Is a Tummy Tuck Painful?

During the procedure, you will be pain-free, owing to general anesthesia. Post-surgery, you can expect mild to moderate pain, swelling, and bruising in the abdomen. We recommend you use pain medication and your compression garments throughout this recovery process to ease the symptoms.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Most patients, without complications, will have between three and six follow-up appointments after their abdominoplasty procedure. These appointments usually occur at the one, two, and six-week mark. These check-ups are primarily so your provider can monitor your healing process and make sure you are satisfied with your results.

How Long Until I See Results?

The swelling will mask the procedure’s results in the first month. With time, it will resolve, and you will start seeing your new contour. However, for the full result, we recommend that patients wait up to three months.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

Incisions for your tummy tuck will depend on which technique is being used. Dr. Ogilvie uses the thinnest incisions for all tummy tucks to limit scars. He also places incisions in less visible areas, such as the pubic region or belly button, so they can be hidden by underwear or a swimsuit. After your surgery, following your scar management instructions is important so your incisions heal properly and blend into your natural skin.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Tummy Tuck?

We recommend you only do walks in the first few weeks, with general cardiovascular activity that doesn’t bounce the abdomen or stress the core. We recommend waiting seven to ten weeks for a normal exercise routine. Once you start doing your abdominal exercises, you must focus on great form and pay attention to how your body feels. If you are in pain, stop immediately and contact our office.

Can I Combine a Tummy Tuck with Other Procedures?

Yes, indeed! Many of our patients will combine their tummy tuck with other body contouring procedures such as an Arm Lift , Breast Lift , Liposuction , or Thigh Lift . If you are interested in having any other cosmetic procedure performed, please discuss these ideas during your initial consultation with Dr. Ogilvie so that he can best guide you to what combined procedures are best for your tummy tuck.

What Are the Risks Associated with a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is not a minor surgery as it invades your core. We recommend you take a look at some of the following risks: Anesthesia risks Asymmetry Bleeding Deep vein thrombosis Cardiac and pulmonary complications Fat necrosis Fluid accumulation Infection Numbness or other changes in skin sensation Persistent pain Poor wound healing Possibility of revisional surgery Recurrent looseness of skin Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling Skin loss Suboptimal aesthetic result Unfavorable scarring If you begin to experience concerning reactions or have long-lasting side effects, please contact our office immediately.

How Do I Find the Best Chicago Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgeon Near Me?

When looking for a Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgeon in Chicago, we recommend first looking at achievements such as the board qualifications, the hospitals they have practiced in, published research papers, and the schools they graduated from. We would also research past patient reviews for the specific procedure. Finally, we recommend scheduling an in-person visit to ensure you feel comfortable upon meeting the provider and feel heard and included in the meeting.

Chicago, Il

Tummy Tuck

Name: Ogilvie Plastic Surgery
Brand: Ogilvie Plastic Surgery
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (16 reviews)

Introduction to Tummy Tuck

Our stomach area is one of the most problematic areas to keep toned and tight. With the pressures of life, aging, weight gain, and loss, our stomachs end up protruding, and the abdomen gets lax. An abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is performed in these cases when patients present with excess skin around the abdomen, which often makes them feel uncomfortable and self–conscious. This excess skin can develop for a wide variety of reasons with very few natural remedies, thereby requiring surgical removal. A tummy tuck in Chicago is offered at Ogilvie Plastic Surgery by dual board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Ogilvie. If you are interested in this procedure, please keep reading below.

Tummy Tuck Results

Tummy Tuck B&A

View Results

A blonde woman in a black turtle neck, sitting near the edge of her bed, arm raised over her head- Tummy Tuck Procedure in Chicago, IL

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery, performed by Dr. Ogilvie in Chicago, is used when patients want their abdomen to look slimmer, fitter, and more youthful.

