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Tummy Tuck Richmond

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At our practice in Richmond, tummy tuck surgery is a common procedure for those not happy with the shape and size of their stomach. If you’ve been working out but cannot seem to achieve the full result you’re looking for, a tummy tuck (also called an abdominoplasty) is the extra help you need to get back the body you desire. A tummy tuck is a surgical solution offered by Dr. Hubert in Richmond, VA.

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What is a Tummy Tuck?

The first step to getting any surgery is understanding the procedure, deciding if it’s right for you, and understanding how it’s performed. The actual name of the procedure is abdominoplasty, but this cosmetic procedure is commonly referred to as a tummy tuck. The goal of the surgery is to make the abdomen flatter and more firm. Dr. Hubert will remove excess fat and skin from the lower and middle abdomen so that he can tighten the abdomen wall.

Who is a Good Candidate For a Tummy Tuck?

The fact is, that despite diet and exercise, many men and women are still unable to achieve a flat and toned tummy. Normal changes associated with aging, pregnancy, and significant weight loss can all affect the contour of the abdomen. This can lead to loose skin, extra fatty tissue, and weakened muscles. Below, we’ve included the best candidates for the surgery:

Good candidates for the tummy tuck procedure are at or near their ideal weight and are no longer planning to become pregnant. This is because any weight changes after a tummy tuck can negatively affect the procedure’s results.

The best candidates for a tummy tuck are in good overall health. They are non-smokers since smoking can reduce the health of the skin, resulting in a prolonged healing period with a greater chance of complications.

Candidates for the surgery should have a good exercise routine and be on a healthy diet.

*Smokers considering a tummy tuck must quit several weeks before the date of surgery and continue to avoid it for several weeks afterward. Smoking can negatively affect skin health and prolong the healing process. Nicotine can even cause some of your tummy skin to die.

What are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

There are multiple benefits for getting a tummy tuck in Richmond, VA with Dr. Hubert. Below, we’ve highlighted a few advantages of the surgery:

The procedure is great for patients who want to remove a “muffin top” or have an undesirable bulge in their midsection.

After losing weight, many patients have loose skin, a benefit of a tummy tuck is to remove that extra skin or stubborn fat.

The surgery can help give you the body you’ve always dreamed of, providing a slimmer figure.

If your abdominal muscles have been weakened by pregnancy, a tummy tuck can tighten them and bring them back together.

Most importantly, many of our Richmond tummy tuck patients say that it provides them with more self-confidence.

What’s the First Step?

The first step is to schedule a consultation. A tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Hubert will involve an evaluation of your abdomen to ensure that the procedure is right for you. You will be able to tell Dr. Hubert your aesthetic goals for the procedure, and he will go over the details of the surgery, including recovery and preparation to provide the best results possible. You will need to tell Dr. Hubert about your complete medical history, as this will help to prevent potential complications. This will include a discussion of any past procedures you have undergone, any medications or supplements you are currently taking, and any allergies you have. During your consultation, it’s very important that you’re as open and honest with Dr. Hubert as possible. Good communication with your surgeon always leads to the best results!

Darrin Hubert MD, FACS

How Is A Tummy Tuck Performed?

A tummy tuck involves the removal of excess skin and fat. It also tightens the lax muscles of your abdomen. In some cases, stretch marks can also be removed. Sometimes liposuction is also used at the same time to achieve an overall better shape. Will I lose my belly button? No, a tummy tuck preserves your belly button. Although sometimes you will have a tiny scar that goes partway around it. Have you heard of a “mini” tummy tuck or abdominoplasty? This is less invasive than the traditional full tummy tuck, which might be the best option for you. The mini procedure produces a shorter scar in the bikini line and no scar around the belly button. But it still allows for the tightening of your six-pack muscles. Dr. Hubert performs many tummy tucks, and it is one of his areas of specialization. Because everyone’s body is a little different, he can help to determine which procedure is best for you during your consultation visit. Dr. Hubert also uses a new, long-acting local anesthetic (called Exparel) that is injected right into the tummy during your surgery which helps provide pain relief for up to three days afterward. This means your recovery is easier and you have less pain!

What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

This is less invasive than the traditional full tummy tuck, which might be the best option for you. The mini procedure produces a shorter scar in the bikini line and no scar around the belly button. This surgery still allows for the tightening of your six-pack muscles. Patients may wonder if a full or mini tummy tuck is the right procedure for them. The main consideration is how much skin needs to be removed. If you have a lot of extra skin that needs to be removed, then a full tummy tuck is probably your best option. If you have only a little extra skin with good natural elasticity, and tightening the muscles will give you the primary improvement, then you might be a good candidate for the mini tummy tuck. Unfortunately, the decision between full versus mini is not just patient preference. You should never compromise your result to get a shorter scar if it means you will end up with a bad shape. Dr. Hubert performs many tummy tucks, and it is one of his areas of specialization. Because everyone’s body is a little different, he can help to determine which procedure is best for you during your consultation visit. Dr. Hubert also uses a new, long-acting local anesthetic (called Exparel) that is injected right into the tummy during your surgery which helps provide pain relief for up to three days afterward. This means your recovery may be even easier and you have less pain!

