Florence Mussat, M.D.
680 N Lake Shore Dr. #1030 Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 751-9000

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Tag: tummy tuck

Full Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

While tummy tuck surgery boasts an array of both medical and aesthetic benefits, there’s no denying that it’s a major operation to have. Patients who receive a full tummy tuck must typically wait 2-3 months for complete healing to occur, and even with proper after-care, there is sometimes a risk of scarring. As such, many people who are interested in abdominal sculpting prefer the idea of having a “mini” tummy tuck instead. There are, however, a few things to be aware of before choosing this option.

What’s The Difference Between A Full Tummy Tuck And A Mini Tummy Tuck?

The primary difference between full and “mini” tummy tuck surgery is the amount of the abdomen being treated. During a full tummy tuck procedure, loose skin is removed from both above and below the navel. During a mini tummy tuck procedure, on the other hand, loose skin is removed only from the lower stomach.

The main benefit of mini tummy tuck surgery is that it requires one less incision. While full tummy tuck surgery makes use of two incisions (one along the lower stomach and a smaller one around the navel), mini tummy tuck surgery needs just one single incision slightly above the pubic area. If mini tummy tuck surgery is performed by a skilled surgeon, the resulting scar is often invisible when the patient is clothed.

A mini tummy tuck is not for everyone, of course. It’s ideally suited to people who have a small-to-medium amount of loose skin on their lower abdomen. Those who have significant skin stretching above the navel as well must elect for full tummy tuck surgery. This is because they need to have their navel surgically released (via a second incision) in order to allow the skin above it and around it to be properly repositioned.

Whether or not you’re a good candidate for mini tummy tuck surgery will depend on your age and the amount of weight you have lost. Young, slim women who have gone through pregnancy, for example, are often excellent candidates for mini tummy tuck surgery. A middle-aged person who experienced significant obesity for many years, on the other hand, will almost certainly need the full procedure. As always, however, only a full consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon can tell you which operation is right for you. If you would like to learn more, call at 312.751.9000 to book an appointment with Dr. Mussat today. Don’t forget to take a look at our tummy tuck gallery while you’re here!

Redefine the Term ‘Mom Jeans’ with a Mommy Makeover

How would you describe your favorite pair of jeans? With a mommy makeover, you’re in charge of choosing the perfect look, be we can promise, you’ll look amazing. We’ll tighten up your abdomen, shape your waist, and redefine your breasts for the best body you’ve ever had, even before baby. ‘Mom jeans’ may have a negative connotation, but after you show the world your new look, we’re think the term might get a new definition.

Mommy Makeover After Baby- Why Every Mom Needs One

Having a baby changes the body, often in ways that aren’t appreciated. Stretch marks, a sagging tummy, and deflated looking breasts are all common complaints. Hitting the gym isn’t going to restore your pre-baby body, but a mommy makeover will. It is a customized set of plastic surgery procedures that will target your problem areas and restore a pre-pregnancy appearance to your body.

  • Stretch Marks– Many women get stretch marks during pregnancy, often on the lower abdomen. During a tummy tuck we’ll remove excess skin, and the stretch marks that are on it come too. This means fewer stretch marks, especially those found below the belly button.
  • Sagging Breasts– Breast sagging is a common complaint after pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the temporary breast size increase that occurs during pregnancy. A breast lift reshapes the breasts and moves their position to a more central location on the chest wall.
  • Loss of Breast Volume- Breast augmentation is often paired with a breast lift during the mommy makeover. Dr. Mussat places an implant into the breast to increase size. This is an excellent option for women that have experienced a loss of breast volume after pregnancy.
  • Excess Abdominal Skin- Rediscover a tight, flat abdomen. A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin and fat, restoring a tighter, flatter abdomen.
  • Abdominal Muscle Separation- The abdominal muscles can separate during pregnancy, leaving a permanent pooch. If needed, we can correct abdominal muscle separation during a tummy tuck.
  • Oversize Areolas- Some women experience an increase in areola size after pregnancy. We can adjust the position of areola/nipple.

Pregnancy has changed your body, but you can change it back. With a mommy makeover, you’re in charge of how you look after baby.

I Have Questions About the Mommy Makeover- How Do I Learn More?

Do you have mommy makeover questions? We’ve answered a few common ones below.

  • Do I Need to Wait Until I’ve Finished Having Kids for a Mommy Makeover?- A mommy makeover is best performed after you’ve finished bearing children. Wait until you’ve completed breastfeeding your last child and then come see us.
  • Will I Need More than One Surgery?- Most of the time, we can perform the entire mommy makeover with one trip to the operating room. The entire procedure takes Dr. Mussat about 4 hours.
  • How Long Until I Will See My Results?- Some patients will notice immediate improvement in their figure after a mommy makeover, but it will take several months for swelling to resolve and for final results to appear. Be patient, your new look is worth the wait!

If you have any other questions about the mommy makeover, call us and schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Mussat.

How Much Weight Can You Lose From a Tummy Tuck?

Sit-ups, planks, and crunches are popular fitness routines that help you achieve a taut stomach effectively. However, it’s not always the case for everyone. If you feel that you’ve exerted all effort to lose the belly bulge without success, don’t give up hope just yet. It may be that stubborn fat and excess skin are to blame for the lack of progress.
They’re difficult to remove but not impossible.

