Losing weight through a proper diet and routine exercise is a wonderful achievement, but depending on your age, genetics, and degree of weight loss, you may notice that your stomach has some lax skin. As your body produces less collagen and elastin, your body has a more difficult time “snapping” back into shape. At this point, cosmetic surgery is one of the best and most efficient ways of achieving a flat tummy. A tummy tuck in Miami, FL, from Dr. Michael Keyes at Celebrity Plastics, can help you achieve the slim and firm stomach that our city is known for! Please keep reading below to learn about how this procedure can help you!
Tummy tucks improve the look of the abdominal area by removing extra skin and fat from the abdomen, followed by tightening the underlying muscles — giving a flatter, firmer, and more toned midsection.
Our team can ensure the best possible results by using the newest techniques and technologies to create personalized treatment plans. Dr. Keyes understands that not every patient requires the same degree of surgery, which is why he offers several variations of the classic tummy tuck.
TAP Blocks with Ultrasound
For an additional cost, which can be discussed during your consultation, Dr. Keyes can use TAP Blocks during your Abdominoplasty using Bupivacaine or Exparel. A TAP (Transabdominal Plane) block is a regional anesthesia technique used for post-operative pain management in abdominal wall procedures. These ultrasound-guided blocks involve an injection of local anesthesia between the internal oblique muscles and the transversus abdominis. This add-on treatment can give you about three days’ worth of pain relief so you can have a more comfortable recovery and also reduce the need for prescription pain medications.
Also known as a full tummy tuck, a traditional tummy tuck addresses both the lower and upper abdominal areas. It is a great technique for individuals with more significant extra skin or fat showing signs of muscle laxity in the abdominal region. During a regular tummy tuck, a horizontal incision is made above the pubic area, extending between the hip bones. Dr. Keyes will then remove the extra skin and fat, tighten the muscles, and reposition the belly button if necessary.
Mini-Tummy Tuck
A Mini-Tummy Tuck is typically recommended for patients with excess skin and fat in the lower half of the abdominal area beneath the belly button. During a mini-tummy tuck, a smaller incision is made above the pubic area, removing excess skin and fat. The abdominal muscles may be tightened to a lesser extent than a regular or extended tummy tuck.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck targets the abdominal area and the flanks or sides of the body. This procedure benefits patients with excess skin and fat extending to the sides or back. During an extended tummy tuck, Dr. Keyes makes a longer incision extending further toward the body’s sides. He then removes extra skin and fat from both the abdominal area and the flanks and then tightens the abdominal muscles before suturing the incisions.
Male Tummy Tuck
Similar to a standard Tummy Tuck surgery, our Male Abdominoplasty procedure is tailored to address the unique anatomical differences of men. Our male patients who seek out the tummy tuck procedure often choose to as a result of aging and fluctuations in weight. While it’s not a solution to achieve six-pack abs, a tummy tuck surgery gives men a second chance to look slim and svelte again. Dr. Keyes considers the masculine figure and body type to sculpt the abdomen, aiming to eliminate belly fat, address sagging skin, and improve abdominal muscle definition.
What are the benefits of a Tummy Tuck?
Dr. Keyes has seen our Miami Tummy Tuck patients enjoy the following benefits from their procedures:
Boost confidence
Clothing fits better
Enhance posture
Flatter abdominal profile
Long-lasting results
Motivation for healthy habits
Potential health benefits
Reduce back pain
Reduce stretch marks
Tighten muscles
Procedure timeline
Consultation
Dr. Keyes will chat with you about your abdominal goals, answer any questions or concerns you might have regarding the procedure, and then examine your body. After your procedure plan is made, our Patient Coordinator will help you schedule your consultation.
Who are the best candidates for the Tummy Tuck procedure?
The best candidates for a Tummy Tuck in Miami are candidates that have characteristics such as:
Committed to maintaining results through diet and exercise
Excess skin and fat
Have no plans for future pregnancy
Loose or weakened muscles
Non-smokers
It is important that candidates are in good overall health, have realistic expectations, and have maintained a stable weight for a considerable period.
