Achieving a flatter, more toned stomach can be challenging with just diet and exercise alone. Our procedure for a tummy tuck in Baton Rouge will create real results tailored to your individual cosmetic needs.
Tummy Tuck PROCEDURE
WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK?
An abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, removes excess fat and skin while tightening abdominal muscles, resulting in a slimmer and more fit appearance. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dr. J. Anthony Stephens is known for his excellent results in customizing the tummy tuck procedure to each patient’s unique specifications and aesthetic goals, as each individual is different.
BENEFITS OF A Tummy Tuck
Removes loose, sagging skin on the stomach
Tightens any remaining skin on the stomach
Removes fat deposits
Restores weakened or separated muscles
Improves the appearance of a C-section scar
Boosts self-image and confidence
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR A TUMMY TUCK?
Although tummy tuck surgery can safely and effectively remove fat and tighten stomach contours, it’s important to note that this procedure is not a substitute for diet and exercise; nor is it a solution for weight loss. Dr. Stephens may encourage you to postpone surgery if you intend to lose weight, because weight loss can loosen stomach skin.
During your consultation, factors such as your health, medical history, cosmetic goals, and expectations will be evaluated to determine if an abdominoplasty in Baton Rouge is right for you. Typically, the best candidates for a tummy tuck are individuals who:
Are at or near their target weight, but have pockets of excess fat
Have sagging, overstretched skin on the abdomen due to pregnancy or significant weight loss
Are non-smokers
generalLY IN good health
Cost of Tummy Tuck
At Stephens Plastic Surgery, the journey to a more contoured and confident you begins with their tummy tuck procedure, which is priced in the range of $9,000 to $13,000. The team at Stephens Plastic Surgery understands that investing in your appearance is an important decision, and we are dedicated to making it attainable for everyone. To accommodate varying financial situations, we offer flexible financing options, ensuring that you can achieve your desired results without financial strain.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FINANCING OPTIONS
How to Prepare For a Tummy Tuck
Undergo lab testing and a full medical assessment.
Begin or cease the use of certain medications.
Quit smoking.
Refrain from using aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal supplements, or any other blood thinners.
Stay active and get regular exercise.
Leading up to a tummy tuck procedure, patients may be asked to:
Tummy Tuck PROCEDURE Details
During a typical tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Stephens places two incisions: one from hip bone to hip bone along the pubic line, and one around the navel. Once the underlying muscles are tightened and fat is removed, the skin is rewrapped and the navel is repositioned more naturally.
Some patients may also qualify for a partial or mini tummy tuck, which is similar to a full abdominoplasty — except a smaller incision is made and the navel does not have to be moved. This option can be discussed with Dr. Stephens during your consultation.
TYPES OF TUMMY TUCK
Addresses the lower abdomen below the navel.
Involves a smaller incision compared to a full tummy tuck.
Typically requires less extensive muscle tightening.
Designed for those with minor lower abdominal concerns.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Extended Tummy Tuck
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
Circumferential
Endoscopic Tummy Tuck
Reverse Tummy Tuck
Extends the incision around the sides of the torso.
Suitable for individuals with excess skin and fat on both the front and sides of the abdomen, often after massive weight loss.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Extended Tummy Tuck
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
Circumferential
Endoscopic Tummy Tuck
Reverse Tummy Tuck
Combines a vertical incision with a horizontal incision (similar to a full tummy tuck).
Addresses excess skin and fat in both horizontal and vertical directions.
Commonly performed for extreme weight loss patients with significant skin redundancy.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Extended Tummy Tuck
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
Circumferential
Endoscopic Tummy Tuck
Reverse Tummy Tuck
Extensive procedure that involves incisions around the entire waistline.
Removes excess skin and fat from the front, sides, and back.
Often chosen by individuals who have undergone massive weight loss, such as bariatric surgery patients.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Extended Tummy Tuck
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
Circumferential
Endoscopic Tummy Tuck
Reverse Tummy Tuck
(Body Lift or Belt Lipectomy)
Minimally invasive technique using small incisions and a camera (endoscope) to tighten abdominal muscles.
