We’ve all seen them. The posts on social media, in magazines, and even on TV that promise to get rid of your “belly fat” for good. They’re everywhere. And they’re everywhere for good reason: it’s hard to find a woman who doesn’t have some extra skin around her middle.
So what does this mean for you? It means that you can use these products and services to improve the way your body looks, but it also means that you need to educate yourself on what it actually takes to get rid of the skin once and for all. In this guide, we review the aspects of Average cost of tummy tuck in minnesota, best tummy tuck surgeon in mn, tummy tuck cost florida, and tummy tuck cost michigan.
The truth is that there is no single product or service that will give you the perfect body. Instead, there are many different treatments available—all with different costs and benefits. In this article, we’ll take a look at one such treatment: tummy tucks (also known as abdominoplasty).
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is an operation where the surgeon removes excess skin and fat from around your midsection and tightens up the muscles underneath. Your surgeon will also tighten up any sagging muscles in this area as well as remove any stretch marks that might be present on your abdomen (or elsewhere). After surgery, most patients can.
Average cost of tummy tuck in minnesota
Having the title of ‘mom’ is one of the hardest gigs out there, so it comes as no surprise that the mommy makeover is one of the most searched and performed procedures that we see… not to mention, one of the most well deserved and life-changing.
Pregnancy and motherhood for that matter can take a toll on a woman’s body, and despite the exhausting efforts of exercise and dieting, sometimes it’s still not enough to get you back to your pre-baby body.
So, wondering what the cost of such a deserving procedure is? We’re here to break it down for you because we understand that the last thing a busy mom has time to be doing is searching the web for answers with no real end in sight.
When it comes to the critically acclaimed mommy makeover, there are a variety of factors that contribute to the total cost and can vary widely per patient – but we’re here to give you as close to a cost estimate as we can, or at least what to look for when evaluating the cost of procedures.
Details regarding price, the length of the procedure and recovery time are courtesy of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The price of each surgery will vary considerably by geographic region and does not include facility fees, anesthesia, and other surgical costs.
Mommy makeover overview
Let’s start with a simple overview of what a mommy makeover is, and what the procedure typically entails.
Even the healthiest moms who work hard to get their figures back find that the changes from pregnancy simply cannot be undone and exercised away. Excess skin is left behind as that occurs when the body is stretched and pulled, the swelling and subsequent shrinking of the breasts can leave them flat and sometimes sagging.
‘Mommy makeover’ is not a new term for a series of procedures referring to the combination of procedures that surgically restores the pre-baby shape as close as possible. On a basic level, a mommy makeover is some any breast surgery accompanied by any abdominal surgery. By performing these operations at the same time, you’re able to lessen recovery time and get back on your feet quickly.
Breast augmentation
Average cost: $3,719
If your breasts have lost their volume or are just sagging more than you would like, breast augmentation may be the right choice. After a one- to two-hour surgery, you can walk away with either saline- or silicone-filled implants. It’s a permanent procedure, but sometimes breast implants do need to be replaced years down the road.
While it is essential to have a basic understanding of the other factors that influence the cost of a breast augmentation, one of the most significant is your choice of a breast implant. The price for breast augmentations varies depending on an individual patient’s goals and needs with surgery.
When considering cost as it relates to silicone versus saline breast implants, a key component to think about is the look and feel you are trying to achieve. Are you looking to go with a more natural look and feel, or would you prefer a substance that is a bit firmer but has a similar composition to the fluid that makes up most of the human body?
- Silicone gel breast implants are more expensive, as they are filled with a cohesive gel that holds together uniformly while retaining the natural give that resembles breast tissue. These are prepared by the manufacturer and tested for quality to ensure uniform fill volumes. There are several different types of silicone implants, so the cost per implant does have some variability. In the world of silicone implants, there are some such as ‘gummy bear’ or ‘shaped’ implants that cost more than conventional round silicone implants. The surgeons at Austin-Weston offer every commercially available breast implant that is accessible in the United States.
- Saline-filled breast implants are more affordable, as they are filled with a saltwater solution much like the fluid that makes up most of the human body, but they are slightly firmer to the touch and are filled by the surgeon during the breast augmentation procedure.
