Tummy Tuck

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Frederick K. Park specializes in performing tummy tuck surgery at his Rocky Mount, NC, practice. This transformative procedure significantly enhances the confidence of our patients by removing excess skin and creating a flatter, firmer abdominal area.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin from the midsection and, in most cases, repairs weakened or separated abdominal muscles, restoring a slimmer waist and a flatter, firmer tummy.

Tummy Tuck
Before & After Photos

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What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

Excess abdominal skin after having children or losing significant weight can remain even if you exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet. In most cases, tummy tuck patients also have weakened or separated abdominal muscles that cause a protruding belly.

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, offers several benefits to individuals seeking to improve the appearance and contour of their abdominal area. Here are some of the benefits of a tummy tuck:

  • A slimmer, firmer abdomen
  • Reducing stretch marks
  • Tightened abdominal muscles
  • Enhanced comfort during physical activity
  • Improved confidence

In addition to these cosmetic improvements, tummy tuck surgery includes health benefits for many patients. These include improved posture, reduced stress incontinence, decreased back pain, and correcting a ventral hernia.

Financing Options

It’s easy for qualified patients to finance their procedures through CareCredit®, which offers attractive payment plans for women and men choosing elective cosmetic surgery or nonsurgical treatments.

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How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Rocky Mount?

Because Dr. Park customizes tummy tuck surgery to address each patient’s specific needs, the cost of a tummy tuck in Rocky Mount, Greenville, Raleigh, and throughout North Carolina can vary significantly. The price depends on the procedure’s complexity, the technique used, and your surgeon’s level of expertise. We will provide you with a specific price quote after you have discussed your procedure with Dr. Park. You can also contact us for a general tummy tuck price range.

Dr. Park’s Approach:

I generally use a technique of high lateral tension and multiple site muscle tightening when necessary to provide a drainless tummy tuck option at my Rocky Mount practice. This technique can achieve beautiful results. In the patient population near their ideal body weight with muscle issues, this is my technique of choice. Drains are used on a case–by–case basis, but I am using fewer drains than I have in the past; now, it is more the exception to have drains placed.

Who Is a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

Good tummy tuck candidates have a protruding abdomen or loose, sagging abdominal skin and are in good overall health and near their ideal weight. Even though many tummy tuck patients develop these concerns after having children, pregnancy is only one cause of these changes. Others include:

  • Aging
  • Heredity
  • Prior surgery
  • Significant weight fluctuations

A tummy tuck isn’t weight-loss surgery; you must maintain a stable weight after the procedure to prolong the results. Women planning to have more children should also postpone getting a tummy tuck.

Preparing for a Tummy Tuck

Some of the ways you can prepare for your surgery include:

  • Stop smoking at least 8 weeks before and after surgery. Smoking hinders your recovery.
  • Complete all lab work and medical evaluations as soon as possible.
  • Stop taking anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning medication, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, as your regular doctor and plastic surgeon advises.
  • Fill your post-surgical medication prescriptions before the day of surgery
  • Schedule time off work.
  • Have a friend or family member ready to drive you to and from surgery and stay with you for at least 24 hours.
  • Prepare a comfortable “nest” with pillows, medication, a TV remote, wet wipes, digital devices, books, and anything else you think will make your recovery easier. Ensure they’re within easy reach.

Plan to wear a button-down or zippered top to the surgical center so you don’t have to lift clothes over your head.

Dr. Frederick K. Park smiling, wearing black suit with coral tie
Dr. Frederick K. Park Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

With more than 30 years of experience providing the highest quality aesthetic care at his Rocky Mount practice, Dr. Park is the choice of women and men considering plastic surgery from Greenville, Raleigh, and throughout North Carolina.

Meet Dr. Frederick Park

How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?

Dr. Park tailors each tummy tuck to the patient’s unique needs and cosmetic goals. He often uses one of the following techniques:

Full Tummy Tuck

Also called a traditional tummy tuck, this technique is best suited for most patients. It includes removing excess skin, repairing abdominal muscles (diastasis recti correction), and reshaping the bellybutton. During a full tummy tuck, Dr. Park makes a horizontal incision that extends from one hip to the other just above the pubic bone. The resulting scar is usually low enough to be covered by underwear and swimsuits. A second incision encircles the bellybutton.

Extended Tummy Tuck

Also called a belt lipectomy, this technique extends the full tummy tuck incision around the back above the buttocks. It is a good option for removing a significant amount of excess skin after massive weight loss. The extended tummy tuck also contours the waist and lifts and tightens sagging outer hips and buttocks.

