Tummy Tuck in Charlotte, NC

Tummy Tuck Candidates

Tummy tucks, like all surgical procedures, have risks, require recovery time, and leave scars. Those who are in good physical condition, follow a healthy lifestyle regarding diet and exercise, and do not smoke can be excellent candidates for a tummy tuck procedure at any age.

People who have medical problems such as higher weight, diabetes, high blood pressure, or autoimmune diseases may also be good candidates for a tummy tuck procedure if these medical issues are well controlled.

People who are obese, smoke, have multiple risk factors including heart or lung problems, poor mobility, history of blood clots, or who have unrealistic expectations for cosmetic surgery would be at high risk for a tummy tuck procedure and may not be eligible.

Choosing a Tummy Tuck

Your decision to have a tummy tuck in Charlotte, NC, is a deeply personal one. At your consultation, Dr. Ditesheim will discuss your motivations, evaluate your current situation, and help you understand all your options. In general, you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if:

• You feel bothered by the size and appearance of your stomach.
• You have lost weight, but now have hanging, excess skin on your abdomen.
• You have tried to live a healthy lifestyle through a healthy diet and exercise and have achieved a stable weight.
• You are in good health and finished having children.
• You are a non-smoker or plan to quit smoking well in advance of the scheduled procedure.

Liposuction or a Tummy Tuck?

You can feel great about your body with a real improvement or a WOW result:

Liposuction can make a significant improvement in reducing your belly fat without the need for invasive surgery. It’s a highly versatile technique that can treat the stomach, waist, and/or thighs in one session. The result is immediate and you can drive yourself home and be back to work within a few days.

In contrast, choosing to reshape the body more completely by combining abdominoplasty and liposuction (Tummy tuck 360) will give you a dramatic result, but you should expect a longer recovery, 2-3 weeks out of work and a higher cost.

Before and After photos comparing a Liposuction procedure and a Tummy Tuck 360 (liposuction and tummy tuck). (Top): Liposuction, using Aquashape, water-jet liposuction, 42yr 5’5” 140lb restored a flat tummy. (Bottom): Tummy Tuck 360 using VASER Liposuction and High Definition Technique, 45yr 5’7” 149lb combines a tummy tuck with circumferential liposuction.

Liposuction

Liposuction removes fat from areas where there is excess or unwanted fat causing a bulge or roll. If the overlying skin has good elasticity, removing the fat can flatten the area permanently. This is most often helpful in the lower stomach, love handles, waist and hips, and thighs. Liposuction scars are very small and easily hidden, meaning you won’t have to worry about being able to conceal scars. Recovery for this body contouring procedure can be less than two weeks for small areas or 3-8 weeks for larger fat removal or when treating multiple areas. Liposuction can be performed awake or with general

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin and tightens the “inner girdle” to restore a flat tummy and improve the waistline. The length of the incision varies by the type of procedure being performed. It is placed in the pubic area and can be a short (mini-tummy tuck) or a longer incision that extends to the edges of the lower pelvis (full tummy tuck). When more skin needs to be removed from the sides or even back the scar can be extended around the hips (extended tummy tuck). The scar is permanent but will fade over 12-24 months after the surgery. Most tummy tucks are performed under general anesthesia. Tummy tuck recovery is two to three weeks to return to work and normal daily life with 100% tummy tuck recovery at one year. In general, you can expect to experience more discomfort in the healing process compared with liposuction. However, there is no other surgical option for treating the excess or stretched skin of the stomach after pregnancy or dramatic weight loss.

Photos showing before and after results for liposculpting of the torso. (left) 47 yr old woman before and after Vaser High Definition Liposuction to sculpt the waist and upper buttocks (5’1”, 123lb); (middle) 50 yr old woman before and after High Definition Liposuction to sculpt the bra, back, and flanks 5’4” 163lb); (right) 42 yr old woman 5’5” 163lb before and after Aquashape Water-Jet Liposuction to shape the torso: abdomen and hips and breast lift ( mastopexy).

Tummy tuck Combined with Liposuction

To restore a flat tummy and define the contour of the waist and buttocks, Dr. Ditesheim combines both a tummy tuck and liposuction to deliver exceptional results (Lipoabdominoplasty). Selectively targeting areas of excess fat can reveal a more defined youthful anatomy. Removing fat from the upper back and bra area can eliminate bra-roll fullness and puffiness under the armpit. Sculpting the fat in the lower back can define the waist and shape the transition from the back to the buttocks. And adding liposucted fat to the buttocks can further enhance shape as desired (BBL: Brazilian butt lift).

This circumferential approach (Tummy Tuck 360) uses the shaping principles of High Definition Liposuction to create outstanding highlights that define the natural anatomy.

Before and After photos comparing a Liposuction procedure and a Tummy Tuck 360 (liposuction and tummy tuck). (Top): Liposuction, using Aquashape, water-jet liposuction, 42yr 5’5” 140lb restored a flat tummy. (Bottom): Tummy Tuck 360 using VASER Liposuction and High Definition Technique, 45yr 5’7” 149lb combines a tummy tuck with circumferential liposuction.