Tummy Tuck Chicago
At The Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago, tummy tuck is a highly sought out procedure. A tummy tuck is the common term given to abdominoplasty, a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen. The goal of a tummy tuck is a smoother, flatter, well-defined abdomen and, in some cases, to restore weakened muscles in the abdomen.
Aging, genetics, prior surgeries, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations can all affect the elasticity of the skin and deposits of fat in the abdomen; a tummy tuck can help to correct problematic areas and give you a more youthful, toned appearance.
A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss but rather a supplement to proper diet and exercise. When these activities are not giving you the results you’ve been hoping for, abdominoplasty can help to remove stubborn fat and give you improved contours.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR A TUMMY TUCK?
If you are bothered by excess skin in the abdomen, or if regular exercise has failed to eliminate stubborn fat deposits in the belly area, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck. To be considered for this procedure, you should be physically healthy, a non-smoker, and not have any medical conditions that may affect the healing process.
If you are a woman considering a tummy tuck, you should be advised that future pregnancies can affect the results of the procedure and may require future corrective surgery. Patients of either gender should also reach their target weight before undergoing a tummy tuck, as major fluctuations in weight can have a negative impact on the results.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CONSULTATION
If you believe that a tummy tuck is the right course of treatment for you, schedule a consultation with the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago to speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic surgery of the body.
During your consultation, you and your plastic surgeon will review your medical history to ensure that you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Be prepared to discuss any previous surgeries you have undergone, any preexisting medical conditions you may have, and any known allergies.
Your plastic surgeon will perform an evaluation and suggest treatment options that are right for you and your body type. They will discuss all aspects of the procedure with you, including recovery, potential risks, and cost, and will answer any questions you may have.
HOW IS A TUMMY TUCK PERFORMED?
On the day of surgery, a general anesthetic will be administered to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Liposuction is usually performed before the incisions are made to remove excess fat. The length and orientation of the incision will be based on the degree of complexity; the incision is usually made at the lower aspect of the abdomen, just above the pubic hairline.
Next, the abdominal skin is lifted. Excess fat is removed, and any weakened or separated muscles in the abdomen can be repaired. The underlying tissue is reshaped if necessary. Then the abdominal skin is contoured to the new shape of the abdomen and any excess skin is removed.
Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures. A drain may need to be placed to remove excess fluid.
RECOVERY AFTER A TUMMY TUCK
Bruising and swelling in the abdomen are normal after a tummy tuck. Though results will be visible immediately following the procedure, the full results will be apparent once swelling and bruising have completely subsided, which may take six to eight weeks after the procedure.
Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain medication and specific instructions to care for the surgical site. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully to mitigate any potential risks associated with a tummy tuck.
You should avoid any strenuous physical activity until your plastic surgeon clears you to return to your normal level of activity.
POTENTIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A TUMMY TUCK
Though complications from a tummy tuck are infrequent, there are potential risks with any surgical procedure. The risks generally associated with a tummy tuck include:
- Bleeding
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Scarring
- Hematoma (blood clot)
- Changes in skin sensation
- Skin discoloration
- Asymmetry
The Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago takes every possible measure to mitigate potential complications by using the safest and most innovative techniques available. You can further reduce risk by carefully following all instructions from your plastic surgeon.
HOW MUCH DOES A CHICAGO TUMMY TUCK COST?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the national average cost for a tummy tuck in the United States is approximately $5,800. However, this figure may fluctuate based on your location, the surgeon performing the procedure, and the extent of your aesthetic goals.
Be sure to speak with your plastic surgeon about all associated costs during your consultation. Most health insurance providers will not cover the cost of a tummy tuck.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Dr. Patel is considered by his patients a Top Tummy Tuck Surgeon in Chicago. If you believe you may be an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck, or if you have any questions about the procedure, please contact the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
We will review your medical history to ensure that you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck, and we will be happy to discuss any and all aspects of the process with you. All surgical procedures by the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago are performed at top hospitals in Chicago and CMS or AAAASF-certified surgical centers for safety.
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Gym or surgery? This patient underwent hi-def liposuction or abdominal etching to improve the contour of the abdomen and to define the abdominal muscles. In the post-operative photos, the patient has natural washboard abs. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #abdominaletching #hidefliposuction #liposculpture #liposuction #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Long term follow-up on a revision mastopexy augmentation case. The patient had a previous augmentation with gel implants and wanted the implants removed, breasts lifted, and re-augmented with fat but downsized. The patient underwent explantation of the implants, a capsulectomy, a breast lift, and fat transfer to augment the breasts. In the post-operative photos, you can see the breast/nipples are lifted to a more aesthetic position and we were able to maintain volume, although smaller, with fat transfer alone. This patient has a very natural result using only fat from her abdomen to restore volume. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastlift #breastaugmentation #mommymakeover #fattransfer #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
1 year follow-up on a primary rhinoplasty. This patient’s goals were a straighter profile, smaller and more refined tip, and a nose that was not drastically different. In the post-operative photos you can see the dorsal hump was removed and the nasal bones narrowed, the tip was refined, rotated, and projected more. Overall, still her nose but more refined and aesthetic. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #nosejob #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Early follow-up on a #facialmasculinization surgery for a trans male who wanted to improve the contour of the lower 1/3 of the face and neck. The patient underwent a sliding #genioplasty, custom #mandibularimplants, and #neckliposuction to achieve his goals. We used computer software to design the cuts in the bone and #3Dprinting to make the custom mandibular implants. Can you see the improved contour of the chin, jawline, and neck in the post-operative photos? Posted with permission.