Breast lift
Average cost: $4,636
If the thought of implants makes you uncomfortable, a breast lift may be the way to go to mommy makeover recapture that coveted youthful look and shape. Perky doesn’t have to be a thing of the past – this procedure offers an alternative method to re-inflate sagging, droopy and poorly shaped breasts. Excess skin is removed, breast tissue is lifted, and nipples and areolae are moved or even reduced in size.
Like breast augmentation, side effects can include temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising and scars which will fade with time. It’s a procedure that can take an hour and a half to over three hours to complete, but the good news is that the results are long-lasting. You can’t stop gravity completely, but you can put it on pause for a little while. Most patients should be able to return to work in one to two weeks.
Breast augmentation with lift
Average cost: $6,225
Many women who have had children are excellent candidates for a combination breast augmentation with simultaneous full lift since the breasts tend to stretch and lose shape and volume after pregnancy. However, this procedure can be beneficial for any woman who wants to enhance the size of her breasts as well as reduce breast sag.
Breast Reduction
Average Cost: $5,631
A breast reduction may be helpful for women who experience soreness in the back, neck, and shoulders, or who suffer from pain due to bra strap indentations. Women who want a smaller breast size and improved breast shape can also benefit from a breast reduction.
Tummy tuck
Average cost: $5798
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a procedure that can take two to five hours from start to finish. Your surgeon will remove excess skin, may reposition your navel and will give your weak abdominal muscles new life by tightening the abdominal wall.
A scar is inevitable in a tummy tuck and recovery is slow – you can be back to work and mommy duty in one to three weeks, but it could be longer depending upon an individual’s physical condition. The results though can be a dramatically flatter stomach and narrower waist.
Liposuction
Average cost: $3,200
Body contouring is the friendly term for liposuction, but the procedure isn’t glamorous by any means. Having fat sucked out of your body isn’t any prettier than it sounds – but the results can be amazing and instantaneous. If you’ve ever seen a liposuction on television, it looks vicious, but there are newer methods that do reduce some of that violence by melting the fat first with ultrasound.
Keep in mind, liposuction is not an alternative to weight reduction. It can, however, be effective in removing stubborn fat that doesn’t react to diet and exercise. What this means is – don’t be surprised if your doctor recommends that you lose more weight before embarking on this procedure.
Depending on how much area you’re looking to have liposuctioned, the process can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. Bruising, soreness and even some numbness may occur, but the final contour is usually evident at the three-month mark. You can be back to work in about one to two weeks but be prepared to wear a compression garment for up to six weeks to encourage your skin to contract and decrease the inevitable swelling.
Mommy makeover statistics
It’s important to note that the cost of a mommy makeover can vary dramatically from one patient to another and often does not include other surgery-related expenses. The major costs that factor into your total are the surgeon’s fee, facility fee, anesthesia fee, post-surgery fees and cost of implants.
So, to provide a somewhat straightforward answer, the overall cost for mommy makeover surgery can range from $9,000 to $20,000.
But again, the final cost will depend on a variety of factors and variables of the following:
- Surgeon selection
- Geographic location
- Surgical facility
- Surgery-related expenses
Surgeon selection
All surgeons have their approach to performing mommy makeovers as they have different amenities at their disposal and varying levels of experience and accreditations.
It’s fair to assume that selecting a surgeon can singlehandedly be the most significant influence when it comes to the total cost of surgery. For example, at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, our four board-certified plastic surgeons have accumulated a combined 75 years of experience, and with that have cultivated an excellent reputation in the Northern Virginia and DC Metro area.
We can only speak for ourselves when we say that each surgery is preceded by an extensive consultation involving computer analysis and imaging technology, as well as the master-eye of our surgeons to ensure that we deliver satisfying and life-changing results for our patients.
Geographic location
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) website lists the national average of plastic surgery physician fees. However, the fly in the ointment is that total prices vary widely among regions, with plastic surgery hotspots like Manhattan, Beverly Hills, Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles at the higher end of the spectrum.
The reason plastic surgery costs vary based on geographic locations, such as major urban centers, is usually due to higher overhead costs for surgeons in these areas. So, the first step in considering what you’ll pay is looking at fees where you live and how much the cost of living is in that area.
