Tummy Tuck in Scottsdale, AZ

For both men and women, sagging skin and excess fat on the stomach can be frustrating and challenging, despite efforts to eliminate them. Significant weight loss, childbirth, and aging are the primary reasons for skin laxity on the abdomen. Tummy tuck surgery offers a reliable solution to restore a smoother and firmer abdominal contour.

Forma Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale offers professional tummy tuck procedures tailored to individual needs.

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What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a body contouring procedure that reshapes the stomach area, producing stunning outcomes for patients. Our plastic surgeons can tailor your tummy tuck surgery based on the condition of your abdomen. This cosmetic treatment enables patients to achieve a more defined physique and increased confidence.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to schedule your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.

Before & After

Types of Tummy Tucks

A traditional tummy tuck, often called a full tummy tuck, targets both the upper and lower abdomen to remove excess skin and fat while tightening underlying muscles. This procedure is ideal for patients with widespread abdominal laxity, offering a complete transformation and a firmer, more contoured midsection.
A mini tummy tuck focuses on the lower abdomen below the belly button. It involves a smaller incision and is best suited for patients with mild skin laxity or minimal excess fat in this area. Recovery is typically faster, and scarring is less extensive compared to a full tummy tuck.
The extended tummy tuck expands the traditional approach to include the flanks and love handles. This procedure removes more excess skin and fat, producing a smoother, more sculpted waistline and midsection for patients with broader areas of concern.
Also known as a belt lipectomy, the circumferential tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat all the way around the torso. It is often chosen by patients who have undergone significant weight loss and need full 360-degree body contouring for a dramatic transformation.

The fleur-de-lis tummy tuck addresses both horizontal and vertical skin laxity. It involves a vertical incision in addition to the horizontal one, making it particularly effective for patients with substantial abdominal skin redundancy, often after massive weight loss.

Consultation & Preparation for Plastic Surgery

Before your surgery, we will consider several factors to ensure the treatment meets your specific needs. During your consultation, our surgeon will review your medical history, discuss your goals, and evaluate your overall health and body composition. We will also review the type of procedure that will best achieve your desired results, outline what to expect during recovery, and address any questions you may have. Preparing properly for surgery, including following pre-operative instructions and arranging for support during recovery, helps ensure the safest procedure and the best possible outcome.

What to Expect During Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tuck surgery begins with the administration of anesthesia to ensure comfort and safety throughout the procedure. Depending on the patient’s needs, general anesthesia or intravenous sedation may be used, allowing the surgeon to work effectively on the abdominal wall and surrounding tissues without causing discomfort.

For starters, the incision type is selected based on the amount of excess skin. Patients with severe sagging and loose tissue might benefit best from an extended tummy tuck. This method places the incision along the lower abdomen from hip to hip, just above the pubic region. Other patients who have minimal skin wrinkling may find that a mini tummy tuck works best. These individuals still benefit from skin tightening but will have a smaller scar. Regardless of the technique used, all abdominoplasty procedures at Forma Plastic Surgery involve the excision of hanging skin and liposuction.

Many people suffer from diastasis recti (belly protruding due to the space between the left and right stomach muscles having stretched and widened). Diastasis recti occurs after weight gain, whether it be from natural weight gain or pregnancy. An abdominoplasty addresses not only excess skin but also repairs the abdominal muscles. Once the initial incision is made, an incision is also created around your belly button. The surgeon then lifts the skin and fat tissue away from the muscle and then plicates the abdominal muscles back together. This creates an internal “girdle” and flattens out the tummy.

After muscle repair, the surgeon carefully lifts and pulls down the remaining skin and underlying fat. This excess tissue is then removed along the incision site, resulting in a smoother and more contoured abdominal profile. Liposuction may also be used to refine the waistline and eliminate stubborn fat deposits.
For patients undergoing a full or extended tummy tuck, the belly button may need to be repositioned to align naturally with the new abdominal contour. A small opening is created through the remaining skin, and the belly button is carefully positioned in its new location to achieve a natural, proportional appearance.
After all adjustments are made, the incision site is meticulously closed using sutures, which support the abdominal wall and help the remaining skin conform to the newly shaped contour. Drains may be placed temporarily to prevent fluid buildup, and the area is bandaged to promote proper healing and minimize scarring.

Recovery After Body Contouring

After your procedure, we will monitor you and provide a compression garment to decrease swelling. At first, standing upright and walking will be challenging, so you should rest for several days. Standing becomes more comfortable once the abdominal muscles adjust, and the incision begins to heal. Most patients can resume everyday functions in about two weeks.

Standard Recovery Timeline

  • First few days: Rest is essential; standing upright and walking may be difficult. Wear the provided compression garment to help reduce swelling.

  • 1-2 weeks: Incision begins to heal, and light walking becomes easier. Most daily activities can be resumed gradually.

  • 2-4 weeks: Comfort continues to improve, but avoid lifting heavy objects or strenuous exercise.

  • 4-6 weeks: Most patients can slowly reintroduce moderate activity, still avoiding strenuous exercise.

