Seattle Office
636 120th Ave NE #202,
Bellevue, WA 98005
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a procedure designed to remove excess skin in the abdomen and tighten the underlying muscles.
People who are dealing with a saggy tummy area have the opportunity to reshape and re-contour their bodies and bring back the slimmer, fit appearance of youth. At Athenix, our surgeons focus on staying ahead of the curve in all of the most recently released technologies, and we are proud of the skill and artistry of our team.
If you are tired of seeing that bulgy, saggy belly, and ready to restore your abdomen area to a smooth, well-toned appearance, we can help with tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery. Our goal is to resolve flaws associated with excess fat and skin that make your body look old and tired. The procedures we use will vary, based upon your unique condition. We can resolve the following issues:
- Muscle separation
- Flabby, droopy skin
- Bulging belly
- Fat deposits
- Baggy, loose skin
- Saggy, wrinkled tummy skin
- Stretch marks
- Muscle laxity
- Extra skin and fat that exercise and diet can’t resolve
Restore Your Figure After Pregnancy or Weight Loss
Many women, due to heredity, are shocked at the condition of the body after pregnancy. The stretching has left the tummy with stretch marks and skin that bags and wrinkles. The same holds true for those who have successfully lost a large amount of weight. The weight is gone, but the excess skin is left, creating an unsightly, unattractive look. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your belly area, feel embarrassed or want to keep the area covered, or wear shaping garments, you could be a candidate for our tummy tuck in Seattle.
Traditional Tummy Tuck
A “traditional” tummy tuck is a surgical procedure called abdominoplasty. This is the appropriate surgery for those who have problem areas both above and below the navel. The surgery removes excess fat and skin, and repairs weakened or separated muscle structure. The results are permanent, based upon maintaining a stable weight. For those who have unsightly stretch marks, the advantage is that many can be removed when excess skin is removed. The belly button will be repositioned in this surgery as well. Candidates for a traditional tummy tuck should typically be:
- In a good state of overall health
- At a stable, healthy weight
- Unhappy with the appearance of your tummy, due to fat deposits, bagging, sagging, or separated or weak muscles
- Have developed excess skin and fat in the belly area, with bulging
- Not planning to get pregnant
- A non-smoker
Mini Tummy Tuck: A More Defined Abdomen
A mini tummy tuck may be the appropriate procedure for those who only have problems below the belly button area. Excess skin, tissue and fat is removed from the lower abdominal area to create a smooth, fitter appearance to the region. This procedure is often chosen for those who are generally in good physical shape, but who cannot get rid of the excess with diet and exercise. This is a less-extensive procedure, often appropriate for younger patients who want to get a sculpted, better-defined appearance to the lower abdomen, either men or women.
Restore and Transform Your Body
It is tiresome and depressing to have a saggy, fatty tummy that you feel obligated to hide from view. Both men and women deal with this problem. Whether pregnancy, genetics, aging, or weight loss led to the condition, we can help you restore and transform your body. The outcome is not minor – your entire tummy area is restored to a younger profile as it had before nature took its toll. Are you ready to sculpt and re-contour your body? Schedule a free consultation for a tummy tuck at Athenix.
Our Professional Process
We are committed to the highest level of professionalism, from your first meeting with us, through carefully monitoring your recovery from a tummy tuck in Seattle. Our process involves several steps:
- Assess what you hope to achieve.
- Advise you of what can be done, and what to expect in outcome.
- Review your health, weight, and medical history.
- Evaluate your current condition.
- Create a custom surgery plan.
- Perform the appropriate surgical procedure.
- Monitor and manage your recovery and healing.
Our Commitment to Patient Safety
Athenixs are all fully accredited or licensed, and we use only the most advanced plastic and cosmetic surgery instruments, equipment, and procedures in our state-of-the-art surgery suites, located onsite. The office itself is private, comfortable and relaxing. We perform all procedures focused on patient safety, and employ rigorous safety protocols for every procedure.
Our centers were recently built and are fresh, clean, and inviting. We have done all we can to provide our patients with the most comfortable, pleasing environment, as well as exceptionally talented surgeons, anesthesiologists, surgical assistants, and administrative personnel that are here strictly for you.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Our patients appreciate that we are discreet, professional, and committed to achieving aesthetic results. Our medical team consistently uses the most advanced methods for body sculpting and body contouring. If you are bothered with the appearance of your tummy, take the first step towards a slimmer, trimmer body that enhances your overall appearance, and schedule a free initial consultation to talk to us about what you hope to achieve. Call us directly at our Bellevue office, or use our convenient online form to schedule your free consultation.
