Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in Memphis, TN with Dr. Roberto Lachica
“Abdomen-” in aesthetic terms, the area below the chest and above the thighs, including the flanks
“plasty” from plastikos (Greek for “change of form”)
How the Abdomen Changes Over Time
Age, pregnancy, and weight loss can cause the skin of the tummy area to become less elastic, lose its resiliency, and sag. Over time, excess fat may “redistribute” to the lower abdomen and flanks. The result is an irreversibly loose, hanging lower abdomen bulge (“pooch”) and “love handles.” The mons (fleshy area overlying the pubic bone) droops.
Even athletes or avid exercisers may experience sagging lower abdomen skin as a result of being very fit and having a low body mass index (BMI). Paradoxically, exercising more in an attempt to “firm up” or “tone” the abdominal muscles produces more weight loss and worsens the problem, with no chance of improvement.
Massive weight loss from a healthy diet or surgery produces even more excess skin of the lower abdomen and even greater challenges to appearance and function, such as chafing.
A lower abdomen pooch often hangs down over the groin and mons area. The appearance is evident in the mirror and conspicuous in close-fitting clothing or swimwear. It may hang down over the beltline or be compressed within the trousers—both inconvenient and uncomfortable. In some cases, it may become difficult to hide within any type of clothing.
An abdominoplasty surgically removes excess skin and fat and tightens the underlying musculature. The result is a flatter, firmer, smoother tummy. It is commonly combined with liposuction to restore an “hourglass” silhouette.
To learn about how an abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck”) can benefit you, contact The Langsdon Clinic today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Roberto Lachica. Dr. Lachica is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience performing aesthetic body contouring surgery and abdominoplasty.
What Is an Abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck”) is a surgical procedure that uses precisely designed incisions to remove the excess lower abdominal skin and fat between the belly button and the mons (the fleshy triangle above the genitals). The remaining tissues are tightened in two layers. The scar is horizontal and is located beneath the “bikini” line.
The most common type of tummy tuck tightens the musculature, repositions the umbilicus, and reduces fat in the flanks. The result is a tighter, firmer, and smoother abdominal contour that may help one restore an “hourglass” figure. Close-fitting clothing, undergarments, and swimsuits can often become easier to wear.
A tummy tuck DOES NOT remove fat located inside the abdominal cavity (fat surrounding your internal organs). Therefore, this procedure is less effective in very overweight patients with a barrel or protruding abdominal shape.
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Types of Tummy Tucks/Abdominoplasty
There are several types of abdominoplasty. Dr. Lachica will assess your unique anatomy and will counsel you on the procedure that has the best chance to achieve your aesthetic goals.
Full Abdominoplasty
A full tummy tuck is for the patient with loose skin and fat above AND below the belly button, flaccid musculature, and a drooping belly button. The patient’s abdominal shape is commonly the result of pregnancy.
The full tummy tuck:
- Removes excess skin and fat located below the umbilicus and above the mons.
- Repositions the belly button to a higher level.
- Tightens the underlying musculature with sutures.
- Scar is from hip to hip (located within the bikini line) and around the belly button.
Mini-Abdominoplasty
A mini tummy tuck is for the patient with loose skin predominantly below the belly button, good musculature, and no belly button “droop.” The patient’s shape is typically the result of weight loss and exercise. The procedure is also for the patient with an unattractive “step-off” or skin fold hanging over a Cesarean Section scar.
- Removes a small amount of loose skin above the mons.
- May release the umbilicus so it doesn’t appear pulled or distorted.
- Tightens the musculature below the belly button, if necessary.
- Scar is generally shorter (no belly button scar).
Lipo-abdominoplasty
The lipo tummy tuck combines abdominoplasty and simultaneous liposuction of the flanks, hips, back (“bra rolls”). The result is an improvement in a circumferentially “sculpted” trunk and hourglass figure.
Suction Lipoplasty (liposuction alone)
Suction lipoplasty is for the patient with smooth, tight, elastic skin who has minimal fat excess located under the skin. Patients with thin, dimpled, or sagging skin who undergo liposuction may end up worsening their appearance. Many patients who seek liposuction of the lower abdomen are often found to be better candidates for tummy tuck (with or without liposuction).
Mommy Makeover
This procedure combines abdominoplasty and simultaneous breast enhancement (breast lift or breast augmentation).
