Abdominoplasty in Pittsburgh
Conveniently located in Southwestern PA, south of Pittsburgh, and easily accessible from central PA, West Virginia, and eastern Ohio
Introduction to Tummy Tuck Surgery
Are you self conscious of loose, sagging skin around your abdomen? When you do a plank and look down, do you see that tummy skin hanging like a curtain? Looking good in form-fitting clothes can seem impossible and showing your midsection at the beach or pool can feel embarrassing. Pregnancy, weight loss, and certain genetics can bring about that stubborn loose, sagging skin. Fortunately, tummy tuck surgery offers a transformative solution, helping you achieve a flatter, firmer abdomen and renewed self-confidence.
Our top-rated tummy tuck surgeon, Dr. Simona V. Pautler, performs all procedures. She has over 24 years of experience and is known for delivering natural-looking results tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Dr. Pautler will work with you throughout your surgical journey, ensuring your comfort and results that enhance your natural contours.
Who Can Benefit from a Tummy Tuck?
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are adults who are in good health, do not smoke, have a positive outlook, and desire any or all of the following improvements:
- Tightening loose, sagging abdominal skin
- Flattening a protruding belly bulge
- Removing areas of excess fat
- Reshaping a stretched or distorted belly button,
- STOP SMOKING! If you are a smoker, Dr. Pautler will strongly urge you to cease as soon as possible. It is important for you to stop smoking at least three months before and six weeks after your planned surgery. Cigarettes contain nicotine, a powerful substance that decreases blood circulation especially in the areas that need it the most: surgical wounds. Wound healing is slowed, infection risk is increased, and recovery from surgery may be prolonged. Nicotine containing chewing gums, patches, and electronic cigarettes are as harmful as cigarettes, so please try not to use them. If you absolutely cannot curb your smoking, Dr. Pautler asks that you be honest about it and let her know because she may need to alter her surgical plan for you.
The majority of tummy tuck patients that Dr. Pautler sees are mothers who are looking to get their confidence back and feel great about wearing a bikini again. She also sees patients, both women, and men, ranging in age from 16-70, who have lost a significant amount of weight but are left struggling with the burden of hanging skin.
Why Choose Dr. Pautler for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Dr. Simona V. Pautler combines expertise, artistry, and compassionate care, making her the trusted choice for patients seeking a tummy tuck in Pittsburgh, PA.
She was raised in Upper St. Clair and earned her medical degree from Columbia University before training in general surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital. She then completed a plastic surgery fellowship at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
Patients appreciate her direct yet personable approach. Her ability to connect with people allows them to open up about their insecurities, knowing she truly cares about their goals.
Moreover, as a female tummy-tuck plastic surgeon, she understands what women endure to achieve a perfect figure. That’s why she ensures each procedure is customized to enhance your unique shape while boosting your confidence.
What Happens During a Pittsburgh Abdominoplasty Consultation
Dr. Pautler will review your medical history to ensure you’re a good candidate for surgery. She will ask about previous surgeries, underlying health conditions, and lifestyle factors that could affect your recovery and results. You’ll also discuss your weight history, including any fluctuations from pregnancy or weight loss.
She’ll examine your abdominal area, skin quality, and muscle tone and discuss which specific areas a tummy tuck can address, such as loose skin, stubborn fat, or separated abdominal muscles. You’ll understand precisely how the procedure will improve your shape.
Patients have different preferences, so you will discuss where to place the incisions. Some patients prefer a low, under-the-hipbone incision, while others prefer a higher V-shape that allows them to wear hip-revealing, high-waisted garments. Dr. Pautler will ensure the scar is well-hidden by asking you to wear the garment of your choice, and then she will carefully mark the incision lines before surgery. This pre-op preparation ensures the scars won’t be visible when you’re ready to show off your body at the beach or pool.
Throughout the consultation, Dr. Pautler will encourage you to ask any questions about the procedure, recovery process, and what to expect in the weeks following surgery. She believes in transparency and will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. Dr. Pautler will discuss different options, such as a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck, and show you before and after photos so you can visualize the procedure’s outcomes.
