Tummy Tuck

Fast-recovery options for a flat tummy and tight skin in Nashville & Memphis

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Flat Stomach And Tight Skin

A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen. It is the most effective way to achieve a completely flat tummy and is ideal for candidates with excess skin or skin that has lost its elasticity due to aging, pregnancy and childbirth, or substantial weight loss. Tummy tucks can be combined with a breast augmentation or other breast procedure for a Mommy Makeover.

You have the option for a tummy tuck at NuBody Concepts in Nashville or Memphis. Each fully-equipped plastic surgery center is led by a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience.

Tummy tuck woman in jeans and a white shirt with raised arms

What can I expect?

A standard tummy tuck removes excess skin and tightens the abdominal muscles. For this, an incision is made low across the pubic bone so it is easily hidden within your style of bikini or underwear. A mini tummy tuck, or mini tuck, typically involves less or no muscle repair and stays below the belly button with a smaller incision.

Tummy tuck surgery is not purely cosmetic. It can also repair damaged abdominal muscles, particularly after pregnancy and childbirth. And it can improve the location and shape of your belly button. To learn which type of tummy tuck is best for you, or whether a less-invasive option like Aqualipo or BodyTite could get you the desired results, we invite you to meet with our plastic surgeon for a personal consultation.

Tummy tuck surgery typically lasts 2-3 hours. Your recovery will last 1-2 weeks, with most patients returning to their regular activities after 3-5 days but restrictions on exercise and heavy lifting of at least 2 weeks.

Each patient is unique. What your treatment will look like is determined by you and the plastic surgeon who you will meet with in a personal consultation.

Tummy tuck mother with child playing with a sheet

Is a tummy tuck right for me?

Whether a tummy tuck is right for you depends on your desired results weighed against downtime, cost, and invasiveness. If a flat tummy is your main goal, a tummy tuck is a great option. At NuBody Concepts, you also get all-inclusive pricing and the same doctor and staff during every visit.

To find out whether you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck, calculate your BMI and use the following guidelines:

BMI < 30	BMI 30-40	BMI > 40
Ideal candidate for a tummy tuck; may achieve similar results with a less-invasive option like BodyTite and/or liposuction.	Good candidate for a tummy tuck; if good skin elasticity, could also try the less-invasive Orbera gastric balloon.	Not an ideal candidate; advised to reduce BMI by enrolling in a weight loss program. Call us for a pre-screening if you are borderline.

Schedule a consultation to ask any questions. We’re here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Liposuction removes fat cells from under the skin but does not remove extra or stretched out skin, although radio frequency assisted liposuction has been shown to achieve some skin contraction. A tummy tuck surgically removes excess skin from your tummy and thereby always yields the best overall results.

A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure. It is simply designed to remove excess skin and some underlying fat from your abdomen. If you are interested in weight loss, please check out the Orbera Gastric Balloon procedure.

A tummy tuck does result in a scar, typically kept low in your pelvic area. A horizontal incision is made right below your bikini line, ensuring that it remains well hidden even when wearing a swimsuit. As with all surgeries, a tummy tuck scar will continue to improve over the course of 6-12 months. Additional skincare for scar revision is also an option.

Yes. In fact, they are natural complements of each other, and combining them into one procedure when done right may reduce trauma and discomfort. Such a procedure is also called a lipoabdominoplasty.

With our combination of IV sedation with local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia, we are able to significantly reduce your recovery time to 3-5 days. However, we recommend a minimum of 2 weeks before resuming moderate-to-strenuous exercise or heavy lifting to allow for proper healing. It is important to follow the post-op instructions of your plastic surgeon.

Both standard and mini tummy tucks begin with an incision in the pubic region below the bikini line — a short one for a mini tummy tuck, and a slightly longer one for a standard tummy tuck. For a standard tuck, excess skin and fat in the tummy area is removed and the muscles of the abdominal wall are tightened. It can remove much more extra skin and addresses loose muscles from either pregnancy or significant weight gain followed by weight loss. For a mini tuck, or what we also call a mommy tuck, your doctor primarily tightens the skin of the lower abdomen. It is a good option for moms or women who have lost weight and now have extra loose skin around the belt-line. The best way to find out which tummy tuck is best for you is to schedule a personal consultation.

Yes. It is possible to have a tummy tuck and go through pregnancy afterward. While some women prefer to wait with tummy tuck surgery until they are done with childbirth, there is no reason you can’t have a tummy tuck at any time. If you have questions or concerns about childbirth and tummy tucks, it is best to schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeon.

Yes. With the advent of radio frequency assisted lipolysis in recent years, good skin contraction results have become possible without surgery. Minimally-invasive procedure such as BodyTite have shown to achieve 35% to 45% skin contraction. A real tummy tuck still yields the best results, but other methods have come closer than ever before. If you do not want surgery for various reasons, these might be better suited for you.

We would love to talk to you about a tummy tuck or alternatives for belly fat removal during a personal consultation with our plastic surgeon. It’s the best way to have all your questions answered. For further reading, you might also try the Plastic Surgery FAQ category of our blog.

Payment Options

Looking your best with a tummy tuck is attainable! Our prices are all-inclusive – no hidden costs or other surcharges. We offer interest-free payment plans through several medical financing providers. A tummy tuck starts at $8,700.

Don’t know if you qualify for a payment plan? Click the button below to check your credit score and submit an application for medical financing to get pre-approved.

Learn more about financing options

Plastic Surgery Tips

6 Tips to Get the Best Results from Your Tummy Tuck

Tummy tucks are among the leading plastic surgery procedures sought out by American women – and men. This is for good reason: tummy tuck results tend to be immediate and striking. To make sure you get the best results, there are several actions you can take.

Belly Fat Removal

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction? An Easy Guide to Choose What’s Best for You

Should you have liposuction or a tummy tuck to remove your belly fat and tighten skin? Learn about the pros and cons of each procedure, plus a third option.