Category Archives: Tummy Tuck

Many women find that as they age, have children, and undergo weight fluctuations, their body changes in ways they wish it wouldn’t! One change that many find particularly bothersome is the development of loose, sagging skin on the abdomen. Oftentimes, this is the result of stretching of the abdominal skin and tissues due to pregnancy or weight changes. After pregnancy or weight loss, the stretched out skin is unable to recoil to its original shape, leaving behind sagging tissue. Unfortunately, this loose tissue cannot be toned with exercises to make it elastic and tight again. However, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen is happy to offer a surgical solution – the tummy tuck! This surgery is a dream come true to women who have felt helpless as they watched their body change over time. However, many women considering this procedure ask, “What happens if I get pregnant again after a tummy tuck?” This blog post will introduce the tummy tuck procedure, as well as answer this common patient question.

In the past, plastic surgeons performed tummy tucks using a “one size fits all” approach, where sagging extra tissue was removed from the belly and the remaining tissue pulled together to create a tight, flat abdomen. While this surgery achieved a flatter stomach, it also left many women with an unnatural shape by removing tissue from the belly but leaving the back and sides untouched. Today, board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Traci Temmen have adapted their approach to flatten the tummy while also slimming the overall silhouette and accentuating the woman’s natural curves. To accomplish this, first liposuction is performed of the abdomen, back and sides. Through this technique, Dr. Temmen is able to start sculpting a smooth hourglass shape before she even starts on the “tummy tuck” portion. Liposuction also slims down the back and sides, ensuring the finished look will look natural and proportional with the abdomen. Next, excess sagging skin and loose tissue is surgically removed from the front of the abdomen, and the remaining healthy tissue is neatly pulled together to create a flatter, more toned tummy.  In addition to pulling together the skin and superficial tissue, Dr. Temmen may also tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall if she sees that they have drifted apart as a result of pregnancy and weight changes, helping to further cinch in the waist. Altogether, this approach to the tummy tuck results in a flatter belly, smaller waist, and silhouette that highlights a woman’s natural curves.

Now that we’ve introduced the tummy tuck, let’s answer the common patient question, “What happens if I get pregnant after a tummy tuck?” The short answer is, pregnancy after a tummy tuck is not recommended, but is unlikely to pose a danger to the mother or child. As we discussed above, a tummy tuck’s main purpose is to remove excess sagging skin and tissue, which is usually created by pregnancy, weight fluctuations, aging, or some combination of these. As the pregnancy progresses, the abdominal tissues will be stretched out again, negating the tightening and slimming effect of the tummy tuck. Along similar lines, plastic surgeons recommend that women also try to maintain their stable ideal weight after a tummy tuck and avoid big fluctuations for the same reason. While pregnancy can have aesthetic consequences on tummy tuck results, there is no impact on fertility or the safety of a pregnancy as the tissues targeted in a tummy tuck are superficial, and have no effect on the uterus or reproductive organs. The main difference a woman may notice is that her belly feels tighter as her pregnancy progresses. Nevertheless, most plastic surgeons strongly recommend that women wait until they are done with childbearing to pursue a tummy tuck, in order to give them the best chance of a beautiful and long-lasting result. However, as we all know, life is full of surprises! In these cases, please expect that pregnancy will alter your result and increase your chance of desiring a revision or repeat tummy tuck in the future.

A tummy tuck can be a rewarding and transformative procedure, removing excess skin from the belly and sculpting a smooth hourglass figure. However, it’s important to think about the best time in your life to consider having a tummy tuck. Ideally, patients should be done having children and at or near their ideal, stable weight. These conditions maximize the chances of having a stunning result that stands the test of time, and decreases the chance of later desiring a revision. Dr. Traci Temmen recognizes that plastic surgery of any kind is a big decision, and is committed to working with each patient to find the best option for them. As a woman herself, she understands her patients’ questions about how childbearing may affect their result, and is happy to discuss these concerns one-on-one. To learn more about if you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck or any other cosmetic plastic surgery you’re interested in, please call 813-771-6393 to book your personal consultation with Dr. Traci Temmen today!

Life can be hard on the body. As aging, weight changes, and pregnancy all take their toll, many women are left dissatisfied with their shape. The midsection in particular is a big source of shame and insecurity for many as the flat, toned tummy of your youth changes over time, leaving saggy, stretched out skin behind. Luckily, there is a way to turn back the clock! Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen is proud to offer safe and highly effective surgical solutions to her patients, including the full tummy tuck and mini tummy tuck. This blog post will talk about these two options, what sets them apart from one another, and who may be a better candidate for one versus the other.

