Achieve a Lean Midsection with a Tummy Tuck in Minneapolis

A lean midsection is on many cosmetic patients’ wish lists. When you have a smooth and firm stomach, it’s easier to find clothing that fits and to feel confident about your appearance. If you have loose skin around your stomach due to massive weight loss, aging, or pregnancy, Dr. George H. Landis can help you achieve your desired body shape with a tummy tuck in Minneapolis, MN. Both men and women seek abdominoplasty to help establish improved body contours. A tummy tuck can also help you see the definition you want from exercise, as muscles in the abdomen are realigned for better shape and support.

Time and major life events can affect your body, but you don’t have to live with loose abdominal skin. Contact Dr. Landis today for more information and to learn how our plastic surgeon can help you meet your aesthetic goals.

Why Choose Abdominoplasty? The Benefits of Cosmetic Surgery

As with any cosmetic surgery, results from tummy tucks can help you look and feel more like yourself or before significant health events changed the laxity of skin around your midsection. But there are medical benefits to treatment as well. Being overweight can affect underlying stomach muscle structure, increasing the risk of hernias and separated abdominal muscles. During your procedure, however, vertical muscles are repositioned to support a lean and toned stomach, which also prevents future hernias.

Resulting loose or excess skin from changes in weight and pregnancy can cause uncomfortable irritation during daily activity and especially while exercising. A tummy tuck is designed to remove this extra tissue and some fat deposits, making it far more comfortable to move around, whether you’re running, lifting weights, or simply completing errands. When you visit Dr. Landis for your surgery, you can enjoy all of the physical and emotional benefits of a lighter frame, free of extra skin.  Additional benefits of treatment include:

  • Free movement
  • Increased comfort in clothing
  • Reduced need to wear body-slimming support garments
  • Clothing fits and feels better
  • Exercise to tone the midsection creates visible results

Many patients understand that treatment won’t make them look 21 again and aren’t interested in those results; they simply want to be their best selves and feel confident. Tummy tuck surgery can meet those goals and provide a much-needed boost in self-esteem.

Minneapolis plastic surgeon, Dr. George Landis

View Before and After Gallery

Be sure to view our Before and After Photo Gallery of procedures to see real patient results performed at Landis Plastic Surgery.

Are You Qualified for a Tummy Tuck Procedure?

Many individuals who exhibit hanging skin around their stomach may be ideal for this procedure under certain conditions. During your consultation, Dr. Landis takes the time to evaluate your current concerns and determine if you can benefit from an abdominoplasty in Minneapolis. Your comfort, safety, and satisfaction are of the highest importance to our doctor and team. For this reason, we make every effort to educate patients about their procedure and what they can expect from the results of their treatment plan.

It is important that tummy tuck patients are at a stable body weight, as further weight loss may result in the development of additional excess skin. It is also important to be a non-smoker to ensure a proper tummy tuck recovery. Women who may become pregnant in the future are advised against tummy tuck surgery, as an additional pregnancy can change the alignment of vertical stomach muscles once again or create further loose tissue around the abdomen.

If you are interested in an overall body rejuvenation, abdominoplasty can be performed within a series of plastic surgery procedures as part of a mommy makeover, which may include liposuctionbreast implants, and breast lift surgery to restore pre-pregnancy body contours.

The best way to determine if a tummy tuck procedure is right for you is to contact our Minneapolis tummy tuck surgeon, Dr. George Landis. Before your consultation, we welcome you to review the amazing results achieved by previous patients as seen in our before and after gallery.

What Happens During Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Your treatment is completed according to the customized plan Dr. Landis established during your initial visit or treatment consultation. Some patients may have excess tissue in the upper or lower abdomen, while others may be concerned about both. The extent of excess skin and fat to be removed will determine the length of your procedure. In general, however, most procedures of this variety last one to two hours.

