Woman with toned abdomen representing tummy tuck results

Body Contouring

Tummy TuckAbdominoplasty

Remove excess skin and fat, tighten abdominal muscles, and restore a smooth, toned silhouette. Tubeless Tuck option available.

Overview

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery, or abdominoplasty, is among the most popular plastic surgery procedures today. If you live in Fort Lauderdale or Broward County and are unsatisfied with unsightly rolls of fat in your abdomen, consider a tummy tuck performed by the skilled and expert hands of double board-certified plastic surgeon Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., at the Weston Center for Plastic Surgery.

Tummy tucks are a popular form of plastic surgery focusing on the abdomen. During this procedure, known medically as abdominoplasty surgery, excess skin is trimmed away, fat is removed, and the natural tissues are lifted to make the stomach region look smoother and more toned.

At a Glance

Tummy Tuck Details

Avg. Surgery Time

2-3.5 hours

Anesthesia

General

Location

Certified in-office Operating Room, Outpatient Surgery Center or Hospital. Dr. Eberle will discuss which setting is right for you; most patients go home from an ambulatory setting.

Recovery

Back to work in 2-3 weeks. Back to full exercise in 6 weeks (if undergoing muscle repair/plication).

What Makes Your Experience Different

EXPAREL included in your fee to reduce or eliminate your pain for the first 2-3 days. Lower extremity compression devices for home use to help prevent/avoid blood clots. Overnight stay in hospital if desired. Scar recovery program included in your surgical package.

Am I a Good Candidate

Healthy. Non-smoker. Have excess fat and skin. BMI less than 35. Realistic goals and expectations.

Benefits

Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

In addition to improving your overall appearance by flattening the tummy and restoring a more youthful silhouette, tummy tuck surgery also has other advantages. Following extreme weight loss, pregnancy or some medical conditions, the stomach muscles may become weak and distended, and unresponsive to diet and exercise. Abdominoplasty surgery tightens these muscles, giving you a stronger and more toned core. Following this procedure, many patients find that posture-related back problems are also improved.

Innovation

Tubeless Tuck

For those who are candidates, Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., F.A.C.S. is proud to offer the Tubeless Tuck option for abdominoplasty/tummy tuck patients in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County at the Weston Center for Plastic Surgery.

The revolutionary Tubeless Tuck technique completely eliminates the need for messy, painful drains by replacing them with dissolvable sutures that close up the area and prevent the buildup of fluid.

Why Are Drains Used at All?

Drains are utilized in order to reduce the accumulation of fluid under the skin that sometimes will occur as a side effect of tummy tuck surgery. Serous fluid tends to build up underneath the skin after a tummy tuck, which can lead to a seroma. Seromas often lead to infection which then results in further corrective procedures and needing antibiotics in order to treat the infection. By employing the Tubeless Tuck technique during surgery, Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., F.A.C.S. is able to significantly reduce the risk of this accumulation of serous fluid while also making your recovery much more comfortable.

Candidacy

Is a Tummy Tuck Right for Me?

If you don’t like the way your stomach looks, a tummy tuck may be right for you. Most candidates complain that they have hanging skin over their abdomen that makes the area look flabby or out of shape. This surgery is particularly popular among patients who have lost a significant amount of weight or who have been pregnant, as both events can result in excess skin and fat in the abdomen. Ideal candidates are in good general health and are at a stable weight.

The Procedure

How Involved Is the Tummy Tuck Procedure?

A tummy tuck is major abdominal surgery and is a fairly involved procedure. It requires general anesthesia and can take as long as three to four hours. An incision is made in the lower abdomen, generally low enough that it can be covered with underwear, bathing suit, or pants. Excess fat is removed, the abdominal muscles may be tightened, and the belly button may be moved back to its normal position. The natural tissues are lifted and sculpted to provide a smooth, toned-looking result, and excess skin is trimmed away. Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., F.A.C.S. uses EXPAREL®, a non-narcotic local analgesic, to minimize pain before you wake up from surgery.

Recovery

After the tummy tuck surgery, patients can expect the recovery process to last up to a month. During the first two or three days, bed rest is recommended. Patients can then begin to gradually return to their normal activity levels. During this time, it is common to experience some discomfort, soreness, bruising or swelling. Many patients find that their incision area feels tight or itchy. The surgical site is covered with a compression garment to promote healing. Most patients are back to work within three to four weeks, though it can take up to three months to feel fully healed.

Pricing

The cost of a tummy tuck varies significantly from patient to patient depending on the amount of surgical work required. Financing is available.

Next Steps

What Should I Do Next?

If you live in Fort Lauderdale or Broward County and are looking for a way to dramatically enhance the contours of your stomach area, tummy tuck surgery may be right for you. Contact double board-certified plastic surgeon Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., at the Weston Center for Plastic Surgery today for your consultation.

Schedule a Consultation