Welcome to Maia Plastic Surgery, your premier destination for transformative procedures to reshape and rejuvenate your body. As we age, the abdomen undergoes significant changes influenced by various factors such as weight gain, pregnancy, genetics, and lifestyle choices. It’s common for both men and women to struggle with achieving a toned and flattened stomach.

At our office, we specialize in tummy tuck plastic surgery, a collection of procedures designed to address these concerns. With our comprehensive range of tummy tuck options, we can effectively remove excess skin, fat, and tissue from the midsection while simultaneously tightening the abdominal muscles and skin. Whether you’re seeking to restore your pre-pregnancy figure, combat the effects of weight fluctuations, or simply enhance your overall appearance, Haute Beauty expert Dr. Munique Maia is here to talk about how a tummy tuck can help you obtain your desired body goals. 

Should You Wait Until You’re Done Having Children for a Tummy Tuck?

I recommend waiting until you are done having children before getting a tummy tuck. This is because pregnancy can undo the results of the tummy tuck by stretching the skin and muscles, potentially causing the need for revision surgery. In general, it is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, to help maintain the results of the tummy tuck surgery, regardless of whether or not the patient plans to have more children. In the event that someone has more children after a tummy tuck, a secondary tummy tuck is also an option.

Men and Tummy Tucks – A Growing Trend?

Yes, I perform tummy tucks on male patients in my office. They look for this procedure, especially after weight loss. While traditionally thought of as a procedure primarily for women, tummy tucks can be an effective way to address excess skin and fat in the abdominal area for men as well. Men may look to get tummy tucks for a variety of reasons, such as to address the effects of weight loss, aging, or genetics. Men who have lost a significant amount of weight may be left with excess skin and fat in the abdominal area that can be difficult to address through diet and exercise alone. Tummy tucks can remove this excess tissue and tighten the underlying muscles, resulting in a masculine, more toned appearance.

Emerging Advancements in Tummy Tuck Procedures: What’s New and Noteworthy?

I can customize a tummy tuck procedure to best meet the patient’s specific needs and goals. Tummy tucks are now very commonly paired with other cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation or liposuction, sometimes referred to as a “mommy makeover.”

 

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The advantage of doing multiple procedures is that in a relatively short amount of time, we can safely and effectively perform multiple procedures at once, requiring anesthesia only once and a single recovery period. Safety is paramount when you are combining procedures. There are protocols that need to be followed to ensure a safe outcome. Board-certified plastic surgeons can assess each individual patient and determine if the patient is a good candidate to undergo this procedure.  

Minimizing Tummy Tuck Scars

At Maia Plastic Surgery, we want to make sure patients feel supported every step of the way. We prioritize the healing process just as much as the surgery itself and provide regular patient visits to ensure optimal recovery. To make sure our patient’s healing journey is as comfortable as possible, we recommend a complete tummy tuck healing kit with all the supplies they need to heal comfortably. The materials in the kit follow a recovery protocol to ensure proper healing and minimal scarring. 

Two weeks after surgery I recommend Skinuva Scar Cream to all my patients, which is a medical-grade scar cream designed to help reduce the appearance of scars. It contains highly purified growth factors, which are naturally occurring proteins in the body that can help promote healing and reduce inflammation. The cream also contains medical-grade silicone which helps create a protective barrier over the scar to reduce redness, itching, and discomfort. 

Three to four weeks after the procedure I recommend applying silicone tape over the scar cream. The silicone tape keeps the scar hydrated and prevents it from drying out. It also reduces tension on the skin around the scar, which helps minimize the risk of developing into a keloid. The silicone tape also promotes collagen production to help rebuild damaged skin tissue. 

It is imperative that you protect the scar from the sun. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause scars to become darker and more visible. Wear clothing that covers the area or apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Also, consider massages. Gently massaging the area around the scar to help break up scar tissue and improve blood flow to the area. 

Meticulous surgical techniques can influence the end result of the scar which is why you see a wide variety of scars. Dr. Maia is known in Washington, DC as the best plastic surgeon for tummy tucks who delivers consistent results and leaves minimal scarring around the bikini line and belly button. 

It’s important to keep in mind that tummy tuck scars can take several months or even up to a year to fully heal and fade. I tell this to all my patients so that they will have realistic expectations about their healing process. However, if you’re nervous about the tummy tuck scar, I’ll tell you this: all of my tummy tuck patients tell me that their scar was “not as bad as they expected.” They are very happy to have a scar that they can hide in their bikini line rather than having excess skin and fat.

Be patient and consistent with scar treatment, and you will definitely see improvements. If there is visible scarring that the patient would like to address later on, I will sometimes recommend other measures like Morpheus8 microneedling with radiofrequency or laser skin treatments around six to twelve months after the tummy tuck. 

 

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Preparing for a Tummy Tuck: Medications to Consider Discontinuing

Before undergoing a tummy tuck procedure or any other type of surgery, the patient should inform me of all medications, supplements, and herbs they are currently taking. A lot of patients don’t realize that even common supplements such as fish oil, for example, can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising during procedures. I tell my patients to stop all supplements and blood-thinning medications four weeks before their surgery to avoid any complications. Medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and warfarin can increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Their medical doctor will determine if they can stop these medications prior to surgery. 

Average Recovery Time

The recovery time for a tummy tuck can vary from patient to patient, however, in general, the average recovery time for a tummy tuck is about four to six weeks. During the first few days after surgery, patients take pain medication and wear compression garments to help manage any discomfort. After about a week, patients can resume light activities like walking, but should still avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for several more weeks. It’s important to follow specific post-operative instructions to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications.

Full recovery from a tummy tuck can take several months, during which time the scar will continue to heal and fade. It’s important to have realistic expectations for the final results and to be patient with the healing process.