TUMMY TUCK
Reveal a Flatter, More Defined, and Slimmer Midsection with Abdominoplasty in St. Louis, MO
What Is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
How Today’s Abdominoplasty Techniques Are Redefining Body Contouring
What Happens Before and After a Tummy Tuck?
Procedures That Complement a Tummy Tuck in St. Louis
What Is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
For many St. Louis, MO, residents, a tummy tuck is a powerful way to restore a flatter, firmer, and more defined midsection when diet and exercise are no longer enough. Also known as abdominoplasty, this advanced body contouring procedure is designed to address the changes that often follow pregnancy, significant weight loss, or aging, especially loose skin, stubborn fat, and weakened or separated abdominal muscles.
The next question you might have is, “What does a tummy tuck involve?” During a tummy tuck, excess skin and fat are carefully removed, and the underlying abdominal muscles are tightened to create a smoother, more sculpted core. The procedure can also reduce the appearance of stretch marks located between the belly button and the pubic area, further enhancing results. Unlike liposuction alone, which targets fat but not skin laxity or muscle separation, abdominoplasty delivers more comprehensive body sculpting by reshaping the entire abdominal area from the inside out.
As a tummy tuck focuses on both form and structure, it often provides longer-lasting and more dramatic results than non-surgical treatments or lipo-based approaches. For patients seeking meaningful body contouring and a renewed sense of confidence in their silhouette, a customized abdominoplasty can be a transformative solution.
Why Choose West County Plastic Surgeons for a Tummy Tuck
At West County Plastic Surgeons, our tummy tuck patients—both women and men—have access to leading innovators in the field of plastic surgery. Dr. Terry Myckatyn serves as director of breast surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, specializing in all forms of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum, who serves as director of aesthetic surgery, also performs all forms of cosmetic surgery and breast reconstruction, employing techniques acquired through working with some of the most respected cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons in the country. Board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon Dr. Trina Ebersole brings extensive training in various types of plastic and reconstructive surgery, with a specialized focus on procedures for the face, breast, and body.
Our practice offers a patient-friendly atmosphere and a university medical-school reputation for cutting-edge techniques and technologies that lead to optimal results and patient satisfaction.
Discuss surgical options for your tummy tuck in St. Louis, MO, review before-and-after photos, and receive a tailored plan with our board-certified team at West County Plastic Surgeons. Call us at 314-996-8800 or request your consultation online.
How Today’s Abdominoplasty Techniques Are Redefining Body Contouring
Not long ago, drainage tubes were considered a standard part of a tummy tuck procedure. In 2026, that approach has largely evolved. Today, drainage tubes are rarely needed, making the drainless tummy tuck a more comfortable and appealing option for many patients. Fewer drains often mean easier movement, a smoother recovery experience, and less disruption to daily life after surgery.
Less Painful Drainless Tummy Tucks
The West County Plastic Surgeons team continues to refine the patient experience using an advanced Enhanced Recovery Protocol designed to support faster, more comfortable healing after abdominoplasty. This modern protocol helps reduce post-operative discomfort, limits the need for pain medications, and shortens the overall recovery timeline. Recognized with international plastic surgery awards and featured in multiple publications, this approach reflects how far tummy tuck care has progressed.
Fewer, More Refined Scars
Today’s body contouring techniques also focus heavily on scar quality. We use the Embrace® scar management system to help scars heal thinner, lighter, and more discreet than ever before—an important advancement for patients who value natural-looking body sculpting results.
No drains. Less pain. Fewer medications. More refined scars. These advancements highlight just how much abdominoplasty has changed in recent years. When expert surgical technique is combined with a thoughtful understanding of each patient’s goals, a modern tummy tuck can deliver not only visible physical improvement but also renewed confidence and long-lasting satisfaction.
SEMINAR #4: Tummy Tuck
Your Guide to Tummy Tuck Techniques and Personalized Results
A standard tummy tuck typically results in two incisions: one low-lying incision that extends across the lower abdomen, and another incision concealed around the belly button. Most bathing suits, bikinis, and underwear will conceal these incision scars. However, every person is different, so scar length can be customized to each patient's contour goals. When a standard tummy tuck is not ideal, many St. Louis patients opt to have a short-scar mini-abdominoplasty or an extended abdominoplasty.
Click here to view a video on tummy tucks (abdominoplasty).
A mini-abdominoplasty is for patients who have a small amount of loose abdominal skin accompanied by laxity or separation of the abdominal muscles. Loose skin is removed and abdominal muscles tightened through a short, low scar just over the pubic area.
Click here to view a video on mini-tummy tuck surgery.
An extended abdominoplasty is for patients who have excess skin extending from the abdomen to the flanks accompanied by laxity of the abdominal muscles. A large amount of abdominal and flank skin is removed and abdominal muscles tightened through a low scar that runs along the lower flanks, abdomen, and pubic area. This operation can avoid the formation of “muffin tops” or side bulges that form in people who undergo a standard tummy tuck or liposuction when an extended abdominoplasty would have been a more appropriate procedure for them.
What Happens Before and After a Tummy Tuck?
Anesthesia: All tummy tuck surgeries are usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia.