Mini Tummy Tuck

This technique is appropriate for a select few patients because it is limited to the abdominal area below the bellybutton and above the pubic area. The mini tummy tuck does not involve the abdominal muscles or the bellybutton.

Does a Tummy Tuck Always Include Muscle Repair?

Dr. Park frequently offers tummy tucks without muscle tightening. This results in a shorter surgery, a more comfortable recovery, and a much quicker resumption of regular activity. Dr. Park has found that many patients are thrilled with the results even without muscle tightening.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Park performed muscle work on almost every patient. However, many of his patients today are not quite near their ideal body weight, and their primary goal is removing skin hanging over the lower abdomen. Most of these patients have loose muscles, but Dr. Park recognizes the benefits of offering an option that does not include muscle repair after carefully listening to patients describe their goals.

Can You Combine a Tummy Tuck With Other Procedures?

Dr. Park often combines tummy tuck surgery with other body contouring and breast enhancement procedures. This combination surgery, sometimes called a mommy makeover, produces more comprehensive results.

Popular options include:

Is a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction Better?

Neither procedure is better than the other. The best one for you depends on your individual needs. A tummy tuck removes excess skin, reshapes the bellybutton, and repairs bulging abdominal muscles. Liposuction removes pockets of excess fat. Combining these procedures restores smooth, firm contours to the abdominal area.

What Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Like?

Your recovery experience depends on the complexity of your surgery, how quickly your body heals, and how physically demanding your job is. Because Dr. Park usually uses the drainless tummy tuck technique, you won’t be responsible for removing fluid from surgical drains. We provide instructions for monitoring and emptying the collection bulb if you have drains.

Here’s a typical recovery timeline:

First week: You’ll need someone to help with meals, children, hygiene, pets, and other items. Extended childcare is necessary if you have small children. Managing your discomfort with prescription pain medication usually requires 5 to 7 days. Take short, gentle walks starting the day of surgery to increase circulation and prevent blood clots.

First 2 weeks: Plan to remain in a flexed, hunched-over position at all times for the first 2 weeks. Standing upright is difficult due to tight abdominal skin and muscles, and it strains your sutures. Sleep in a recliner or with your torso elevated by multiple pillows.

Week 3: Continue wearing the compression garment through the end of week 3. After the third week, you may feel well enough to resume light, non-impact exercises. Most patients feel ready to return to non-strenuous jobs after 2 or 3 weeks.

Weeks 6 to 8: If cleared by Dr. Park, you can resume your regular exercise routine at this point.

Meet With Dr. Park

If you’re looking for a tummy tuck surgeon in Raleigh, Greenville, or anywhere else in North Carolina, you can request a consultation with Dr. Park at our Rocky Mount location by using the online form. Or give us a call at (252) 937-5003 to schedule an appointment.

Tummy Tuck FAQ

Does a tummy tuck remove stretch marks?

A full tummy tuck removes the stretch marks below the bellybutton (along with skin) and moves stretch marks (and skin) from above the bellybutton down below it where they aren’t as noticeable.


Can you still get pregnant after tummy tuck surgery?

Yes, but waiting to have a tummy tuck until you are finished having children is a good idea. Pregnancy will likely reverse the improvements from your tummy tuck and create the need for another tummy tuck.


How many dress sizes will I lose from an abdominoplasty?

Once free from the excess skin, fat deposits, and tummy bulge, abdominoplasty patients typically lose 2 to 3 dress sizes.


Does a tummy tuck help you lose weight?

Don’t expect to lose significant weight with a tummy tuck. You will probably appear to have lost weight, which motivates many patients to lead a healthy lifestyle.


Do you get a new bellybutton during a full tummy tuck?

You will keep your bellybutton, but it will likely look better after abdominoplasty. Dr. Park carefully releases it from the surrounding stretched abdominal skin, pulls the skin down to the pubic area, creates a new opening for the bellybutton, trims away the excess, and carefully stitches the bellybutton in place. The skin surrounding your bellybutton after surgery will be smooth and firm, much like before pregnancy or weight loss.


Will tummy tuck scars go away?

Tummy tuck surgery leaves a permanent scar that runs along the lower abdomen from hip to hip bone. Most people find these scars are an acceptable trade-off for a significantly improved shape.


Are tummy tucks safe?

Dr. Park believes tummy tucks pose a higher risk than other plastic surgery procedures. You should understand that the risk of blood clots and embolism is real, and you should carefully consider that when embarking on this type of surgery. A tummy tuck is safe and effective when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who carefully screens patients.


How long do tummy tuck results last?

Tummy tuck results last indefinitely if you maintain weight and do not become pregnant.

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