  • 6+ weeks: Full return to normal routines and exercise, including strenuous exercise, as cleared by your surgeon.

Add-On Procedures

Often, a form of liposuction is used during surgery to reduce fat. If your abdomen has healthy skin tautness, but you still feel unsatisfied with your appearance despite a healthy diet, you may be a better candidate for liposuction.

A breast lift is an ideal add-on for patients experiencing loose skin or sagging breasts after pregnancy or significant weight loss. This procedure raises and reshapes the breasts, enhancing the overall body contour and complementing tummy tuck results for a more balanced and youthful appearance.
A mommy makeover is a comprehensive approach to post-pregnancy body restoration, combining a tummy tuck with liposuction, breast surgery, such as a lift or augmentation, and other treatments. This procedure addresses multiple areas of concern in a single surgery, helping patients achieve a more sculpted figure and renewed confidence.

Who Is a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

A good candidate for a tummy tuck is someone who has loose skin and excess fat on their lower abdomen, as well as those who have lost a significant amount of weight or gone through childbirth. They should also be at a stable weight and not consider this procedure as a substitute for weight loss. Women should be done with childbearing to ensure long-lasting results.
During a consultation at Forma Plastic Surgery, our plastic surgeons will assess your abdomen and determine if you are a suitable candidate for a tummy tuck. We will also discuss your goals and expectations to ensure we can provide the best possible results.

Benefits of Tummy Tucks

  • Removes excess skin and fat for a smoother, more contoured abdomen.

  • Repairs stretched abdominal muscles to restore a flatter midsection.

  • Improves posture and core strength by reinforcing the abdominal wall.

  • Reduces the appearance of stretch marks in the lower abdomen.

  • Enhances confidence and body image by creating a more sculpted silhouette.

Tummy Tuck Cost in Scottsdale, AZ

In Scottsdale, tummy tuck procedures typically range from $8,000 to $15,000, depending on the type of tummy tuck, the technique used, anesthesia, and other factors. During your initial consultation, our doctor will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals, and then estimate the associated costs. We will be able to calculate your costs once we determine all the nuances of the procedure.

Forma Plastic Surgery makes your tummy tuck more affordable by accepting various payment methods and providing information on low-interest medical financing options.

Tummy Tuck FAQs

Some discomfort is normal after a tummy tuck, particularly in the abdominal area, as the muscles and skin adjust to the new contour. Pain is typically managed with prescription or over-the-counter medication, and most patients find that discomfort decreases significantly after the first few days. Following post-operative instructions carefully can make recovery smoother and more comfortable.
Incisions for your abdominoplasty will depend on which type of procedure you are getting. For all tummy tucks, our surgeon makes the smallest and thinnest incisions possible to minimize scarring. We also make incisions in less visible areas (in the pubic region or belly button) so they can be easily hidden by underwear or a swimsuit. After your surgery, following your scar management instructions is essential so your incisions heal flat and blend into your natural skin.
Although you may still get pregnant following an abdominoplasty, it will likely alter your surgical results. Our surgeon will strongly encourage you to be done with planned pregnancies and childbirth before considering a tummy tuck. If you become pregnant after your tummy tuck, a second surgery may be done to refresh your outcomes.

Many patients combine a second cosmetic surgery with an abdominoplasty to get more dramatic improvements. During your initial consultation with one of our surgeons in Scottsdale, AZ, you can discuss your concerns to create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your aesthetic goals. You may combine abdominoplasty with a thigh lift for a lower body lift or other areas to achieve comprehensive body contouring. If you want to rejuvenate your body after having children or losing a significant amount of weight, you may be a good candidate for a mommy makeover or after weight loss surgery.

Yes, men can also undergo a tummy tuck, especially those who have experienced significant weight loss that has resulted in excess abdominal skin.
Light walking is encouraged soon after surgery to promote circulation, but heavy lifting and vigorous exercise should be avoided for at least six weeks.
Preventing blood clots is an important part of tummy tuck recovery. Patients are encouraged to move gently and walk short distances as soon as possible after surgery. They should follow prescribed medications and wear compression garments if recommended. Staying hydrated and attending all follow-up appointments also helps reduce the risk of complications.
While non-surgical procedures can improve mild skin laxity, they are generally limited in effectiveness for patients with loose abdominal muscles or significant excess skin. Good skin elasticity and a healthy weight may allow some improvement, but these methods cannot produce the same dramatic results as a tummy tuck. To achieve excellent results from a tummy tuck, Scottsdale patients should choose an experienced tummy tuck surgeon to restore a flat tummy and a firmer midsection.
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Flatten Your Stomach at Forma Plastic Surgery

From aging to childbirth, various factors can cause sagging skin on the abdomen. We know it can feel annoying and frustrating, and abdominoplasty is usually the best way to overcome this body concern. If you experience embarrassment due to stretched skin on your stomach, our team of caring surgeons can help you achieve your body goals with a tummy tuck. We invite you to call Forma Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ, to learn more.
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*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.
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