Tummy Tuck Procedure
Say goodbye to stubborn belly fat and sagging skin around your midsection with our different tummy tuck procedures at Profile MD.
A Tummy Tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that helps to restore and contour the abdomen. Pregnancy, major weight changes and plain old genetics can loosen the abdominal skin and muscle in ways that diet and exercise alone won’t fix, which is exactly where a tummy tuck comes in.
There are many types of Tummy Tucks available to patients. Our cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Jared Mallalieu, can guide you in choosing the right procedure for you! If you live in Severna Park, Baltimore or anywhere else along the Chesapeake, you don’t have to drive far or wait long to talk with a surgeon who actually operates on the patients he consults with.
What exactly is a Tummy Tuck?
There are three basic categories for Tummy Tuck.
A traditional tummy tuck is the most aggressive type of abdominoplasty. In this procedure, Dr. Mallalieu will remove excess skin and unwanted fat and repair loose abdominal muscles. This is the procedure of choice when patients present with a diastasis recti, or muscle wall separation. This is the only type of tummy tuck which repairs the muscle wall.
A second type of Tummy tuck is the liposuction assisted tummy tuck, our Profile Contour. This procedure combines fat reduction with liposuction and skin removal to alleviate loose, sagging skin. This procedure may be done with or without general anesthesia and does not require any drains.
The last type of tummy tuck procedure is a simple “mini-tuck,” our Profile Mini. This procedure is perfect to fix the skin or scars after a C-section or hysterectomy. This procedure effectively removes the scars which cause over hanging skin at the underwear line. It is the least invasive of the tummy tuck and doesn’t require anesthesia.
Choosing the Right Approach (Including When to Combine)
Finding the best tummy tuck approach for you comes down to what your abdomen actually needs rather than what could provide the most dramatic-looking results. In order to make this key determination, Dr. Mallalieu examines your skin laxity, muscle separation and prior surgical history at your consultation to recommend which procedure is your best fit.
Patients interested in a full mommy makeover appreciate that Dr. Mallalieu can plan a tummy tuck alongside breast enhancement or a body lift in a single coordinated surgical plan. If a visible scar concerns you, it’s worth reading how our team addresses tummy tuck scarring directly, since laser scar reduction is built into the aftercare plan rather than offered as an afterthought.
Patients who combine their tummy tuck procedure with liposuction on the flanks or a Brazilian Butt Lift often see the most complete transformation, since sculpting the surrounding areas lets the new abdominal contour stand out even more.
Who Is a Tummy Tuck For?
If you have already reached a stable weight but still carry loose skin or a separated muscle wall that exercise isn’t helping, you may be well-suited for a tummy tuck. New mothers make up a large share of Dr. Mallalieu’s tummy tuck patients in Severna Park, since pregnancy stretches the abdominal muscles in a way that often doesn’t resolve on its own, even with months of core work.
Patients recovering from significant weight loss also tend to fall into this same category, along with anyone bothered by a C-section scar or the soft, overhanging skin that can follow a hysterectomy.
The best way to determine your candidacy for this versatile procedure is with a personal consultation. If you’re unsure whether to pursue a consultation due to the nature of your concerns, here are a few signs that suggest you might be a good candidate for a tummy tuck:
- Consistent diet and exercise efforts haven’t been enough to deliver the results you’re looking for.
- A persistent bulge or separation down the center of your stomach
- Loose skin that bothers you when in swimwear, during exercise or even in casual clothing
- You’re finished having children, since future pregnancies can undo the repair
In a private consultation at our Severna Park office, Dr. Mallalieu will tell you if body contouring with liposuction is enough or if skin removal is required. He will also suggest any complementary procedures as appropriate to support more comprehensive results.
Tummy Tuck Before & After Photos
Your Tummy Tuck Experience at Profile MD
Knowing what happens at each stage of the process tends to ease the nerves that naturally come with any surgical decision. Here’s how a tummy tuck typically unfolds at our Severna Park practice, from the first phone call through your last check-in.
Consultation
Your visit starts with a straightforward and honest conversation. Dr. Mallalieu carefully evaluates your abdomen, asks about prior pregnancies, surgeries or weight changes, and talks through which of the three tuck types, if any, is most appropriate for your goals. You’ll leave with realistic expectations for recovery and results, along with answers to whatever questions you brought with you. This first visit is free and comes with no pressure to book anything on the spot.
Treatment
On surgery day, the team walks you through anesthesia, positioning and what you’ll feel as you wake up, so nothing catches you off guard. A Profile Mini generally wraps up in one to two hours, while a traditional tummy tuck with muscle repair runs closer to four. Throughout the procedure, Dr. Mallalieu and his surgical staff monitor your comfort and vitals continuously, adjusting as needed.