“T” Abdominoplasty
The “T” tummy tuck is for the patient with massive weight loss, either from diet or surgery. In addition to the standard lower horizontal incision, a vertical incision down the middle of the entire abdomen is added to create horizontal (“corset”) tightening. This procedure removes the maximum amount of loose skin when the additional scar is not a cosmetic concern.
Can Men Have Tummy Tucks (Male Abdominoplasty)?
Absolutely, yes! Men (especially thin, older athletes) also experience changes related to age and weight loss. The usual complaint is loose, sagging lower abdomen skin that obscures the groin and genitals, as well as “love handles.”
Men typically undergo mini-tummy tuck with flank liposuction and a concealed (“Speedo”) scar. The result is total trunk rejuvenation with a more youthful, firm appearance.
A Tummy Tuck Is Not Just Removing Skin and Fat!
Dr. Lachica knows how to safely remove excess tissue and how to sculpt what he leaves behind! There are several factors critical to achieving the best possible result for each unique patient:
- Proper use of liposuction in the flanks and hips to complete the sculpting effect and create an hourglass shape.
- Precise design of the incisions to produce a more inconspicuous scar that is strategically located within the bikini line.
- Shaping the belly button scar so that it has a natural appearance.
- Tightening the groin.
- Lifting the “droopy” mons (triangular area above the genitals).
Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
You are a good surgical candidate for a tummy tuck if you have loose, hanging skin and fat on your abdomen AND:
- You are not excessively overweight.
- You do not smoke (or are able to give up smoking for several weeks before and after your procedure.
- Previous abdominal surgery does not exclude you from a tummy tuck! A common reason why women seek surgery is to correct the excess tissue fold over a previous Cesarean Section scar.
- Diabetes does not exclude you from a tummy tuck, although the surgery can be modified to lessen the risk for infection/wound healing issues.
View Gallery
Visit our Before and After Photo gallery to see real patient results at The Langsdon Clinic.
How is an Abdominoplasty Performed?
Dr. Lachica’s process involves the following:
- A carefully designed elliptical (oval) incision to remove excess skin and fat between the belly button and the mons.
- The excess tissue is lifted from the underlying musculature.
- The belly button is relocated to a higher position.
- The musculature is tightened with sutures.
- The remaining tissues are closed in two layers.
If any liposuction is involved, it is performed before the surgical incisions are made. The surgical scar is horizontal, located above the mons, and curved upwards to the hips. It is strategically located beneath the bikini line and allows a two-piece swimsuit to be worn. In some cases, there is a small circular belly button scar that, if needed, can be concealed with a one-piece swimsuit.
Why Choose Dr. Lachica at The Langsdon Clinic as My Memphis Plastic Surgeon?
Dr. Lachica is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has over two decades of practice.
Dr. Lachica:
- is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- has performed aesthetic surgery during the entirety of his career.
- has devoted a significant component of his career to performing complex reconstruction (including microsurgery) of the extremities, breast, and trunk.
- applies his accumulated skill and experience to every procedure. ,
- strives to deliver excellent outcomes customized to each patient’s unique goals by using his knowledge of anatomy and aesthetic vision.
Dr. Lachica has received multiple peer-selected awards from Memphis Magazine Top Plastic Surgeons and Castle Connolly America’s Best Plastic Surgeons. He has been recognized by Memphis Health and Fitness Readers’ Choice Best Plastic Surgeons.
His peer-reviewed contributions to the literature appear in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Breast, and Craniofacial Surgery.
What to Expect During Your Tummy Tuck Consultation with Dr. Lachica
At The Langsdon Clinic, we personalize each abdominoplasty procedure to achieve each patient’s unique aesthetic goals. Dr. Lachica’s approach synergizes with ours.
During your consultation, Dr. Lachica will first ensure that you are a good candidate for surgery. He will understand your goals and recommend the specific abdominoplasty procedure that will produce the best overall aesthetic result in your specific case. He will help you visualize these changes using your preoperative photos and long-term postoperative photos of those he has treated.
Dr. Lachica will design your procedure based on your own unique abdominal anatomy with the goal of producing the best possible aesthetic result with an emphasis on safety.
Schedule Your Memphis Tummy Tuck Surgery Consultation Today!
Contact The Langsdon Clinic today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lachica for tummy tuck surgery. Patients seeking plastic surgery in Memphis have chosen Dr. Roberto Lachica and The Langsdon Clinic time and again because of their natural looking, balanced results, and emphasis on privacy and safety. If you would like to partner with one of the best plastic surgery practices in America, we invite you to call 901-755-6465 or reach us online today. Dr. Lachica is considered by many to be the best tummy tuck surgeon Memphis, TN.
