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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Tummy Tuck in Sandy Springs
You may benefit from a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, if you have loose abdominal skin, stubborn fatty tissue around the midsection, or weakened abdominal muscles. These concerns are common after pregnancy, weight loss, aging, or natural changes in skin elasticity over time.
At Monarch Plastic Surgery, tummy tuck surgery is designed to create a flatter, firmer, more refined abdomen by removing excess skin, tightening loose abdominal muscles, and contouring areas like the stomach, hips, waist, and flanks. The goal is not just a smaller midsection—it is a smoother, more balanced silhouette that looks natural for your body.
Dr. Carmen Kavali and Dr. Teri Moak work with patients throughout Sandy Springs, Atlanta, and Buckhead to customize each abdominoplasty based on anatomy, skin quality, muscle laxity, and personal goals.
Real Patient Results
What Is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening the underlying muscles. This combination creates a flatter, firmer midsection and restores a more defined abdominal contour.
During the procedure, loose or stretched skin is carefully removed, and weakened or separated abdominal muscles are repaired. This is especially beneficial for patients who have experienced pregnancy or significant weight changes that have stretched the abdominal wall beyond its ability to return to normal.
At Monarch Plastic Surgery, Dr. Carmen Kavali and Dr. Teri Moak customize each tummy tuck to your body and goals. Some patients may need a full abdominoplasty for comprehensive correction, while others benefit from a more targeted approach.
Many patients also combine a tummy tuck with liposuction to enhance contouring or include it as part of a mommy makeover for full body transformation.
Why Patients in Sandy Springs Choose a Tummy Tuck
Patients in Sandy Springs choose a tummy tuck because it addresses issues that cannot be corrected with diet and exercise alone. Loose skin, stretched muscles, and stubborn fat in the abdomen often require surgical correction to achieve a flatter, more toned appearance.
At Monarch Plastic Surgery, Dr. Carmen Kavali and Dr. Teri Moak approach abdominoplasty as a comprehensive body contouring procedure. By tightening the abdominal wall and refining the surrounding areas, they create a smoother, more natural-looking midsection that complements your overall shape.
One of the most common reasons patients seek a tummy tuck is after pregnancy. Muscle separation and stretched skin can persist even with a healthy lifestyle, making surgery the most effective way to restore abdominal structure.
Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight also benefit from a tummy tuck, as it removes excess skin that can remain after fat loss. The result is a more defined, contoured appearance that reflects your hard work.
Many patients combine their tummy tuck with procedures like liposuction or include it in a mommy makeover to achieve a more complete transformation.
Why Patients in Sandy Springs Choose a Tummy Tuck
Patients in Sandy Springs choose a tummy tuck because it addresses issues that cannot be corrected with diet and exercise alone. Loose skin, stretched muscles, and stubborn fat in the abdomen often require surgical correction to achieve a flatter, more toned appearance.
At Monarch Plastic Surgery, Dr. Carmen Kavali and Dr. Teri Moak approach abdominoplasty as a comprehensive body contouring procedure. By tightening the abdominal wall and refining the surrounding areas, they create a smoother, more natural-looking midsection that complements your overall shape.
One of the most common reasons patients seek a tummy tuck is after pregnancy. Muscle separation and stretched skin can persist even with a healthy lifestyle, making surgery the most effective way to restore abdominal structure.
Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight also benefit from a tummy tuck, as it removes excess skin that can remain after fat loss. The result is a more defined, contoured appearance that reflects your hard work.
Many patients combine their tummy tuck with procedures like liposuction or include it in a mommy makeover to achieve a more complete transformation.
Your Tummy Tuck Procedure
Your tummy tuck at Monarch Plastic Surgery is customized to create a flatter, more defined abdomen while maintaining natural proportions. Dr. Carmen Kavali and Dr. Teri Moak tailor each procedure based on your anatomy, skin quality, and desired outcome.
The procedure typically begins with a low incision placed along the bikini line, allowing excess skin to be removed while keeping scars discreet. The underlying abdominal muscles are then repaired and tightened, restoring core structure and improving contour.
After muscle repair, the remaining skin is repositioned and smoothed to create a tighter, more refined appearance. The belly button is carefully reshaped and repositioned to maintain a natural look.
In many cases, liposuction is incorporated to enhance contouring of the waist, hips, and flanks. This combination allows for a more complete transformation and better overall balance.
Depending on your needs, your procedure may focus on the lower abdomen or include a full abdominoplasty for more comprehensive correction. Your surgeons will recommend the approach that best aligns with your goals.
Tummy Tuck Recovery and Healing Timeline
Recovery after a tummy tuck is an important part of achieving the best possible results. Because this procedure involves both skin removal and muscle repair, your body needs time to heal properly.
