Best Tummy Tuck Surgeon Las Vegas

You know you want that tummy tuck. You’ve been thinking about it for months. You’ve done your research, you’ve talked it over with your friends, and you’ve watched so many videos on YouTube that you can practically recite them by heart. But if someone asked you right now who the best tummy tuck surgeon in Las Vegas was, would you be able to answer?

The truth is that there are a lot of factors involved in finding the best tummy tuck surgeon, and many of them have nothing to do with how good they look in their profile picture or how many awards they’ve won. It’s not just about their credentials or experience—it’s also about what kind of person they are when they’re operating on your body.

So where should you start? How do you find the best tummy tuck surgeon in Las Vegas? You could ask around at work, but everyone knows everyone else’s business there anyway. And what if people think less of you because your friends don’t know anything about plastic surgery?

Read on to learn more about Best Tummy Tuck Surgeon Las Vegas, Tummy Tuck Recovery

When mothers visit Smith Plastic Surgery Institute to learn more about Tummy Tuck and other plastic surgeries, they often discuss the substantial changes their bodies have experienced due to the stress associated with pregnancy and childbirth. This is also true for men and women who have experienced large fluctuations in their weight. One common concern among individuals looking to restore their abdomen to its previous appearance is the presence of stretch marks. Unfortunately, no laser treatments or creams can completely remove stretch marks. These marks are a result of the skin stretching beyond its normal limits, causing the dermis to tear and leaving behind visible marks. While treatments may help fade the appearance of stretch marks, they cannot completely eliminate them.Another challenge many face when trying to achieve a flat stomach is the presence of a stubborn stomach bulge. No matter how hard one tries with diet and exercise, this bulge may persist. This is often due to a separation of the abdominal muscles, a condition known as diastasis recti. When the muscles separate, it creates a gap between them, causing the stomach to protrude and giving the appearance of a belly bulge. Without addressing the underlying muscle separation, it can be difficult to achieve a flat and toned abdomen.At Smith Plastic Surgery Institute, procedures like the Tummy Tuck can help address these concerns and restore the abdomen to its pre-pregnancy or pre-weight fluctuation state. During a Tummy Tuck, excess skin and fat are removed, and the abdominal muscles are tightened to create a flatter and more toned appearance. This procedure can also help improve the appearance of stretch marks, although they may not be completely eliminated.

By addressing the underlying issues of muscle separation and excess skin, individuals can achieve the results they desire and restore their abdomen to its previous appearance. While no procedure can guarantee 6-pack abs, a Tummy Tuck can help create a smoother and more toned abdominal contour.For those struggling to regain their pre-pregnancy or pre-weight fluctuation body, consulting with a plastic surgeon at Smith Plastic Surgery Institute can provide personalized recommendations and options for achieving their aesthetic goals.

Smith Plastic Surgery Institute Offers a Remarkable Solution

Dr. Lane Smith can help you reshape your abdomen.* Say goodbye to excess skin and stretch marks. Say hello to the flat stomach you desire. With the combination of liposuction and abdominal plastic surgery, you can restore the appearance of your abdomen and wear that bikini with a smile.*

What Is An Abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty, also known as Tummy Tuck or Mini-Tummy Tuck, is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. It’s no wonder considering the amazing transformation it can deliver. Dr. Lane Smith, who holds 4 separate board-certifications in plastic surgery, has been performing plastic surgery procedures for more than 13 years. By tightening the abdominal muscles that support the lower abdomen, removing excess skin and sculpting contours with liposuction, Dr. Smith helps men and women who have experienced massive weight loss significantly enhance their appearance. Take a look at our before and after gallery to see the many patients who have already reclaimed their youth with Dr. Smith’s help.*

Contact us today to learn more about our procedures and if they are right for you!