To find ballpark prices for procedures based on location by using the Healthcare Blue Book (it works the same way Kelley Blue Book lists the prices of cars).
Surgical facility
The surgical facility is a major factor to consider not only because of overall cost but because it may put a price tag on the importance of your safety and satisfaction.
The importance of having your procedure performed in an accredited surgical facility by qualified staff is critical in the decision-making process. Do not try to cut costs by sacrificing safety and having your procedure performed at a non-accredited practice or by a surgeon not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
The Austin-Weston Center is a beautiful, free-standing surgery facility located in Reston, Virginia, fully-equipped with five surgical suites. Our state of the art facility features operating rooms fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), an association that accredits office-based surgical facilities.
Our surgeons are board certified in plastic surgery and fully insured, our Certified Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are nationally certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, and all personnel is licensed and certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
Surgery-related expenses
You should ask the surgeon directly if these are all the costs involved in your estimate. Since there is no set dollar amount for such expenditures, it is important to explore multiple options by meeting with several surgeons and getting estimates for not only their surgeon fees but also the additional surgical-related expenses.
When determining the cost for a mommy makeover, make sure to account for the following surgery-related expenses:
- Anesthesia fees
- Prescription medications
- Post-surgery garments
Anesthesia fees
The cost of anesthesia for mommy makeover surgery can also vary. With a board-certified anesthesiologist, the price will be higher. With a CRNA (nurse anesthetist) the price will be lower. Another factor that can decrease cost is when a doctor uses a non-certified anesthetist nurse, or a medical assistant to push the anesthetic drugs (and yes, unfortunately, this does happen). Anesthesia fees are by the hour, and if the surgeon is taking his time to make the results as meticulous as possible, the anesthesia fee will be higher. Which can also vary depending on the technique used for the surgery, which can sometimes take longer or shorter to perform.
Financing options
After calculating the cost of surgeon’s fees, breast implants, anesthesia, surgical facility fees and all other expenses are combined it often reaches a total between $5,000 and $10,000, if not more.
Some women looking to have a mommy makeover may not have this kind amount of money at their immediate disposal, but when the decision is made that it’s the right time to undergo the procedure, sometimes it becomes necessary to consider financing options.
Practices almost always accept credit cards, but patients should carefully consider the associated interest rates of all available options. Also, several third-party financing companies deal exclusively with those who want or need treatments that are not covered by insurance.
While cost is obviously an important consideration when it comes to liposuction, it is not the most important one. Patients should remember that their health and cosmetic satisfaction are ultimately the top priorities. Choosing an inexperienced doctor to save some money could cost far more in the long run if they require a corrective procedure or if they develop serious health complications.
best tummy tuck surgeon in mn
Top female plastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Harrington understands that everyone’s needs are different, and prides herself on customizing each tummy tuck procedure to meet the needs and goals of each individual. During your consultation, she’ll answer any questions you may have to ensure that you feel comfortable with your procedure from start to finish.
Medically, Beautifully You
Experience the difference of medial spa treatments selected and overseen by Dr. Jennifer Harrington right in our office. SpaVie is your spot for lasting beauty!
Contact us online or call our Mill Valley office today at 651-290-7600 for more information about tummy tucks, including pricing. Harrington + Associates Plastic Surgery in Plymouth has helped men and women from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Wayzata, Minnetonka, St. Cloud and beyond with abdominoplasty.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Abdominoplasty?
Almost anyone who is in good overall health and wishes to improve their midsection can be a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery. Some of the most common reasons to consider getting a tummy tuck include:
Tummy Tuck Incisions
Your Tummy Tuck Procedure
Depending on your appearance goals, Dr. Harrington may recommend additional procedures to complement your tummy tuck. Many people choose to combine their tummy tuck with liposuction. Additionally, most women who have mommy makeovers include abdominoplasty along with other cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation or labiaplasty.
Abdominoplasty Recovery
Swelling and bruising should begin to subside during the second week of your recovery, but you won’t see your final results for at least another month. Although individual experiences vary, your final results generally take up to 6 months to fully develop, with your scar continuing to mature for 1 year or more.
