Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is designed to restore a flat, sexy abdomen that has been undermined by pregnancy, hormonal changes, weight gain, and aging.* When we are young, we believe that achieving a flat, smooth tummy is as simple as maintaining good lifestyle habits. As we get older, we realize the unfortunate truth: those unsightly bulges and “love handles”, the stretch marks and sagging skin, are stubbornly resistant to change through diet and exercise alone.

Dr. Jacob Bloom, Board certified plastic surgeon at Bloom Plastic Surgery in Chicago, IL understands the frustration that comes from being unable to restore the physique you want, even when you strictly adhere to a good exercise plan and healthy, nutritious diet. His goal is to help you achieve the gorgeous, sexy figure you want, safely and effectively, with an individually-tailored abdominoplasty designed to target your specific problem zones.

Why choose a tummy tuck?

Abdominoplasty is an ideal procedure for anyone who has been unable to achieve their aesthetic goal with diet and exercise alone. A surgical tummy tuck simultaneously addresses multiple root causes of unsightly lumps, bulges, and problem zones by:

• Tightening damaged abdominal muscles that create a bulge as they separate (Rectus Plication)
• Removing pockets of excess fatty tissue around the waist and abdomen
• Excising loose, sagging skin that has been stretched too far to return to a tight appearance
• Eliminating some (potentially all) stretch marks from the lower abdomen
• Moving and/or reshaping the belly button

A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure. It is ideal for patients who are at or near their ideal weight, and for women who are not planning any future pregnancies. It is important to avoid future weight loss, which will undermine the long-term results of your abdominoplasty.

Patients with loose skin limited to the lower abdomen and/or with muscle bulging below the belly button may be candidates for a ‘mini’ tummy tuck. This procedure removes this excess tissue and tightens the muscle using a smaller incision than a traditional abdominoplasty.

Women with bulging abdominal muscles without excess skin can have a short scar procedure to have the muscles repaired alone. In most cases this procedure does not require a post operative drain.

The abdominoplasty procedure and recovery

Abdominoplasty is an outpatient procedure carried out under IV sedation. Although every procedure is slightly different due to each patient’s unique anatomy and problem areas, most procedures require about two to three hours. First, Dr. Bloom will make a long, horizontal incision in the pelvic area, usually where it will be hidden by panties or a bikini bottom. He will remove any excess fatty tissue and skin, then tighten the abdominal wall (if necessary). One or more drains are placed at the incision site to prevent post-operative build-up, then the incision is closed with sutures.

The most common side effects after a tummy tuck are discomfort and tightness in the abdomen, as well as occasional muscle spasms. Dr. Bloom uses a long-acting local anesthesia (Exparel) during surgery which provides up to 72 hours of significant pain control after surgery. We will require you to wear an abdominal binder and avoid all strenuous or physical activity for at least two weeks to prevent bleeding and allow proper healing. The drains will be removed during the first week or two. You may return to light activities, such as walking, three weeks after your procedure and may begin slowly returning to a normal workout routine within six weeks.

*Individual results may vary. Results not guaranteed.

Why Choose Dr. Bloom?

Why select Chicago-native Dr. Jacob Bloom as your cosmetic surgeon? Because you shouldn’t trust something as important as your appearance to just anyone! When you choose Dr. Bloom, you are choosing a warm and caring surgeon whom you can trust to make your health, your comfort, and your beauty his number one priority!

Lead plastic surgeon at Bloom Plastic Surgery in Chicago, IL, Dr. Jacob Bloom is Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His extensive knowledge of today’s advanced surgical techniques, coupled with his years of medical training in New York and Harvard University, allow him to create customized treatment plans that can match the unique goals of each and every patient, while delivering long-lasting results that will subtly—yet still dramatically—enhance your natural beauty.

If you are interested in learning more about how to improve your figure with an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), mini-tummy tuck, or muscle repair with Dr. Bloom, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule your consultation today. We look forward to hearing from you!