First, let’s discuss the full tummy tuck that most patients are more familiar with. In this procedure, Dr. Temmen utilizes a combination of liposuction and traditional tummy tuck techniques to create a sculpted, flat abdomen with beautiful curves. In the past, tummy tucks were performed without liposuction. In other words, excess skin and tissue was removed from front of the abdomen, but the back, sides, and overall shape remained untouched. This flattened the tummy but in leaving the rest of the abdomen alone, resulted in an more artificial appearance that did nothing for the patient’s natural curves. Today, most plastic surgeons including Dr. Temmen perform liposuction first to slim and smooth the midsection, accentuate the waistline, and remove stubborn fat deposits like love handles. This improves the appearance of the abdomen overall, while also allowing the tummy tuck to blend in more naturally with the rest of the patient’s body. Once liposuction is complete, Dr. Temmen moves into the “tummy tuck” part of the procedure. For this part, a horizontal incision is made on the abdomen that is a little longer than a C-section scar, and placed low enough to be easily concealed by standard underwear or bikini bottoms. Using this incision, loose abdominal skin and excess tissue and removed and the remaining tissue is pulled together to create a flatter, more toned tummy. In addition, since it is very common for the abdominal “six pack” muscles to get stretched apart by aging, weight gain, and pregnancy, Dr. Temmen also pulls these muscles back together during a tummy tuck to help further cinch in the waist. Lastly, Dr. Temmen creates a new, pretty “innie” belly button to complete the look.

Now that we’ve covered the full tummy tuck, let’s talk about the mini version. A mini tummy tuck, as the name implies, includes the same components of a full tummy tuck, only on a smaller scale. Liposuction is still performed first to smooth and tone the abdomen. Then, the horizontal incision on the abdomen is made. This incision is shorter than for the full version, usually a little bit shorter than a C-section scar. Due to the shorter incision length, the mini tummy tuck only targets the area below the belly button. This is in contrast to a full tummy tuck, which targets the area both above and below the belly button. Along similar lines, the mini tummy tuck may also include abdominal muscle tightening limited to below the belly button. Lastly, because the mini tummy tuck stays below the navel, the patient keeps their existing bellow button rather than getting a new one.

Now that both options have been laid out, let’s wrap up with a quick summary of the differences between these two procedures, and who may be a good candidate for one over the other. A full tummy tuck utilizes a longer incision to tighten the skin and tissue both above and below the belly button, and creates a new belly button in the process. A mini tummy tuck uses a smaller incision to tighten the skin and tissue below the belly button, and leaves the native belly button in place. Therefore, people with excess hanging skin and loose tissue over the upper and lower abdomen are better suited to a full tummy tuck. People who are overall satisfied with their upper abdomen and just have a little excess skin and tissue below the belly button they would like removed may be happy with a mini tummy tuck. Additionally, those who wish to change the appearance of their belly button may prefer a full tummy tuck over a mini.

Both the full and mini tummy tucks are great options for patients looking to change the appearance of their abdomen and get the flat sculpted midsection they desire! Depending on the patient’s current appearance, desired result, and preferences for scar size and belly button, one option may be a better match than the other. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen is highly skilled at both of these procedures and enjoys working with each individual to design a personalized procedure plan that is the perfect fit for them. If you are interested in learning more about if you may be a good candidate for a full or mini tummy tuck, please call 813-771-6393 to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Traci Temmen, MD, today!

The abdominal region is a great source of insecurity for many women. And with all the flat stomachs and tiny waists in bikinis on magazine covers, who can blame them? Sometimes all the sit-ups and Weight Watcher’s meals in the world just won’t cut it, leaving women feeling discouraged and defeated. Luckily, Dr. Traci Temmen is highly skilled at using her surgical expertise to give women the body of their dreams! One procedure that does just that is the “tummy tuck”, also known as an abdominoplasty. This post will explain some background on this procedure and what kind of results patients can expect. In addition, it will address one of the most common questions patients ask about this procedure, which is “Will my tummy tuck scars be noticeable?”

While tummy tucks have been around for a long time and many patients are familiar with the idea, most are less familiar with the steps of how the procedure is performed to create that perfect result. The first step in any cosmetic surgery is of course meeting with your board-certified plastic surgeon. During this individual consultation, Dr. Traci Temmen likes to spend quality one-on-one time talking to each patient about their questions, concerns, and goals for the procedure. She also goes over their anatomy in detail to meticulously plan out how the surgery will be performed in order to give them the best possible result. On the day of surgery, Dr. Temmen first performs liposuction of the abdomen, back and sides in order to flatten the stomach and sculpt the abdomen into an attractive hourglass shape by accentuating the patient’s natural curves. This step of the procedure also enables Dr. Temmen to perform the tummy tuck part of the surgery afterwards through a shorter scar. Next, a horizontal incision is made low down on the abdomen in order to perform the tummy tuck part of the procedure. Using this incision, Dr. Temmen removes the excess droopy abdominal skin and tissue to create a tighter, firmer stomach. At the same time, she pulls together the abdominal muscles that are often stretched apart over time due to aging, weight gain, or pregnancy, helping to further cinch in the waist. Lastly, Dr. Temmen creates a new, attractive oval-shaped “innie” belly button to complement the new physique.