You’ll also discuss logistics, including the cost of the tummy tuck procedure and any preparations you must make before the surgery. Dr. Pautler will also discuss her approach to post-operative care so you can feel confident throughout the recovery process.
Schedule your tummy tuck consultation today or stop by her office on Washington Road, across from South Hills Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT, 14 miles from the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.
About Abdominoplasty in Pittsburgh (Tummy Tucks)
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a procedure aimed at tightening and removing redundant skin and restoring a flatter contour. Often, if the client desires, it is combined with liposuction if there are fat deposits on the flanks, known as love handles or “muffin tops.” For individuals who have never had a “waist,” an abdominoplasty can give considerable improvement. The abdomen can be tightened in layers, depending on each patient’s needs. For young patients, or for those who have not had children, where there is excellent muscle tone, only skin needs to be removed. For those who have had a lot of weight loss or several children, both the muscle layer and the skin usually need tightening. The scar is variable in length and depends on skin excess. There almost always is a scar around the belly button, except in those patients whose skin excess is limited to beneath the belly button (in this case a mini-abdominoplasty is done). Sometimes there may be a short vertical scar extending up from the long scar above the pubic hairline. This needs to be done in cases where there is laxity of skin but not enough to completely excise the former “hole” around the umbilicus. Please ask Dr. Pautler to explain this if it seems unclear.
The tummy tuck surgery usually takes up to three hours and involves general anesthesia and can be either outpatient or involve one overnight stay. Before performing the abdominoplasty, Dr. Pautler will draw the skin excision pattern on you while you are standing. She will also outline the areas where fat will be addressed with liposuction. Drains are almost always used, as is some form of compression such as a binder or a garment to wear afterward.
Dr. Pautler performs tummy tucks at the Dunlap Family Outpatient Center near St. Clair Memorial Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. This 280,000-square-foot facility is designed to provide world-class care and comfort. It has 10 state-of-the-art operating rooms, 39 private pre- and post-operative suites, and advanced diagnostic equipment.
The facility also has an onsite pharmacy, a café with Wi-Fi access, and friendly staff. Additionally, the center provides physical therapy in specialized rehabilitation suites, ensuring a smooth recovery process.
The Different Types of Tummy Tucks
There are different types of tummy tucks. Experienced plastic surgeons design each procedure to address different body types and achieve specific goals. These options include a mini tuck, full tummy tuck, reverse abdominoplasty, and umbilical float.
HOW TO REMOVE A JP DRAIN
What Is a Mini Tuck?
A mini-abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck) involves a shorter procedure. The correction is limited to the lower portion of the abdomen, mostly below the belly button. After making the incision, Dr. Pautler brings separated abdominal muscles back together along the midline and then sutures them in place. The mini tuck removes excess fat pockets, smoothes the abdominal skin down, and trims away the excess skin.
Full Vs. Mini Abdominoplasty
Often patients come asking for a mini tuck when what they need is a full tummy tuck. If the skin quality above the navel is fairly smooth and free of stretch marks, while the skin below the navel is loose and saggy, then a mini tummy tuck is appropriate. Liposuction of the flanks can be done too. If the skin both above and below looks wrinkly and stretch marked, then it’s probably best to do a full tummy tuck, with or without the liposuction.
Reverse Abdominoplasty
The procedure targets loose skin and/or muscle above the navel. Dr. Pautler will make an incision in the inframammary fold, just beneath the breasts, lifting the skin off the ribcage down to the navel. Sometimes, the muscle is tightened, but only above the navel. She’ll pull the skin upward, removing excess tissue through the incision under the breasts.
Dr. Pautler will use absorbable sutures to anchor the subcutaneous tissue to the underlying muscle, which helps combat gravity and eliminates any dead space between the skin and the muscle. Candidates should be prepared for a scar that runs under both breasts and may extend across the sternum.