In the first few days after surgery, you can expect swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness in the abdomen. Discomfort is typically manageable with prescribed medications and improves steadily over the first week.
Most patients are able to return to light activities within 1 to 2 weeks. However, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks to allow the abdominal muscles to heal.
You will wear a compression garment to reduce swelling, support healing tissues, and help shape your final contour. Walking slightly bent at the waist is common early on and gradually resolves as your body recovers.
Swelling continues to improve over time, with final results becoming more visible over the next three to six months. Following all post-operative instructions from Dr. Carmen Kavali and Dr. Teri Moak is essential for optimal healing and long-term results.
Tummy Tuck Results
A tummy tuck delivers a flatter, firmer abdomen with improved contour and definition. Patients typically notice an immediate improvement in the shape of their midsection, with continued refinement as swelling decreases over time.
One of the most significant benefits of abdominoplasty is the repair of the abdominal muscles. This not only enhances appearance but can also improve posture and core stability.
Results become more defined over the following weeks and months, revealing a smoother, tighter silhouette. With a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, the results of a tummy tuck can last for many years.
For many patients, the procedure restores confidence—allowing clothing to fit better and helping them feel more comfortable in their body.
To see real transformations, visit our before and after gallery or explore additional body contouring procedures.
Tummy Tuck Safety and Surgical Expertise
A tummy tuck is a highly effective procedure when performed by experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons using advanced techniques and careful planning. Safety and precision are essential to achieving optimal results.
At Monarch Plastic Surgery, Dr. Carmen Kavali and Dr. Teri Moak prioritize patient safety at every stage—from consultation and surgical planning to recovery. Each procedure is customized to ensure natural-looking results that complement your body.
Modern techniques focus on tightening underlying tissues rather than simply removing skin, which helps create smoother, longer-lasting outcomes while minimizing the risk of complications.
Your consultation includes a thorough evaluation of your medical history, anatomy, and goals. In many cases, combining procedures such as liposuction can enhance results and provide more comprehensive contouring.
The goal is to deliver results that not only look exceptional, but are achieved with the highest standards of care, safety, and surgical expertise.
Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Consultation in Sandy Springs
If you’re ready to achieve a flatter, firmer abdomen, a tummy tuck at Monarch Plastic Surgery can help you reach your goals with natural-looking, long-lasting results. Every procedure is tailored to your body and your vision.
Dr. Carmen Kavali and Dr. Teri Moak work with patients throughout Sandy Springs, Atlanta, and Buckhead to create personalized treatment plans and guide you through every step of the process—from consultation to recovery.
Your consultation is the best way to understand your options and determine whether a tummy tuck alone or combined with procedures like liposuction or a Brazilian Butt Lift is right for you.
Take the first step toward a more confident you. Schedule your consultation today and discover what’s possible with a tummy tuck in Sandy Springs.
Questions & Answers
Many people notice stubborn fat, loose skin, or “pouching” of the abdomen after life events such as pregnancy or weight loss. In addition to loose skin or stubborn fat in the abdomen, the rectus abdominis (“six-pack”) muscles may also need to be tightened if they have become separated (rectus diastasis) over time. Unfortunately, if you have loose skin or significant separation of your rectus abdominis muscles, no amount of diet and exercise can get you a fully toned tummy. An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that can address these concerns by removing excess abdominal skin and fatty tissue and repairing separated abdominal muscles. Some people also have hernias in the abdominal wall that may be repaired during a tummy tuck. This combination of treatments can help you achieve a firmer, flatter midsection.
You may find that you are uncomfortable in specific clothing or a swimsuit because of the appearance of your abdomen. You may feel frustrated by the limitations of your current diet and exercise program. The benefits of an abdominoplasty are unique to each individual. An abdominoplasty can:
- Remove loose skin from the abdomen
- Remove extra fat from the abdomen, hips, and waist
- Tighten loose rectus abdominis muscles
- Boost your self-esteem
- Improve your self-confidence in and out of clothing
- Add balance to your figure
If you are interested in body contouring but have loose skin or extra fat around your waist and abdomen, an abdominoplasty might be right for you.
In addition to deciding whether an abdominoplasty can meet your personal goals, several factors must be considered in determining whether you are a good candidate for this procedure. Good candidates for an abdominoplasty include those who:
- Want to improve their midsection shape
- Want to improve loose skin of the abdomen
- Want to improve the contour of their abdomen, hips, and waist
- Want to achieve optimal proportions for their figure
- Have generally good physical and mental health
- Are nonsmokers, or are willing to stop smoking before surgery
- Have realistic expectations from abdominoplasty surgery
While an abdominoplasty can address various concerns, it has limitations. Knowing these limitations and understanding when you may be a candidate for a different type of surgery is essential. An abdominoplasty cannot:
- Address intraabdominal fat (fat on the inside of your abdomen near your internal organs)
- Be used as a weight loss treatment
- Prevent accumulation of fat or loose skin with future pregnancy or weight gain
Managing pain effectively is a large focus of our recovery plan. In addition to a multi-modal pain medication regimen, our plastic surgeons use a pain pump to deliver numbing medicine for postoperative pain relief. The medicine is delivered automatically—you don’t need to do anything. We have found that our patients using the pain pump need fewer narcotics and have a generally quicker recovery than those who don’t.
