Get the Flat Stomach You've Always Wanted with a Tummy Tuck

Surgery should never be considered as the first method of weight loss, nor should it be viewed as an effortless path toward a slimmer figure. However, there are times when abdominoplasty — also known as a tummy tuck — is absolutely the best answer.

When it becomes clear that traditional weight loss efforts won’t address your flabby belly, a tummy tuck may be just what you need. At Frederick H. Watkins, MD, we help women and men throughout McLean, Virginia, and Rockville, Maryland, navigate their cosmetic surgery options to achieve a slimmer, trimmer shape, and the tummy tuck is one of our most popular procedures.

Dr. Watkins has many years of experience performing successful tummy tucks designed to meet the precise specifications of our individual patients. Dr. Watkins is a great listener and takes the time to get to know your unique goals and concerns before he recommends any surgical procedure. 

If you decide a tummy tuck is right for you, you’re in the best of hands with Dr. Watkins and our expert team. 

When to consider a tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is a great way to achieve a flatter stomach when diet and exercise alone aren’t producing results, but it’s not for everyone. Here’s what it takes to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck:

• You have poor skin elasticity that won’t snap back after weight loss
• You’ve lost a lot of weight and have sagging skin
• You have stubborn fat bulges that won’t go away
• Aging and hormonal changes have made it difficult to lose weight naturally
• Weight fluctuations have left stretch marks on your skin

As long as you’re in good health and can tolerate a surgical procedure, these are all good reasons to consider a tummy tuck.

However, it’s best to postpone your tummy tuck if you:

• Plan to lose a lot of weight
• Think you may want to have a child in the future
• Are obese, with a BMI over 30
• Are a smoker
• Suffer from a chronic illness, such as diabetes

If any of these apply, talk to Dr. Watkins about how to make a few changes that will prepare your body for a successful tummy tuck. If you plan to have a baby, it’s best to wait until after you’re done adding to your family before you get a tummy tuck. 

How a tummy tuck flattens your abs

When Dr. Watkins performs a tummy tuck, he starts by mapping out exactly what he needs to do to deliver the results you want. For example, if you have excess skin that didn’t return to its original tautness after weight loss, he can remove the sagging folds.

If your shape is thick and boxy, he can separate your skin from your muscles and reattach them to create a narrower waistline. And if you have scars or stretch marks from previous surgeries, such as a C-section, he may be able to incorporate them into the tummy tuck procedure to minimize new scarring and reduce old scar tissue.

While traditional tummy tucks require both a hip-to-hip incision and one between your pubic bone and belly button, Dr. Watkins also offers a lite version of the procedure called a mini tummy tuck. Here, he makes smaller incisions that are less invasive and require less downtime as you recover.

Tummy tuck results

Whichever procedure you choose, rest assured that Dr. Watkins is an expert at hiding scars, so you can wear low rise jeans and even a bikini without showing your horizontal scar. 

Keep in mind, however, that a tummy tuck is considered major surgery. You need to plan for significant recovery time to ensure the best results. You may have drainage tubes inserted into your incision for a few days after your surgery, and you’ll stay in the hospital until you’ve begun to heal and you’re out of immediate danger of blood clots and infection. 

We monitor you closely in the days and weeks following your tummy tuck to make sure you're healing properly and aren’t experiencing any complications. For about six weeks or so, you’ll need to curb your activity level to make sure your stitches stay in place; and we may have you wear a supportive garment to promote good blood flow in the area. 

Once your healing is complete, your abdomen will be flatter, tighter, toned, and symmetrical. As long as you don’t gain a significant amount of weight, your results should last for years. Of course, age and gravity still affect your body, so some changes are inevitable over time.

To find out if you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck, schedule a consultation with Dr. Watkins soon, and get ready to show off your flatter abs this summer. Call our location most convenient to you or request an appointment online.