If you are a mother with an interest in tummy tuck, you may be slightly confused about the different types of tummy tuck: namely, the differences between a “mini tummy tuck” and “full tummy tuck.” In this post, Dr. Bounds compares and contrasts the two procedures so you can get a general idea of what might be appropriate for your needs.

Facts About Full Tummy Tuck

Full tummy tuck transforms the abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and repairing separated or damaged muscles. The remaining skin is pulled tighter and smoother, and the belly button can be slightly reshaped if necessary. Not only is the stomach flatter after full tummy tuck, but the waist is also narrower to create an hourglass-like shape.

To achieve these incredible improvements, full tummy tuck requires a horizontal incision that extends from hipbone to hipbone. Dr. Bounds takes care when planning and creating this incision so that it can be concealed beneath a bikini bottom or pair of underwear.

Facts About Mini Tummy Tuck

Mini tummy tuck is a less extensive version of full tummy tuck that leaves a shorter scar and requires slightly less recovery downtime. Although the idea of a shorter scar and faster recovery is appealing, mini tummy tuck does not work for everyone, as the procedure only removes a small amount of skin and fat located beneath the belly button. There is minimal skin tightening and muscle repair involved in most mini tummy tucks.

Which Procedure Is Right for You?

The procedure that is suitable for you depends on a few different factors, including the location and amount of redundant abdominal skin and excess fat as well as your muscle tone and quality.

If having children left you with a good amount of loose skin and unwanted fat and poor abdominal muscle tone, it is likely that full tummy tuck will provide the contouring you desire. On the other hand, if you are naturally slender with good muscle tone and minimal fat and loose skin, a mini tummy tuck might be more appropriate. Remember, a tummy tuck is not a weight loss tool. Also, you would not be a candidate for an abdominoplasty (full tummy tuck) if you smoke — even just one cigarette.

The only way to know for sure is to meet with Dr. Bounds for an in-person evaluation. He will assess your abdomen, inquire about your goals and advise of the best treatment option for your circumstances. Please contact our office today to request a consultation with Dr. Bounds.

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Liposuction

Liposuction can be a highly effective solution to pockets of fat, but there are also limits to what it can do. A patient with realistic expectations will be pleased by the way the procedure can sculpt the body, restoring the elegant proportions of a fit and beautiful profile. Yet liposuction is not a remedy for obesity, a substitute for exercise and a healthy diet, or a cure for some of the imperfections that often appear as we age.

The most popular target areas are the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, upper arms and certain areas of the face. The procedure is ideal for those areas of the body that seem immune to traditional lifestyle approaches, such as when fat stubbornly lingers in the hips or thighs even after diet and vigorous exercise.

Liposuction is not an effective way to make an overweight patient fit. In fact, Dr. Bounds advises that a patient be within 20 percent of recommended body weight and in good health for the procedure. It is also helpful if a patient’s skin is elastic and muscle tone is good, allowing skin to conform well to new body shape. If skin is already sagging or loose in a certain area, liposuction will not improve its appearance. Liposuction is also not a way to treat cellulite or stretch marks.

Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty, popularly known as “tummy tuck,” is a surgical solution that targets loose skin and weakened muscles in the abdominal area. The stomach benefits from a smooth, tucked-in profile after removal of excess skin, some fat and tightening of abdominal muscles.

Women may choose abdominoplasty as a way to restore tone to stomach muscles that weakened or separated during pregnancy. Patients who have lost significant weight and now notice loose skin on the belly are also good candidates for the procedure. As with liposuction, tummy tuck is not a weight management tool, and obese individuals are advised to lose as much weight as possible before considering the procedure.

To learn more about liposuction or tummy tuck, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Bounds at his Virginia Beach office by calling or emailing us today.

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What is a Tummy tuck?

The Tummy tuck, also known as an Abdominoplasty is a procedure which removes, excess fat and skin and usually tightens weakened muscles for a   smoother and firmer stomach.

Many of us work hard to exercise and eat well to build a healthy attractive body.  Even with the best efforts this may not be achieved. Various factors can contribute to an abdomen that is loose, sagging and protruding.  Aging, pregnancy, fluctuations in weight and heredity can be reasons an individual’s abdomen is unattractive. Tummy tuck surgery may be an option to improve your figure.

What can a tummy tuck do for your figure?

Realistic goals are important. There are some things a tummy tuck cannot correct.  It is not a substitute for weight loss or exercise. Although generally results of a tummy tuck are considered permanent, significant changes in weight and pregnancy may diminish the positive changes initially seen.  A tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, although they may be improved if they are located in areas where the skin will be removed.  You would be considered a good candidate for the procedure if you area: healthy and at a stable weight, a non-smoker, and have realistic expectations of the changes the surgery will produce.

Are there different types of Tummy Tucks?

A complete abdominoplasty is a procedure during which the surgeon will make an incision from hipbone to hipbone and contour the skin, tissue and muscle as needed. This surgery will involve moving your belly button and placing drainage tubes under your skin for a few days.