• After losing a significant amount of weight or after one or more pregnancies, these common concerns can be addressed with plastic surgery:
• Reduce signs of stretch marks, made of scar tissue that cannot be removed by any cream or laser.*
• Minimize the amount of excess loose skin for which the elasticity cannot be restored.*
• Correct a bulge in your lower abdomen between the belly button and pubic bone due to the abdominal muscles being stretched out of shape.*
• Reduce fat that has not responded to weight loss diet and exercise.*

Abdominal Surgical Procedures

• There are many different procedures that our Las Vegas plastic surgery specialists can provide to help patients get the flat tummy they are looking for, including:
• Liposuction: The removal of fat in the abdomen reduces the fat in the abdomen, hips, and buttocks, but it will not enhance the appearance of the skin; it does not diminish stretch marks nor restore elasticity. However, when liposuction is used in conjunction with Tummy Tuck or Mini-Tummy Tuck surgery, it greatly enhances the overall results.*
• Mini-Tummy Tuck: For a man or woman who has a small amount of excess skin in the abdomen and has very few, if any, stretch marks, a Mini-Tummy Tuck can enhance the appearance of the abdomen. This procedure involves using liposuction to remove excess fat from the abdomen, (especially the area between the belly button and pubic bone), restoring the postion of the abdominal muscles, tightening the muscles, and pulling the skin tight over the abdomen and removing excess skin. The incision is usually four to eight inches wide and it is well hidden below the bikini line.*
• Tummy Tuck: If the patient has achieved significant weight loss or has had one or more pregnancies, there may be a lot of excess skin and stretch marks present. In this case, a Tummy Tuck can dramatically enhance the appearance of the waistline and abdomen. The surgery involves liposuction to reduce fat stores in the abdomen, repositioning and tightening of the abdominal muscles, pulling the skin tight over the abdomen, repositioning the belly button, and removing the excess skin. While the Tummy Tuck incision may extend from hip to hip, in most cases, it will be completely hidden beneath the bikini line.*

What Happens During the Surgery?

Mini Tummy Tuck

Once you have decided to move forward with a Mini-Tummy Tuck, Dr. Smith and his staff will inform you of any necessary preparation before the surgery.  Typically, Dr. Smith performs the surgery on the patient under local anesthesia and on an outpatient basis.

• The procedure for a mini tummy tuck begins as follows:
• The surgery begins with a small incision, usually four to eight inches wide below the bikini line. If you have had a C-section, that incision may be used again. The cut will extend through the layers of skin and fat but will not penetrate the underlying muscle or abdominal cavity that lies below the muscles.
• The surgeon will carefully loosen the skin and fat layer up to the belly button, separating it from the underlying layer of muscle.
• The abdominal muscles will be tightened and extra skin, usually six inches or less will be trimmed away. The belly button will not be affected.
• Fat will be removed from the upper and lower abdomen using liposuction.*
• After a drain is placed, the incision will be closed.

Tummy Tuck

Saying yes to the amazing transformation that a Tummy Tuck can provide is very exciting. Dr. Smith and his staff will inform you of anything you need to do to prepare for the surgery. Dr. Smith will typically perform tummy tuck surgeries on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia.  In some cases, Dr. Smith will recommend an overnight stays following your abdominoplasty surgery.

The surgery begins with a long incision that may extend from hip to hip below the bikini line. It is higher at the ends and may resemble a slight U-shape. The incision will go down through the layers of skin and fat. The surgeon will not cut the underlying muscles (i.e., rectus abdominus) and he will not disturb the peritoneum that encases the internal organs that sits below the muscles.

• The tummy tuck procedure will look like this:
• Elevating the skin and fat layers up to the rib cage, the surgeon will loosen and separate it from the muscle below.
• A small circle around the edge of the belly button is cut by the surgeon to allow it to remain attached to the abdominal wall.
• The surgeon will pull together the abdominal muscles at the midline and tighten.
• The skin and fat layers are pulled down over the belly button and the surgeon cuts a new hole to position the existing belly button. The surgeon will then trim away the excess skin that includes stretch marks.
• Fat will be carefully removed by the surgeon from the upper and lower abdomen using liposuction.*
• Following the placement of one or two drains, the surgeon will close the incision in layers, beginning with the deepest layer to the skin, maximizing its strength.

