251-929-7850
Tummy Tuck
(Abdominoplasty)
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
You might think that diet and exercise are enough to slim down even the most stubborn waistline. But in reality, excess skin or stretched-out, separated abdominal muscles can only be improved through abdominoplasty, more commonly called a tummy tuck. By permanently removing the extra skin and tissue that so often remain behind after significant weight loss or pregnancy, a tummy tuck can help accentuate your natural shape or return your belly to its pre-baby contours again.
You can count on us to deliver the smooth, firmer abdomen you envision. Recognized as body contouring specialists, Dr. James Koehler and Dr. Vincent Gardner are some of the top cosmetic surgeons near the Mobile-Pensacola metro area. Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery offers a wide range of plastic surgery procedures for both men and women, and we are known for our caring commitment to a patient-first approach while achieving absolutely excellent results.
Are You a Candidate?
Both men and women can be good candidates for a tummy tuck if they’re over the age of 18 and have excess skin around the belly that won’t respond to changes in eating habits or activity level. Many people considering abdominoplasty have recently undergone major weight loss, been pregnant or have been diagnosed with separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti). It’s also important to be in good overall physical and mental health and to have realistic expectations about your results.
Although a tummy tuck can significantly improve your figure, the surgery is primarily cosmetic and should not be confused with weight-loss surgeries like gastric bypass. That said, a tummy tuck can significantly contribute to the positive physical and psychological benefits of post-weight loss body contouring.
Abdominoplasty is also commonly included as part of a mommy makeover, although the best tummy tuck results are seen in women who have already completed their families. During your consultation, your surgeon will go over all your options to help ensure that you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck before proceeding with surgery.
Before and After Photos
Planning Your Tummy Tuck
The first step in any body contouring procedure is scheduling a consultation with Dr. Koehler or Dr. Gardner, which will include a physical exam as well as a detailed discussion about your personal cosmetic goals. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have about your surgery or recovery. Some helpful questions to ask at your consultation might include:
- Do you think a tummy tuck can realistically achieve my goals?
- Which tummy tuck technique is best for me?
- Can I see before and after photos of your tummy tuck patients?
- Where will the surgery be performed?
- How can I prepare for my tummy tuck?
- What can I expect during recovery?
During your consultation, your surgeon will also go into more detail about the different types of tummy tucks and discuss which option is most likely to help you meet your cosmetic goals. Together, you can select customized tummy tuck options to create a personalized surgical plan that’s right for you.
Tummy Tuck Types
There are many different body types, shapes and sizes, as well as various reasons that women and men seek a tummy tuck. For this reason, our surgeons offer multiple surgical approaches to this procedure so that yours can be customized to fit your unique needs and goals.
Full Abdominoplasty
A traditional abdominoplasty offers the greatest degree of improvement in both skin laxity and muscle repair. This tummy tuck technique is ideal for those with loose skin and extra fatty tissue throughout the upper and lower abdomen, as well as women with separated abdominal muscle tissue.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck addresses issues only in the lower abdomen (below the belly button). A shorter incision is used during this procedure, which allows for more limited access but can also mean a faster recovery and smaller scar. Additionally, a mini tummy tuck doesn’t usually require any repositioning of the belly button.
Fleur de lis Abdominoplasty
This tummy tuck technique is most commonly used when there are pre-existing scars from weight loss surgery or other surgical procedures. The incisions are like a typical full abdominoplasty, with the addition of a vertical incision along the midline of the abdomen. Although the incisions are extensive, this procedure can dramatically improve the body shape for many patients who have had significant weight loss.
Belt Lipectomy (Lower Body Lift)
This is a tummy tuck combined with other body contouring procedures that lift the outer thighs and buttocks. A lower body lift is typically best for patients who have skin laxity throughout the abdomen, outer thighs and buttocks. The incision for this procedure goes all the way around the waist, below the belt line and is placed in such a way that clothes should cover the incision completely.