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1 year follow-up on a patient who wanted fuller and more symmetric breasts after having deflation with pregnancy. The patient is athletic and therefore it was very important to her to have a smaller augmentation that appeared natural. The patient underwent a breast augmentation with gel implants (250 cc) through a periareaolar incision and in a submuscular plane. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #breastaugmentation #gummybear #breastlift #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
This patient had a full thickness nasal defect of the left nostril after a skin cancer was removed by our Dermatology colleagues. Even though the wound is relatively small, this is a challenging reconstruction because all layers of the nose have to be rebuilt without making the reconstructed area bulky and noticeable. Also, you have to make the area strong enough so that the nostril doesn’t collapse as the area heals and scars. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #skincancer #nasalreconstruction #nosejob #rhinoplasty #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
A 1 year follow-up on a patient who wanted a rhinoplasty to remove the dorsal hump and improve the aesthetics of her tip. In this case the dorsal hump was removed, the nose made straighter, the tip refined, and the tip rotated and projected more. Her new nose fits her face without overtly changing the ethnic features of her face. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #rhinoplasty #ethnicrhinoplasty #nosejob #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Proud of our research team for getting this important manuscript published in the #1 plastic surgery journal in the world. In this study, we looked at the published literature to develop guidelines on how to treat visual impairments related to droopy eyelids and excess skin of the eyelids.
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Happy for this patient who underwent full facial rejuvenation surgery, which included a brow lift, upper/lower blepharoplasty, facelift, neck lift, and facial fat transfer. How much younger does he look now? Posted with permission.
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Amazing transformation for this lovely patient who wanted to have fuller, more symmetric, youthful, and natural breasts. The patient underwent a #breastaugmentation with gel implants. Posted with permission.
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One year follow-up on a #BBL or Brazilian butt lift. As you can see from the post-operative photos, the fat that is transferred stays and is permanent. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #BBL #360degreeliposcution #liposuction #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Male patient in his late 60’s who was able to turn back the clock after undergoing a #facelift, #neck lift, #blepharoplasty, and #fattransfer. Pay close attention to the “bags” underneath the eyes, the jawline, and neck. The scars have healed nicely and are inconspicuous even with short hair. In the post-operative photos, the patient has maintained his natural facial features and anatomy, but just looks like a more youthful version of himself. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #facelift #necklift #blepharoplasty #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
We had a great time hosting the 60th Annual Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons (MAPS) meeting in Chicago this past weekend, where I finished my tenure as president. We had expert panels and speakers from around the country and over a hundred abstract presentations from fellows, residents, and medical students. We also had the largest overall attendance in recent memory. The MAPS organization is great hands and I am excited about its future!
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#Primaryrhinoplasty to fix the dorsal hump, droopy tip, and crooked nose. In the post-operative photos, the patient has a nice dorsal profile on side view, the tip has been lifted, and the nose is straight. To evaluate how straight the nose is, look at the dorsal aesthetic lines on bird’s eye view and follow the two light reflexes along the dorsum. Posted with permission.
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Challenging #tertiaryrhinoplasty on this patient who had nasal deviation, a dorsal hump, and an under-rotated/under-projected tip. In the post-operative photos, you can see a straighter nose with more symmetric dorsal aesthetic lines and tip defining points. Posted with permission.
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Honored to be inducted into the Rhinoplasty Society. The Rhinoplasty Society was founded in 1996 by plastic surgeons who have pioneered modern rhinoplasty. The society is dedicated to the education and advancement of nasal surgery.
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Relatively small surgeries can yield big changes. This patient wanted to improve the contour of her chin and the overall profile of her face. The patient’s lower 1/3 of the face and chin were short and set back. Additionally, the patient had asymmetries of the chin and jawline that she wanted improved. The patient underwent a #slidinggenioplasty to achieve these goals where the chin was cut and mobilized forward and downward. In the post-operative photos, you can see a more aesthetic and balanced facial profile. The advantages of a #genioplasty over a #chinimplant are that the chin can be moved in numerous planes, the advancement can be more significant, and asymmetries can be addressed. Posted with permission.
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This patient had a bilateral constricted ear deformity where the top portion of the ear folds over the rest of the ear. In this deformity, the ear appears shorter in height and there are abnormalities of the outer and inner folds of the ear. In the postoperative photos you can visualize the ear is longer in height, the helical rim or outer portion of the ear is lifted up and the antihelical fold or inner portion of the ear is more defined. Posted with permission.
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Challenging #breastaugmentation case where the patient had asymmetries of the breasts in terms of size, shape, and position on the chest. The patient underwent a breast augmentation with #gelimplants with a larger size in the left breast to balance the size difference. The left breast fold was also lowered to match the fold level of the right. Posted with permission.
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Plastic surgery can sometimes be subtle or dramatic. In this case, this patient’s outcome was life altering after a lipoabdominoplasty or tummy tuck. The patient can now do all of the things in life that she was limited in doing due to her body habitus. Posted with permission.
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