Drain

At the very end of Mini-Tummy Tuck and Tummy Tuck surgery, the surgeon will place one or two small drains at the corner of the incision. The drains help to remove the excess fluid that accumulates under the skin and fat after surgery.  Fluid will normally go away by itself in time but placing drains at the incision point helps the fluid go away faster. Dr. Smith and his staff will remove your drains 4 to 10 days after surgery.

The Risks Associated with a Tummy Tuck

Abdominal plastic surgery is very safe. Dr. Smith will discuss the risks involved with you which may include: pain, bruising, swelling, numbness, need for additional procedures, infection, bleeding, and damage to surrounding structures.

In addition, because abdominal plastic surgery does not improve the backside, buttocks or the flank/lower hip area, the enhancement of the abdomen may make these other areas appear larger or more prominent in contrast. Liposuction of the hips, flanks and lower back can provide a more uniform transformation.

After the Surgery

After you have had your Mini Tummy Tuck or Tummy Tuck Procedure, Dr. Smith will provide you with guidelines to achieve optimal results.

• The following are some general post-surgery instructions:
• The evening of the surgery, you should be up and walking around. This helps to prevent blood clots.
• Most Mini Tummy Tuck patients can return to work within five to seven days, Tummy Tuck patients typically return to work within seven to fourteen days.*
• Tummy Tuck patients should wear loose clothing the first few weeks after surgery when the skin of the abdomen may feel very tight and a little bit uncomfortable.
• Constipation is a common side effect of pain medication. Stool softeners usually provide sufficient relief.
• Patients can enjoy light exercise usually two to three weeks after surgery for Mini Tummy Tuck, and within four weeks for Tummy Tuck patients.
• Patients can enjoy more strenuous abdominal exercises, such as sit-ups, sometime after six to eight weeks following surgery, when all other normal activities may also be resumed.

What Sort of Scars Can be Expected After Surgery?

One of the biggest concerns for any surgery is the resulting scar. Because Tummy Tuck surgery reduces signs of stretch marks, which are actually scar tissue, this surgery actually reduces visible scars. Dr. Smith will be able to place the scar from your Tummy Tuck surgery below your bikini line in most cases. If the patient uses scar tape and gel for six to eight months after the surgery as directed, the scar should be barely visible within two years following the surgery.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that flattens the abdomen by removing excess fat and skin while tightening the muscles in the abdominal wall. This procedure is typically performed on individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight or women who have had multiple pregnancies and are left with sagging skin and weak abdominal muscles.During an abdominoplasty, the surgeon will make an incision along the lower abdomen, from hip to hip, to access the underlying muscles and tissues. The skin and fat are then lifted away from the muscles, allowing the surgeon to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove any excess fat and skin. The remaining skin is then pulled taut and the incision is closed with sutures.There are several types of abdominoplasty procedures, including:

• Full abdominoplasty: Involves a hip-to-hip incision and repositioning of the belly button
• Mini abdominoplasty: Targets the lower abdomen below the belly button and requires a smaller incision
• Extended abdominoplasty: Includes a thigh lift in addition to the traditional tummy tuck

After the abdominoplasty procedure, patients can expect some swelling and discomfort, which can be managed with pain medication prescribed by the surgeon. It is important to follow post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeon to ensure proper healing and optimal results.Some risks associated with abdominoplasty include infection, blood clots, and poor wound healing. It is important to discuss these risks with the surgeon before undergoing the procedure and to follow all pre-operative and post-operative instructions carefully.Overall, abdominoplasty can provide a flatter, more toned abdomen for individuals who are unable to achieve their desired results through diet and exercise alone. It is important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine if abdominoplasty is the right option for you based on your individual goals and health status.

Tummy tucks can be thought of as “mini” or more involved procedures depending on the amount of skin and fat. It’s important to educate yourself, thoroughly analyze your own situation, and take your time arriving at a final decision. The procedure shouldn’t be used as an alternative to weight loss.

Who are the best candidates for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?

A tummy tuck is suitable for both men and women who are in good general health overall and are at a stable weight. It’s best to be a non-smoker.

