Reclaim Your Toned Tummy

Giving birth and losing weight are both major achievements worth celebrating, but they can also cause unwanted cosmetic changes in the abdomen. You deserve to take your tummy back. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Carlisle performs tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) in West Des Moines, IA, to give patients from Ankeny, Ames, Davenport, and beyond a slimmer, firmer midsection and the confidence that goes with it.

Tummy Tuck
 Before & After Photos

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What Is a Tummy Tuck?

The tummy tuck is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the U.S. It is a body contouring procedure that removes excess abdominal skin and repairs stretched or separated abdominal muscles to create a flatter, firmer, and slimmer midsection.

What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

People typically choose a tummy tuck when they are looking to:

  • Get rid of extra skin and stretch marks
  • Flatten a protruding abdomen
  • Sculpt and slim the waistline
  • Improve the fit and feel of clothing around the waist

Many people also enjoy increased comfort while exercising, reduced back pain, and improved posture after a tummy tuck.

Meet Our Providers

At Koch & Carlisle, we have assembled a team of three highly skilled, board-certified plastic surgeons—two for the face and one for the breast and body. The result: exceptional plastic surgery results from head to toe for the West Des Moines, IA, area.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in West Des Moines, IA?

In general, the cost of a complete tummy tuck starts at $9,800. Women often combine tummy tucks with other procedures, such as breast augmentation or breast lift. These prices do not include additional procedures. During your consultation, you will receive a customized price quote that reflects your specific surgical plan.

Who Is a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

The most common tummy tuck candidates are women who have been pregnant or those who have lost a great deal of weight. Increasingly, men who have experienced weight loss also choose tummy tucks to sculpt more toned midsections. It’s important to remember that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure but rather a body contouring surgery to complement a healthy lifestyle. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 31 are not candidates for tummy tuck surgery.

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What Are the Different Types of Tummy Tucks?

While the vast majority of tummy tucks are “complete” tummy tucks, each individual is different, and there are a variety of techniques available depending on your aesthetic goals:

Complete Tummy Tuck (or “Full Tummy Tuck”)

This approach restores the contour of the abdomen and waistline by removing the stretched skin and fat and tightening the abdominal wall. It uses a low pelvic incision between the hip bones and one encircling the bellybutton.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck removes loose skin below the bellybutton using a shorter incision just above the pubic area.

Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck

Used mostly in people who have achieved massive weight loss (>100 lbs), this approach uses an extra incision vertically from the upper abdomen down to the pubic area. This makes it possible to remove the maximum amount of skin and also tighten the waistline.

Extended Tummy Tuck

This technique extends the horizontal incision around the waist, like a belt, above the buttocks, to tighten sagging of the hips and buttock area.

What’s the Difference Between a Mini Tummy Tuck & a Complete Tummy Tuck?

A mini tummy tuck tightens a small amount of loose skin below the bellybutton through a shorter scar between the hipbones. It does not tighten skin above the bellybutton and does not require a navel incision.

A mini tummy tuck is not the right choice for women who need their abdominal wall tightened after it has been stretched out by pregnancy. It is also not appropriate when there is a significant amount of skin or fat to remove.

What Procedures Can Be Combined With a Tummy Tuck?

A breast lift and breast augmentation are the two procedures women commonly combine with a tummy tuck. Men may choose gynecomastia surgery, sometimes referred to as male breast reduction.

A mommy makeover is a customized combination of procedures that is individually designed to improve multiple trouble areas in a single surgery. Breast augmentation, liposuction, and labiaplasty are all commonly performed in a mommy makeover along with a tummy tuck.

How Is Tummy Tuck Surgery Performed?

While you are under general anesthesia, Dr. Carlisle removes excess skin, repairs abdominal muscles as needed, and pulls the remaining skin taut to create an attractively sculpted midsection. He often performs liposuction during the surgery to remove additional fat and contour the waistline.

What Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Like?

Tummy tucks are outpatient procedures, so you’ll return home in the care of a trusted loved one on the same day. You’ll likely feel swollen and sore during the first few days, but your compression garment and pain meds will help. Although you will not be able to walk fully upright at first, you should take short, slow walks throughout the day to promote circulation and prevent blood clots.

Learn more about recovery in this blog post.

How Long Should I Take Off Work After a Tummy Tuck?

Typically, tummy tuck patients need 2 to 3 weeks away from work, depending on the type of work. If you work at a desk or from home, 2 weeks might be enough. However, if your job requires much body movement, we recommend taking 4 weeks off from work. In general, our recommendation is to plan for 3 weeks off.

When Can I Exercise After a Tummy Tuck?

It is important to avoid strenuous activity for 4 to 6 weeks following your tummy tuck. While you can resume light activity (errands and light housework) after 2 weeks, purposeful exercise is not recommended because it can affect your results.

What Do Tummy Tuck Scars Look Like?

Even though tummy tuck scars do not go away, most are placed very low so they can be hidden by a bikini or underwear. The tummy tuck scar can be very different from person to person. Genetics play an important role in scar formation.

Some scars are slightly raised and pink for some time. However, most fade to a fine line after a year, although they are always visible while nude. People who choose a tummy tuck are usually more than happy to trade the scar for their new abdominal contours.

What Is the Best Way To Fade Tummy Tuck Scars?

We offer scar-reducing products after surgery and post-surgical laser packages to help your scars look their best. Limiting sun exposure and covering your scars with SPF will also help your scars stay light and barely visible.

Your Consultation

Your tummy tuck journey begins when you request a consultation online or call (515) 277-5555
to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Carlisle. Our West Des Moines office welcomes people interested in tummy tuck surgery from Ankeny, Urbandale, and throughout the Davenport area.

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