Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery: Dr. Fady A. Sinno
5300 Dorsey Hall Drive #102
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Phone: (410) 884-4200
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tummy Tuck
At Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, we understand that sometimes no matter what you try, your stomach does not look the way you want it to. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Fady Sinno performs abdominoplasty, often called a tummy tuck, to help people from Baltimore, Columbia, and Ellicott City, Maryland, attain or regain a flat, attractive abdominal area.
Tummy Tuck
Before & After Photos
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
What is an abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that addresses the contour of the abdomen. It removes excess skin and fat around the midsection and repairs weakened, stretched, or separated abdominal muscles. This separation of abdominal muscles is a condition called diastasis recti that often creates a “belly pooch.”
Who is the best candidate for a tummy tuck?
Dr. Fady Sinno performs tummy tuck surgery to reduce or flatten a protruding abdomen when weight loss or exercise is not effective. People who have had multiple pregnancies, significant weight loss, or other conditions that have stretched out abdominal muscles and skin can benefit from a tummy tuck. The procedure is most effective for healthy individuals who have stabilized at their desired weight.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: What’s Right for You?
Choosing between a tummy tuck and liposuction depends on your specific needs and goals. Here’s a comparison to help you understand which procedure might be best for you:
Tummy Tuck
- Ideal For: Patients with a protruding midsection due to muscle laxity and excess skin
- Procedure: Involves tightening abdominal muscles and removing excess skin
- Best For: Post-pregnancy or after significant weight loss
- Results: A flatter, firmer abdominal area with improved muscle tone
Liposuction
- Ideal For: Patients who want to remove isolated areas of fat
- Procedure: Targets and removes fat deposits using a suction technique
- Best For: Those with good muscle and skin tone who do not need skin tightening
- Results: Refined body contours
In summary, if you need to address muscle laxity and excess skin, a tummy tuck is the way to go. However, if you’re primarily looking to eliminate stubborn fat pockets and have good skin and muscle tone, liposuction might be the better choice.
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How do I know if I need a mini or full tummy tuck?
Dr. Sinno performs the following variations of the tummy tuck procedure, which depend on the extent of correction needed:
- Full tummy tuck surgery renews the look of the abdomen from under the ribcage down to the pubic area. This version requires an incision that runs from hip to hip and another that circles the belly button. Dr. Sinno removes loose, stretched skin and rejoins separated abdominal muscles if necessary. The abdominal skin is pulled down and the belly button is repositioned.
- Mini tummy tuck surgery provides improvement from the belly button down to the pubic area. Dr. Sinno removes loose skin and tightens abdominal muscles in this limited area. This variation requires a shorter incision than the standard tummy tuck.
What is another surgery that would complement a tummy tuck?
Known for his top-notch body contouring and breast enhancement expertise, Dr. Sinno often performs other plastic surgery procedures to enhance the results of a tummy tuck. Popular options for our Baltimore and Columbia-area patients include:
A tummy tuck is performed as part of most mommy makeover procedures to help women renew their bodies after pregnancy and breastfeeding. During your consultation, Dr. Sinno will take the time to answer your questions and create a customized plan that will work best for you and your body.
How is the tummy tuck procedure done?
Dr. Sinno performs tummy tuck surgery either as an outpatient procedure or with an overnight stay in a hospital. You will receive general anesthesia during the surgery so you will sleep through the procedure and feel no discomfort. He first makes an incision across the abdomen above the pubic bone. He then removes excess skin, fat, and tissue and tightens abdominal muscles if they are stretched or separated (a condition called diastasis recti). Dr. Sinno often also performs liposuction of the abdomen, hips, and flanks at the same time, if necessary. He closes the incision with absorbable stitches.
How long is recovery from tummy tuck surgery?
Knowing what to expect during recovery can help you prepare for your procedure and enhance your peace of mind. Each part of the recovery timeline is marked by specific developments and goals. From the initial post-surgery phase to the months that follow, these are the milestones you can expect to experience:
Immediately After Surgery
- Awaken in the recovery room with dressings and a compression garment.
- Manage discomfort with pain medication. Dr. Sinno administers a long-acting local anesthetic during surgery for post-surgical pain management and can also place a pain pump device at that time if requested.
Week 1
- Expect limited mobility and a need for assistance with daily activities.
- You won’t be able to stand completely upright due to muscle tightening and repair.
