healing.

Most patients return to light activity within two weeks and resume strenuous exercise at six weeks. Dr. Parikh provides personalized guidance on scar management during follow-up appointments.

Reviews

I had lost a considerable amount of weight and had excessive hanging skin on my abdomen. I wanted a tummy tuck. After being evaluated by a leading cosmetic surgeon in Nashville, TN, I was not sure if I wanted to have the procedure. I felt uncomfortable and felt that the surgeon seemed to lack in bedside manner. Upon first meeting Dr. Parikh, I was instantly comfortable. He is very concerned with the comfort of his patients. He answered all of my questions and even gave me his cell phone to call if I had more. I was so comfortable with him that I scheduled my surgery right away. The surgery went great. I had zero complications. My pain was managed very well. I had been worried about the surgical drains but that was easy to manage as well. Dr. Parikh checked on me often after the surgery and when I did have questions he responded immediately. I am two months post-op now and am so pleased with the results. I would go to him again in a second!

M.A.

Seroma and Abscess: These are sterile fluid collections or pockets that can form under the skin and subcutaneous tissue. This is not an infection or abscess. Signs include swelling in the area that may be localized or span a larger area, ballotable (fluctuation when you press on the swelling like a fluid wave), and usually no pain. If the seroma becomes infected it is called an abscess (usually have pain associated). Small seromas may be treated with time and can resolve on their own. Larger ones may need drainage. Seromas if recurrent may need serial drainage or sclerosing agents to alleviate.

Nerve Pain: Nerve pain can occur secondary to plication of the abdominal wall, direct injury or entrapment. Most of the time this pain is temporary and resolves on its own. Nerves associated with a tummy tuck include the ilioinguinal nerve, the iliohypogastric nerve and the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (meralgia parasthetica). If nerve pain is severe or chronic diagnosis and treatment include local blocks to surgical intervention.?

Venous Thromboembolism: The formation of blood clots in the legs with the possibility of traveling to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). This complication can be diagnosed with CT angiography of the lungs and or duplex venous ultrasound. Some symptoms include leg swelling, leg pain, chest pain, anxiety, lightheadedness, shortness of breath. Treatment consists of anticoagulation.

With any surgical procedure, complications can occur but are generally low. We encourage that you ask about complications during your visit with Dr. Parikh. Dr. Parikh will ensure that your safety is first and discuss any concern in great detail that is tailored to your specific medical history.

FAQS about Tummy Tuck

• Do I need a Tummy Tuck or can I just get Liposuction?

  Tummy Tuck’s remove excess fat and skin while liposuction only removes fat. The number one deciding factor between these two procedures is the skin laxity and quality. If the skin quality or laxity is poor a Tummy Tuck is your best option. Liposuction in the setting of excess skin and poor skin tone can result in wrinkling, dents, rippling and unevenness.

• What is the difference between a mini Tummy Tuck and regular Tummy Tuck?

  A mini Tummy Tuck classically is performed in patients that have mild laxity of skin that hangs. Ideally, this is best in patients that have a high belly button because the belly button may be pulled down during the procedure rather than repositioned. The abdominal muscles may or may not be plicated. The incision can be smaller but sometimes it may need to be longer based on amount of skin that needs to be removed. With a regular Tummy Tuck the muscles are plicated the belly button is relocated in its new position and the excess skin is removed.

• What is the difference between a Tummy Tuck and Extended Tummy Tuck?

  An Extended Tummy Tuck is a regular Tummy Tuck, but the incision is carried farther back towards the side of the hip or even onto the back. This may be required in certain patients that have a large amount of skin to be removed from the side area. So-called “dog ears” can be prevented this way.

• What is a Reverse Tummy Tuck?

  A Reverse Tummy Tuck is an incision that is made in the breast crease area the extra skin and fat is pulled upwards and removed. This is ideal for patients that have excessive laxity in the upper abdomen area.

• Are drains needed for a Tummy Tuck? Drainless Tummy Tuck

  Drains are not always needed with a Tummy Tuck. There is an entity called Drainless Tummy Tuck. In this technique, drains are not used. The flap of skin and soft tissue is tacked down to the muscle wall (fascia) in multiple areas to close the “dead space” and hopefully prevent fluid from collecting underneath (seroma). In general, I use drains for most of my tummy tucks.

• What is muscle tightening or Plication?

  Muscle Plication or Tightening of rectus muscle for diastasis recti is part of the Tummy Tuck procedure. Refers to sewing the rectus muscles together to close the gap that exists there. This usually must be done almost with every patient in my experience.

• When can I go back to work after a Tummy Tuck?

  A general rule of thumb is 2 weeks. However tensile wound strength can take up to 12 weeks.

Schedule Your Consultation in Bellevue

At RP Surgery Center, you’ll receive personalized attention from consultation through recovery. Contact us today to book your body contouring consultation in Bellevue.