In Birmingham, Alabama
Sculpted to Perfection
At Core Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, we understand the desire for a flat and toned abdomen. However, there are instances when these efforts fall short of our goals. Enter the abdominoplasty, a truly transformative and life-changing procedure. In a span of two hours, Dr. Grady Core can turn a loose and bulging abdomen into a tight, attractive stomach that exudes confidence.
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Tummy Tuck Transformation
Abdominoplasty is a procedure that has undergone significant changes over the last few years. Recent innovations have made the procedure less invasive for some qualified candidates. Abdominoplasty is especially helpful for men who have obtained excess weight or skin in their midsection, as well as for women who have undergone multiple pregnancies with relaxed muscles and stretched skin. It is also helpful now for patients who only have mild skin relaxation and/or muscle relaxation. Abdominoplasty patients can expect a flatter, more contoured, and more visually satisfying mid-section area.
Offered at our convenient location in Birmingham, Alabama, at Core Plastic Surgery, Grady Core, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified plastic surgeon, performs abdominoplasty on men and women living in Birmingham, Mountain Brook, and the surrounding communities who want a flatter, more contoured abdomen.
While abdominoplasty offers remarkable benefits, it's important to recognize its boundaries. A tummy tuck is not intended as a replacement for weight loss or a proper exercise regimen. While the results are technically permanent, significant weight fluctuations can diminish the positive outcome over time. To ensure long-lasting satisfaction, we advise individuals with plans for substantial weight loss or women considering future pregnancies to postpone their tummy tuck procedure until their goals are achieved, or family plans are complete. At Core Plastic Surgery, our priority is providing you with the best possible results, and we are here to guide you towards the most suitable options for your unique journey.
Redefine Your Silhouette
Tummy tucks create a flatter, more contoured abdomen following a significant weight loss or pregnancy by removing excess fat and sagging skin. Other benefits include:
Ideal Candidates
Anyone with excess fat and skin in the abdominal area, along with stretched abdominal muscles that are not affected by a healthy lifestyle, may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. It is important to consult with a plastic surgeon to determine that abdominoplasty is the best option for you. Women should also have no plans for more children.
Tummy Tuck at Its Finest
Discover the gateway to your aesthetic aspirations at Core Plastic Surgery. With a Tummy Tuck Birmingham patients receive a meticulously crafted procedure to tighten and sculpt the abdominal area, bestowing a rejuvenated and contoured look. With a team of skilled and experienced professionals, you can rest assured that you are in capable hands. We take pride in tailoring personalized treatment plans that precisely address your unique concerns, ensuring optimal results that align with your goals. Embrace the journey towards a more confident and revitalized version of yourself by taking the first step today.
Book a consultation with us, and allow our expertise to guide you on the path to reclaiming your appearance and embracing newfound confidence. Grady Core, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified plastic surgeon, offers plastic and reconstructive surgery to people living in and around Birmingham, Mountain Brook, and across the Southeast to look and feel younger. Contact Dr. Core’s office today to schedule your consultation!
Personalized Procedures
What is involved with my tummy tuck? The abdominoplasty procedure varies with each patient, depending on the extent of the improvements to be made. There are several methods for abdominoplasty:
For patients with good-quality skin and no abdominal wall laxity or who have a small to moderate amount of excess subcutaneous fat, liposuction is an option. Dr. Core’s primary form of dealing with excess subcutaneous fat is through a technique called ultrasonic-assisted lipoplasty, also termed lipo selection. This is where a solid probe that is quite thin is placed under the skin, and ultrasonic energy is emitted into the subcutaneous fat. This is specific for fat cells and causes the fat cells to rupture, leaving other surrounding structures intact. The aspert is then removed gently with a low-powered suction. This is in contrast to a traditional liposuction, where high-powered suction is used to remove fat.
For those patients who have minimal excess skin laxity of the lower abdomen and/or minimal laxity of the abdominal muscles, a mini abdominoplasty is an option. Recovery from a mini abdominoplasty is fairly rapid, with the patient returning to full activity in approximately two weeks. A mini-abdominoplasty involves a small transverse incision just above the pubic area measuring approximately six to eight inches in length. A small amount of skin is taken out, and the abdominal area is liposuctioned. A small amount of undermining is done below the umbilicus, and the muscles re-tightened with several sutures in the lower abdominal midline. A drain is usually placed for eight to 10 days in order to prevent the buildup of tissue fluid in the pocket.