It’s important to discuss any possible risks or complications with Dr. Harrington prior to getting your tummy tuck. Keep in mind that while a tummy tuck can remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, the procedure does not prevent future weight gain. Therefore, patients are advised to commit to a healthy and active lifestyle before and after their tummy tuck. If you notice any sudden swelling or pain, notify our office immediately.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
How do I find the best tummy tuck plastic surgeon near me?
Ask friends and family members in your area for referrals if you know anyone who has had experience with a plastic surgeon near you. Check for credentials, before and after photos and client reviews online to help you narrow down your search. Don’t be afraid to book more than one consultation to help you make your final decision.
Is a tummy tuck the best plastic surgery procedure for me?
A tummy tuck could be right for you if you are in good overall health and are close to your ideal weight but would like to address loose skin and/or separated muscle tissue in your abdominal area. Liposuction is often included with a tummy tuck to remove small pockets of stubborn fat at the same time.
How painful is a tummy tuck?
Most people report feeling the most tenderness and discomfort in the first few days after a tummy tuck. Swelling, bruising and tightness are to be expected, though these symptoms can be managed with the use of over-the-counter or prescription medication, along with getting enough rest and taking it easy as you heal. Wearing a compression garment as directed by your plastic surgeon and following other tummy tuck recovery guidelines can help you to feel more comfortable as your body recovers.
How long does it take to recover from abdominoplasty?
Most people plan to take at least two weeks off work and other activities to recover from their abdominoplasty. However, the amount of downtime you need will depend on your unique situation and how well you are feeling after your tummy tuck. It can take several months to see your final tummy tuck results and complete the healing process.
How much weight do you lose with a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure, so don’t expect to lose a significant amount of weight. However, the weight of any excess skin or fat that is removed during your tummy tuck will reflect on the scale. Expect to lose anywhere from around 4 to 10 pounds after your tummy tuck.
How long does a tummy tuck last?
Tummy tuck results can be very long-lasting, provided you keep up with healthy eating and exercise habits to prevent new fat deposits that may result in stretched skin. Women who have children after a tummy tuck may require a revision procedure down the road.
Next Steps
Abdominoplasty can repair separated abdominal muscles while removing excess skin and fat. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact us online or call our Plymouth office at 651-290-7600 to request your tummy tuck consultation and learn more about how to improve your look.
tummy tuck cost florida
In a nutshell: The ranger in price for a Tummy Tuck in Miami will be between $4,000 and $10,000. However there is much more you need to know.
When it comes to your body and health, there should never be a thought of a bargain. This is the most important aspect of your life, and choosing a doctor who is reputable, with the utmost of professional credits, must be your top priority. It’s a little like buying a parachute, you wouldn’t want to purchase the cheapest.
Avoiding False Claims
When it comes to cosmetic surgery, there are so many practitioners that the competition has caused a serious depletion of integrity when it comes to correct practices, including the amount of education the doctor has had in the field. False claims can lead to serious risks, which can be avoided with the proper research.
Is the Doctor Licensed?
The first, most important element in choosing your physician is to check to make sure if he or she is fully certified, and by which board and in which specialty. Proper and extensive training and background are essential, and it is not difficult to find out where a given practitioner has studied, how long he or she has been in practice, and what kind of reputation he or she sustains.
Reasonable Rates and Payment Plans
Discount prices that seem too low are probably too low for a reason. A good doctor will have reasonable rates and will also offer you a payment plan so that you can manage the costs on a monthly basis.
Beware of Hidden Costs
Many doctors and clinics have hidden costs, such as extra prices for after-surgery touch ups. These costs can add up, so be sure that the doctor you are considering is transparent. If the doctor works out of a hospital, prices will generally be higher than they would be for an in-house facility.
An Impeccable Reputation
Dr. Bernabe Vazquez of Bayshore Cosmetic Surgery has been dedicated to giving quality, professional care for 25 years. His consistent presence in the same office in Miami has inspired enormous confidence in his patients, who have been responsible for helping to solidify his impeccable reputation.
Treating Everyone as an Individual
Covered in the reasonable costs of his services, are the solid relationships he has built with his clients. Dr. Vazquez provides consistent follow ups and treats each patient as the unique individual he or she is, as proven by the tailored surgeries he performs for the specifics of every need.