The Tummy Tuck Expertise of Dr. Hubert in Richmond, VA

Dr. Darrin Hubert is one of the most experienced plastic surgeons in Richmond, having performed thousands of aesthetic surgeries in his career.

Dr. Darrin Hubert has successfully performed approximately over 1,000 aesthetic surgeries throughout his career.

Dr. Hubert is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Richmond, VA with over 12 years of experience.

Graduated magna cum laude from the University of Rochester with a degree in biology and went on to receive his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania, which is ranked in the top three to five medical schools in the country.

Dr. Hubert has served on the committee which writes and edits the annual in-service examination given by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to both residents in training and practicing plastic surgeons since 2016.

Dr. Hubert has received the following awards: Richmond Magazine Top Doc, Virginia Living Magazine Top Doc, MEDARVA Patient Choice Award, and Best Bedside Manner in OurHealth Magazine for Richmond.

Tummy Tuck at a First Glance

To help our patients understand the most important aspects of getting an abdominoplasty in Richmond, we’ve included a breakdown of the surgery:

Surgery Time: 2 – 4 hours

Price: Approximately $8,000 – $12,000 *Please book a consultation for the most up-to-date costs.

Recovery: Most of the swelling from your Tummy Tuck surgery will dissipate after 4 weeks. You can wear a compression garment to help control the swelling

Results: You should see final results within 2 – 3 months, which can fluctuate depending on the technique and your skin laxity.

Anatomy of Your Abdomen

Before electing to get a tummy tuck, it’s important to understand the area in which your surgeon will operate. With your torso being the largest part of your body and protecting a majority of your body’s organs, the abdomen houses some of your most essential organs such as the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, and gallbladder. With very minimal skeletal protection, these vital organs are protected by 5 main abdominal muscles: External obliques, Internal obliques, Pyramidalis, Rectus abdominis, and Transversus abdominis. Below, we have listed the primary functions of each of these muscle groups:

  • External obliques – The largest and outermost layer of the abdominal muscles that pull the chest downwards and compress the abdominal cavity. It also performs the same side-bending (ipsilateral) and opposite-side (contralateral) rotation.
  • Internal obliques – An abdominal muscle in the abdominal wall that lies below the external obliques. This group helps reduce the volume of the chest cavity during exhalation and aids the external obliques by acting on the opposite side to achieve twisting and turning movement.
  • Pyramidalis – This smaller muscle gets its name from its triangular shape. It acts as a support for the anterior abdominal wall, keeping it stabilized. It consists of mostly connective tissue and doesn’t contain any primary nerves or blood vessels.
  • Rectus abdominis – A pair of long, straight, flat muscles that most people refer to as their “abs”. The muscles are parallel and separated by a midline band of connective tissue (linea alba) that is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine and plays an important role in respiration. This muscle group also helps keep your muscle groups intact and creates intra-abdominal pressure.
  • Transversus abdominis – The muscle layer of the front and side abdominal wall located beneath the internal obliques. This group helps compress the ribs and viscera and helps provide back and core stability.

Tummy Tuck Variations

Extended Tummy Tuck

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An Extended Tummy Tuck has many similarities to a Full Tummy Tuck, but can also improve a patient’s flanks, often affectionately called “Love Handles”. It has the capability of effectively treating patients that have undergone a substantial amount of weight loss and would like to refine the contours of their bodies.

Better candidates for an Extended Tummy Tuck typically have an abundance of excess skin that hangs from their upper and lower abdomen, as well as their flanks. Most of these patients also have a significant laxity or looseness in their abdominal muscles, which can be tightened during surgery. Liposuction may be frequently combined with this procedure for a more optimal body contour.

This procedure does require a longer incision than a standard Tummy Tuck as the scope is larger, but the postoperative scar can typically be hidden by clothing or swimsuits. The recovery time is on par with a Full Tummy Tuck, but your scarring may take a bit longer to heal.

Fleur-De-Lis Tummy Tuck

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A Fleur-De-Lis Tummy Tuck gets its name from the incision’s shape with the incisions being shaped like the petals of a lily flower (Fleur-De-Lis). This Tummy Tuck technique is primarily for patients with excess skin in the midline of their abdomen caused by dramatic weight loss, and who have a combination of vertical and horizontal laxity. These candidates will have one or two rolls of loose skin, as well as looseness from side to side.

This procedure involves incisions in two directions. One is made horizontally along the pubic bone, and the second is a vertical incision that runs along the middle of the abdomen. This extra incision allows additional tightening to drastically improve the shape of the whole trunk. The downside of this technique is that the scarring is not as easily hidden. And although it will lessen over time, it will still be more visible than an average Tummy Tuck scar.

A Fleur-De-Lis Tummy Tuck requires a bit more recovery time, so recipients are advised to not return to work for 2 or 3 weeks and will need to avoid exercise for about 6 weeks post-surgery.

Drainless Tummy Tuck

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With a normal Tummy Tuck, drains will be temporarily placed through a small incision to eliminate the collection of fluid that can build up between the skin and muscle. Using a progressive suture method called the “quilting technique”, the abdominal skin is secured to the underlying tissue layer which creates a tighter bond and reduces the room for fluid buildup.