A tummy tuck shouldn’t be confused with a liposuction (the cosmetic surgery used to remove fat deposits), although your surgeon may choose to perform liposuction as part of a tummy tuck. Women who have muscles and skin stretched after several pregnancies may find the procedure useful to tighten those muscles and reduce that skin. A tummy tuck is also an alternative for men or women who were obese at one point in their lives and have lost significant weight, but still have excessive fat deposits or loose skin in the abdominal area.

When should you avoid an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?

If you’re a woman who is still planning to have children, you may want to postpone a tummy tuck until you’re through bearing children. During surgery, your vertical muscles are tightened. Future pregnancies can separate these muscles once again.

If you’re still planning to lose a significant amount of weight, don’t have a tummy tuck right away. Wait until your weight has stabilized.

It’s important to note that a tummy tuck causes scarring on the abdomen. The length of the scar, which is along the bikini line, depends on the amount of extra skin. With minimal extra skin, the mini abdominoplasty results in a short scar.

Your plastic surgeon will discuss all these options with you when you go for the consultation. You and your surgeon will discuss the results you want, and the surgeon will determine the appropriate procedure during your consultation.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

How is an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) done?

Depending on the results you want, this surgery can take anywhere from one to five hours. Surgery is generally done as an outpatient procedure. If you are traveling out of town to a facility to have the procedure done, you’ll be asked to stay overnight at a hotel. Liposuction may or may not be recommended at the same time.

You will receive general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep during the operation. It’s important to have someone with you who can drive you home. If you live alone and you’re sent home after the procedure, you also will need someone to stay with you at least the first night after the surgery.

• Complete abdominoplasty: This option is for patients who need the most correction. The incision (cut) is made at the bikini line, at about the same level as your pubic hair. The length of the scar depends on the amount of extra skin. Your surgeon will then manipulate and shape the skin and muscle as needed. You will also have an incision around your navel (belly button) with this procedure, because it’s necessary to free your navel from surrounding tissue. Drainage tubes may or may not be placed under your skin. These will be removed in a few days as your surgeon sees fit.
• Partial or mini-abdominoplasty: Mini-abdominoplasties are done with shorter incisions and are often performed on people who have less excess skin. Your belly button most likely won’t be moved during this type of procedure. Your skin will be separated between the line of incision and your belly button. This procedure generally takes one to two hours. As with the complete abdominoplasty, you may or may not have drainage tubes after surgery.
• Circumferential abdominoplasty: This surgery includes the back area. When there is a lot of excess fat in the back as well as the abdomen, you may have either liposuction of the back or circumferential abdominoplasty. The latter procedure allows for the removal of both skin and fat from the hip and back areas, which improves the shape of your body from all sides.

After your partial or complete tummy tuck, your incision site will be stitched and bandaged. Your surgeon may have you wear an elastic bandage or compression garment after surgery. If so, it’s very important that you follow all of your surgeon’s instructions on wearing this garment and caring for the bandage. Your surgeon will also tell you about the best way to sit or lie down so you’ll be in the least amount of pain.

If you’re exceptionally physically active, you’ll have to severely limit strenuous exercise for four to six weeks. Your doctor will advise you on this as you go through the healing process. Generally, one week off work after the surgery is sufficient for most people to recover properly. Again, your doctor will help you determine this.

How should I prepare for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?

Smoking can increase the risk of complications and delay healing. If you smoke, you will have to stop for a certain period as determined by your doctor. It is not enough to just cut down on smoking. You must completely stop using all forms of nicotine — gum, patches, and e-cigarettes — for at least one month before surgery and for two weeks after. The longer, the better, in terms of the time between when you stop smoking and when you have surgery.

Make sure you eat well-balanced, complete meals. Don’t try to diet excessively before the surgery. Proper nutrition is important to proper healing.

As part of your pre-operative consultation, your surgeon may instruct you to stop taking some of your medications that thin your blood and dietary supplements for a certain period before and after the surgery. This includes aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). You must let your surgeon know if you’re taking any blood thinners.

Make sure you set up the safest, most comfortable recovery area to meet your needs before you undergo the surgery. Your home recovery area should include:

• A supply of loose, comfortable clothing that can be put on and taken off very easily.
• A telephone within easy reach.
• A hand-held shower head and bathroom chair.

