Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty
Tummy Tuck with Cho Plastic Surgery Quick Facts:
- Typical recovery time: 4-6 weeks
- Price range: $10k+
- Procedures performed at Spring Ridge SurgiCenter, Reading Surgery Center, and Surgical Institute of Reading
Overview
Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin of the abdomen, and in most cases can restore weakened or separated muscles (diastasis), thus creating a firmer and smoother abdominal profile. Typically done in the hospital or surgery center under general anesthesia. Scars are well hidden in the belly button and below the underwear line.
Types of Tummy Tucks
Before recommending a tummy tuck technique, Dr. Cho evaluates the waistline from every angle — not just the front of the abdomen. By assessing the full 360-degree contour of the waist, she can determine whether additional liposuction or Renuvion skin tightening may be needed along the back or flanks to help the final result look balanced, smooth and naturally cinched.
Full Abdominoplasty
Traditional Tummy Tuck
Designed for patients experiencing skin laxity and muscle separation both above and below the belly button. This comprehensive procedure involves a hip-to-hip incision hidden within the bikini line, a secondary incision around the navel to reposition it naturally, full muscle tightening, and extensive skin removal.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Partial Abdominoplasty
Ideal for patients with good skin elasticity who present with a localized pocket of loose skin or a minor "pooch" strictly *below* the belly button. It utilizes a significantly shorter incision, leaves the belly button untouched, and involves minimal muscle tightening.
Extended Tummy Tuck
For patients who have undergone massive weight loss, an extended tummy tuck addresses the anterior abdomen while extending the hip-to-hip incision slightly further around the flanks to contour the lower back, hips, and love handles.
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
Designed for patients with significant excess skin both vertically and horizontally, often after major weight loss. This technique includes the traditional low hip-to-hip incision along with a vertical incision through the center of the abdomen, allowing Dr. Cho to remove skin in multiple directions and create a more refined abdominal contour.
Tummy Tuck vs Liposuction: Which is Right for Me?
Choose liposuction if:
You possess excellent skin elasticity, firm abdominal muscles, and your primary concern is localized pockets of diet-resistant body fat. Liposuction removes fat cells but will not tighten loose skin or fix separated muscles.
Choose a tummy tuck if:
You have stretched, hanging skin, stretch marks, or a separated abdominal wall. Dr. Cho frequently combines liposuction with a tummy tuck (lipoabdominoplasty) to simultaneously melt stubborn fat on the flanks while perfectly tightening the abdominal skin
Dr. Cho will review options during your consultation and recommend the approach that best supports your anatomy, goals, and desired result.
Repairing Diastasis Recti: Restoring Your Core Foundation
Pregnancy and significant weight fluctuations can cause the vertical abdominal muscles (the rectus abdominis) to stretch and separate along the midline, a condition known as diastasis recti. No amount of diet or exercise can pull these muscles back together once the connective tissue is stretched.
During your tummy tuck, Dr. Cho performs an internal structural repair, utilizing durable, permanent sutures to pull the separated muscle bellies back to the midline. This acts like an internal corset, which achieves:
- A noticeably flatter, firmer abdominal profile
- Enhanced core stabilization and improved lower back support
- Correction of the stubborn abdominal "bulge" common after childbirth
Benefits
- A flat and well-toned abdomen line
- Remove excess skin and fat that exercise or diet alone cannot achieve
- Restore you to a pre-pregnancy body
- Surgically tighten rectus muscles that have separated (diastasis repair) as a result of excess weight gain or pregnancy
- Remove some stretch marks if they are on the portion of skin that will be removed (keep in mind sometimes not all stretch marks will be removed with surgery)
All surgery involves some level of risk, and abdominoplasty is no exception. During your consultation, Dr. Cho will review potential risks, answer your questions and explain the steps taken to help reduce complications based on your anatomy, health history, and surgical plan.