This procedure is used more often in patients who have had significant weight loss or have generalized skin laxity. A lower body lift is typically performed in a hospital setting with a night or two stay.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Tummy tuck surgery begins with an incision that runs from hip to hip (slightly shorter for a mini tummy tuck), with a low scar position to allow easy cover-up by underwear or swimsuits. Through this incision, Dr. Koehler or Dr. Gardner can then repair and tighten the abdominal muscles before surgically removing fatty tissue. In some cases, your surgeon may also incorporate liposuction to further refine your abdominal contours, as well as ensure a natural transition to the surrounding areas. Finally, excess skin is trimmed away and your surgeon closes the incision.
A tummy tuck can take anywhere from 1 to 5 hours to complete, depending on the surgical technique used and whether or not additional body contouring procedures were included in the surgery. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so you will need to have a responsible adult drive you home and look after you for at least the first 24 hours.
We are excited to offer Pro-Nox pain relief that can be added to any of the in-office procedures we perform. Pro-Nox is an inhaled analgesic that gives our patients 100% control through self-administration. Get short-term pain, anxiety, and stress relief without having to “go under.”
Dr. Koehler
Educated at the University of Alabama and in practice for over 20 years, Dr. Koehler is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who is devoted to providing exceptional results.
Dr. Gardner
A triple-board-certified surgeon specializing in both cosmetic and venous procedures, Dr. Gardner brings a depth of expertise, compassion, and innovation to our practice.
Risks and Complications
As with any major surgery, a tummy tuck comes along with risks such as bleeding, infection or fluid buildup, also called seroma. We minimize this risk with the use of post-surgical drains.
The most serious concern is developing a blood clot in your legs (deep vein thrombosis), which can be life threatening if it spreads to your lungs (pulmonary embolism). If you take hormone replacement medication, discontinuing estrogen replacement medications 4 to 6 weeks prior to surgery may decrease this risk.
Additionally, we employ preventive measures such as foot pumps during surgery and the administration of low-dose blood thinners when needed. The best prevention is to make sure you get up and walk around for the first few days after your surgery. Lying in bed and not getting up at all after surgery places you at the greatest risk. We will go over all of the risks and benefits with you before your surgery so you’re fully informed about what to expect.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Abdominoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to go home the same day. You can expect to feel sore at first, especially when standing fully upright, although this should pass quickly as your body adjusts. Pain, discomfort and tenderness are typically easily managed with pain medication and should gradually diminish over the coming days and weeks.
We will ask you to wear a compression garment initially to help reduce swelling, prevent fluid buildup and make you more comfortable as you heal. He also asks that you get up and walk around the house in the first few days after your tummy tuck to promote healthy circulation and help to prevent blood clots and other complications.
Expect to take around 2 weeks off work to recover from your tummy tuck, though this can depend on how physically demanding your job is. Although light walking is encouraged, you will need to avoid strenuous physical activity for the first 6 to 8 weeks or until your surgeon clears you to begin exercising more vigorously again.
Your Tummy Tuck Results
You should see a difference right away after your tummy tuck, although your final results will initially be disguised by post-op swelling. As your body continues to heal over the following weeks and months, swelling will gradually subside and your new contours will become more defined. By the 3- to 6-month mark, you should have a good idea of what your final results will look like. However, it can take up to a year for your final tummy tuck results to fully develop.
Over time, your scar should continue to fade and become less noticeable. It can take up 12 to 18 months for scars to fully mature, so be patient as your body continues its healing and repair process well after you’re able to enjoy your new waistline and sleek contours.
Tummy tuck results can be very long-lasting, provided you maintain healthy eating and exercise habits. It is possible to gain weight again after a tummy tuck, which can negatively affect your results. If you have children after getting a tummy tuck or gain a significant amount of weight, you may require a revision procedure to achieve your same results again.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
How much does a tummy tuck cost in Alabama?
The cost of a tummy tuck in Alabama will depend on the specifics of your surgery, including the type of tummy tuck that’s best for you and whether or not you’ve chosen to include additional procedures with your tummy tuck. At your consultation, we will be able to give you a more accurate tummy tuck cost estimate that factors in the details of your particular procedure.
