Restore a flatter, firmer abdominal contour with a tummy tuck performed by Dr. Kristina O’Shaughnessy. This procedure addresses excess skin, stubborn fat, and weakened abdominal muscles, often resulting from pregnancy or weight loss, giving you a more sculpted silhouette. You’ll receive compassionate care from a board-certified female plastic surgeon in Franklin.
Achieve a Tighter, Flatter Midsection
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that reshapes and flattens your midsection by removing excess skin and fat while tightening the underlying abdominal muscles. It’s especially beneficial after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or aging has caused skin laxity or muscle separation. Dr. O’Shaughnessy customizes each tummy tuck to your body and goals, ensuring natural-looking, long-lasting results. The procedure can significantly enhance your core contour, particularly when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
What Does a Tummy Tuck Treat?
- Excess abdominal skin after weight loss or pregnancy
- Stubborn fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise
- Separated or weakened abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
- Loss of skin elasticity due to aging
- Stretch marks on the lower abdomen
- Bulging or protruding belly contour
- Poor abdominal tone following surgery or multiple pregnancies
What Is the Recovery Process After a Tummy Tuck?
After your tummy tuck, you can expect moderate swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness in your abdomen for the first few weeks. It’s normal to feel sore and to walk hunched over at first to avoid straining the incision. Most patients take about two weeks off from work and gradually return to light activities, though full healing and final results may take several months. Dr. O’Shaughnessy will provide detailed instructions to support your recovery and minimize complications.
To promote optimal healing, you’ll need to:
- Wear your compression garment as directed
- Take prescribed pain medication and antibiotics if needed
- Limit strenuous activity and avoid heavy lifting for at least six weeks
- Walk short distances regularly to reduce the risk of blood clots
- Keep drains clean and record output if placed
- Sleep with your upper body elevated and knees slightly bent
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
What Are the Types of Tummy Tuck?
Standard Tummy Tuck
A standard tummy tuck involves making a horizontal incision above the pubic area, extending from one hip to the other. The surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the entire abdomen and tightens the underlying muscles. The belly button is repositioned for a natural appearance. This is ideal if you have moderate to significant skin laxity or muscle separation across the upper and lower abdomen.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck targets only the lower abdomen, below the belly button. It requires a smaller incision and does not involve repositioning the navel. This procedure is well-suited for individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity or a small bulge confined to the lower belly. This method involves a quicker recovery, making it a popular choice for those seeking subtle refinement without extensive downtime.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck addresses not only the abdomen but also excess skin and fat that extends to the flanks and lower back. The incision is longer, allowing for more comprehensive contouring. This is especially beneficial for patients who have undergone significant weight loss and are left with considerable skin laxity around the torso. It also offers dramatic improvements in body shape.
What Happens During Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Your tummy tuck will be performed under general anesthesia in Dr. O’Shaughnessy’s state-of-the-art surgical facility. She begins by making a low horizontal incision between your hip bones, typically positioned just above the pubic area. For a full tummy tuck, a second incision is made around the belly button to release and preserve it while the surrounding abdominal skin is elevated. Dr. O’Shaughnessy tightens the rectus abdominis muscles using permanent internal sutures, correcting diastasis recti and restoring a firm abdominal wall.
Next, she removes any excess skin and localized fat. The remaining skin is pulled downward and reattached, with a new opening created for your belly button to ensure a natural appearance. Surgical drains may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation during recovery. The incisions are closed in multiple layers to support healing and reduce tension, promoting thinner, more discreet scars over time.
Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. O’Shaughnessy
Dr. Kristina O’Shaughnessy is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 17 years of experience in aesthetic surgery. Known for her patient-centered care, she offers tummy tuck procedures to restore your abdominal contour with natural, long-lasting results. As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. O’Shaughnessy brings a compassionate perspective to every surgery. Schedule your personalized consultation in Franklin, TN, to explore if a tummy tuck is right for you.