To ensure your treatment is completed while you are comfortable, you will be given a general anesthetic. In cases where diastasis recti (the weakening of the abdominal wall that causes the separation of muscles) has occurred, you may receive a muscle relaxant as well, so this issue can be effectively repaired.

To begin the procedure, Dr. Landis will make an incision just under your pubic line and another just under the bikini or underwear line. If you previously had a C-section, the scar from that procedure can be used to complete your abdominoplasty, minimizing the creation of additional scarring.

After removing stretched skin and stubborn fat deposits, the remaining tissue will be pulled down from near your bikini line to meet the incision line in your pubic area. This will create a flat, toned-looking stomach, as well as firm skin.  

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If you`re in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and have any questions about a procedure or wish to schedule a consultation on a procedure with Dr. Landis, please contact our office.

Choosing a Qualified Tummy Tuck Surgeon: What Makes Dr. Landis Different?

Dr. Landis has decades of experience performing cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, helping patients feel great about their appearances. Dr. Landis also has experience in microsurgery techniques, which allowed him to hone meticulous skill in supporting underlying physical structures. This is particularly important, as the abdominal wall is repaired for many patients, helping them establish a stronger and firmer core.

As a compassionate plastic surgeon, Dr. Landis understands the emotional toll that drastic physical changes can make. After having several children or going from an unhealthy BMI to an appropriate weight for your height, it can be difficult to come to terms with the resulting effects on the skin. However, Dr. Landis has seen the positive effect surgery can have on patients in these circumstances. Removing extra skin also lifts an emotional burden; your body no longer has to carry the after-effects of impactful life events.

Our board certified plastic surgeon has a reputation for excellent patient care, bedside manner, and skill in reconstructive surgery. Many patients feel as if they are being vain or selfish for pursuing plastic surgery, but the increase in-self confidence and wellness after a tummy tuck goes well beyond appearances. At your Minnesota tummy tuck consultation, Dr. Landis makes every effort to soothe your concerns so you can make a well-educated decision about your surgery.

If you have questions or concerns about your procedure, Dr. Landis welcomes you for a consultation to learn more about your preferred treatment and what you can expect from surgery.

Supporting Successful Post-Surgery Recovery

As you recover from your procedure, you will wear a compression garment to maintain the new contours of your stomach. You may experience swelling and discomfort, for which Dr. Landis will prescribe medication. This medication is particularly helpful the first few days after surgery and can be lessened over time as you begin to heal and feel better overall. May patients prefer to set up a recovery area at home, where they can relax in a reclining chair and have all nearby supplies on hand, such as ice packs, food, medication, and electronic devices. Before surgery, it will be necessary to ensure you have a schedule for the recovery week that may include planned meals, childcare, and a loved one who can help with food and personal care during the initial recovery period. Patients also typically take a least a week off from work to rest at home.

Dr. Landis will ask you to walk soon after your operation, but it will take two to three weeks before you are completely recovered and able to resume normal activities. Patients may need to walk while slightly stooped-over at first to prevent negatively affecting the incision site. At follow-up appointments, Dr. Landis will monitor recovery, check the healing of the incision site, and discuss the removal of drains placed after surgery to help with swelling.

Our team and physicians are available at all times to answer questions or address concerns. If you run into an issue post-surgery and need help from a member of our staff, we will provide you with contact information so you get in touch with us as soon as possible. Follow-up care and communication are highly important for Dr. Landis. We completely support your recovery and safety by making ourselves available whenever you need assistance.

The most important thing to remember during this process is that you should follow your instructions closely. Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have questions or concerns.

Here are the stages of recovery:

1. Immediately after surgery

Directly following a tummy tuck, your abdomen will be covered with surgical dressing.  There will be thin, small tubes placed around your incision in order to drain any fluid that builds up around it. This is common and shouldn’t cause you any additional discomfort.

You will need to walk and move often to help prevent any blood clots.

2. When you’re home

It’s important to arrange help for at least the first day or two that you’re home following surgery. You will have pain medications and have somewhat limited mobility, so you will not be able to drive yourself home.

