The moderate tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) was invented here at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery. It involves the removal of excess fat and skin, but not the muscle tightening of a full abdominoplasty, reducing recovery time. This procedure has been popular with many patients because they did not need a full abdominoplasty to accomplish their goals.
Ideal moderate tummy tuck patients want to smooth and firm their entire abdomen – unlike a mini tummy tuck – but desire reduced downtime compared to the full abdominoplasty. The moderate tummy tuck is an outpatient procedure that allows you to return home the same day.
While a patient is under general anesthesia, the surgeon will make an incision from hip bone to hip bone, ideally beneath the bikini line. In some cases when more fat and skin needs to be removed, the incision will extend beyond the hips. This is the same kind of incision as a full abdominoplasty. The skin between the belly button and pubic mound is removed, and the deep layer is fully tightened. The muscle is not surgically altered. Without the muscle tightening, patients are able to return to their normal daily activities sooner.
Dr. David Janssen and Dr. William Doubek are experts in tummy tucks. The Wisconsin plastic surgeons are helping women and men from places such as Green Bay, Appleton, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan perfect their personal Renaissance. Contact Fox Valley Plastic Surgery at 920-233-1540 to request your consultation in either the Oshkosh or Appleton office.
The average recovery period for a moderate abdominoplasty is 1-2 weeks, during which rest is recommended. Quick showers are permissible 24 hours after the procedure.
Walking between rest periods prevents blood clots from forming. Serious complications can arise from blood clots, and patients should seek immediate medical care if they believe that they may have a blood clot.
After an abdominoplasty, the patient wears an abdominal binder which holds the dressings in place. Unless showering, the patient must wear the binder at all times until the physician tells the patient otherwise. A drain will come out through the pubic area under the skin to remove excess fluid. Discomfort, including swelling and bruising, is common but controlled with medication. Moderate abdominoplasties result in a long scar that the surgeon attempts to place as low as possible.
The ability to return to work at a desk job depends on a patient’s individual healing ability, pain tolerance and motivation. Moderate abdominoplasty patients typically take off 5-7 days before returning to a desk job. Only a highly motivated patient can return to a desk job in 5 days because there will still be discomfort from the surgery and the drains interfere with clothing options. Lifting is absolutely forbidden for the first 7-10 days, so an early return to work is not suggested for patients with active jobs.
Before & Afters
An abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure, which is not paid for by insurance. In general, a moderate abdominoplasty costs $10,000 – $12,000 depending on the amount of work needed. The price includes the surgeon’s fee, the facility fee at the Theda Care Surgery Center, and anesthesia. The pricing is subject to change, and will change if the surgery is done at another facility, and if there are unique circumstances surrounding the surgery, etc.
The use of Strataderm® immediately after wound closure and for several weeks afterwards, is highly recommended for optimal healing. Strataderm is the first film-forming silicone gel-based wound dressing approved for the use on open wounds and compromised skin. Depending on the length of the incision, a tube of Strataderm® costs $32-$54.
Usually there are multiple procedure discounts for cosmetic procedures: 15% off the surgeon’s fee for the 2nd cosmetic procedure, and 30% off the surgeon’s fee for the 3rd procedure. The operating room fee is discounted 50% for the 2nd+ procedure, while anesthesia is based solely on time. There are zero interest financing options available through Care Credit and Alphaeon Credit. There may be additional discounts, which are too varied to be mentioned here.
If you would like to find out more about an abdominoplasty, request your consultation online or call the office at 920-233-1540 to set up your appointment. The non-refundable $100 cosmetic consultation fee can be applied towards the cost of the procedure.
Take the first step toward renewed confidence with a consultation at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery. Our team is here to listen, guide, and help you achieve results that feel true to you.
