Tummy Tuck

Whether you are male or female, a tummy tuck in Indiana with Dr. Gus Galante can give you a flatter, more sculpted abdomen. This procedure tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess skin and fat. Technically called abdominoplasty, this procedure can give patients an improved body image and a new sense of confidence. A tummy tuck can benefit mothers after their childbearing years, or individuals who have lost a considerable amount of weight and are experiencing muscle laxity, excess skin, and pockets of residual fat.

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Before & After Photos

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Before

After

Unhappy with the look of her abdomen, this 44-year-old patient scheduled a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Galante. She was eager to learn more about the process of getting abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, in our Indiana plastic surgery practice.The patient, a mother of 3...Read On

Before

After

This 37 year-old woman had previously undergone breast augmentation and liposuction at our Indiana practice. But while she enjoyed the slimmer contour she achieved through high-quality surgery and healthy habits, she wasn't so happy about the loose, droopy abdominal skin that her weight loss lef...Read On

Before

After

The patient shown in these before-and-after photos came to see Dr. Galante, a board certified plastic surgeon with expertise in cosmetic breast surgery and body contouring, at his Northwest Indiana office. She initially was requesting treatment to improve the appearance of her abdomen but also had a...Read On

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Talking It Over

Your transformation will begin with an in-depth, personal consultation with Dr. Galante. He will evaluate your medical history to determine the best way to achieve your desired result. Dr. Galante will encourage you to ask questions and to be open and honest about your goals.

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Procedure Details

Tummy tuck procedures can take between 2 and 5 hours. Dr. Galante performs tummy tucks using general anesthesia on an outpatient basis, meaning you'll likely go home the day of your surgery. However, some patients will need to stay overnight in the hospital for observation.

Dr. Galante may recommend a standard or mini abdominoplasty procedure. Read more about these options below.

Standard Abdominoplasty

Tummy tuck incisions

Muscle repair

A standard abdominoplasty, more commonly called a "full" tummy tuck, is the most common procedure and gets the most extensive results. It is appropriate for patients who have loose, excess tissue both above and below the belly button. Here's how the process works:

• Dr. Galante marks your abdomen to show where he'll make the incisions, from hip to hip very low on the abdomen and around your navel.
• After making the incisions, he detaches your skin from the abdominal wall, giving him access to the muscles. He then sutures the muscles, pulling them tight to repair them.
• In most cases, Dr. Galante then uses liposuction to remove excess fat from the area.
• He then pulls down the skin, stretching it past the incision and removing any excess.
• Dr. Galante then creates a new opening for your navel in a location that looks natural. He then closes the incisions.

Drains are usually used in a full tummy tuck, relieving fluid buildup, which can put pressure on incisions.

Mini Abdominoplasty

A modified version of a full tummy tuck, commonly called a "mini" tummy tuck, typically requires a shorter incision and usually doesn't involve repositioning the belly button. It's most appropriate for patients who have excess skin only below the belly button. Good candidates for a mini abdominoplasty have skin with good elasticity and abdominal muscles that are strong.

The procedure is similar to the full tummy tuck, except Dr. Galante makes only a single incision above the pubic area. This incision is usually shorter than for a full abdominoplasty.

"I was in and out in a few hours. It seems funny to say this, but overall it was honestly a pleasant experience."

–Read Dina's Real Patient Story

More Information

• During abdominoplasty procedures, Dr. Galante often performs liposuction to remove fat deposits from areas like the flanks, upper thighs or hips.
• Many women combine abdominoplasty with breast enhancement for a procedure known as a Mommy Makeover.

After Your Tummy Tuck Procedure

You will need a day of bed rest after your procedure, and you will wear a compression garment for at least 2 weeks. This will help reduce swelling and improve comfort and healing. You will have prescription pain medication to manage your discomfort. Your stitches will be bandaged, and you will receive detailed post-surgical instructions. Most of your stitches will be internal, and any external sutures will be removed within a week. Drain tubes placed at the time of surgery will also be removed within about a week.

You should start light activities such as walking after the first day but avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks. Many patients return to work after 1 to 2 weeks, but others need longer.

Permanent scars are unavoidable with abdominoplasty. Whenever possible, Dr. Galante places incisions below the bikini line to reduce the scar's visibility. Scars can take up to a year to heal completely, and over-the-counter products can help scars heal more inconspicuously.