What’s the first step?
If you’re interested in a Tummy Tuck in Miami, FL, your first step is to schedule your consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Keyes. When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Keyes will evaluate your body and discuss the best method to achieve your aesthetic desire, as well as disclose any medications you are currently taking, your lifestyle, your medical history, and details about any previous surgeries you may have had.
Dr. Keyes will guide you through every step of the procedure and may take some photographs for comparison. Once he has a good idea of how to best perform your procedure, he will create your surgical plan, and our patient coordinator will set up your surgical date.
What to Expect on the Day of Tummy Tuck Surgery
Your surgery will begin with the administration of anesthesia, the type of which will depend on the Tummy Tuck technique being performed. Dr. Keyes will mark the areas in which he plans to make incisions.
Dr. Keyes will make an incision just above the pubic area to remove any extra skin and fat from the abdomen, separating it from the abdominal wall up to the ribs. A large skin flap will be folded to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. Those muscles are then tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position, which will provide a firmer abdominal wall and narrow waistline.
The skin flap will then be stretched back down, any extra skin removed, and a new hole cut for your belly button. Finally, everything will be stitched up, your bandages applied, and a cannula may be inserted to drain any excess fluid.
One of the most common complaints after a Tummy Tuck is that the belly button (umbilicus) looks unnatural, is placed in an unnatural position, or both. Dr. Keyes takes extra special care to ensure that your belly button’s placement and resting position look natural.
A normal Tummy Tuck usually takes two to five hours, whereas a Mini-Tummy Tuck may only require one or two hours.
Procedure timeline
Contact
The first step to getting your Tummy Tuck surgery is to contact Celebrity Plastics and schedule a consultation through our patient coordinator.
Consultation
During your consultation with Dr. Keyes, he will discuss your goals and expectations, answer any questions or concerns regarding the procedure, and examine your body. After your procedure plan is made, our Patient Coordinator will help you schedule your consultation.
Pre-operative preparation
Before the surgery, the surgeon may ask the patient to undergo certain medical tests, adjust medications, and stop smoking or consuming alcohol. Certain foods and drinks may also be avoided. We encourage patients to have prescriptions filled before surgery.
Surgery
Tummy Tucks are generally performed under anesthesia and can take 2 to 5 hours. After surgery, you can return home and recover in comfort.
Recovery
After surgery, the patient will be monitored in the recovery room for a few hours before being discharged to go home. The patient will need to take it easy for several weeks, avoid strenuous activities, and take care of their surgical site.
Post-operative appointments
Follow-up appointments for Tummy Tuck are important to monitor wound care, medications, follow-up tests, activity restrictions, progress evaluation, and address any concerns.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
After your surgery, you will need to wear a compression garment to help decrease swelling and support the abdominal area. Since this is an outpatient treatment, you will be able to return home to recover that same day. Just make sure that you have a family member or friend available to drive you.
It is common to experience some discomfort, bruising, and swelling, which gradually subside over time. Your recovery time can vary, but it generally takes a couple of weeks to heal from a tummy tuck completely. You will also want to avoid any laborious activities and follow the post-operative instructions we provide you for optimal healing.
During your initial recovery, you will need to follow all of our post-surgical instructions to achieve the safest and most optimal results. One of the directions will be to do manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage to prevent excessive swelling and reduce discomfort. The lymphatic system is incredibly important and acts as your body’s defense mechanism. It consists of a network that works continuously to maintain your body’s health. The fluid transported by this system is called lymph, and it carries immune cells, proteins, hormones, toxins, and fatty acids, which are then processed by the lymph nodes.
Typically, after surgery or any traumatic changes your body experiences, the lymphatic system tends to decrease the efficiency of lymph production, which can result in inflammation and other health issues. By practicing manual MLD, you can stimulate the flow of lymph to improve the removal rate of toxins from your body.
