Tummy Tuck
in Miami, FL

Standard Tummy Tuck

Also known as a Full tummy tuck, a Regular Tummy Tuck addresses both the lower and upper abdominal areas. It is a great technique for individuals who have more significant excess skin and fat, as well as 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 then removes excess skin and fat, tightens the abdominal muscles, and repositions the belly button if necessary.

Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck is the most extensive variation of the procedure that targets the abdominal area, as well as the flanks or sides of the body. This procedure is beneficial for patients who have excess skin and fat extending to the sides or back. During an extended tummy tuck, Dr. Keyes makes a longer incision that extends further toward the sides of the body. He then removes excess skin and fat from both the abdominal area and the flanks and then tightens the abdominal muscles before suturing the incisions.

Mini-Tummy Tuck

A Mini-Tummy Tuck is a less extensive procedure compared to a regular or extended tummy tuck. It is typically recommended for patients who have excess skin and fat only in the lower abdominal area below the belly button. During a mini-tummy tuck, a smaller incision is made above the pubic area, and the excess skin and fat are removed. The abdominal muscles may be tightened but to a lesser extent compared to a regular or extended tummy tuck.

Male Tummy Tuck

Similar to a standard Tummy Tuck surgery, our Male Abdominoplasty procedure is tailored specifically to address the unique anatomical differences and aesthetic goals 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 stubborn belly fat, address loose or sagging skin, and improve abdominal muscle definition, resulting in a slimmer and more masculine-looking physique.

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 discuss any medications you are currently taking, your lifestyle and 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 pictures. Once he has a good idea of how to best perform your procedure, he will create your procedure plan, and if you agree with it, our Patient coordinator will help you 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 excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen. Then, the skin is separated from the abdominal wall up to the ribs, followed by the large skin flap being folded to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. This maneuver provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.

Dr. Keyes draws underlying muscles and tissue together and stitches them, which narrows the waistline and strengthens the abdominal wall. The skin flap is then stretched down, any extra skin is removed, and a new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched up, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube called a cannula may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.

One of the most common complaints after a Tummy Tuck is that the belly button (umbilicus) ends up looking either unnatural, it’s placed in an unnatural position, or both. Dr. Keyes takes extra special care in making sure that the placement and resting position of your belly button look natural.

A standard Tummy Tuck usually takes two to five hours, depending on the extent of work required, whereas a Mini-Tummy Tuck may only require one or two hours.

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 naturally protect itself from inflammation. When you wear a compression bandage, it can help improve the rehabilitation process by reducing edema (excessive fluid build-up) and increase 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.

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, which is the deepest abdominal muscle. 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.