Abdominoplasty
(TUMMY TUCK)
- Dr. Duncan approaches her abdominoplasties with a goal of a taut, well-contoured midsection with no residual hanging skin or abdominal protrusion.
- Many women have a diastasis or abdominal muscle weakness after childbirth or weight loss; not all surgeons repair this.
- Patients seek out Dr. Duncan for this procedure because of her attention to detail, including waistline enhancement.
Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a popular procedure for individuals looking to restore a firmer, flatter abdomen and enhance their body confidence. Whether due to pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or aging, the abdominal area can develop excess skin, stubborn fat, and weakened muscles that are difficult to address through diet and exercise alone. At Plastic Surgical Associates in Fort Collins, CO, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Diane Duncan specializes in tummy tuck procedures tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Serving clients across Northern Colorado, including Loveland, Windsor, and Greeley, Dr. Duncan helps patients achieve a smoother, more toned midsection, empowering them to feel more confident and comfortable in their bodies.
REAL PATIENT STORY
This 38 year old mom lost 40 pounds with diet and exercise, but she was not able to correct the skin excess and muscle diastasis by herself.
“THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! (and all of your staff) for taking such great care of me and the wonderful job you did on my tummy tuck! It is something I had wanted to have done for a long, long time. Although I am still healing, it has already made a HUGE difference in the way I feel overall, and in my self-esteem. […] My low back [used] to hurt and whenever I would run, that extra skin would “bounce”. Now i feel I can do so much more!” – September ’17 patient
Frequently Asked Questions
At Plastic Surgical Associates in Fort Collins, CO, we understand that choosing plastic surgery is a significant decision, and you likely have many questions. Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section provides detailed answers about our surgical procedures, including breast augmentation, tummy tucks, facelifts, liposuction, and arm contouring. We address common concerns about recovery time, anesthesia options, safety, and what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Serving patients throughout Northern Colorado, including Loveland, Windsor, and Greeley, we’re committed to providing clear, helpful information so you can feel confident and informed every step of the way.
Please explain the muscle separation. My personal trainer tells me there is no exercise that will fix this.
The diagrams below show the position of the youthful abdominal rectus muscle , left, and the damaged muscle following childbirth, age, or weight loss (right).
Copyright 2016 Dr. Diane Duncan
Because there is no central muscle tone anymore, the stomach and intestines are allow to bulge out. While this is not a true hernia—insurance will not pay for the repair—the midsection protrusion that troubles many moms can only be repaired with a tummy tuck. Simple liposuction will leave the problem uncorrected.
My kids are 5 and 3. I’ve been working out at the gym for 2 years, but I am not seeing any improvement. I have skin that hangs over my C-section scar. I think losing more weight will only make this worse. Am I right?
You are most likely right. Stretched out skin will only contract slightly after pregnancy or weight loss. We have a non-excisional solution for mild to moderate skin excess, when you need less than a 33% contraction (see RF assisted abdominal contouring). However, if you have pendulous skin that hangs over a scar or in a swimsuit, you are like to need a tummy tuck.
How long does the surgical improvement last? I don’t want to have a tummy tuck if it needs to be redone.
The patient below had a tummy tuck by Dr. Duncan at age 30. She returned 12 years later for another concern. She maintained her results by following a careful diet and going to the gym 4 times a week.
Left: 30 year old following childbirth. Right: 12 years after tummy tuck by Dr. Duncan.
I’m worried about how much this might hurt. I looked it up on Real Self; a lot of patients complained that postoperatively they had a lot of pain.
Dr. Duncan uses a pain pump, filled with long acting local anesthetic, in addition to giving you a prescription for pain medication. This lasts for four days. Usually patients do not need pain medication other than Tylenol past this point.
Copyright 2016 Dr. Diane Duncan
The pain pump slowly drives the liquid medication through two IV-like catheters that are inserted just below the rib cage. These small tubes are removed on day 4. There is a drain in the lower abdomen that Dr. Duncan will take out about one week postop.
Many of our patients have an intolerance to codeine based pain medication. We have several alternatives including Tramadol, muscle relaxants, and Meloxicam. About 25% of our patients need no pain medication if the pain pump is used.