Another important aspect of your recovery that you will need to adhere to for the best results is post-operative compression therapy. After surgery, the body attempts to protect itself from inflammation naturally. Wearing a compression bandage can help improve the rehabilitation process by reducing edema (excessive fluid build-up) and increasing your blood flow to supply healing nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. The optimal duration of compression therapy can vary between weeks, months, and even long-term based on the surgery. You will need to wear it 24 hours a day until Dr. Keyes says it’s alright to stop wearing it; you can remove any garments while you shower, but you should put it back on once you are dry.
The cost of a Tummy Tuck in Miami will vary from patient to patient and is determined by numerous factors, including the type of surgery you are getting. After consulting with Dr. Keyes, our patient coordinator will give you a full breakdown of the costs for your surgery.
Why choose Dr. Keyes?
Celebrity Plastics is a premier destination for transformative cosmetic procedures, led by Dr. Michael Keyes and his exceptional team — who understand that every individual is unique, as are their aesthetic goals. That’s why we create each treatment plan to suit our patient’s specific needs and desires, promising a truly bespoke experience.
A board-eligible plastic surgeon and the founder of Celebrity Plastics, Dr. Keyes is a member of the Social Media Subcommittee for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and has spoken about social media and plastic surgery at national meetings around the USA. He has been featured in various media publications, such as Vogue, Marie Claire, the New York Times, USA Today, Vox.com, and many more.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
Since your Miami tummy tuck surgery will be performed under anesthesia, you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure, but most patients can expect some pain and discomfort within the first week.
Dr. Michael Keyes and his team at Celebrity Plastics in Miami, FL, use the most up-to-date version of the pain multimodal pain management regimen for his patients, as per the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol. Dr. Keyes can also utilize TAP blocks for additional relief from post-op pain.
While a tummy tuck does remove excess fat, it is important to remember that it is not a weight-loss procedure.
A tummy tuck’s initial goal is to improve the appearance of the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and then tightening the underlying muscles. Patients should reach their desired weight before considering a tummy tuck and can prolong and even improve their results with routine exercise and a proper diet.
Please remember that patients who have received a Tummy Tuck should reach their target weight before surgery. Otherwise, they could risk having loose skin after their procedure. This is why we encourage our patients to be at their target weight before the surgery so they can look their absolute best after recovery.
After your surgery, Dr. Keyes will have you return for some follow-up appointments. These usually take place a day or two after surgery, then again at one week, one month, three months, six months, and finally, one year post-surgery. These appointments are intended to let Dr. Keyes monitor your recovery and satisfaction. Please keep in mind that while this is an average timeline of your check-ups, it is ultimately at Dr. Keyes’s discretion how many appointments you will need.
Dr. Keyes will always inform you of when you are expected back and when he feels like you have achieved your best results.
Typically, patients will notice some immediate results after their surgery, but there will be some swelling and bruising. As your body continues to heal, the contours of your abdomen will become more noticeably defined and toned. You can expect optimal results after a few months post-op.
Of course! Many of our tummy tuck Miami patients chose to combine their surgery with other procedures like liposuction, a breast lift, or a breast augmentation. Although combining procedures can be beneficial for patients, it’s important to discuss these options with Dr. Keyes to determine the suitability and safety of combining multiple surgeries. He will be happy to examine your areas of concern and make expert recommendations.
Dr. Keyes takes great pride in providing safe and successful results; however, risks are involved with any surgical procedure. The ones associated with a Tummy Tuck may include:
Anesthesia risks
Asymmetry
Bleeding
Infection
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Persistent pain
Poor wound healing
Possibility of revisional surgery
Other, more uncommon risks include:
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die
Fluid accumulation
Recurrent looseness of skin
Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
Skin loss
Suboptimal aesthetic result
Unfavorable scarring
Most of these side effects are temporary or will heal on their own; however, if you have any concerning or long-lasting reactions, please contact our practice immediately.
Schedule a consultation
Contact us today to schedule your appointment with renowned plastic surgeon and face, body & breast specialist Dr. Michael Keyes. Take your first steps to become the best version of you.