A tummy tuck eliminates excess skin and often adds structure to the abdominal muscles. The result is an abdomen that looks firmer and fitter, allowing patients to boost their confidence and self-esteem significantly.

There are three most common types of abdominoplasty: full, extended, and mini. During your consultation, Dr. Michael Ogilvie will ask about your needs and goals before performing a physical exam. Then, he can help you decide the technique that can produce your best results. A full abdominoplasty is better if you would like to fix issues in both the lower and upper abdomen, whereas a mini tummy tuck is good if you only have problems below your belly button, such as a “pooch.” An extended tummy tuck is designed to improve the stomach, upper thighs, and hips.

Mini-Tummy Tuck

A mini-tummy tuck is carried out in the lower abdomen and can address the “pooch” as well as any stretch marks in the area between the belly button and the pubic area.

What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is an impactful surgical treatment for patients in the Chicago, IL, area who hope to remove stomach fat, acquire a more sculpted appearance, and tighten the abdomen. This procedure performed at Ogilvie Plastic Surgery comes with some of the following benefits:

Helps patients to attain an optimal weight
It may alleviate back pain
It might improve hernia symptoms and urinary incontinence
Provides you with a more slender appearance
Removes excess fat and skin from the stomach
Strengthens spinal support, stability, and mobility
Strengthens the muscles in the abdomen
Strengthens the whole trunk

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Tummy Tuck?

Individuals seeking to eliminate excess skin from around their abdomen are often good candidates for tummy tuck surgery. Excess skin usually develops due to significant weight loss or the stretching of the skin experienced during pregnancy. Many life events can lead to excess skin and “loose” abdominal muscles.

In general, candidates for a tummy tuck will:

Be a generally consistent overall weight.
Be able to take one to three weeks off of work (or be given light duty during recovery)
Be generally healthy enough for surgery.
Benefit from added structure to the abdominal muscles.
Have realistic expectations about what to expect.
Present a significant amount of excess skin around the belly/abdomen.

In some cases, a tummy tuck is performed concurrently with a liposuction procedure. This depends on whether you have noticed stubborn areas of fat and want to better contour your body.

A brunette woman relaxing, lying on a neutral couch, wearing a white lace underwear set and grey cardigan - Tummy Tuck Procedure in Chicago, IL

Tummy Tuck First Step

What’s the First Step?

If you want to know more about tummy tuck in Chicago and whether it might be a good fit for you, the first step would be to contact Ogilvie Plastic Surgery to schedule a confidential consultation with Dr. Ogilvie.

During this consultation, you can ask how a tummy tuck might work on your body and with your physiology. Dr. Ogilvie believes in a patient-centered approach, emphasizing education and communication so you feel comfortable with every step of your procedure. He will focus on your medical history and aesthetic goals and will also ask you about the motivation behind your desire to get the procedure done. He will give you a true picture of results so you can manage your expectations and outline various techniques with their associated risk-benefit analysis to decide what’s best for you.

Finally, he will examine you and recommend the most optimum approach for you. If he deems you an ideal candidate for the procedure, he will draft a surgical plan for you. Once you have his plan, you can schedule your surgery, figure out billing options, and receive any pre-operative instructions from the patient coordinator.

What to Expect on the Day of Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tuck surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning patients are allowed to return home the same day as their procedure is performed. The surgery itself takes anywhere between 2-4 hours to perform, depending on the needs of the patient. Most tummy tuck procedures will follow these basic steps.

Anesthesia — Tummy tuck surgery is almost always performed under general anesthesia.

Incision—The incision for most tummy tuck procedure patients is located near the bottom of the abdomen. Usually, it is made below the bikini line so that it can be easily hidden. Once the incision is made, the abdominal muscles may be realigned into stronger positions and given added structure. Additionally, excess skin will be removed.