Although this technique does have a certain appeal, it does come with potential downsides, risks, and/or complications. This technique does require additional surgical time and can limit the achievable amount of abdominal skin tightening.

During your recovery, you should expect to wear a compression garment to help lessen the swelling. You should be able to return to work within 1 or 2 weeks depending on the strenuousness of your job. Compared to a standard Tummy Tuck, your recovery following a Drainless Tummy Tuck is typically less intense and quicker.

Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck

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Understandably, there are some patients who may be uneasy about “going under the knife.”, Other providers may offer minimally invasive options, which use costly machines and may still be fairly expensive. They may promise tight skin without the need for any surgery. However, the people who benefit most from these treatments tend to be people who don’t really need much improvement in the first place. Non-invasive machine treatments are simply no substitute for removing excess and stretchy skin if that’s what is needed. Don’t be fooled into signing up for a treatment that is not going to help you achieve your goals. If it sounds too good to be true, it just might be.

Male Tummy Tuck

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A Male Tummy Tuck is very similar to a Full or normal Tummy Tuck in that the incisions are in roughly the same location, being made just above the groin, to remove the excess skin. Occasionally men benefit from tightening the muscles. However, since men do not experience pregnancy, this is often not the case.A major difference with a Male Tummy Tuck is the incision line that is created. For men, a straight line is made to provide a more masculine appearance, whereas a woman will typically receive a curved incision to appear more feminine. This scar can usually be hidden underneath swim trunks. If you are receiving Liposuction in conjunction with your Male Tummy Tuck, this approach is also slightly different. Most men prefer to have a more visible “six-pack”, so the fat is removed in such a way that the abs are better revealed.

The average Male Tummy Tuck recovery is about a 2 week period, but much like a standard Tummy Tuck, you should still avoid any strenuous activity for at least six weeks following your surgery to ensure that you are completely healed.

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Tummy Tuck Recovery

Many patients ask what they can expect after the procedure. After surgery, it is important to have good compression of your tissues to maximize your result. You can expect to wear a fitted compression garment or binder around your mid-section, day and night, for about the first two weeks. Most tummy tucks also need one or two surgical drains, which are small silicone rubber tubes that prevent fluid from building up under your skin. They come out near the bikini zone (so not to worry about the tiny scar), and they are easily removed in the office with minimal to no discomfort in about a week or two. Most people can be back to work in about two or three weeks, and you can be working out at full speed in about six weeks.

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How Much Does A Tummy Tuck Cost in Richmond?

A lot of people worry about the cost of a tummy tuck since it is a major surgical procedure and can create many positive changes. The exact cost of your abdominoplasty will be discussed during your consultation, and it will depend on factors like the overall time the procedure takes and the procedures that will be used. As an experienced Tummy Tuck Richmond surgeon, Dr. Hubert will meet with you in his office to discuss all options and pricing. It is probably more affordable than you think and financing options are available for our patients to help manage the payment.

Schedule Your Consultation

Contact us today to schedule your consultation with Richmond tummy tuck plastic surgeon Dr. Hubert to learn more about the procedure and how it can contour your abdomen and give you the body you desire.

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Tummy Tuck FAQs

Your Tummy Tuck questions answered

How long will the results last?

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What’s amazing about a tummy tuck, compared to some surgical treatments, is that the results can last forever. If you take care of yourself physically, you’ll never need another abdominoplasty.

What are related procedures?

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Many of our patients ask if they can combine other surgeries with a tummy tuck. This is very common, especially after childbirth. Many of our patients combine their surgery with a breast augmentation or breast lift, which we call a Mommy Makeover. Liposuction, especially of the flanks, but also in other areas, is commonly performed in combination with a tummy tuck.

Will having a baby impact the results?

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We always recommend waiting until after you’re done having kids to have your surgery. While there are so many joys of parenthood, it can be tough on a woman’s body. A tummy tuck would not prevent a woman from having another child, and it won’t put the health of the baby or mom at risk. However, it will likely stretch out the skin and muscles once again and can really harm an otherwise great result.

What’s the best age for a tummy tuck?

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Generally, our patients are in their 20s to 50s. However, if a patient is in good health, they can get the surgery at an older age. It’s important that our patients are at a place in their life where they can easily recover from the operation.

Why choose Dr. Hubert?

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One of the excellent things about Dr. Hubert is that he’s a board-certified plastic surgeon, meaning he’s expertly trained in surgery of the face, breast, and body. He has the experience and training to help you achieve your best results. If you read through our testimonials or Google reviews, you’ll see that Dr. Hubert prides himself on his bedside manner and values his relationship with his patients. He’s also been awarded by his peers as a Top Doc over the last four years in Richmond, VA.

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Dr. Hubbert did a great job! He was very informative and patient. He listened and answered all of the questions and concerns that I had. I couldn't have been in better hands!

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Dr. Darrin M. Hubert extends a warm welcome to patients from other cities, states, and countries. We understand that finding your perfect match in a surgeon may require you to travel far away from your home and we are thrilled to help you plan your exciting journey to beauty and confidence.

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