Abdominoplasty FAQ ▾

Abdominoplasty

Located In New York City

Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure to tighten the abdominal skin and muscles. Pregnancy and weight gain and loss are the primary culprits in the abnormal stretching and loosening of the abdominal skin and underlying rectus abdominus muscles.

Dr. Imber is an internationally renowned plastic surgeon and has performed over 25,000 surgical procedures. He performs a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures in his New York City practice, popularized the S-Lift, and developed the Limited Incision Facelift Technique. He has dedicated his career to helping his patients look as good as they feel, and always strives for the most natural results.

Abdominoplasty

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a procedure to tighten the abdominal skin and muscles. Most patients who consider an abdominoplasty are experiencing abdominal stretching due to pregnancy or weight loss and gain. During this procedure, Dr. Imber will improve stretching and loosening of the abdominal skin and underlying rectus abdominis muscles. There is no shortcut for this operation and patients are extremely satisfied with the results.

Tummy Tuck Goals

The goal of an abdominoplasty is to remove loose skin in the abdomen resulting from weight loss or gain, or pregnancy. The core muscles of the abdomen are tightened and the skin is made taut allowing patients to look better with or without clothing and boost confidence. The benefits of both an abdominoplasty and a mini-abdominoplasty are endless.

Tummy Tuck Candidates

Good candidates for a tummy tuck should be in relatively good health and should have realistic expectations regarding the results that are possible through surgery. Tummy tuck candidates should have loose and saggy abdominal skin and stretched out abdominal muscles. If there is some stubborn abdominal fat but no loose skin, liposuction alone may be able to provide the desired results. 

What to Expect During Your Tummy Tuck

An incision is made in the lowest portion of the abdomen, usually in the crease above the pubis. The horizontal length of the incision depends on the extent of skin laxity. The looser the skin, the longer the incision. After excess fat is removed by liposuction, skin and fat are separated from underlying muscles. The midline borders of the rectus abdominal muscles are sutured at the waistline. In some circumstances, the belly button is removed.

Recovering From Your Tummy Tuck

Recovery varies for each patient, but typically takes around two to three weeks before most normal activities can be resumed. Exercise and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for six weeks or more. Dr. Imber’s nurses will provide you with an abdominal binder that you’ll wear to help make the recovery process easier. The procedure is safe, highly effective, and the results are good.

Scroll down

Tummy Tuck Cost And Payment Options

The cost of your tummy tuck in New York can vary between patients based on several factors. During your consultation, Dr. Imber and his surgical coordinator will review the expected cost of your abdominoplasty with you.

Mini-Abdominoplasty

In some cases, a mini-abdominoplasty is appropriate. A mini-abdominoplasty is usually combined with liposuction and is designed to remove loose skin of the lower abdomen, between the pubis and the umbilicus. This is the most common area of concern after pregnancy, and the procedure deals directly with the loose skin, and stretched muscle. The incision is confined to the area above the pubis, like a cesarean section scar. There is no need to reposition the belly button. Recovery from mini-abdominoplasty is fast, and usually uncomplicated.

Words From Dr Imber!

There is no shortcut for this operation; it requires removing large amounts of inelastic skin and results in a scar along the bikini line. On balance, the scar is a small price to pay and patients are delighted they went through the procedure.

– Gerald Imber, M.D.

What is an abdominoplasty?

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a procedure to tighten the abdominal skin and muscles. Pregnancy and weight gain and loss are the primary culprits in the abnormal stretching and loosening of the abdominal skin and underlying muscles.

What Is A Mini-Abdominoplasty?

A mini-abdominoplasty is very common post-pregnancy procedure and directly deals with the loose skin and stretched muscles. It is usually combined with liposuction and is designed to remove loose skin of the lower abdomen, between the pubis and the umbilicus. It is less invasive than an abdominoplasty. Recovery from mini-abdominoplasty is fast, and usually uncomplicated. During your consultation, Dr. Imber will advise which procedure is best for you.

What Type Of Anesthesia Will I Receive?

Dr. Imber’s board-certified anesthesiologist will call you the night before surgery to review all guidelines necessary for the morning of your surgery. Prior to this, Dr. Imber’s nurses will advise on medical clearance and discuss anything else you need to know before your surgery. Most patients receive general anesthesia and Dr. Imber’s anesthesiologist is on site the day of your surgery.

How Long Will Recovery Take?

Initial post-operative days are uncomfortable. Dr. Imber and his team of nurses will review all post-operative care and discuss everything you could expect. In general, the procedure is easily tolerated. Recovery typically takes around two to three weeks before most normal activities can be resumed. Exercise and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for six weeks or more. The procedure is safe, highly effective, and the results are good.

Are There Any Non-Invasive Alternatives?

There aren’t any non-invasive alternatives that deliver the results like an abdominoplasty. There are modest skin tightening solutions, but a true candidate for an abdominoplasty must understand the surgery can only correct your concerns.

Do I Need Any Special Garment Or Bindings?

Dr. Imber’s nurse will provide you with an abdominal binder after surgery. An abdominal binder is the usual dressing. This special surgical garment will help to manage swelling and provide additional support throughout the recovery process.

Why Do I Need A Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?

A board-certified plastic surgeon holds the highest levels of education and training needed to deliver the best results. This qualification is not easy to achieve, so by using a board-certified plastic surgeon, you know they meet the standards of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Will There Be Any Scarring?

There is no shortcut for this operation; it requires removing large amounts of inelastic skin and results in a scar along the bikini line. On balance, the scar is a small price to pay and patients are delighted they went through the procedure.

How Much Does An Abdominoplasty Cost?

Any questions you have regarding procedure cost and payment options can be discussed during your consultation at Dr. Imber’s office.

Dr. Imber’s thoughts on Before & After images
Watch video of Dr. Imber’s thoughts on Before & After images.

We Offer Concierge Services

We want to make sure you are comfortable every step of the way, from managing your stay in New York City if you are out-of-town to Post-Surgical Care and more.

Our concierge services include but are not limited to:

  • Accommodation Coordination with the finest New York City Hotels
  • Medical Photography
  • Medical Clearance
  • Private Duty Nurses and Escorts Post-Surgery
  • Transportation Post-Surgery
  • Pre- and Post-Operative Care

Conveniently located to serve New York City.

Dr Gerald Imber

Dr. Gerald Imber, M.D.

Dr. Gerald Imber is a board-certified, world-renowned plastic surgeon and strives to provide his patients the most natural results with the least invasive surgical techniques. He is recognized by US News and World Report and Castle Connolly as among the top 1% of plastic surgeons in the United States, on the staff of the Weill Cornell Medical Center, and directs his private surgical practice in New York City.

Dr. Imber has among the largest experience in facial rejuvenation and the prevention of facial aging. He has pioneered many less invasive surgical procedures that are now considered the gold standard among plastic surgeons, such as microsuction, a modified form of liposuction, to remove early jowls and tighten jawline, the extensive use of rejuvenating fat transfers, and the Limited Incision Facelift Technique, or Short Scar Facelift, a modern, less invasive facelift technique.

Dr. Imber performs a full range of cosmetic procedures, surgical and non-invasive, at his Manhattan office, including body, breast and nasal surgery, as well as facial reconstruction following Mohs micrographic surgery.