Tummy Tuck Saves the Day

Age, gravity and other factors can affect your chances of achieving a tighter, flatter stomach. When diet and exercise fail, then another great option is to go the surgical route.
Also called abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that can eliminate stubborn fat and excess skin to give you a tauter stomach. Many patients have found it to be an effective treatment to remove the belly bulge and saggy skin. However, many are still confused that a tummy tuck is a means to lose weight.

How Much Can You Lose from A Tummy Tuck?

One question that patients often ask Dr. Mussat is how much weight they can lose if they get a tummy tuck.
To set the record straight, a tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure, and therefore, is not a weight loss treatment.
A tummy tuck does complement with weight goals, though. In other words, it could be your means to an end or the culmination of hard work and diet.
This doesn’t mean, though, that you won’t see any reduction in your weighing scale. You’ll still see a decrease in your weight after the surgery, but not much.
Typically, a tummy tuck will cause you to lose not more than five pounds. That weight is usually from excess skin and fat. If you have massive weight loss, you’ll likely see a drop of about 10 to 15 pounds of excess tissue. For extreme cases, the reduction could be about 30 pounds.

Why Should You Still Get A Tummy Tuck?

Although you won’t see any dramatic drop in the weighing scale, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad option. As mentioned, this will improve your shape and contour. Additionally, researchers have concluded that tummy tuck patients have sustained their weight loss. In fact, many of Dr. Mussat’s patients have also seen tremendous improvement in their goal. One factor that contributed to this is the results they see daily, which motivated them to maintain their healthy and active lifestyle.
Tummy tuck provides amazing results. If you want to achieve a svelte figure, come in to talk to us about abdominoplasty.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

Let’s talk tummy troubles. Does your middle need a little help? The abdominal area is a common trouble spot. Aging, pregnancy, and weight loss all take their toll on the tummy, leaving loose skin, stretch marks, and excess fat. Often, the solution is a tummy tuck. Call today and ask us if this treatment could transform your tummy.

You May Need a Tummy Tuck If…

Do you need a tummy tuck? You may be a good candidate if:
• You have loose, stretched out abdominal skin
• You are unable to achieve a flat tummy with diet and exercise alone
• You have abdominal muscle separation
• You have poor skin elasticity
• You want to improve your abdominal appearance
• You are at a stable weight, close to your ideal
• You are in good health
• You are not planning any future pregnancies
Find out if you’re a good candidate by scheduling a personalized consultation with Dr. Mussat. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your goals for surgery, examine your body, and help you decide if a tummy tuck is your best option. If a tummy tuck isn’t the right choice for you, we’ll help you discover other options that meet your needs.

I Need to Lose Weight. Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck provides dramatic results, but it isn’t a weight loss treatment. It works best on patients that have already lost weight and are now at a stable weight, near or slightly above their ideal. If you need to lose weight, we can help with that too. We offer medically supervised weight loss to help you get ready for your tummy tuck.
Each patient is different and we offer a variety of weight loss options. We’ll help you choose one that meets your needs and aligns with your goals.
• HCG diets
• The Dukan Diet (physician developed)
• Weight loss prescription medications
By using a physician like Dr. Mussat as part of your weight loss journey you can ensure that you’re taking safe and effective steps to achieve your goals. We know losing weight is difficult and we’ll support you until you achieve success.
Are you unhappy with the appearance of your tummy? A tummy tuck could be the solution. Contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Mussat.

Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, or Both?

Spring is coming and summer is close behind. If you want a better body this summer, it’s time to start planning. Many of our patients struggle with their middles. If you have loose skin, a little extra fat, or a permanent belly pooch, come see us. We can help you get ready for summer, but you’ll need to start this spring.

My Tummy Needs Help- What Treatments Do I Need?

Often diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to maintain a flat, tight tummy. Pregnancy, aging, weight loss and other factors all take their toll on your mid-section. If hitting the gym and eating right aren’t enough for the lean, sexy stomach you want, it may be time for a little plastic surgery. Liposuction or a tummy tuck could help you to ditch the excess and discover your best belly. Which treatment do you need? Learn a little more about each of your options below.
• Liposuction- Excess fat? Liposuction isn’t a weight loss treatment, but it is an excellent choice for those stubborn pockets of unwanted fat. A small incision is made near the treatment area, a cannula is inserted, and fat is removed using suction. Since fat cells don’t regenerate in adulthood, you’ll experience lasting results. This treatment is ideal for stubborn fat pockets in isolated areas like the tummy, love handles, waist, etc.
• Tummy Tuck- If you have excess skin on the abdomen, a tummy tuck is the way to go. This procedure removes excess skin and fat, tightens abdominal muscles, and restores a flat, tight abdominal appearance. If you want to reverse post-pregnancy changes or have lost a lot of weight, a tummy tuck is probably the procedure you need.

Do I Need Both Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck?

Liposuction and a tummy tuck are effective treatment options on their own, but some patients will need both for the best results. Choose liposuction and a tummy tuck if:
• You have excess fat and loose skin.
• You want the most dramatic abdominal transformation.
• You want to shape and sculpt the entire middle, not just the tummy.
• You’ve lost a lot of weight or have experienced pregnancy related changes to your body.
We can perform both procedures with a single trip to the operating room. Combining treatments is an excellent way to maximize results while minimizing downtime.
Bikini season is on its way. Is your body ready? If you need a little help with your tummy before summer, we’re here. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Mussat today.