Is there a payment plan for tummy tucks?
Yes. We are pleased to be able to offer several tummy tuck financing options to those patients who are interested to help them make cosmetic surgery as affordable and stress-free as possible.
Will insurance pay for a tummy tuck?
No, most health insurance plans will not cover a tummy tuck, as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. While in theory, a medically necessary abdominoplasty may be covered by some plans, this is a very rare occurrence.
How do I choose a tummy tuck cosmetic surgeon near me?
When choosing a cosmetic surgeon for your tummy tuck, look for qualifications such as an affiliation with the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, recent before and after photos of real tummy tuck results and positive online reviews from previous clients. Schedule a consultation or two and meet with each cosmetic surgeon at the top of your list before making your decision.
What’s the best tummy tuck technique for me?
The majority of tummy tuck candidates will see the best results from a full abdominoplasty versus a mini tummy tuck. However, if you only have a small amount of excess skin in the area below your belly button, you could be a good candidate for the mini technique. Following significant weight loss, Dr. Koehler or Dr. Gardner may recommend the fleur de lis tummy tuck technique for enhanced results.
Should I include liposuction with my tummy tuck?
Many people choose to include liposuction with abdominoplasty when both excess skin and stubborn fat in the abdominal area are concerns. During your consultation, your surgeon can help you decide if adding liposuction to your tummy tuck could help to improve your final results.
How close to my ideal weight do I need to be before a tummy tuck?
The closer you can come to your target weight before your procedure, the better your results can be. However, if you’re having trouble losing those last few pounds, a tummy tuck with liposuction should be able to help. You should maintain a healthy weight for at least several months prior to your procedure to ensure optimal results.
Does a tummy tuck hurt?
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Afterwards, expect some tenderness, soreness, bruising and swelling. These symptoms can be controlled with prescription and over-the-counter pain medications, as well as wearing a special compression garment and following your surgeon’s recovery guidelines closely.
Does a tummy tuck get rid of stretch marks?
If your stretch marks are located on the area of excess skin being removed during your tummy tuck, then yes, those stretch marks will be removed as well. However, not all stretch marks may be removed in this process, and it is not possible to guarantee that any will be permanently removed.
Are tummy tucks worth it?
The vast majority of our Fairhope patients are more than satisfied with their tummy tuck results and would say that the procedure was well worth it. However, it is important to go into the procedure with realistic expectations for your results. If you are unsure about whether or not a tummy tuck could be worth it for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Koehler to discuss your specific goals. There is never an expectation or pressure to commit to a procedure after a consultation.
Contact us online using the “Message us” feature at the bottom of our website or you can call us at 251-929-7850 to learn more about our practice or to schedule your consultation.
Trending Tummy Tuck Topics
- What to Look for in Before and After Tummy Tuck Photos: Learn how to “read” before and after photos to tell if a particular procedure or cosmetic surgeon could be the right fit for you.
- Does Your BMI Matter If You’re Hoping for a Tummy Tuck? Understand how your current weight and BMI might factor into your candidacy for a tummy tuck – and what you can do about it.
- How to Get Back Your Exercise Routine After a Tummy Tuck: Read tips on how to gradually reintroduce exercise into your routine after a tummy tuck to maximize your results and allow your body enough time to rest and recover.
- How Soon Can You Start Treating Your Tummy Tuck Scar? Read tips on how to help your scar heal efficiently to minimize its appearance as it continues to mature.
- Tummy Tuck or Liposuction: Which Is Right for You? See a side-by-side comparison of the benefits and drawbacks of a tummy tuck vs. liposuction to help you pick the best procedure for your goals.
Written By: Dr. James Koehler
A board-certified cosmetic surgeon in Fairhope, AL, Dr. James Koehler earned his MD from the University of Alabama and completed several post-doctoral residencies, internships and fellowships. He returned to Alabama to be closer to family and serve patients in the local community with a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures for the face, breast and body.
More about Dr. James Koehler | Last Reviewed: October 14th, 2025
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