Risks
- Scarring
- Temporary numbness or sensation changes
- Seroma (fluid accumulation)
- Hematoma
- Delayed wound healing
- Asymmetry or contour irregularities
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Infection
- Anesthesia
Ideal Candidate
- You are physically healthy and at a stable weight (for at least 3-6 months) and close to ideal body weight
- You have realistic expectations
- You are seeking significant structural correction and body contouring, understanding that the procedure results in a permanent, easily hidden scar along the lower abdomen
- You are a nonsmoker or are fully prepared to completely stop all nicotine products for a specific window before and after surgery to secure safe wound healing
- You are bothered by the appearance of excess loose skin of abdomen
- No plans for future pregnancies
Tummy Tuck Consultation
- During your abdominoplasty consultation, Dr. Cho will assess your current medical history, including medications, vitamins and herbal supplements you take, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
- Review prior surgeries you’ve had
- Discuss your surgical goals
- A full physical examination including assessing excess skin and fat, looking for signs of muscle weakness or separation, and looking for hernias of the abdominal wall that might add some complexity to your personalized surgical procedure
- Your safety with all procedures will always be the first priority
- Photographs may be taken
- Discuss risks, benefits, and alternatives of all your options
- Discuss potential complications
- Have time to review and sign a surgical consent form
Procedure Preparation
- Do not take any blood thinning medications for 1 week before surgery, including aspirin, NSAIDs, ibuprofen/Motrin, naproxen (also, avoid any herbal supplements or vitamins which can prolong bleeding)
- Do not smoke, vape, or take nicotine-containing products before or after your surgery as they can impair the healing process
What to Expect During Surgery
- Upon arrival, our surgical team will check your vitals, review your pre-op instructions, and help you change into surgical attire. Dr. Cho will meet with you to answer any final questions and meticulously place precise surgical markings on your abdomen while you are standing to map out incision placements.
- For your absolute comfort and safety, abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. A board-certified anesthesiologist will administer the medication, ensuring you remain comfortably asleep and completely pain-free throughout the entire procedure.
- Once you are asleep, Dr. Cho makes the low-placed horizontal incision. She gently lifts the skin and subcutaneous fat to expose the underlying abdominal wall, tightly repairs and sutures separated muscles (diastasis recti), removes the excess hanging skin, and creates a completely natural, beautifully repositioned opening for your navel.
- The procedure takes approximately 2.5 to 4 hours depending on whether liposuction is combined. Dr. Cho closes the tissue in multiple deep structural layers to minimize surface tension and external scarring before applying protective surgical dressings and a supportive compression garment.
- You will gently wake up in our private recovery suite under the direct care of a recovery nurse. Your knees will be slightly bent to keep tension off your abdominal incisions, and any initial tightness or soreness will be managed immediately with fast-acting comfort medications.
- Abdominoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. Once your anesthesia has worn off and you are stable and comfortable (usually 1 to 2 hours after surgery), you will be cleared to go home. You must have a trusted adult drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours of recovery.
Recovery
- 4-6 weeks
- After surgery, there will be specific dressings and bandages to be left in place
- You may have one or two small clear silicone tubes (“drains”) which may help drain excess fluid following your tummy tuck - you will be taught how to maintain and empty these and keep an accurate record of the drainage
- You may have an abdominal binder and/or additional compression garments that are designed to help minimize swelling following surgery
- You will be given specific instructions for medications to take to both control your pain and aid in healing or reduce the risk of infection
- You will typically be allowed to sponge bathe, but do not shower until the drains come out or until cleared by Dr. Cho
- Wear your binder/compression garments at all times if possible
- Take medications as directed
- Avoid heavy lifting as directed by your surgeon
- Come to all postoperative visits as scheduled
FAQs
Those with a small amount of loose overhanging skin from a c-section may be a candidate for a mini tummy tuck, which is a smaller operation with less downtime. Mini tummy tucks can be done awake in the office. Recovery is one week. We will counsel you and discuss whether this is a good alternative surgery to meet your goals and expectations.
In most cases, your native belly button will be preserved and the over lying skin will be redraped and a new hole will be created to inset your own belly button. When done correctly, this should give you a natural appearing belly button with a well concealed scar.
It usually takes 4-6 weeks to heal from this operation but if you require a muscle tightening procedure, you should avoid activities that exert your abdominal muscles for up to three months to allow full healing.
Most need two drains, one on the right side of incision and one on the left. The right drain is usually removed at one week and left drain at two weeks.
If you have a desk job, you can return once all drains are removed, at two weeks. if you have a more physical job requiring heavy lifting, we suggest taking 4-6 weeks off.
Patient Review
Dr. Cho and her staff are very professional and make you feel welcome. Dr. Cho came highly recommended and now I know why and I will continue paying it forward by recommending her to anyone who asks. I went into a consultation with Dr. Cho interested in getting a tummy tuck due to extra skin leftover from having gastric bypass almost 20 years ago. Dr. Cho explained the procedure and gave her recommendations but never once... See full review
Brooke P. / Tummy Tuck Patient
Surgery is a Big Decision
We are here to answer any questions you have and help you determine the right choice for you. If you are considering surgery, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Cho today. She would be honored to discuss your goals and help you achieve the look you desire.
Financing Available
We believe your aesthetic goals should always be within reach. To make your journey more accessible, we offer payment options through Care Credit and Cherry by Alle, with financing available for same-day treatment. We will be happy to assist you in the application process at the time of your consultation. For more information, contact our office.
References
This page written/reviewed on 8/28/26 by: Dr. Cho, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon