A sagging, protruding abdomen can occur with age, after pregnancy or surgery, or after significant weight loss. If you’re overweight, diet and exercising are still good strategies for loosing belly fat. But these methods may not give you the result you want, especially if they leave you with excess skin. 

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that Dr. Marshall routinely performs.  It is a safe, long-lasting, and minimally painful procedure.  Often combined with a little liposuction, a tummy tuck removes all excess skin (and sometimes stretch marks) while hiding the incision beneath your underwear or bathing suit line.  If you have had children and/or lost weight, your abdominal ("six-pack") muscles are usually moved out, creating a bulge around your belly button.  Dr. Marshall will suture these six pack or rectus muscles back into place eliminating the bulge and giving your belly its best definition.

Recovery usually involves about 5-7 days of real downtime, and Dr. Marshall will recommend that you wear a compressive, supportive garment.  Crunches and abdominal exercises are discouraged until 6-8 weeks after surgery.    

The results of a tummy tuck are usually long lasting, especially in people who maintain a stable weight, healthy eating habits, and exercise.