Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is available at this Chicago Old Town practice for patients seeking to address excess lower abdominal skin and subcutaneous fat, often accompanied by diastasis recti — the midline separation of the rectus abdominis muscles that commonly results from pregnancy or significant weight fluctuation. The procedure removes the redundant lower abdominal skin panel, tightens the abdominal wall through muscle plication where diastasis is present, and repositions the navel. A mini-abdominoplasty variant is available for patients whose concerns are limited to the area below the navel.

Tummy tuck surgery at this Chicago Old Town plastic surgery practice addresses the triad of concerns most commonly presented by post-pregnancy and post-weight-loss patients: lower abdominal skin excess that does not retract despite weight loss; persistent suprapubic fullness from subcutaneous fat that resists diet and exercise; and diastasis recti — the separation of the paired rectus abdominis muscles at the linea alba that causes a characteristic midline bulge and abdominal wall weakness. The full abdominoplasty procedure begins with a hip-to-hip low incision placed as low as possible to be concealed within swimwear and underwear, through which the entire lower and central abdominal skin flap is elevated off the underlying muscle fascia up to the costal margin. Where diastasis is present — assessed preoperatively by physical examination and confirmed intraoperatively — the separated rectus sheaths are plicated together in the midline with permanent suture, restoring the structural integrity of the abdominal wall and reducing the functional bulging that characterises the condition. The excess lower abdominal skin panel is then excised, the umbilicus is brought through a new opening in the repositioned skin at the natural midline position, and the wound is closed in layers. Liposuction of the flanks and lower back is commonly combined with abdominoplasty in the same session to refine the waist contour and maximise the overall body reshaping result. A mini-abdominoplasty is available for patients whose excess skin is confined to the area below the navel, requiring a shorter incision, no umbilical repositioning, and a correspondingly reduced recovery. Most patients return to desk work within two to three weeks and resume physical activity progressively over six to eight weeks, wearing an abdominal binder for support during the initial healing period.