Now that we’ve gone over the basics of the tummy tuck procedure, it is time to discuss the question on everyone’s mind: How big will my tummy tuck scar be? In the old days, tummy tuck scars were long, unsightly scars extending from hipbone to hipbone and beyond. Luckily with advanced techniques and Dr. Temmen’s method of performing liposuction first, most tummy tucks today can be performed through a scar that is just a little longer than a typical C-section scar. In addition, Dr. Temmen takes care to make the scar as short as possible and as low as possible on the abdomen so it can easily be concealed by standard underwear or bikini bottoms. Most women are very excited that they can have a such a beautiful result all through a small scar that is easily concealed. Lastly, there is one additional small scar where the new belly button is created. This scar is conveniently located in the indent of the belly button to help conceal it even further, and is barely noticeable with time.

For women considering tummy tuck, the surgery can seem daunting – especially hearing past stories of patients left with long, unsightly scars and unnatural looking results. However, you can take just one look at the Gallery portion of this website to see how far tummy tucks have come today! With Dr. Temmen’s meticulous eye for detail and proven surgical techniques, patients today are amazed by how good they look after surgery, with minimal and easily concealed scars. If you would like to learn more about if you may be a good candidate for this life-changing procedure, simply call 813-771-6393 to schedule your personal consultation with Traci Temmen, MD today!

A toned, flat stomach is one of those coveted features that is desired by many, but as we all know, can be very difficult to achieve. Sometimes no matter how hard you work, no amount of dieting and crunches will cut it! Luckily in today’s day and age, safe and highly effective cosmetic surgical procedures are available for those that wish to finally get that flat stomach they’ve been hoping for. In fact, there are several different options for people wishing to improve the appearance of their abdomen, including full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, and liposuction alone. This post will parse out the differences between these procedures to you help you begin thinking about which one ones you are most interested in learning more about.

A full, or regular tummy tuck is one popular option for improving the shape and size of the midsection. In the past, this procedure focused on removing sagging extra skin and fat from the stomach without changing the appearance of the rest of the abdomen. However, this often had the unwanted effect of creating a boxy, unnatural-looking abdomen by selectively removing tissue from the front without touching the back or sides. Most reputable plastic surgeons today including board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen have adapted this procedure to produce much better results for their patients. When Dr. Temmen performs this procedure, she combines traditional tummy tuck technique with the gentle body-sculpting benefits of liposuction to slim, shape, and smooth the midsection. She first uses the precise power of liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits from the front, back, and sides. This helps sculpt the body evenly and smoothly while bringing in the waist and accentuating the hips, resulting in the attractive hourglass shape many women are looking for. In the second part of this procedure, Dr. Temmen then uses traditional tummy tuck technique to remove excess sagging fat and skin from the abdomen. This combination of techniques creates optimal results for patients, leaving them with a slim tummy and natural-looking, beautiful curves. The scar from this procedure is usually a little bit longer than a C-section scar, and Dr. Temmen takes care to place it low enough on the abdomen such that it is usually concealed behind a bikini or underwear. This procedure tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess tissue from both above and below the belly button. Because of this, this procedure also includes creating a new, perfect “innie” belly button in an attractive oval shape.

Another option for patients to consider is the “mini” tummy tuck. Much like the full tummy tuck, the mini tummy tuck also includes targeted liposuction of the front, back and sides to create a slim and curvy shape. The main benefit of this procedure versus a regular tummy tuck is that a smaller incision is made, resulting in a shorter scar. The scar is usually shorter than a C-section scar, and may even be short enough to be concealed by the pubic hair. In addition, because a mini tummy tuck only targets the tissue below the belly button, the belly button does not need to be remade in this procedure like it is in a fully tummy tuck. Good candidates for this option typically have excess skin and fat that is limited to the lower abdomen. This way, they do not require a full tummy tuck to address unwanted excess skin and fat from the upper abdomen, and the procedure can be performed through the “mini” incision. People who may not be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck are those who have excess fat and skin both above and below the belly button, making a full tummy tuck a better option.

A final option for patients to think about when considering their options for improving the appearance of the midsection is liposuction alone, without an associated tummy tuck. As described in the other procedures, liposuction is a method of gently removing fat in order to slim and shape the abdomen. Liposuction can eliminate stubborn fat deposits such as love handles, but cannot remove loose, saggy skin or tissue that hangs over the front of the abdomen. This would need to be removed during a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck. Liposuction may be a good option for patients who don’t have sagging excess skin to remove, but are looking to sculpt the body and improve overall shape. Along these lines, good candidates for this procedure should be close to their ideal weight, have good quality skin, and be aiming to target specific fat deposits that have been resistant to diet and exercise. With liposuction alone, the resulting scars are extremely minimal as it is performed through tiny incisions in the abdomen (usually between ¼ to ½ an inch long) that are placed in well-concealed areas of the body whenever possible.