Also covered in the Doctor’s costs are:
Methods for Preparation and Recovery
Dr. Vazquez believes that pre and post-operative consultations and practices are just as important as the surgery itself. For him, the correct methods for preparation and recovery are key elements in a successful result.
General Pricing in Miami
When speaking of tummy tucks in general, they can vary in price depending on the extent of the surgery needed, but generally they will cost anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000. If you have a lot of fat and excess tissue to remove, then it will be at the high end. If the work is mainly focused below the navel area, it will be lower. Some physicians charge one fee for the tummy tuck but only later explain about the additional cost of accompanying liposuction. Our price is inclusive of both.
A Mini tummy tuck will average between $1,800 and $5,000. This is where the operation takes place below the belly button line in order to contour the lower abdominal muscles.
The Miami Tummy Tuck
At Bayshore Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Vazquez has developed an innovative procedure called the Miami Tummy Tuck, which is a far less invasive method for creating an optimum waistline. Using both liposuction and surgery, he is able to define and tone the midsection in a manner that is far less traumatic to the body than conventional tummy tucks.
Less Trauma to the Body
By shaping the abdominal area and the sides of the body through liposuction, the Doctor achieves a much more specific result, tightening and contouring the areas without having to cut and lift these tissues. He then applies surgery to areas not treated by liposuction thereby reducing trauma to the body, leading to less drainage that can compromise health.
An Affordable, Stress-Free Experience
As a noted leader in the cosmetic surgery industry, Dr. Bernabe Vazquez achieves an affordable, stress-free experience that includes no false claims, but only results you will be proud of. Focusing on your health history, body type, and lifestyle, he not only performs the optimum tummy tuck, but also helps you get on course with diet and exercise to maintain your new silhouette.
Our Credit Care System
At Bayshore Cosmetic Surgery we are always sensitive to your budget. We want to make sure you can afford your surgery, and to this end our reasonable rates can be paid on a monthly basis through our Care Credit System. With no application fee or pre-payment penalty, we have been able to help thousands of clients who are looking for a healthier and more aesthetic body.
A Perfectionist Dedicated to His Craft
After years of practice honing his skills in cosmetic surgery, Dr. Bernabe Vazquez has an in-depth understanding of medical science and current advancements within industry, to which he contributes. As a perfectionist, he is completely dedicated to his craft and the results attest to this time and time again.
tummy tuck cost michigan
Tummy Tuck: Insider Tips at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery
As you look at before and after photos of abdominoplasty patients, pay close attention to the belly button. A highly skilled surgeon will hide this incision inside of the belly button, rendering it practically invisible and creating a more natural appearance.
Could you benefit from a “Mommy Makeover”? Many of our tummy tuck patients are post-baby moms. While a tummy tuck restores the middle, a mommy makeover provides total body rejuvenation. Pair your abdominoplasty with complementary procedures like breast surgery and labiaplasty to restore your body after baby.
If you love low-rise jeans or wear bikinis, you’ll want a low incision for your abdominoplasty. Ask your surgeon about incision placement to ensure you’ll still be able to wear your favorite styles with confidence.
Excess fat tends to leave abdominal incisions with a full, raised appearance. Liposuction can smooth out these incisions for a smoother, more attractive result.
What are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck Surgery in Michigan?
Look your best and feel confident with your abdominal appearance again. Our Michigan Abdominoplasty has many benefits including:
Tightening and Repair of the Abdominal Muscles
The paired abdominal rectus muscles are often stretched out or separated after pregnancy, weight changes, and aging, a condition called rectus diastasis. Cosmetic abdominal surgery realigns and sutures these muscles together to strengthen the core and restore a flat tummy.
Reshape the Belly Button
We’ll tighten up and reshape your belly button as needed.
Removes Excess Abdominal Skin
Skin stretches with weight gain and pregnancy but doesn’t always contract after. Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat from the tummy area.
Better Posture and Less Back Pain
Abdominoplasty strengthens the core, improving posture and potentially reducing back pain symptoms.
