A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that tightens the abdominal muscles, removes excess fat and skin, and leaves your stomach looking tighter and leaner than before. For many men and women in White Plains, abdominoplasty has done what exercise, dieting and time could not.
If you are self-conscious about loose skin and weak abdominal muscles, our Westchester tummy tuck with Dr. Reinblatt can help you achieve a firm, toned and more youthful midsection.
The tummy tuck procedure: What To Expect
Your tummy tuck will be done under general anesthesia and can take one to five hours, depending on the extent of your surgery. Once you are sedated, Dr. Reinblatt will make the incision based on the type of tummy tuck you have selected. She will go to great lengths to ensure that these cuts are discreet and easily hidden with clothes and swimwear. From there, she will take the following surgical steps:
Tighten lax muscles
During your abdominoplasty procedure, Dr. Reinblatt will begin contouring your abdomen by tightening lax muscles. After separating the skin from the abdominal walls, she will pull them together and stitch them into a new, toned position. In addition to tightening the muscles, this process also narrows the waistline.
Remove excess skin
After tightening lax abdominal muscles, Dr. Reinblatt will pull the skin taut and trim away the excess tissue. She will often perform liposuction at this time as well to remove unwanted pockets of fat. Throughout this process, she is often able to improve the appearance of stretch marks for many of her clients.
Relocate the belly button
Most tummy tucks in Westchester, NY involve relocating the belly button to a more natural position once the muscles and skin have been tightened. This part of the procedure is a true art form, so it is very important to select a board-certified plastic surgeon with a high degree of skill and a successful track record with this technique. Once your abdomen has been tightened and toned and your belly button repositioned, Dr. Reinblatt will carefully close the incisions to ensure that the scars are virtually imperceptible once healed. She will then place a surgical drain at the incision site to speed up the healing process and alleviate pain that may develop due to a buildup of fluids.
What you get with a tummy tuck
- Smooth + slim abdomen
- More youthful midsection
- Tightened abdominal muscles
- Increase self-esteem + body confidence
Why is my stomach No longer toned and Flat?
Natural age-related changes
With age, the skin naturally loses its elasticity and your muscles weaken.
Significant Weight Loss
After losing a substantial amount of weight, for example after weight loss surgery, sagging skin and stretched abdominal muscles often linger.
Genetics
Some men and women have a genetic predisposition that causes abdominal fat to accumulate regardless of their diet, exercise regimen and healthy lifestyle.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the skin stretches and the abdominal muscles separate. This results in poor muscle tone and diminished elasticity.
Candidates: How to know if a tummy tuck is right for you
Ideal Westchester NY abdominoplasty candidates in generally respond "yes" to all of the following questions:
- Are you in good physical and emotional health?
- Are you close to your ideal body weight?
- Do you have loose, droopy abdominal skin?
- Do you have extra weight around your midsection?
- Are you committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet moving forward?
In addition, patients who plan to become pregnant or lose a significant amount of weight are not considered good candidates for abdominoplasty. Abdominoplasty is best done after significant weight loss and pregnancy, so the results last.
Testimonials
"I had a Tummy tuck and lipo with Dr. Reinblatt and later had Botox, both experiences would be on my expectations. Dr. Reinblatt not only explained the procedures beforehand but she took her time and met with me several times prior to the surgery to assuage my concerns and make sure that she fully understood exactly what I wanted. She made every effort to ensure that I was secure and comfortable with what was going to happen during and after the surgery. All follow up visits were with her, not with a PA or another plastic surgeon in her practice, my happiness with the results and how I was feeling was her utmost concern. She goes the extra mile in every way for her patients, including giving her personal cell phone number so that you can reach her directly with any concerns or questions 24/7. I recommend her without reservation!"
Your tummy tuck options
Traditional
This is the most commonly performed tummy tuck procedure. It involves two incisions: one from hip-to-hip and another around the belly button. With this approach, Dr. Reinblatt can reposition the belly button and tighten and tone the entire abdomen.
Mini
This approach is best for Westchester NY patients that are very close to their ideal body weight. With this technique, Dr. Reinblatt can alter the abdomen just below the naval. It involves a small incision and there is no need to reposition the belly button. The mini tummy tuck is also associated with a shortened recovery period.