Once home, you will likely have difficulty with bending, lifting, or standing for prolonged periods of time, so having someone to help around the house during the initial period after tummy tuck surgery can make recovery significantly easier.

3. Daily maintenance

You will have an abdominal support garment that helps with swelling and discomfort during recovery, so it’s important to wear it for the recommended amount of time each day.

4. Resuming normal life

If you have young children, you will want to enlist help to assist with childcare, as squatting or picking up children (or heavy objects for that matter) for the first few weeks is strongly discouraged. However, driving, cooking, or shopping is often manageable after a week or two.

Most people opt to take 2 – 3 weeks off work for recovery. If you have a physically demanding job, it’s especially important to take plenty of time off so that you don’t jeopardize your recovery. You will also want to avoid exercise during this time for the same reasons.

5. Long-term effects

Some people experience numbness or a pulling sensation for weeks or months after abdominoplasty. This is normal and often diminishes over time. It can take up to three months for the swelling and bruising to go down completely, and it will take a year, or more, for your scar to fade.

Recovery is a process, so remember to be kind to your body and focus on doing everything you can to recover fully from the procedure.

Meet Dr. Landis

Dr. Landis offers knowledge, experience, and high ethical standards of medical excellence and professionalism. Together we can build a partnership to achieve your optimal aesthetic results while improving your self image and quality of life.

Ready for a Positive Change? Schedule your Abdominoplasty Consultation!

Invest in your future confidence and wellness by learning more about your tummy tuck surgery options. Dr. Landis’ commitment to excellence in plastic surgery is centered around thorough education and patient care. If you have questions or concerns, our doctor and team will address them in full, to ensure you feel confident about your decision. Call or email Minneapolis plastic surgeon Dr. George Landis at (952) 562-5940 to schedule a consultation or for more information about abdominoplasty.

It is impossible to remove skin and liposuction in the front part of your tummy without damaging the circulation and causing serious healing complications.

Not necessarily.  However, it can restore some of your “core power” with the repair of your muscles and this will allow you to exercise more effectively.

You will experience pain from a full tummy tuck, typically as an eight on a scale of 1 – 10, and you can expect your abdomen to be bruised for about three weeks and feeling numb for several months.

You will be placed in a compression garment after your surgery, and to reduce swelling, this should worn for 4 – 6 weeks. To protect the incision, expect to be bent at the waist while standing or lying down for 7 – 10 days after surgery.

Your tummy tuck surgery will leave a scar just under your pubic line and another just under your bikini or underwear line. To minimize scarring, if you previously had a C-section, the scar from that procedure can be used, reducing any additional scarring. Scars from an abdominoplasty are permanent but can be expected to fade over time. Dr. Landis strives to make the lowest, shortest, and most inconspicous scar for each patient.

As long as you are able to maintain a stable weight, your tummy tuck results should be long-lasting over time.

You will have drains for 1 – 2 weeks.  These drains are easy to manage and do not hurt when removed.

All of the sutures are inside of you, dissolvable, and do not need to be removed.

You can work from home in 1 week, and you can go back to work in 2 – 3 weeks.

Wait six weeks before doing any strenuous exercise after your tummy tuck in Minnesota. Your repaired, stretched out muscles need time to heal.

Only if you lift over 20 pounds for the first six weeks.  Normal everyday movement is safe.

You can become pregnant and deliver your child normally.  You may, however, stretch out your skin and muscles.

The cost of your tummy tuck surgery will depend on a variety of factors that are unique to your situation. We will provide you with a quote after you have met with Dr. Landis and received a recommended treatment plan. 

Generally, there are three types of tummy tuck surgery: a mini tummy tuck, traditional tummy tuck, and an extended tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck is a procedure in which the patient has a lesser degree of fat to remove, generally below the belly button. An extended tummy tuck is just like a standard tummy tuck, except that an incision extends around the hips to the back to allow more extensive fat removal.

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