Tummy tuck surgery or Abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that improves abdominal contours by removing excess skin and fat, but also tightens the underlying abdominal muscles. The surgeon will mark the skin from the area underneath the belly button and above the pubis, making the incisions and removing the sagging skin, repositioning the belly button and creating a flat abdomen. This procedure is popular among women who’ve been through multiple pregnancies and whose skin did not retract, and who’ve been left with muscle laxity in their abdomen. But this procedure is also suitable for people -men and women- who have undergone massive weight loss and have excess skin that needs to be removed.

It is common to combine a Tummy Tuck with muscle repair, where the surgeon will reattach the abdominal muscles to the abdominal wall and the muscles are pulled together. Sometimes a hernia repair can be performed during a Tummy Tuck, but depending on the size and type of hernia, it will have to be done by a general surgeon.

In a traditional Tummy Tuck, there is Space left between the fat and the muscle, which is where fluid collects, therefore it requires drains. Usually 2 drains are placed to remove fluid that collects.

The drain (which is a tube) is brought out through the skin, the drains have to be emptied several times a day. Drains can be needed between 7 and 10 days (on average). They can be uncomfortable and a potential site of infection.

With the drainless tummy Tuck no drains are used. The space for fluid to accumulate is eliminated. After excess skinned fat is removed and the muscle is tightened (with the Corset technique) the remaining skin is attached to the muscle with sutures that dissolve within 30 days. This closes the space and leaves no room for fluid to accumulate.

This technique also allows for the removal of additional skin which makes you flatter and tighter. Walk straight away. Less Pain, faster recovery and better results!

If you’re interested in a Tummy tuck with one of our Surgeons, Fill out the for and we will reach out to you for a free evaluation!

If you travel from out of state to have a tummy tuck procedure at Miami Life Plastic Surgery, you’ll have to stay in Miami for at least 7 days. Plan on at least two weeks of downtime before you go back to work, and at least 6 weeks before you can resume your normal activities. Take as much time off as possible, you won’t be in too much pain after the initial 2 weeks, but discomfort is common.