A partial or mini-tuck may be an option if your fat deposits are located below your navel and muscle tightening is not necessary. During this procedure your belly button is not moved and recovery is less restrictive.  Your plastic surgeon will offer the least invasive option that will provide the results you are seeking.

What type of physician do I talk to about a Tummy Tuck?

A Plastic Surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery should be your choice. Membership in the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons also indicates experience in the field of cosmetic plastic surgery. Check to see that the Plastic Surgeon has hospital privileges to perform a tummy tuck.

Where will my Tummy Tuck be performed?

Many plastic surgeons have their own surgical facility. Check to see that the facility is licensed by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

During my consultation what will I find out?

The Plastic Surgeon will meet with you and listen to your goals and desires. He will evaluate your health and any pre-existing health conditions or risks factors, so you should be very candid about your lifestyle and habits. You will have a physical examination to determine if you are a good candidate for the tuck procedure. Your plastic surgeon will discuss your options and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. You should be able to review pre- and post-operative photographs of the surgeon’s patients. Your doctor will give you information on your recovery and the help you will need following your surgery. He will review risks and complications associated with the procedure.  A quote for the procedure will given.

How do I make my final decision?

As with all cosmetic procedures, the tummy tuck is not a medical necessity, it is a choice. You should feel comfortable with your surgeon and his staff as you are all working together for your best outcome.

Check out our Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos and schedule your tummy tuck consultation today!

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What is it?

During tummy tuck surgery, clinically known as abdominoplasty, a plastic surgeon removes loose skin, tightens the abdominal muscles, and eliminates stubborn deposits of fat.

2. Are there different kinds?

There are several variations of tummy tuck surgery, each designed to target certain areas of the body or specific issues. An experienced plastic surgeon can thoroughly explain these options and help patients arrive at a treatment plan that will gives them natural results and an improved sense of confidence.

3. Who is considered a ‘good candidate’?

When considering the tummy tuck procedure, it is important that the candidate is in good health, has loose or droopy skin on the abdomen and has healthy expectations for after the surgery.  This means committing to a healthy diet and an exercise regimen before and after the body sculpting procedure.

4. Tummy Tucking is NOT a miracle procedure.

People hear about tummy tucking and they see the before and after pictures which makes them believe that it is a miracle procedure. This is completely wrong. Tummy tucks do vastly improve one’s body and figure but this plastic surgery procedure is only half of the process. For you to keep the new body figure, you must stay active and healthy.

5. Post-pregnancy

Because of the way that pregnancy stretches the skin and separates the abdominal muscles, diet and exercise can be inadequate in tightening the abdominal area after childbirth. Tummy tuck surgery restores the pre-pregnancy figure, sometimes incorporating liposuction to remove the stubborn excess fat that can remain after childbirth.

6. Massive weight loss

People who have lost a significant amount of weight may enjoy much improved health, but the weight loss can also have undesirable aesthetic effects. Plastic surgery procedures such as a tummy tuck can create a physique that better reflects the efforts someone has made to lose weight.

7. Cost

Because tummy tucks are completely individualized treatments, it is impossible to provide a single total that applies across the board.  The Abdominoplasty cost varies according to several factors, and it can range in price from $4500 for a Mini-Tuck to $12,000 for a full abdominoplasty.

To Find Out More…

Contact Dr. Kevin Bounds at

Phone: 757-496-7373

Address: 1815 Colonial Medical Ct. Virginia Beach, VA 23454

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What is a Mommy Makeover?

Pregnancy causes different changes in every mother’s body. Many of these changes are permanent and irreversible without body sculpting surgery. Each mommy makeover is a bundle of procedures and surgeries chosen specifically for each individual in order to help them attain their goals. For that reason, prices, recovery times, and scheduling vary depending on the mommy makeover that is best for you. Some common procedures included in mommy makeovers include Botox, breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tucks, vaginal rejuvenation, and other surgeries and procedures that target stubborn fat pockets.

When Should I Do a Mommy Makeover?

Sine each mommy makeover is a unique set of procedures, there is no exact guideline to determine when to get a mommy makeover. Dr. Bounds will discuss the timeline that is best for you. Nonetheless, here are some general guidelines that may help you decide when to get a Mommy Makeover.

First, remember that it takes the body a few months to reach a “new normal” after pregnancy. The body new mothers see a week after childbirth is not the body they will see after several months. For example, stretched skin often contracts and excess weight naturally sheds after you return to your normal routine. Additionally, your breasts may change more after pregnancy than they did during pregnancy, especially if you begin breastfeeding. As a result, Dr. Bounds recommends that women wait until after they are done breastfeeding before considering any plastic surgery that may target breasts. Breast-feeding must end at least several months before any breast surgeries.

Additionally, some procedures like abdominoplasty or tummy tucks are best left until after women are completely done having children. Some mommy makeovers can be designed for women who plan to have more children later in life, but more extensive procedures like tummy tucks are best suited for women who have had their last child.

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