Tummy Tuck
in Philadelphia
The classic tummy tuck, or the lesser version (the Mini-Tummy Tuck), both give drastic improvements to the abdomen, flank, and waistline.
Not only will Dr. Subbio remove a tremendous amount of excess skin and fat, but he will also create an internal corset of stitches at the abdominal wall to shrink and tighten the waistline from within.
Patients go from having the dreaded “paunch” or “belly”, to a flat, tight, and trim midsection immediately. The scars are typically well-hidden beneath the pant line, so no one needs to be the wiser!
Tummy Tuck Before & Afters
How Do I Know If a Tummy Tuck Is Right for Me?
If you have excess belly fat or love handles that have not responded to diet and exercise, as well as lax skin in the abdominal area, a Tummy Tuck might be a good choice for you. A Tummy Tuck might also benefit you if you have stretched/separated abdominal muscles, usually as a result of pregnancy. If you only have excess fat without loose skin, Liposuction alone may a better option, however.
During your consultation, Dr. Subbio will ask you what bothers you about the way you look. Then, he’ll tell you exactly which procedure will give you the results you’re after, and he’ll explain what you can expect. To be a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck, however, you should be near your ideal weight. If you plan to lose more than 15 pounds, you should wait to have your Tummy Tuck, as the weight loss could cause additional lax skin.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
For a full Tummy Tuck, the incision is usually placed just above the pubic area where the scar can be hidden under clothes.
This incision may extend from one hip to the other if you have a significant amount of loose skin that needs to be removed and tightened. Dr. Subbio will make the incision as short as possible, while also giving you the tightening and slimming results you want. Another incision is usually made around the belly button. Dr. Subbio then uses Liposuction to remove excess fat. This is done by inserting a tube called a cannula, which is attached to a suction device.
The stomach muscles are tightened, if necessary, by suturing the fascia, and excess skin is trimmed. The belly button is repositioned, if necessary, and the incisions are sutured and dressed. You’ll be anesthetized during your surgery, so you’ll feel no pain. All surgeries involve some discomfort after the anesthesia wears off, though. Most people find that the discomfort after a Tummy Tuck is less than they expected, and we’ll give you pain medication to help you get through your recovery as easy as possible. Plus, you can text or call Dr. Subbio at any time with questions!
Mini Tummy Tuck Procedure
A Mini Tummy Tuck is a partial abdominoplasty for patients who do not have loose skin above the belly button. In this technique, a 6-8-inch incision is made just above the pubic area, and the belly button is not moved.
As in a full Tummy Tuck, Liposuction is used to remove excess fat. This is done by inserting a tube called a cannula, which is attached to a suction device. The stomach muscles are tightened, if necessary, by suturing the fascia, and excess skin is trimmed. The incisions are then sutured and dressed.
Why Choose Dr. Subbio for Your Tummy Tuck in Philadelphia?
Artistry in Results: Most plastic surgeons like to claim they are artists, but take a look at the drawing to the left. Dr. Subbio actually is a professional-level artist, skilled in drawing, painting, and sculpting. As one of the few true artist-surgeons in the United States, your result will showcase his meticulous craft and artistic eye.
Training: Dr. Subbio is an MD who completed an additional 7 years of plastic surgical training, INCLUDING an additional year of fellowship in the cutting edge art of microsurgery. He is certified by the REAL board, the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Unlike other fake boards specializing in “cosmetic surgery”, the ABPS is the only board recognized as a medical specialty US governing boards. Do NOT be fooled into accepting imitations: your safety and result depend on it.
Philadelphia’s Only Certified High-definition Liposculpture Artist: Dr. Subbio is the only surgeon in Philadelphia, and one of only a few on the east coast, who is certified in VASER high-definition liposculpture. Having traveled to Colombia to learn from Dr. Hoyos who invented this new technique, it allows him to sculpt faint hints of shadows on the abdomen. These soft curves add a degree of realism to your result and avoid the “flat abdomen” syndrome seen with older techniques
Minimal Pain Technique: At the time of surgery, Dr. Subbio injects a new long-acting, slow-release form of Marcaine which provides numbing of the abdomen over the first two days after the procedure. In many cases, this means pain control to the point of not needing opioids. No expense is spared to ensure you a comfortable recovery. From pain-control to the most comfortable compression garments, to scar-treatment strips, to cutting edge techniques used, the Subbio experience is one of an unmatched dedication to only the Best that plastic surgery can offer. Why trust your result with anyone else?
Tummy Tuck Results
They’ll last a long time, but the aging process does continue. Depending on your age when you have the surgery, you may need a revision Tummy Tuck at some point in your life. Maintaining a steady weight can help you avoid the need for another Tummy Tuck. Tummy Tuck can improve the appearance of love handles while flattening your stomach.
If the stretch marks are located in an area of loose skin that will be excised, it will get rid of them. However, this is not usually the case. Most people have stretch marks in areas that are not excised. Yes. While this is not weight-loss surgery or a substitute for weight loss, you will lose inches and look slimmer after a Tummy Tuck. Candidates for this surgery should be near their ideal weight with excess fat and loose skin in the abdominal area.
Recovery after Tummy Tuck
You will be able to walk the next day, but please do take it easy. You can expect some swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness for about two weeks.
Sutures will either dissolve on their own, or we’ll remove them within a week after your surgery. Some patients will have drains placed in the incisions to catch fluids. We will remove these within a few days during a follow-up appointment. You will wear a compression garment for 3-4 weeks to keep swelling to a minimum. You may have some slight residual numbness in the abdominal area for a few months.
A Tummy Tuck is an outpatient procedure, so after a short period of recovery time, you can go home the same day, but you must have someone available to drive you home. Most people go back to work within 7-14 days.
- 1st week: This is what would be considered the classic “surgical recovery” period, during which pain medications may be required for a few days. Patients typically are sore and moving slowly, though encouraged to be up and about from day one. Drains are removed on the 7th day.
- At 10 days: Soreness has subsided to the point where some patients may feel comfortable returning to desk work. Patients are moving about more normally, though not quite yet at 100%
- At 2 weeks: By this point, most patients are returning to non-physical jobs. A compression garment normally changes to a comfortable stage 2 fit.
- At 3 weeks: Soreness resolved, with most patients able to return to light exercise.
- At 4 weeks: May return to jogging and cardio.
- At 6 weeks: May return to core exercise such as sit-ups.
- At 3 months: 90% of swelling has resolved, with slight flares after intense exercise.
- At 1-1.5 years: scars have fully matured and faded.
Tummy Tuck FAQ’s
Your procedure questions answered.
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In our office, you will be treated like a part of our family. It’s a relaxing, pressure-free haven where you can feel comfortable to ask all of your questions. We think you’ll sense immediately that we care as much about your safety and your beautiful results as you do. Contact us today for a consultation, and find out why Dr. Subbio has earned a reputation as one of the most trusted and skilled plastic surgeons in Philadelphia.
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