Extended
For patients with the most excess skin to lose, the extended tummy tuck is ideal. Through a low incision that extends behind the hips, Dr. Reinblatt can remove love handles, fat and excess skin throughout the entire stomach area.
The recovery - What to expect
After your tummy tuck in Westchester, your incisions will be protected with surgical dressing. Along the incision site, Dr. Reinblatt may place small tubes to drain any excess fluid or blood. With some support, you will be up and moving about as early as day one. It is important to keep your blood circulating, so you do not develop any clotting. An anticoagulant may be prescribed following the procedure.
Throughout the first few days post tummy tuck, you will have some pain around the stomach area. It should be mild to moderate and can be managed with prescription and over-the-counter pain medication. The skin on your stomach may be numb for a few weeks; feeling will return slowly.
It is normal to experience swelling for approximately four to six weeks. Each patient’s recovery time can vary slightly, so don’t be too concerned if your swelling takes a bit longer to resolve. During this time, avoid any heavy lifting.
When planning your tummy tuck, be sure to take at least two weeks off from work to give your body enough time to heal. It is normal to feel tired. Your first few days post tummy tuck will be about getting around the house, limiting your activity. Once you are no longer on any pain meds, usually week two, you can begin driving again, visit the grocery store or other activities that require minimal effort.
Toward the end of the 30 days post tummy tuck, you should be able to begin brisk walks or taking on a bit more activity. At the six-week mark, depending on how you feel, you can return to your exercise routine or other regular activities that have been put on hold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is abdominoplasty very painful?
The pain experienced during a tummy tuck can vary based on each patient’s tolerance as well as which type of tummy tuck procedure you have. The discomfort most patients feel comes not from the incision, but from the muscle itself tightening. Routine activities such as standing, getting out of a seated position or walking up the stairs has now become uncomfortable because your core muscles have been disturbed. Dr. Reinblatt has done hundreds of abdominoplasty surgeries over the years and takes measures to make it as painless as possible.
What if I get pregnant after having a tummy tuck?
The first thing to know is that you and your baby will be fine during the pregnancy; the previous tummy tuck procedure will not interfere with a healthy pregnancy. During pregnancy, you may experience more stretch marks than normal due to the removal of excess skin from your tummy tuck procedure. The scar from your abdominoplasty might change or move during pregnancy. After the birth of your baby, the tummy tuck procedure typically holds its shape after normal baby weight is lost. Dr. Reinblatt can do a touch-up procedure if needed.
Will my scar be visible?
As an experienced surgeon, Dr. Reinblatt will work to place the tummy tuck incision in a discreet location. Generally, for most patients, the incision can be placed just below the panty line. There will be a scar from the incision, but you can talk with your surgical team about the ways you can care for the scar to minimize its appearance.
How much does a tummy tuck cost?
The cost of a tummy tuck depends on the type of tummy tuck you receive and what is required to achieve your aesthetic goals. Based on how extensive the procedure will need to be, and the complexity of the required surgical plan, Dr. Reinblatt will determine the cost. We will cover your exact price with you once she goes over your personalized surgical plan to achieve your desired outcome.
About Dr. Reinblatt
Dr. Maura Reinblatt is board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Maura Reinblatt is one of the most highly-revered cosmetic practitioners in the state of Connecticut. Having previously served on the faculty at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, one of the top-ranked institutions in the country, she has earned a reputation for excellence in her field. With over a decade of experience in the realm of cosmetology, she has the ability to curate treatments that address the unique needs of every patient, leaving them looking and feeling their absolute best.
Dr. Reinblatt’s educational and training background includes prestigious institutions, such as McGill University of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and UCLA. She has honed incredibly refined skills in various areas of modern cosmetology, enabling her to elicit outstanding changes in her patients. Her work in the field of cosmetology eventually landed her an oncology research fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Center in New York. While her achievements and accomplishments as a double board-certified plastic surgeon may be impressive, Dr. Reinblatt is best defined by her compassion and dedication to patient satisfaction. She works tirelessly to ensure that all of her patients achieve their aesthetic goals, invigorating them with newfound confidence.
Let's Get Together
Dr. Reinblatt is sought after throughout Westchester NY and the surrounding areas for her impeccable tummy tuck technique. Contact her office today to schedule your initial consultation and begin planning for arguably the best tummy tuck Westchester NY has to offer.
Schedule12 Greenridge Ave #401, White Plains, NY 10605
(646) 905-0087