- Gentle walking encourages circulation and reduces the possibility of blood clots.
- Drainage tubes are in place to remove excess fluid.
- Wear a compression garment for support and swelling reduction.
- Swelling and bruising are common but gradually improve throughout the recovery period.
Week 2
- Return to light daily activities, still avoiding strenuous exercise.
- Drainage tubes and sutures are removed by your surgeon (if not completed during week 1).
- Continue to wear a compression garment for support and swelling reduction.
- Discomfort decreases, along with your reliance on pain medication.
Weeks 3 to 4
- Noticeable reduction in swelling and discomfort.
- You can gradually return to more regular activities, still avoiding heavy lifting.
- Continue wearing compression garment for support and swelling reduction.
Month 2
- Return to most normal activities, including exercise, with your surgeon’s approval.
- Scars gradually fade and will improve over several months.
- Your final shape begins to become more apparent as swelling subsides.
Month 3 and Beyond
- Full recovery from surgery, with most restrictions lifted.
- Scar appearance continues to improve.
- Regularly follow up with your surgeon to monitor progress.
- Full results are typically visible 6 to 9 months after your procedure.
Meet Dr. Fady Sinno
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Fady Sinno provides individual attention and personal care to each of his patients. His warm, personal approach and exceptional results make him a top choice for Baltimore, MD, area men and women who want to look and feel their best.
Meet Dr. Sinno
More Tummy Tuck FAQ
Do you get scars from a tummy tuck?
Although a scar cannot be avoided with any surgery, including a tummy tuck, Dr. Sinno strives to minimize the incision and place it where the scar can be concealed by a swimsuit or underwear.
Can a tummy tuck help me lose weight?
No, a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss surgery. However, it can be a highly beneficial procedure for those who have already lost weight by dieting, exercising and/or having bariatric surgery. If losing a large amount of weight has led to excess skin and fat in your midsection, a tummy tuck may be the procedure for you.
Why can’t I flatten my abdominal muscles with exercise?
If your abdominal muscles have become weakened or separated, exercise cannot close the gap (called a diastasis recti). Dr. Sinno can repair the separation with internal sutures. This closes the gap and brings the muscles back to their natural position. After you recover, you can exercise to rebuild core strength for further abdominal flattening. Suturing your abdominal muscles can also take several inches off your waistline.
Can I have a tummy tuck between pregnancies?
A pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery could reverse all of the corrections made during the procedure. To maximize and prolong your results, wait to have a tummy tuck until after you have had your last child.
Are tummy tuck results permanent?
A tummy tuck will give you a much flatter, smoother abdomen overall. The results are permanent unless the abdomen is stretched again by massive weight gain or another pregnancy.
How painful is abdominoplasty surgery?
Most of the pain after abdominoplasty surgery originates from repairing and tightening the abdominal wall muscles. Dr. Sinno administers long-acting local anesthetics into the abdominal wall muscles at the time of surgery, so patients are very comfortable when they wake up from general anesthesia. In addition, Dr. Sinno strongly recommends the installation of the ON-Q® pain pump device at the time of surgery so pain is effectively and automatically controlled for 4 ½ to 5 days using local anesthetics only. This device provides safe pain control directly to the surgical site while minimizing the use of narcotic pain killers and avoiding their common side effects.
How can I prepare for my tummy tuck?
Avoid smoking for several weeks prior to your procedure. You should also avoid aspirin and any other blood-thinning medication before your tummy tuck. Make plans to have someone help you around the house after surgery, especially if you have small children. Dr. Sinno will provide detailed post-op instructions at your consultation.
What will my belly button look like after surgery?
Your bellybutton will still be the same one you were born with; however, it will be reshaped to complement your new, trimmer tummy. Dr. Sinno strives to create a very subtle, natural-looking new opening for your bellybutton.
How many sizes do you lose on average with an abdominoplasty?
While an abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure, you may notice that your clothes fit better or become loose after the surgery. Most patients can expect to go down about 1 to 2 sizes once the excess skin has been removed and the protruding belly pooch has been flattened.
Next Steps
Are you ready to find out more about tummy tuck surgery near Baltimore or Columbia, MD? Request your consultation online with Dr. Fady Sinno or call us at (410) 884-4200 in Ellicott City. His office is conveniently located near Westminster, Annapolis, Clarksville, and Frederick.