Endoscopic abdominoplasty is only for those patients who have no skin problems and who have only muscle laxity. A small incision approximately one-inch long is made just above the hair-bearing portion of the pubic area and in the umbilicus. The skin envelope is then elevated to reveal underlying musculature, which is then repaired under direct endoscopic vision. Dr. Core is one of the original inventors of endoscopic abdominoplasty and has been practicing this technique since 1993. The skin is then allowed to retract into place. A drain is also used for this procedure, and recovery requires two weeks due to the fact that muscle is, of course, what causes the soreness after abdominoplasty. However, this is an excellent option for those people who have excellent skin and only suffer abdominal wall laxity caused by the separation of the muscles, usually from pregnancy. This procedure can also be applied in men who have had intra-abdominal fat that has caused their muscles to separate over the years.
For the majority of our patients who have trouble with excess skin as well as muscle laxity, the cosmetic abdominoplasty is most commonly the option. The high lateral tension of abdominoplasty is the one most commonly practiced by Dr. Core, but he also practices the newer technique of lipo-abdominoplasty developed in Brazil. The Brazilian technique involves a combination of liposuction with minimal undermining in central muscle repair.
For many of our Birmingham tummy tuck patients who have maintained good abdominal muscular integrality and have not had problems with diastasis recti, we have found significant improvement in recovery times by not addressing any tightening of the abdominal wall muscle. For these patients of whom skin is the only issue, we are able to perform a “skin only” abdominoplasty. This involves liposuction and the undermining of the skin flap with stretching of the skin to tighten the abdominal area. The incision is within the panty line, and the postoperative result is excellent. We have found that in many cases of abdominoplasty, the tightening of the abdominal musculature is not as necessary as once believed. This procedure, as in most other abdominoplasties, also requires the placement of a drain, which is present for approximately 10 days. Full recovery is actually much quicker with a skin-only abdominoplasty than regular abdominoplasty, with full activity being able to be undertaken within three to four days.
Dr. Core employs a technique that he developed in 1996 called the “caudal flap technique.” In the caudal flap technique, the scar of the umbilicus is placed within the recess of the umbilicus instead of around it. The typical circumferential scar around the umbilicus appears like a target and makes the umbilicus too noticeable and is a telltale sign that the patient has undergone abdominoplasty. In the caudal flap technique, the result is an inverted U (see photo) which completely eliminates a visible scar in most patients and gives a natural appearance to the umbilicus.
Your Big Reveal
During the initial recovery period, it's essential to remember that your final results may not be fully visible due to swelling and your temporary inability to stand up straight. Patience is key as your body heals and the swelling subsides. Within these two weeks, you will witness a gradual shift toward the enhanced version of yourself. When the time comes, and you can stand upright, the full impact of the transformation will be unveiled, leaving you in awe of the remarkable changes achieved through the tummy tuck procedure. Rest assured, the wait will be worth it, and the newfound confidence in your revitalized appearance will be nothing short of extraordinary.
Tummy Tuck Transformation
Following your tummy tuck procedure, it is natural to experience some swelling and discomfort during the initial two weeks. However, the temporary inconvenience pales in comparison to the long-term rewards awaiting you. Embrace the journey towards a slimmer, more proportionate body shape, standing tall and proud of your transformation.
Thousands of people undergo abdominoplasty each year with no adverse effects and with great results. However, as with any surgical procedure, there is an inherent risk. Some of the risks associated with tummy tuck surgery include blood clots, the effects of anesthesia, swelling, infection, bleeding, and pain or discomfort. Thankfully, these complications are rare and can usually be avoided. Dr. Core will review these risks with you prior to your surgery. By carefully following your pre-and post-operative instructions, you can considerably reduce the risk of complications. Being a respected teaching cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Core is not only knowledgeable about endoscopic cosmetic surgery, but he’s also an innovator in this field. He provides his patients with the most up-to-date procedures and technology available and even practices special pain relief techniques. Dr. Core’s experience and knowledge are second to none.
During the consultation, Dr. Core evaluates your abdomen to ensure this is the best option to achieve your desired look. He also provides you with detailed preoperative instructions to follow leading up to your tummy tuck since the preparation varies from patient to patient.
Recovery periods will vary from patient to patient, depending on the condition of your health. You will usually be advised to avoid heavy lifting and vigorous activities while you are recovering. A light exercise program will help you heal better and can help avoid medical complications, such as excess swelling and blood clotting. Like most scars, it takes about a year for abdominoplasty scars to mature and form a subtle pale line.
The results from abdominoplasty take several weeks to fully become visible as the swelling and bruising from the surgery resolve. Once the healing and recovery are complete, the result is a smoother, flatter, more contoured abdomen. Any scarring is well below the panty line and significantly fades over time.
The cost of abdominoplasty is different for each patient depending on the technique and whether other treatments are performed during the same procedure. We review the costs during your consultation, along with payment and financing options. We offer financing through CareCredit®.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have and get you on your way to beautiful, natural-looking results. Contact us.
3595 Grandview Parkway, #150, Birmingham, AL 35243
