Tummy Tuck in Cleveland, OH

Diastasis recti is the separation of the abdominal muscle. This occurs most commonly during pregnancy; however, it is also possible in both men and women who gain significant weight. The abdominal muscles are divided into two sections that are meant to remain side-by-side, usually a finger width apart. When the uterus expands, the two sides of the abdominal (rectus) muscle can separate, and, once they do, they do not come back together on their own. This separation results in a lower abdominal pooch that is resistant to any form of diet and exercise. A tummy tuck surgically corrects diastasis recti by repositioning the two sides of the rectus muscle.

Most patients consider tummy tuck surgery for aesthetic reasons to address skin, fat, or muscle laxity; however, tummy tuck surgery also provides non-cosmetic benefits. Tummy tuck surgery has been shown to correct ventral hernias, improve posture, relieve lower back pain that resulted from the stomach’s excess, and lessen instances of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Tummy tuck surgery is an invasive procedure that cuts through skin, fat, and muscle to manipulate the core muscles. Because of this, the recovery period is longer than many other forms of plastic surgery. Tummy tuck patients can and should begin walking within a day of their surgery. More strenuous activities like jogging, running, and lifting weights should be avoided for at least six weeks, and abdominal-heavy exercises like sit-ups and yoga should be avoided for even longer.

Consult with Dr. Goldschmidt before returning to any exercise program. Starting physical activity too soon can result in the incision separating and an extended recovery period.

A tummy tuck absolutely can be combined with other cosmetic procedures. Many patients enjoy their tummy tuck results with a Brazilian Butt Lift, leaving their abdomen flatter, hips rounder, and buttocks larger. Some patients turn their tummy tuck procedure into what is known as a Mommy Makeover, which is highly customizable and can include a breast augmentation or breast lift to fully rejuvenate the body. The costs of these combined procedures will vary. At your consultation, you can discuss your goals with Dr. Goldschmidt to see if it is possible to combine your other desired procedures with your tummy tuck.

Tummy tuck surgery can be performed alone or in combination with another body contouring or breast enhancement procedure. Tummy tuck surgery can be combined with:

• Umbilicoplasty (belly button surgery)
• Breast augmentation (with implants)
• Breast lift surgery
• Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery (BBL)
• Mommy Makeover surgery

Tummy tuck surgery does not physically impact your ability to get pregnant or have a successful pregnancy. We recommend waiting for a tummy tuck until after you have had your children for purely aesthetic reasons. Pregnancy places significant strain on the abdomen that may result in loose skin, weakened rectus muscles, and excess fat. A tummy tuck will address all of those post-pregnancy concerns.

Liposuction on the abdomen can eliminate pockets of fat on the lower and upper abdomen and the obliques. While this procedure can provide significant fat reduction results, it cannot tighten loose skin, which is common in men and women considering a tummy tuck. If you have skin or muscle laxity, liposuction alone will not provide the results you hope to achieve.

The main purpose of a tummy tuck is to remove extra fat and loose skin on the abdomen. This may lead to some stretch marks being removed. Depending on the area and your personalized treatment plan, Dr. Goldschmidt may not fully be able to get rid of loose skin and stretch marks. If you have loose skin and stretch marks in a different area than your abdomen, such as on your hips, a tummy tuck will most likely not help this area, and you may require a different procedure. You may also combine procedures if you choose to do so.

Insurance companies may not cover a tummy tuck procedure unless it is deemed medically necessary. Patients who undergo weight loss surgery and need excess skin removal may be more likely to have their surgical procedure covered by insurance. However, every company is different, and it cannot be predicted if your procedure will be covered. The Cosmetic Surgery Center advises patients to contact their insurance provider to see if this may be an option.