Length of procedure: 60 to 90 minutes (mini), 1 to 2 hours (tummy tuck), 2 to 3 hours (extended)
Estimated recovery time: Patients can expect to return to work 10 to 14 days following mini or standard tummy tuck surgery, with a 2 to 3 week window for extended abdominoplasty. Avoid vigorous activity for 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the tummy tuck chosen. Visible bruising typically subsides in 1 to 2 weeks, and swelling begins to resolve within 3 weeks to 1 month. To learn how to prepare for tummy tuck surgery and what to expect afterward, click here to download our patient instructions for abdominoplasty.
Side effects: Common side effects include bruising, swelling, a few spitting sutures, and some numbness, itching, and spasm of the abdomen. You may feel side spams, too, after an extended tummy tuck. For 5 to 10 days after surgery, patients will have drain tubes, and they must walk gently flexed at the waist. To prevent blood clots, most of our St. Louis tummy tuck patients receive an injectable blood thinner called Lovenox® for 5 to 10 days following surgery. Click here to download a detailed consent form from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons that lists the risks and benefits of abdominoplasty.
For before-and-after photos of tummy tuck results, Click here.
FAQs About Tummy Tuck Surgery
The best procedure to flatten your stomach is typically a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), which tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess skin and fat for a smooth, sculpted appearance. For patients with stubborn fat pockets, combining a tummy tuck with liposuction can provide even more defined, contoured results.
You’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you’re close to your ideal weight but have loose abdominal skin, weakened muscles, or a persistent “pooch” that won’t improve with diet and exercise. It’s also ideal for those who want a flatter, more contoured midsection and are in good overall health.
A reverse tummy tuck targets the upper abdomen by removing excess skin and fat above the belly button. Unlike a traditional tummy tuck, which focuses on the lower abdomen, this procedure lifts and tightens the upper abdominal area, creating a smoother, more contoured midsection.
Yes, sometimes. A tummy tuck can remove stretch marks located on the lower abdomen, below the belly button, by removing excess skin. Stretch marks above the belly button aren’t removed, but may appear smoother after skin tightening.
A tummy tuck offers long-lasting results by removing excess skin and tightening abdominal muscles. With a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle, results can last for many years, though natural aging and future pregnancies may affect the contour over time.
Procedures That Complement a Tummy Tuck in St. Louis
You may wonder, “Which surgeries should be combined with a tummy tuck?” or “How can I maximize my tummy tuck results?” A tummy tuck is one of the most popular and transformative elements of a Mommy Makeover, a customized combination of procedures designed to help restore the body after pregnancy and weight fluctuations. In addition to abdominoplasty, a Mommy Makeover may also include breast surgery and liposuction to address multiple concerns in a single, thoughtfully planned treatment approach. The following surgeries are often combined with a tummy tuck.
Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammoplasty)
Women who are bothered by loss of breast volume, reduced fullness in the upper breast, or changes in shape may choose breast augmentation as part of their Mommy Makeover. This procedure uses implants to enhance size, improve contour, and restore a fuller, more balanced appearance, especially for patients who also have loose abdominal skin following pregnancy.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
For women experiencing sagging breasts or nipples that point downward, a breast lift can reposition the breast tissue and nipples to a higher, more youthful location. Mastopexy reshapes and tightens the breasts without necessarily adding volume, making it an ideal option for patients who are satisfied with their breast size but want a firmer, perkier look.
Combined Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift
Some patients benefit from addressing both volume loss and skin laxity at the same time. A combined breast augmentation and breast lift, also called an augmentation mastopexy, adds fullness while tightening the breast skin and elevating the nipples. This dual approach can create a more youthful, lifted, and proportionate breast shape—often delivering the most comprehensive results within a Mommy Makeover plan.
Click here to read Dr. Tenenbaum's article on combining breast surgery and abdominoplasty.
The Benefits of Combining Liposuction with Your Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is designed to flatten and firm the abdomen by tightening weakened muscles and removing loose, hanging skin that creates a stubborn “pooch.” It is especially popular among patients who have lost significant weight but are left with excess skin that won’t respond to diet or exercise.
Removal of fat from the sides, thighs, back, and buttocks with standard tumescent liposuction provides a nice complement to a tummy tuck. Most tummy tuck procedures also include liposuction as a complementary add-on for overall contouring of the waist and torso, helping create a smoother, more balanced shape—rather than treating the two as completely separate surgical procedures.
For patients at West County Plastic Surgeons in St. Louis who are near their goal weight and want more definition, combining a tummy tuck with liposuction offers the best of both worlds— fat reduction plus skin and muscle tightening—with a single recovery period. This body contouring approach isn’t a weight-loss solution, but it can dramatically improve shape, creating a smoother, slimmer, and more sculpted silhouette. To explore whether a tummy tuck, liposuction, or another body sculpting option is right for you, contact the team at West County Plastic Surgeons.
Would you like to find out if a tummy tuck in St. Louis, MO, is right for you? Our board-certified physicians at West County Plastic Surgeons will create a customized plan and review recovery timelines, risks, and benefits so you can decide with confidence. Call us at 314-996-8800 or request your appointment online.
