Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Dr. Horn performs full and mini abdominoplasty to remove excess abdominal skin, tighten separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti repair), and restore a flatter, firmer midsection. A back lift is also available for patients with excess skin on the lower back. The procedure is frequently combined with liposuction or as part of a mommy makeover. Both in-person and virtual consultations are available at the River North practice.

Tummy tuck surgery — abdominoplasty — at Michael Horn Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Chicago addresses the complex of changes that affect the abdominal area after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or simply the natural aging process: excess skin that no longer recoils, weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), and persistent fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise. Surgical correction of all three of these components requires a procedure beyond the reach of non-surgical alternatives. Dr. Michael Horn's abdominoplasty technique begins with a carefully planned low horizontal incision, positioned to be concealable within standard swimwear and undergarments, extending from hip to hip. Through this incision, he repairs diastasis recti — the separation of the paired rectus abdominis muscles — by suturing them back to the midline, creating a dramatically firmer and flatter abdominal wall. Excess skin below the navel is removed entirely, the navel is repositioned naturally, and the remaining abdominal skin is advanced downward and closed under appropriate tension. A mini abdominoplasty is available for patients with concerns limited to the lower abdomen below the navel, involving a shorter incision and no navel repositioning — suitable for patients with less skin redundancy who do not require full muscle repair above the navel. Liposuction is frequently performed alongside abdominoplasty to refine the flanks, hips, and outer abdomen for a more comprehensive contour improvement. Tummy tuck is also a core component of mommy makeover surgery at the practice, where it is combined with breast procedures and potentially other body treatments in a single surgical session to address the full range of post-pregnancy body changes. Back lift surgery is additionally available for patients with excess skin on the lower back, often as a complement to abdominoplasty in post-weight-loss cases. Recovery from abdominoplasty involves a rest period of approximately two weeks before returning to desk work, with heavy lifting and strenuous exercise restricted for six weeks. Consultations are available in person at River North and virtually.