Once the procedure is over, the incision will be sealed with sutures, and a compression garment will be put on the abdomen to apply consistent pressure and prevent swelling and fluid build-up.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Because of the nature of the procedure, patients need to take their tummy tuck recovery period seriously. Patients will be given medications to help manage discomfort, and swelling may persist for several weeks. Dr. Ogilvie will provide you with detailed and individualized recovery instructions to ensure your best results. Once the swelling subsides, patients will notice that they look significantly slimmer, with a firmer-looking abdomen that is more authentic to their actual contours.

Many patients report a significant increase in confidence and self-esteem after tummy tuck surgery. If you want to discuss your tummy tuck options, contact Dr. Ogivlie’s office today and schedule a consultation to get your transformation started.

Tummy Tuck Cost

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Chicago, IL?

During your consultation, Dr. Ogilvie will develop your unique surgical plan to reach your unique needs and goals before discussing costs. Once the type of abdominoplasty is decided, which technique will be used, which anesthesia you will need, and more, he can better estimate your costs. To ensure you get great results, Ogilvie Plastic Surgery makes your tummy tuck easy to afford by accepting several payment methods and helping you find low-interest financing.

Why Choose Dr. Ogilvie?

Michael P. Ogilvie, M.D., M.B.A., is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is double board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A native Chicagoan, he was born and raised in Hyde Park and is proud to serve the community he loves. Dr. Ogilvie prides himself on providing his patients with the highest levels of care founded on surgical expertise and artistic vision to give the most natural results possible.

With his highly personalized approach and meticulous attention to detail, Dr. Ogilvie should be your choice for your tummy tuck in Chicago because he strives to fully understand his patients’ goals to provide realistic expectations and expert care. He fully complements cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures to meet every patient’s individualized needs. Dr. Ogilvie’s dedication throughout his career allows him to provide the absolute best results possible with understanding, kindness, and compassion. He is an affiliate of the American Board of Surgery (ABS), the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons (ISPS).

Tummy Tuck FAQ’S

Incisions for your tummy tuck will depend on which technique is being used. Dr. Ogilvie uses the thinnest incisions for all tummy tucks to limit scars. He also places incisions in less visible areas, such as the pubic region or belly button, so they can be hidden by underwear or a swimsuit. After your surgery, following your scar management instructions is important so your incisions heal properly and blend into your natural skin.
We recommend you only do walks in the first few weeks, with general cardiovascular activity that doesn’t bounce the abdomen or stress the core. We recommend waiting seven to ten weeks for a normal exercise routine. Once you start doing your abdominal exercises, you must focus on great form and pay attention to how your body feels. If you are in pain, stop immediately and contact our office.
Yes, indeed! Many of our patients will combine their tummy tuck with other body contouring procedures such as an Arm Lift, Breast Lift, Liposuction, or Thigh Lift. If you are interested in having any other cosmetic procedure performed, please discuss these ideas during your initial consultation with Dr. Ogilvie so that he can best guide you to what combined procedures are best for your tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck is not a minor surgery as it invades your core. We recommend you take a look at some of the following risks:
- Anesthesia risks
- Asymmetry
- Bleeding
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Fat necrosis
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
- Persistent pain
- Poor wound healing
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Recurrent looseness of skin
- Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
- Skin loss
- Suboptimal aesthetic result
- Unfavorable scarring
If you begin to experience concerning reactions or have long-lasting side effects, please contact our office immediately.
When looking for a Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgeon in Chicago, we recommend first looking at achievements such as the board qualifications, the hospitals they have practiced in, published research papers, and the schools they graduated from. We would also research past patient reviews for the specific procedure. Finally, we recommend scheduling an in-person visit to ensure you feel comfortable upon meeting the provider and feel heard and included in the meeting.

Schedule Your Consultation

Our team at Ogilvie Plastic Surgery is dedicated to helping you reach all your aesthetic goals. To find out more about abdominoplasty and whether a tummy tuck in Chicago is right for you, contact the office today to schedule your free personal consultation with Dr. Ogilvie.

Contact