If you’re looking into body contouring procedures, you’ve probably heard of abdominoplasty. Better known as a tummy tuck, this is a surgical procedure that removes loose skin and fat to create a better-looking abdominal region. While aesthetically pleasing, this procedure has other health benefits and can improve emotional well-being. If you're interested in learning more about tummy tuck surgery in Eugene, Oregon, plastic surgeon Reza Najafian, M.D. can help.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

You might be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you have sagging excess skin due to a major weight loss and/or a protruding stomach due to weakened abdominal muscles from pregnancy or just natural weakness of the core abdominal muscles. Whether you have lost weight quickly or experienced pregnancy, each person has their reason for surgery. Post-pregnancy women who are finished having children are also good candidates — having children after surgery only puts tummy tuck patients back at square one. 

What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

While the primary benefits include improving your abdominal contour and enhancing your appearance, numerous additional benefits include:

• Better body image and self-esteem

• Improved posture

• Correction of abdominal muscles separating

• Improved core strength, body posture and help with back pain

Does a Tummy Tuck Remove Excess Skin?

A tummy tuck surgery removes excess sagging skin as well as subcutaneous fatty tissue. Skin doesn't shrink back into place if you lose weight quickly, so if your loose skin is sagging, you may need a tummy tuck. For additional fat removal, Dr. Najafian performs VASER liposuction during tummy tuck.

How Is a Tummy Tuck Procedure Performed?

If you're based in Oregon, consult our expert plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Eugene, and discuss your body goals. Before surgery, you must be medically fit and healthy and have a stable weight (within 5-10 lbs of your goal weight). Typically, surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. To remove fat and skin, your surgeon makes a horizontal incision above the pubic bone in the body's midsection.

The incision is well hidden under the bikini line.

How Is a “Mommy Makeover” Tummy Tuck Different From a Regular Tummy Tuck?

A traditional tummy tuck is one targeted procedure designed to improve the contour of your abdomen and tighten the skin. A mommy makeover is a series of procedures to restore your body's shape. Mommy makeovers help improve areas affected by childbirth, breastfeeding and pregnancy. Depending on your needs, surgeries may include breast lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck and liposuction.

How Long Does Recovery From a Tummy Tuck Take, and What Is It Like?

Abdominoplasty includes plication of the abdominal muscles, which means bending, walking and basic movements are would be uncomfortable for a few days after surgery. Dr. Najafian performs nerve blocks with this surgery and has a particular pain management regimen that makes recovery much easier and faster. We will walk you through the recovery process in detail at your preop appointment. You will need to wear compression garments for 6-8 weeks continuously and then on and off for a few more weeks. Then wearing a pair of supportive yoga pants is recommended.

Vigorous exercise and lifting items should be avoided for 6 weeks.

What Makes Dr. Najafian’s Technique Unique and Special?

Dr. Najafian’s approach to any surgical procedure, including tummy tuck, is artistic and holistic, with the goal of achieving the most natural results through a customized approach for each patient. Besides using advanced techniques like “High-Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty”, Dr. Najafian has some other additions that make your results unique and exceptional!

Here are some specifics that Dr. Najafian does to optimize your results:

• The incision is designed low to easily hide under the bikini line

• VASER liposuction is the most advanced liposuction technique (compared to older techniques like PAL) that uses ultrasonic energy to provide the best definition and predictability of lipo-sculpting results

• Nerve blocks are performed that will significantly help with pain management after surgery

• We also offer “pubic lift” or “monsplasty” in cases with droopy pubic area, which happens often. Monsplasty, as an adjunct to abdominoplasty, makes the transition between the abdomen and pubic area smooth and natural.