Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a primary specialty at Muse Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, performed by Dr. Wright A. Jones MD FACS. The procedure removes excess lower abdominal skin and subcutaneous fat while repairing diastasis recti — the separation of the paired rectus abdominis muscles — to restore a flat, firm abdominal contour. The practice also offers a Lipo 360 variant that combines circumferential liposuction of the abdomen, flanks, and back with abdominoplasty for comprehensive trunk recontouring.

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) at Muse Plastic Surgery in Atlanta is among the practice's primary surgical specialties, reflecting the high demand among the practice's patient population — which includes post-pregnancy patients, post-weight-loss patients, and those with age-related changes in abdominal skin tone and musculature. Dr. Wright A. Jones MD FACS performs the procedure to address three distinct anatomical concerns that cannot be resolved through diet and exercise alone: redundant lower abdominal skin and subcutaneous fat that accumulates below the umbilicus and overhangs the pubic area (pannus); diastasis recti — the widening separation of the left and right rectus abdominis muscles at the linea alba that occurs with pregnancy or significant intra-abdominal pressure — which creates the forward bulge of the lower abdominal wall even in patients who are otherwise thin; and the periumbilical skin laxity and poor abdominal wall tone that persists after the skin has been stretched beyond its elastic recovery threshold. The surgical procedure involves a low horizontal incision placed within the natural skin crease of the lower abdomen, designed to fall below the bikini line. Through this access, the lower abdominal skin flap is elevated from the underlying rectus sheath up to the level of the costal margin, allowing exposure of the entire abdominal wall musculature. Where diastasis recti is present, plication — a series of running sutures that approximate the medial edges of the rectus sheaths back to the midline — is performed to restore structural integrity to the abdominal wall and create a flatter, more supported contour. The umbilicus is released, preserved on its own stalk, and transposed through a new opening in the repositioned skin flap at a natural anatomic position. Redundant lower abdominal skin is excised, the remaining flap is redraped under slight tension, and the incision is closed in layers. The Lipo 360 variant combines the tummy tuck with circumferential high-definition liposuction addressing the anterior abdomen, flanks, love handles, and posterior back and waist — creating a comprehensive trunk recontouring result that a tummy tuck alone cannot achieve where lateral and posterior fat deposits are also a concern. Atlanta patients typically return to desk work within two to three weeks and to full activity within six weeks.