As you can see, there are several cosmetic surgical options for improving the appearance of the abdomen. Just a few of the factors that play into choosing the best option for a unique patient are their current appearance, aesthetic goals, and preferences for scar size and placement. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen is highly skilled at all of the procedures discussed in this post (any many more!) and enjoys working with each individual to design a personalized procedure plan that is the perfect fit for them. If you are interested in learning more about if you may be a good candidate for any of these procedures, please call 813-771-6393 to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Traci Temmen, MD, today!

To many people, having children is the greatest joy life has to offer. But as much love and happiness as they bring, unfortunately many women are upset to find that no matter how much they diet and exercise, their body never looks the way it did before they had kids. Even those women who are able to lose all of their “baby weight” are often bothered by loose sagging skin and stretch marks on their abdomen. Every woman deserves to feel confident and beautiful, but many struggle to do so when these stubborn flaps of skin just won’t go away no matter how hard they work! Luckily, there is a way to get your pre-pregnancy body back through the tummy tuck procedure performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen. This surgical procedure uses a combination of liposuction for body sculpting, muscle repair, skin removal and tightening to dramatically reshape the abdomen. While most women know that a tummy tuck procedure removes excess fat and skin in order to flatten and tighten the stomach, many have concerns about getting a flat tummy but being stuck with the excess fat on their back and sides, resulting in an unnatural, boxy shape. What most women really want is a flatter tummy, no more muffin tops, better curves and an hourglass waist – but is this really possible to achieve with a tummy tuck? This post will answer this question, showing how a tummy tuck performed by an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Traci Temmen can give you pre-baby body back, plus the sexy curves and hourglass figure you’ve always wanted!

The traditional tummy tuck procedure removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen, pulling the remaining tissue together to create a flatter and firmer tummy. However, this does not improve the shape of the waist, muffin tops, or lower back. Dr. Traci Temmen has found that modifying this method creates the best results for her patients – leaving them with not only a flat tummy, but also removing love handles, narrowing the waist, and eliminating stubborn fat deposits from the lower back. These amazing results are achieved through a combination of the standard tummy tuck technique plus targeted liposuction that removes excess fat to sculpt the abdomen into an attractive hourglass shape.

The liposuction component of this procedure is performed first, eliminating fat from the lower back, stomach, and sides to create a slimmer, smoother figure. The next step after body sculpting with liposuction is repair of the abdominal muscles. During pregnancy, these muscles are slowly pulled apart, causing the abdomen to widen. These muscles can be pulled back together into their original positions during surgery, narrowing the abdomen. After muscle repair, the traditional tummy tuck technique is used to remove unwanted excess skin and fat from the front of the abdomen, creating a firmer and flatter stomach. An added benefit of performing liposuction prior to the tummy tuck portion of the procedure is that the tummy tuck can be accomplished through a shorter incision, leaving a smaller scar – just a little bit longer than a typical C-section scar. Dr. Temmen takes care to leave the shortest scar possible while still creating stunning results, and her patients are thrilled that their scar is usually easily concealed below the top of their bikini bottoms! A final important (but often overlooked!) component of an attractive abdomen is the belly button. Just look at any image of toned stomach and you will notice that the belly button is dimpled and has a smooth oval shape. During tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Temmen meticulously recreates a beautiful and natural-looking belly button, all through an almost invisible scar.

In addition to body sculpting with liposuction, abdominal muscle repair, and excess skin removal with the recreation of a beautiful belly button, Dr. Temmen finds that some patients may benefit from additional fat transfer, or moving fat from one area of the body to another. One of the more common examples of this is the Brazilian Butt Lift, which repurposes fat that was removed during liposuction of the stomach, back, and sides and transfers it to the buttocks to create a rounder, shapelier behind. Dr. Temmen meets extensively with each patient to build a personalized surgical plan that considers their individual anatomy and aesthetic goals in order to give them the best possible result.

Many moms struggle to get their pre-baby body and confidence back after they have children. The special tummy tuck procedure performed by Dr. Traci Temmen that combines both liposuction and standard tummy tuck techniques is a safe and extremely effective way to eliminate sagging skin, flatten the tummy, and sculpt the back, stomach, and sides into that sought-after hourglass figure. Check out some examples of real patient results by Dr. Temmen in the Before and After section of this website, and see the amazing transformations for yourself! Want to learn more about if you are a good candidate for this life-changing procedure? Call 813-771-6393 to book your one-on-one consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Traci Temmen, MD, today!