Tummy Tuck FAQ:
What is a tummy tuck?
Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure used to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal region, resulting is a firmer, tighter stomach.
Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck can be used to achieve a sculpted, smooth abdomen, but it does not replace the need for a proper diet and regular exercise. You are a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you're a healthy adult who has achieved a stable weight with realistic expectations of the results you can achieve from a tummy tuck, if you have loose or sagging skin around your abdominal region, or if you have excess fat lingering in your abdominal region that hasn't responded to a healthy diet and exercise.
What do I need to do before a tummy tuck?
There will be significant downtime following your tummy tuck surgery, so you need to prepare yourself to rest and recover. You should arrange to have 2 to 3 weeks away from work, and to have someone who can drive you home following your tummy tuck procedure, and who can stay with you for the first day or two.
What is the recovery time?
The amount of time required to recover from tummy tuck surgery varies greatly from patient to patient. It is possible that you will be able to resume light activity within 2 to 3 weeks following your surgery. In most cases, you should be able to resume your daily exercise routine within a few weeks.
What kind of results can I expect?
When you have recovered from tummy tuck surgery, you will have a smoother, flatter abdomen. You may even have fewer stretch marks following your surgery. The amount of weight loss you achieve depends on how great the volume of loose, sagging skin and fat that is removed in the tummy tuck surgery. Following the procedure, as long as you have no significant fluctuations in weight, your stomach should remain firm and tight for many years.
Recovering from a Tummy Tuck
Recovery from tummy tuck surgery varies greatly from patient to patient. However, there are several common experiences. Recovery time varies largely on the extent of the abdominoplasty performed, and your overall physical health prior to surgery. You should plan to take 2 to 3 weeks away from work following your tummy tuck surgery. Many activities, especially those of a lighter nature, can be resumed within a few weeks of surgery.
You will experience some pain, swelling, bruising, and discomfort following your surgery. Our Athenix board-certified plastic surgeon will want you to wear compression garments post-surgery in order to reduce swelling and hold your new abdominal structure in place during healing. While much of your swelling will be gone in a matter of weeks, it will be a few months before you the final results are achieved.
Typically, patients are able to resume driving within 2 to 3 weeks following surgery and will be able to resume a more vigorous exercise program about 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Until that time, it is important to avoid activities that will require you to twist or
How long will I have to wait to have sex after undergoing a tummy tuck?
As you have undergone a major surgery, it takes some time for your body to heal. The main point is that we want the procedure to heal properly, so you must avoid vigorous physical activities – including sex – for about four to six weeks, depending upon the extent of the procedure.
What is the best diet to follow after a tummy tuck?
It is important that you drink plenty of water during your recovery. Avoid excess salt, eat healthy protein, vegetables, grains and fruit, and avoid processed foods, soda, or alcoholic beverages.
How old do you need to be to get a tummy tuck?
Most people who have a tummy tuck choose to do so after the body has been damaged by pregnancy or due to aging. You should plan the surgery after you have finished having children or having completed losing excess weight.
What are the different types of tummy tuck surgeries?
Every tummy tuck performed at Athenix is a custom procedure. Each patient has unique issues to address, ranging from stretch marks to split muscles, to sagging skin and tissue. A mini tummy tuck is less extensive, as it only addresses the area of the body below the navel.
Will I be in pain after a tummy tuck?
There is typically some degree of pain associated with a tummy tuck, and you will be given a prescription for pain medication, so you can be comfortable in the early stages of healing, after which you can switch to over the counter painkillers.
How much swelling will I have after a tummy tuck?
It is normal to experience swelling – it is your body’s reaction to the surgery. The swelling typically diminishes quickly, with your new body contour being revealed within a few weeks. If you carefully follow your aftercare instructions, you should heal quickly.
Will I have visible scars after a tummy tuck?
It is critical that your surgery is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in the procedure. At Athenix, our Chief Medical Officer has been named as one of “America’s Top Doctors.” How the incisions are placed and the meticulous care in suturing means that your scars should heal to being almost invisible if cared for correctly.