Generally, an abdominoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home shortly after the surgery is complete. In some cases, though, particularly if you have other procedures done at the same time, you may need to stay overnight and go home the next day. After your surgery, you will be placed in dressings and a supportive compression garment. You will spend a short time in the recovery room before a friend or family member takes you home, where you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you at least the first night. We will advise you on pain medication to ease any discomfort, give you detailed post-operative instructions, and schedule a follow-up appointment to check your progress.
It would help if you planned to take it easy following your surgery. It would help if you were up and walking the day following surgery, although you will be sore for several days. You should be able to resume your normal daily activities within one to two weeks following surgery. No strenuous activities, heavy lifting (over 20 pounds), aerobic exercises, swimming, contact sports, tennis, or golf should be planned for the first three weeks. As we monitor your recovery, we will advise you when it is safe to resume specific activities. You should be able to resume all of your physical activities within six to eight weeks of surgery, depending on the particular needs of your procedure. It would help if you planned to wear the abdominal compression garment for about six weeks following surgery.
You may notice that you feel less sensation in the abdominal area. This is usually temporary. It may, however, take weeks, months, or even more than a year before the sensation returns to normal. Incisions will initially be red or pink. They should fade and soften over time (up to 18 months after surgery). You will notice an improvement in your abdomen contour immediately. However, your shape will continue to improve in the following weeks as the swelling subsides. Final results are usually seen at six months to a year after surgery.
Every patient’s recovery is different. Your recovery may be quicker or take more time than average.
If you think that you may want to become pregnant in the future, you should mention this to your surgeon. Pregnancy can change body size and shape in an unpredictable way and could affect the long-term results of your surgery.
If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, be sure to tell your surgeon. She may recommend that you stabilize your weight prior to undergoing surgery.
It’s very common to combine body contouring procedures into one operative session and one recovery. One of the more common combinations involves abdominal and breast contouring together. Or you might include liposuction of other body areas, or even facial contouring. Just talk with our plastic surgeons about your concerns, and we will help you put together a plan that’s safe for you.
Absolutely! We include liposuction of the waist at the time of abdominoplasty at no additional charge. We will discuss with you the particular method that she recommends for achieving the best result in your particular case.
If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Smoking causes significant and serious wound healing problems after abdominoplasty and can lead to very poor scarring. Poor scarring can be revised after 9-12 months, but you can minimize your risk by not smoking.
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Gallery
This 45 year old fit female wanted abdominal contouring to address loose skin and muscle stretch (diastasis) that can’t be corrected with diet and exercise. She had an abdominoplasty with Dr. Kavali. Her photos are shown before and 1 year after surgery.
- Age: 41 - 55
- Gender: Female
This 42 year old female had severe diastasis recti and a hernia after pregnancies. An abdominoplasty with Dr. Kavali repaired both of those things, plus removed loose skin.
- Age: 41 - 55
- Gender: Female
31 year old female wanted her Mommy Makeover to include rejuvenation of her breasts and abdomen. Dr. Kavali performed an augmentation mastopexy with Allergan silicone, smooth, round, low profile, 260 cc implants placed below the muscle. She also had a tummy tuck with liposuction of her waist at the same time to complete her Mommy Makeover. She is shown before and about 2 months after her surgery.
- Age: 25 - 40
- Gender: Female
This 36 year old female wanted fuller and perkier breasts as well as abdominal contouring for her Mommy Makeover. Dr. Kavali used Allergan silicone gel, smooth, round, moderate profile implants, 375 cc, under the muscle. This lovely patient also had abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and liposuction of her waist and inner and outer thighs. She is shown before and 4 years after her surgery.
- Age: 25 - 40
- Gender: Female
41 year old female lost over 150 pounds after weight loss surgery and desired contouring of her abdomen and thighs. Dr. Kavali performed an abdominoplasty and medial thigh lift. She is shown before and about 2 years after surgery.
- Age: 41 - 55
- Gender: Female
37 year old female desired contouring of her abdomen and thighs after losing weight. An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and liposuction of her waist and thighs helped her meet her goals. She is shown before and about 1year after surgery.
- Age: 25 - 40
- Gender: Female