RISKS / BENEFITS

What are the complications and side effects of an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?

As expected, you will have pain and swelling after surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medications as needed.

Soreness may last for several weeks. You may also have numbness, bruising and overall tiredness for that same time period.

As with any surgery, there are risks. You may have an increased risk of complications if you have poor circulation, diabetes, heart, lung, or liver disease, or if you smoke. Complications can include:

• Scarring.
• Hematoma (bleeding).
• Infection.
• Seroma (accumulation of fluid).
• Poor wound healing.
• Blood clots.
• Numbness or other changes in sensation

Other complications include:

• Fat necrosis (death of fatty tissue located deep in the skin).
• Wound separation.
• Asymmetry (unevenness or lopsidedness).

RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK

What is the outlook for someone who has had an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?

Generally, most people love the new look after they’ve undergone this procedure. However, you may not feel like your normal self for months after the surgery. You’ve gone through a tremendous amount to make this happen. It is a big commitment — emotionally, physically, and financially. It’s very important that you follow proper diet and exercise to maintain your new look.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Does insurance cover an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?

Insurance carriers usually don’t cover elective cosmetic surgery. But your carrier may cover a certain percentage if you have a hernia that will be corrected through the procedure, or if you’ve had surgery for weight loss. It’s extremely important that you begin communicating with your insurance company early on and that you discuss your insurance concerns with your healthcare provider.

In most cases, your provider will write a letter to your insurance carrier, making the case that the surgery is medically necessary (if that applies to you). Insurance may only cover certain portions of the surgery, so make sure you get details. As with any cosmetic surgery, this may affect future insurance coverage for you, and your premiums may increase.

Mini tummy tuck

A mini tummy tuck process removes excess skin and fat in the abdomen region. As a result, a youthful-looking contour is restored in the upper body.

What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

This operation removes excess fat and skin that has formed in the abdominal area of the body. Removal of loose tissue during the surgery helps to improve the aesthetic appearance of the abdomen. If you have gone through childbirth, experienced a significant decrease in weight loss, or had a negative encounter with previous abdominal surgery, this can be a preferred surgical procedure for patients.

As the mini tummy tuck surgery involves the removal of excess skin, the operation will be tailored to each individual’s needs. For example, when large deposits of stubborn fat are present, the procedure can be combined with liposuction to provide better results. Your desired results can be achieved so long as you remain open and honest about expectations during the consultation.

Questions will also be asked about your health and lifestyle to help cater the surgery to your needs and avoid any potential risks. This will also help to confirm whether or not an alternative form of surgery may be more suitable.

To prepare you in the best way possible for your mini tummy tuck surgery, we’ll discuss the best preparation methods prior to your procedure. There are a range of precautions that we advise you to follow. 

If you smoke excessively, we recommend you to stop approximately six weeks before your mini tummy tuck surgery as this will help to avoid any complications with your recovery. 

To ensure the best results, we strongly advise you to lose any excess weight prior to surgery. 

It’s also important to avoid taking aspirin, some herbal supplements and any anti-inflammatory medication which we can discuss in more detail during your consultation.

Around six hours before the surgery avoid drinking or eating as a general anaesthetic will be used during the surgery to help numb any pain. It is expected for you to feel some soreness shortly after the surgery as your anaesthetic wears off but we can relieve this through other forms of health supplements if required.

Although each individual recovers differently from the surgery, we still advise that you give yourself at least two weeks off from your job to fully recover.

What to Expect During the Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery

How long your procedure lasts is dependable on how much excess skin requires to be removed. As only a small amount of skin is required to be removed during a mini tummy tuck surgery, we can expect this to take around one and a half hours. 

At the beginning of the surgery, we create an incision around the pubic region just below your naval and how much tissue needs to be removed will ultimately determine the length of this.

A benefit of a mini tummy tuck surgery compared with a full tummy tuck or the Fleur De Lis Abdominoplasty is that it leaves a much smaller scar because the others require removing much more skin.