Recovery
Most patients spend the evening of surgery resting at home with a trusted person nearby to help with basic recovery needs, and walking typically begins the very next day to keep circulation moving. Compression garments, prescribed as needed, help control swelling and support the abdominal wall while it heals.
Depending on which tuck you had, you’re looking at anywhere from a single day off for a mini-tuck to a couple of weeks for the traditional procedure, with full activity returning by the six to eight-week mark.
Aftercare
The healing process continues well after the stitches come out. We provide lymphatic massage therapy to help curb any residual swelling and accelerate the softening of scar tissue.
Our laser rejuvenation treatments are available afterward to fade the incision line further. Because Dr. Mallalieu performs the surgery himself, your follow-up visits are with the surgeon who did the work, keeping the aftercare process smooth and predictable.
Why Choose Profile MD for a Tummy Tuck?
Plenty of practices around Baltimore and Annapolis offer abdominoplasty, but few pair it with a surgeon whose entire career has centered on body contouring. Dr. Mallalieu is a board-certified general surgeon who completed a five-year surgical residency at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore before training with the Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgical Group, where he focused on breast augmentation, abdominoplasty and his favorite procedure, liposuction.
Dr. Mallalieu is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and a fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. He now trains other surgeons in laser-assisted liposuction and body sculpting techniques.
The depth of that surgical background is a major reason why so many of our patients combine their tummy tuck with complementary treatments rather than seeking them out elsewhere. Because our Severna Park office houses four Sciton laser platforms alongside in-house lymphatic massage, your scar care, skin tightening and recovery support are all managed by providers who already know your case, instead of being outsourced to a separate spa.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
Recovery varies depending on the type of tummy tuck performed. For our simple ProFile Mini tuck patients often return to routine activities the next day, with return to exercising at 4 weeks. The recovery for a liposuction assisted tummy tuck, the ProFile Contour, is similar with patients returning to work within 48-72 hours after surgery. The traditional tummy tuck requires more recovery time due to the nature of the procedure. With this type of surgery patients generally need 10-14 days off from work. Full activity is resumed 6-8 weeks from surgery.
With all types of tummy tucks, patients are encouraged to begin walking on day 1 after surgery. When indicated patients may be prescribed pain medication in the post-operative period. Finally, it is important that patients wear compression in the post-operative period. This helps to prevent swelling, improve skin retraction and gives support to the core. We also have in-house lymphatic massage therapy to help quicken recovery!
Many patients prefer to avoid general anesthesia when possible. The ProFile Mini and ProFile Contour are two options which do not require general anesthesia. In these procedures we provide oral medications to help with anxiety and pain. Dr. Mallalieu will use a form of local anesthesia call tumescent solution or Kleins solution to fully numb the abdomen and keep you comfortable. For the traditional tummy tuck, general anesthesia is required. Prior to having anesthesia you will see your primary care physician for medical clearance and have routine labs taken.
All types of tummy tuck will leave a scar. Thankfully these scars are typically placed below the bikini line. Additionally, ProFileMD has various options available to improve the scar and minimize scar appearance and thickness. Dr. Mallalieu performs a careful closure of the incision with absorbable sutures which will “melt” away. The incision will be covered with steri-strips to protect the incision for the week following surgery. Once these dressings are removed, patients are encouraged to use our silicone scar gel once. Our V-beam Pulsed Dye Laser and our Profractional laser are two options often used to further minimize scars. These treatments are offered at 50% off for patients who have surgery at Profile MD!
No. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia. People generally do very well after treatment and pain is minimal. Discomfort controls nicely with Tylenol or Motrin. The application of ice the evening after surgery helps to reduce swelling and pain.
Cosmetic surgery removes excess tissue to correct this condition. Laser treatment also works with cosmetic surgery to thicken collagen and to enhance healing of surgical incisions.
For the ProFile Mini and ProFile Contour tummy tuck drains are not generally needed. For the traditional tummy tuck with muscle plication, 2 drains are typically placed. This helps to reduce post-operative swelling and fluid accumulation. These drains are removed shortly after surgery.
Patients may shower and wash their hair the first day after surgery. You may also return to exercise the next day. It is advised that you avoid sleeping on a flat surface immediately following surgery. Spend the first night slightly elevated to minimize swelling.
Tummy tuck is often performed as part of a “mommy makeover.” These procedures may include a breast implant and lift, liposuction and fat grafting. Many patients will use some of the fat removed with liposuction as part of a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).
This depends on the type of tummy tuck performed. A Profile Mini typically lasts 1-2 hours while a traditional tummy tuck takes around 4 hours. No matter which tuck is right for you, rest assured our staff will keep you comfortable during your procedure.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
FREE CONSULTATION
With years of medical experience our doctors, Dr. Jared Mallalieu and Dr. Ross VanAntwerp, specialize in bringing out the best in people through our unique laser and cosmetic procedures. Get in touch with us for your free, no-obligation consultation.