What is tummy tuck?
If your body has been through a pregnancy — or if your weight has fluctuated significantly for other reasons – your midsection may have experienced unwanted aesthetic changes. Even if you had a flat and firm belly before pregnancy, diet and exercise may not be enough to get you back to where you want to be.
Dr. Rod performs tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) to help Phoenix women restore their pre-baby body. He also supports patients who have lost substantial weight or who want to recontour their midsection after liposuction. The surgery can eliminate excess skin and repair weakened muscles, both common symptoms after major weight change.
Dr. Rod is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and American Board of Surgery and has years of experience, during which he has conducted hundreds of tummy tuck procedures. Patients frequently combine the surgery with breast augmentation and breast lift as part of a mommy makeover to rejuvenate their body and their breasts in a single surgical session.
Dr. Rod’s Approach to Tummy Tuck
Significant weight gain and loss can:
- Leave you with excess tissue around your belly.
- Cause your abdominal muscles to separate.
- Create unaesthetic stretchmarks.
A tummy tuck removes the excess skin and reconstructs the abdominal muscles to give you an hourglass figure. Most of Dr. Rod’s patients see a reduction in the appearance of stretchmarks by 50% to 100%.
With any surgical procedure that he conducts for his Phoenix patients, Dr. Rod prioritizes comfort and safety. One of the most common issues that people experience after a tummy tuck is that they are sent home following surgery and don’t feel well enough to take needed medications on the first day. Dr. Rod avoids this issue by performing tummy tuck surgery in a hospital setting, where patients can receive around-the-clock nursing care.
All other aspects of your treatment take place at Dermacare Cosmetic Surgery’s office. This provides you a single point of contact with familiar and friendly staff. Our team is always available to help you and can accommodate an appointment on nearly any day of the week.
“I received excellent care during my surgery and recovery and I am thrilled with my excellent results! I would highly recommend Dr. Rod and the staff at Dermacare to anyone.”
– Happy Patient
Your Experience With Tummy Tuck: From Consultation to Recovery
Your Initial Visit
During your first appointment with Dermacare Cosmetic Surgery, you and Dr. Rod will talk about what you would like to achieve with treatment. Part of the reason Phoenix patients refer others to our practice and return to us over the years is because of the attentive, personal, and collaborative nature of their experience with Dr. Rod.
Should you both agree that tummy tuck is the right approach for your care, you will return to the practice for a preoperative appointment. This may include signing certain administrative forms, getting answers to any other questions you may have, scheduling your tummy tuck, and reviewing what you can expect during and after your surgery.
The Day of Your Procedure
Dr. Rod will perform your tummy tuck at one of several Phoenix-area hospitals. You will receive general anesthesia, which will allow you to remain comfortable and relaxed during the surgery.
While Dr. Rod individualizes each procedure to the patient’s needs, he generally will take the following steps as part of a tummy tuck:
- He will place the incision along the bikini line so that it shouldn’t be visible even in underwear or a swimsuit.
- Rod will pull the abdominal muscles back together to give you a stronger midsection and a firmer belly.
- He will use sutures in a way that limits swelling and allows surgical drains to come out sooner. Sutures will dissolve naturally over time.
- Rod will apply a long-lasting local anesthetic that should significantly improve your comfort for 3-4 days after surgery.
You can expect to spend one night at the hospital and then to head home the next day.
Recovering From Tummy Tuck
Dr. Rod likes to see his Phoenix patients back at Dermacare Cosmetic Surgery 3-5 days after their tummy tuck. This visit will allow him to ensure that you are healing properly. He will also remove one of the surgical drains, and, within a day or two, the second one will come out. From there, Dr. Rod will see you at two weeks, six weeks, three months, and six months after surgery.
While you should see some improvement in the contour of your belly shortly after a tummy tuck, expect to get the full benefits of your surgery by six months post-op. For most of our patients, this means a flatter abdomen, no excess skin, and the diminished appearance of stretchmarks.
Common Questions Patients Have About Tummy Tuck
How long with the surgical scar be?
The length of your surgical scar will depend on the amount of skin that Dr. Rod needs to remove to give you an hourglass figure. Reviewing before and after images on our website can provide you with a good guideline of what to expect, and Dr. Rod can also advise you about your likely results during your initial consultation. With the incision placed at the bikini line, patients are able to get an improved body contour in exchange for a well-hidden surgical line.
What can I expect during my hospital stay?
Dr. Rod conducts his tummy tuck surgeries at several different accredited hospitals in the Phoenix area. Each offers patients high-quality care for their brief overnight stay. The priority during your first day after surgery will be ensuring that you receive medications on a timely basis and that you have support when you need it. Dedicated nurses will be there to help you following your procedure so that you can rest as comfortably as possible.
When can I get back to normal activities?
Dr. Rod evaluates Phoenix patients on a case-by-case basis to determine their recovery timeline. Some people are back to work and other activities within one week, but two weeks is more common. He welcomes patients to come to him at any point during their recovery so that he can answer their questions or address any concerns they may have.
Restore an hourglass figure with tummy tuck surgery. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Rod online or by calling his Phoenix practice at (623) 535-7050.