The results of a tummy tuck should be permanent as long as you remain within a stable weight. Some circumstances that may change the results of your tummy tuck are weight loss, weight gain, and pregnancy. To get the best results out of your procedure, Dr. Goldschmidt recommends patients be at their goal weight and be done having children. However, these recommendations are mainly for aesthetic reasons. Dr. Goldschmidt will discuss the tummy tuck procedure with you entirely at your consultation and pre-surgical visits to make sure you are aware of his recommendations and any risk factors.

There are always non-surgical alternatives to a tummy tuck available, but the results are not going to give a completely rejuvenated look as a tummy tuck would. A tummy tuck will fully remove the extra skin and loose fat from your abdomen. Some treatments may only target certain areas of fat. However, once you have loose skin, it usually will only be corrected through a surgical procedure. Many patients come into The Cosmetic Surgery Center seeking a tummy tuck after trying a non-surgical alternative and finally feel completely satisfied once they see the results of their surgery.

Choosing the right cosmetic surgeon for a tummy tuck can seem challenging at first. You are trusting your surgeon with your body and want to ensure you safely achieve your dream look. When researching a cosmetic surgeon, we recommend being very thorough and looking at reviews, the surgeon’s website, photo gallery, and certifications. Does this surgeon offer the procedure you are interested in? Does the results photo gallery look similar to your personal goals? You may want to book consultations with multiple offices to find the cosmetic surgeon who is your perfect fit.

Once in your consultation, notice how you feel inside the office. Is the office clean and organized? Do you feel comfortable asking questions to the surgeon and the rest of their staff? Is the surgeon knowledgeable and honest with you? Is there a good rapport with the surgeon and staff? It is important to feel at ease and have a surgeon that is transparent on what your procedure might look like for you. You may also consider if you will be able to visit this cosmetic surgeon in the future following your surgery if complications arise or if you would like to go through another procedure. At The Cosmetic Surgery Center, we want to make each patient feel valued and comfortable. Our biggest tip to you is to not be afraid to ask questions and advocate for yourself!

After your tummy tuck procedure, you will have restrictions to ensure proper healing. Due to the nature of the procedure, which involves your abdominal muscles, Dr. Goldschmidt does not recommend exercise for the first few weeks. You will be encouraged to get up and walk around, though nothing strenuous, to help the recovery process and reduce swelling. After four weeks, you may be cleared for light cardio exercises. After eight weeks, you may be cleared for more intensive exercise such as strength training or running. You may be restricted from core strengthening exercises for even longer. We recommend consulting with Dr. Goldschmidt at your follow-ups as each patient has a different recovery timeline.

Depending on your treatment plan, you can expect most of your extra skin and fat to be removed from your abdomen after a tummy tuck procedure. Some patients may require extra muscle repair, but that is discussed during your pre-operative visits. Keep in mind a tummy tuck is NOT designed to be a weight loss procedure. Most patients overall will enjoy a flatter tummy and improved waistline.

During your pre-surgical visit, which will be the final visit before your procedure, Dr. Goldschmidt will go over your surgery consents and instructions. He will require patients to be at a stable BMI before undergoing the procedure. Patients who have medical conditions may also require a clearance from their doctor. If you take any other medication or vitamins, you may need to pause taking these until after your surgery. Patients will also need to abstain from using any form of nicotine six weeks prior to the procedure to ensure proper healing. You will receive prescription medications to aid with pain and healing pre- and post-surgery and instructions on how to use them. Dr. Goldschmidt and his staff will inform you of these circumstances well in advance of your surgery so that you can plan accordingly.

After your tummy tuck surgery, it is very important that you not overexert yourself. You will have restrictions on lifting, pushing, pulling, or anything that increases your heart rate for the first few weeks. This is to ensure no complications such as bleeding or seroma occur. Dr. Goldschmidt will inform you how to monitor your drains, if you have any, prior to surgery and will continue to help you monitor them at your follow-up visits. If you need more clarification on any instructions Dr. Goldschmidt and his staff tell you at your visits, do not be afraid to ask. The Cosmetic Surgery Center strives to create a welcoming environment where each patient feels comfortable and heard.