Best suited for individuals with minimal excess skin and primarily concerns about muscle laxity.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Extended Tummy Tuck
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
Circumferential
Endoscopic Tummy Tuck
Reverse Tummy Tuck
Focuses on the upper abdomen, just below the breasts.
Involves an incision along the breast crease or under the breasts.
Primarily targets the upper abdominal area for those with sagging skin in that region.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Extended Tummy Tuck
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
Circumferential
Endoscopic Tummy Tuck
Reverse Tummy Tuck
A Better Belly Button:
The Neo-Umbilicus Technique
The umbilicus (the belly button) is an essential feature of the abdomen, and the way it looks after a tummy tuck can make or break the result of the surgery.
Dr. Stephens noticed that the scar around a woman’s belly button is a telltale sign of a tummy tuck, and began to develop and perfect a technique to resolve this issue: the neo-umbilicus technique. In this method, he sutures the abdominal wall from the abdomen’s top to the lower abdomen with a continuous running suture or stitches, not allowing for a herniation repair.
This ensures a tight, smooth, flat contour with overall better restoration of the abdominal wall.
The neo-umbilicus technique allows the new belly button to be positioned in a more desired location on the abdomen. It doesn’t create scarring and it can be used in cases in which the original skin and tissue of the belly button cannot be preserved. It achieves excellent aesthetic results and high levels of satisfaction among patients. However, this technique can be less effective in very thin patients whose belly button remains flat due to the lack of fatty tissue.
It’s important to note that preserving the belly button during a tummy tuck is not an unacceptable method — but it is very unpredictable when it comes to scarring. Some patients’ belly buttons look great and the scar is hidden in the umbilicus, but some leave a hypertrophic scar that can’t be improved.
Instead of having a wonderful tummy tuck result with a bad-looking belly button, Dr. Stephens’s neo-umbilicus technique can achieve a beautiful tummy tuck and an aesthetically pleasing belly button.
Tummy Tuck With
NEO-UMBILICUS TECHNIQUE
After Your TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURE
What Results to Expect
Most patients see their final shape at 3-4 months, with results improving over the course of the year. While the tummy tuck procedure is designed to have long-lasting results, adopting a healthy diet and exercise routine can add longevity to your results.
abdominoplasty
POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS
There’s no concrete answer for how long abdominoplasty recovery will take because the length of time will be determined by the technique used, your age, and your overall health. In general, however, the majority of patients return to work in about three weeks. It’s important to understand that recovery from a tummy tuck can take from a few weeks to a few months.
Most of our tummy tuck patients in Baton Rouge and Lafayette will need to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help with healing. Drains may also be placed to help collect fluids. Refrain from exercise and strenuous activities until Dr. Stephens clears you to resume. It’s normal to be swollen and bruised with mild discomfort after surgery, which is typically easily controlled with prescribed medication and following Dr. Stephens’s instructions.
He will provide you with post-surgical instructions to care for your incision sites while reducing the risk of infection or complications. Dr. Stephens will also take you step-by-step through what your recovery will entail.
MINI TUMMY TUCK VS TRADITIONAL TUMMY TUCK
A standard tummy tuck procedure addresses both the upper and lower portions of the abdomen. A mini tummy tuck differs from the standard in that it is specifically designed to treat the lower region of the stomach, which usually means the area spanning from the navel all the way down to the pubic region. While some may believe that the name ‘mini’ means that the procedure involves smaller incisions, they are actually no smaller than the incisions of a standard tummy tuck procedure.
A mini tummy tuck is most often recommended for women who are already content with the overall shape of their bodies and simply want to treat issues that have developed following a pregnancy, such as muscle separation. While getting a C-section might seem like a good way to avoid these issues, the truth is that C-section scars can cause a bulge in the area that will also require treatment. A tummy tuck is designed to treat these issues without leaving any noticeable scars, as all of the incisions are made within the underwear line.