It is important to note that progressive tension sutures are often placed beneath the skin to ensure the tummy skin doesn’t fall back. Moreover, Dr. Pautler must place the incisions precisely to hide scars and preserve the inframammary fold. This fold must not be altered; it can affect the breast shape, potentially causing them to sag.
Pittsburgh Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos
See the results for yourself
Umbilical Float
The procedure tightens the abdominal muscle from the lower breastbone to the pubic area. Unlike traditional tummy tucks, there’s no scar around the navel, and minimal skin is removed. However, the incision in the bikini area is about the same length.
This procedure is ideal for those with an abdominal bulge (rectus diastasis) above and below the navel but without stretch marks, good skin elasticity, and a relatively high navel.
Dr. Pautler typically hides the incisions within the bikini line. The skin is lifted off the muscle, and as the dissection nears the navel, it is carefully separated from the muscle layer, allowing the navel to remain attached.
Once the dissection reaches the xiphoid (the lowest part of the breastbone), the surgeon repairs the diastasis from the xiphoid to the pubis. Drains are placed, the skin is redraped, and the navel’s undersurface is sutured back to the fascia, either in its original position or slightly lower. The lower incision is then closed, ensuring a smooth, natural-looking result.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck Surgery) Recovery
After the tummy tuck surgery, you will need to sleep in a flexed “beach chair” position for several nights. You will also need to walk bent at the hips for the first week or so. This is because of tightness (which is good!), which will eventually loosen naturally as your skin and muscle layers relax. Pain and discomfort are controlled with a combination of light pain pills, anti-inflammatory meds, and a long-lasting injected local anesthetic. The drains are most often removed 4–10 days after surgery in Dr. Pautler’s office. The compressive garment is worn for about 4–6 weeks, and afterward, most patients can return to normal activities.
Some areas may feel numb initially, but most sensation returns within about two months. As the nerves heal, you may experience occasional shooting pains or a pins and needles sensation; these are a normal part of recovery.
The scars may appear pink at first but should fade with proper care, including massage and emollients. Generally, smaller abdominoplasties involve a quick recovery, while more extensive ones require more healing time.
Tummy Tuck Frequently Asked Questions
Have a specific question? Contact us!
The downtime after an abdominoplasty in Pittsburgh varies and depends on the extent of surgery, the patient’s age, occupation, and overall health. For example, surgeries requiring muscle repair will take longer to recover than one only requiring skin removal.
In general, total recovery is between six and eight weeks for most patients. In the first two weeks after surgery, the most important component of your recovery is to get plenty of rest. It’s ok to walk around every couple of hours to prevent a blood clot, but nothing strenuous! Having a family member available to help with household activities and plenty of sedentary activities (books, gaming, and TV) available can help make the time pass by faster.
At three to four weeks, most patients have begun to return to work and light activities. However, this can differ if you have to stand on your feet all day or lift heavy objects. Strenuous occupations can delay return to work by a week or two.
At six weeks, returning to normal activities is generally possible and should be eased into. While everyone is different, you will be evaluated at follow-up visits where your progress will be monitored and activities advanced based on your healing.
There is no ideal weight for everyone as body types vary considerably between patients. However, in general, it is recommended that you be within 10–20 pounds of your ideal weight before considering a tummy tuck in Pittsburgh.
The best weight is one in which you can easily maintain by sticking to a healthy lifestyle. If you are having to overexercise or under-eat to maintain a certain weight, then you are not at an ideal weight for this procedure. The reason is once you stop the dieting efforts, the weight is likely to return and impact the overall results.
It is also important to note, that liposuction is not used for weight loss but rather to help contour and reduce bulges on the flanks or back in combination with a tummy tuck. Liposuction alone does not tighten or remove skin!
There is no ideal age to undergo an abdominoplasty procedure but on average the majority of patients are in their 30s and 40s. At this age, many of the women have finished having children and are beginning to notice the signs of aging occurring within the abdomen.
However, depending on certain circumstances, tummy tuck surgeries have been performed on patients younger and older. The ultimate decision comes down to your goals and at what age you feel comfortable going forward with an abdominoplasty procedure.
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