Tummy tuck surgery benefits both men and women and is one of our most popular procedures here at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery. We tailor each patient’s operative plan based on his or her baseline appearance and unique surgical goals.
Standard Tummy Tuck vs. Power Tuck in Michigan
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that contours and reshapes the abdominal area. We begin with a low horizontal incision that extends across the pubic area and hips. The skin is lifted off the abdominal wall, and then re-draped and tightened, with the extra skin removed. The underlying rectus muscles are sutured together to strengthen the abdominal wall and make it flat. The belly button is then brought out in a new incision, using specialized techniques to tuck it in and make it look natural.
The Power Tuck – Abdominoplasty + Liposuction
A Power Tuck builds upon the results of a traditional tummy tuck by pairing it with flank liposuction. You’ll get all the benefits of a standard abdominoplasty plus:
Which option is right for you: a standard tummy tuck or a Power Tuck? We’ll explore both options with you at your consultation and help you decide. We also offer a mini tummy tuck for select patients that have limited skin laxity and muscle loosening located solely below the belly button.
Tummy Tuck Patient Reviews
Tummy Tuck or Liposuction: Which Procedure is best for me?
Choose liposuction alone if: You have extra fat with tight, elastic skin and limited to no overhanging skin.
Choose a tummy tuck alone if: You have minimal fat with loose skin and stretch marks. Some patients have a protuberant stomach due to muscle separation.
Choose a tummy tuck with flank liposuction if: You want a complete midsection transformation. This procedure, aka a “Power Tuck”, is best for patients with loose skin, extra fat, muscle separation, and stubborn love handles that extend to their back.
Power Tuck in Michigan
Our Power Tuck, an abdominoplasty and liposuction combination, creates the most dramatic transformation and is an excellent fit for most of our patients in the Ann Arbor and Detroit areas. Contact our Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery office by calling (734-913-5100) to schedule your consultation.
YOUR BEAUTY REVEALED
Let our before and after gallery show you the expertise of Michigan’s plastic surgery specialists Dr. Pramit Malhotra, Dr. Tiffany Ballard, and Dr. Pierre Lapaine. Place your trust in the skilled hands of our board-certified surgeons who understand that the difference is in the details.
Michigan Tummy Tuck FAQs
Is a tummy tuck right for you? Contact Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery to learn more about this abdominal transformation.
If you’ve tried diet and exercise, but still can’t achieve your ideal abdominal contour, you may be a good candidate for this procedure. We regularly perform this procedure on both men and women with excellent results. Ideally, patients are close to their target weight with excess skin and fat in the abdominal area. We’ll talk about your candidacy for the procedure in more depth at your consultation.
Our abdominoplasty patients typically require 10-14 days off from work. If you receive a mini tuck, recovery times may be shorter. Expect tenderness, bruising, and swelling. Patients will have activity restrictions for 4 weeks and slowly resume their daily activities as directed by their surgeon.
Scarring is inevitable after a tummy tuck, but skilled plastic surgeons like Dr. Malhotra and Dr. Ballard use techniques to minimize the scar as much as possible. Our incisions are low, just above the pubic bone, and are easily hidden, even when wearing low cut jeans or bikini bottoms. We use advanced suturing techniques to optimize the way the scars heal and often perform liposuction around the incision sites to ensure that excess fat doesn’t create a ridgeline along the incision.
A patient care coordinator at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery will contact you regarding the next steps to prepare you for your consultation
On the day of your surgery, your surgeon will meet you in the preoperative area at the surgery center. There, he or she will do their markings and review the surgical plan.
Dr. Ballard typically places one drain, which comes out from an opening along the incision line. No extra scars are created for the drain. The drain is secured with a suture, and you will need to empty it several times a day. The drain usually stays in until your 1-week follow-up appointment, but sometimes it has to stay in longer to be safe. The drain is easily removed in clinic by cutting the suture and sliding it out.
Dr. Ballard nearly always repairs the rectus muscles in female patients, except if there are no signs of separation, which is rare. Male tummy tuck patients typically do not have any separation and the male physique does not involve creating a small waist.
Repairing the rectus muscles alone does not automatically result in muscle definition and visible abs. However, with exercise and core work, patients can achieve visible muscular definition.