Memphis Tummy Tuck FAQ’s
On-site, at the Langsdon Ambulatory Surgery center, or other local ambulatory surgery centers.
General anesthesia.
Yes. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
Depending on the extent of the procedure, from 2 to 4 hours.
Yes (1 or 2), depending on the extent of surgery.
Antibiotics, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and if necessary, a narcotic (stronger/pain medication)/antiemetic (for nausea). Certain conditions may require postoperative medication to decrease the risk for blood clotting).
3 days. Assess swelling/early wound healing.
2-3 weeks. Check for infection/remove drains.
3 months. Assess intermediate results.
1 year. Assess final aesthetic result/scars.
The risk for bleeding and infection for tummy tuck procedures is generally low. Risks specific to abdominoplasty have to do with wound healing problems and fluid collections. Dr. Lachica performs a careful risk assessment for postoperative blood clotting.
Positioning. Head up, knees bent, hips at 45 degrees. Sit in a recliner. Sleep with pillows beneath the back and under the knee. Or sleep on your side with knees bent. In general, positioning is geared towards optimal healing (preventing excessive stress) on the surgical incision. One may often begin to lie flat in the second week.
Activity. Walking once or twice in the evening (slightly bent over) after surgery minimizes the chances of developing a blood clot. This is subsequently increased to 4-6 times daily. In general, a return to normal daily activities of living is possible in the first or second week after surgery.
Exercise. Low-impact exercise can be performed in the second week after surgery. This can be increased to more strenuous exercise in the third and fourth weeks. Isolated abdominal core/high-impact exercise may be resumed in the fifth to sixth week.
Return to Work. Second week for a desk-type job. Third or fourth week for more active or physical jobs, or those jobs that require significant standing or walking.
Physical Limitations. We discourage heavy lifting for four weeks.
Compression garments. Often used after surgery for support and comfort, and to minimize swelling, and especially if liposuction is performed.
A tummy tuck has a reputation as one of the more painful cosmetic procedures to recover from, but most of our patients describe soreness, tightness, and discomfort in the first days of recovery, rather than pain. We believe that’s due both to Dr. Lachica’s surgical technique and to the careful use of pain medication. A long-lasting anesthetic can help reduce discomfort for the first two or three days, then prescription and over-the-counter pain medications can be used under Dr. Lachica’s guidance.
A tummy tuck can be combined with a breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction in what’s known as a mommy makeover. Liposuction in the area of the abdomen is typically included in a tummy tuck. If you have other cosmetic concerns, be sure to discuss them with Dr. Lachica during your consultation. He can tell you if any other issues might safely be addressed at the time of your tummy tuck surgery, or if it would be better to make those changes at another time.
Sometimes. Stretch marks in the lower abdomen may be removed as part of a tummy tuck. Stretch marks higher on the abdomen aren’t likely to be affected.
Nothing about a tummy tuck will prevent you from getting pregnant or make the pregnancy more difficult, but we recommend that you wait until you are finished having children before having the procedure. The changes to your body during pregnancy can undo the improvements made with a tummy tuck.
Liposuction removes areas of excess fat. A tummy tuck tightens and smooths loose skin and corrects separated abdominal muscles. If you are bothered by hard-to-lose accumulations of fat in your midsection and your skin remains tight and resilient, liposuction alone might be a solution. In your consultation, Dr. Lachica can tell you which procedure or combination of procedures will most effectively help you achieve the results you’re looking for.
You’ll see improvements from the procedure in two to three weeks as the initial swelling resolves, but it typically takes between six months and a year for the final results to appear. That happens when all residual swelling from the surgery settles and the scars from the incisions fade. It can also take time for the muscle and tissue tightness in your midsection to resolve.
The improvements made with a tummy tuck are permanent if you maintain a stable weight with healthy diet and exercise. Of course, your skin will continue to age, but if it isn’t stretched again with weight gain or pregnancy, your abdomen will continue looking flat, firm, and smooth.
The main incision for a tummy tuck is made across the lower abdomen, below the bikini line, where the resulting scar will be hidden by most clothing or underwear. The scar will be darker or redder in the first few months, then gradually fade to match your skin tone, making it even less noticeable. The second incision is well-concealed in the edge of the belly button.