Restore a flatter, firmer midsection with a tummy tuck in Bethesda by Dr. Kasandra Dassoulas. This procedure treats loose skin, stretched muscles, and excess fat caused by weight loss, pregnancy, or aging, delivering lasting core definition through advanced surgical care.
Eliminate Excess Skin and
Tighten Your Core
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening weakened or separated abdominal muscles. It’s often chosen by individuals who have experienced weight loss, pregnancy, or aging, which can leave behind stretched skin and poor muscle tone that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise. By reshaping the abdominal contour, a tummy tuck restores a firmer, flatter midsection and enhances your silhouette. The result is a more youthful, toned appearance that can improve your comfort and confidence.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Treats:
- Loose or sagging abdominal skin after weight loss or pregnancy
- Separated or weakened abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
- Excess lower belly fat that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise
- A protruding or bulging midsection due to poor muscle tone
- Skin irritation or hygiene issues caused by overhanging folds
- Loss of waistline definition and core contour
- Stretch marks on the lower abdomen
Types of Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is ideal for individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity and a small amount of fat below the navel. This procedure involves a shorter incision and focuses solely on the lower abdomen without repositioning the belly button. Dr. Dassoulas tightens the lower abdominal muscles and removes excess skin to create a smoother, flatter lower belly.
Full Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck is the most common approach for patients with significant skin laxity, excess fat, and muscle separation. Dr. Dassoulas makes a horizontal incision from hip to hip and an additional incision around the navel to reposition it naturally. She tightens the abdominal wall muscles and removes excess skin and fat, sculpting a flatter, firmer midsection.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck is for patients with excess skin and fat beyond the front of the abdomen, often wrapping around the flanks and lower back. This procedure involves a longer incision that continues beyond the hips, allowing Dr. Dassoulas to address the lower torso. The extended tummy tuck in Bethesda also improves body contours along the waistline and love handles.
Benefits of Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty):
- Removes loose, excess skin for a firmer, flatter abdomen
- Repairs separated abdominal muscles to improve core strength
- Reduces or eliminates lower abdominal stretch marks
- Alleviates skin irritation or rashes caused by skin folds
- Provides long-lasting results with proper weight maintenance
- Can be combined with liposuction for enhanced contouring
- Offers reconstructive benefits after pregnancy or weight loss
Your Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Surgery
Your tummy tuck is performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility. Dr. Dassoulas begins by making a low horizontal incision above the pubic area. For a full tummy tuck, she also creates a circular incision around your navel to reposition it. Through this access, she lifts the abdominal skin and identifies the separated rectus abdominis muscles. She sutures these muscles tightly back together along the midline to restore strength and reduce bulging.
Once the muscles are reinforced, Dr. Dassoulas removes the excess skin and underlying fat from the lower abdomen. This is done using a scalpel and electrocautery to minimize bleeding. If needed, she also performs liposuction in the adjacent areas to smooth the contour and reduce stubborn fat pockets. She then pulls the upper abdominal skin downward, trims the excess, and creates a new opening for the belly button so it sits in a natural position.
Finally, she inserts small drains under the skin to prevent fluid accumulation, closes the incisions with internal dissolvable sutures, and applies a compression garment. You’ll be monitored closely as you begin your recovery and healing process.
Recovery After Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
After your tummy tuck, you’ll experience swelling, bruising, tightness, and mild to moderate discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication. Most patients take about two weeks off work and wear a compression garment for several weeks to reduce swelling and support the abdominal tissues. Drains are usually removed within one to two weeks, and you’ll be guided through proper incision care and gradual return to light activity.
Initial results are visible once swelling decreases, typically within 6 to 8 weeks, but the final outcomes take 3 to 6 months to fully settle. The results are long-lasting with stable weight and healthy lifestyle habits. The scars usually fade over time, and Dr. Dassoulas also offers post-operative laser treatments for all appropriate candidates to help minimize the appearance of scars and enhance your final outcome.
Initiate Your Transformation Today
Dr. Kasandra Dassoulas is a board-certified plastic surgeon with 14+ years of surgical experience. She specializes in advanced body contouring procedures to help restore your confidence after weight loss, pregnancy, or natural aging. At Potomac Aesthetic Surgery, she performs tummy tucks in accredited surgical facilities and provides personalized aftercare, including laser scar treatments for eligible patients. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward a flatter, firmer abdomen with a tummy tuck in Bethesda, MD.
