Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery—also called abdominoplasty—is a popular post-pregnancy option for OKC women with excess skin who want to regain a flatter belly and a slimmer waist. As a body contouring specialist, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Oscar E. Masters is known for creating transformational tummy tuck results at his Oklahoma City, OK, practice.

What Happens During Your Consultation?

It’s natural to be a bit nervous when you arrive for a tummy tuck consultation. Dr. Masters’ easygoing demeanor sets patients at ease and helps them feel comfortable discussing their concerns with him. In addition to conducting a physical exam, Dr. Masters spends a great deal of time with patients describing the procedure and answering any questions they might have. He believes that patients are more confident when they’re educated about the surgery and have realistic expectations about what it can accomplish.

Who Gets Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Even though tummy tuck procedures are often associated with women after they have children, both men and women who lose a lot of weight can benefit from abdominoplasty. Tummy tuck patients have excess abdominal skin that remains after pregnancy or weight loss, and surgery is really the only option for removing it.

Women with belly pooches caused by separated abdominal muscles—a condition called diastasis recti—can also benefit from a tummy tuck even if they have minimal excess skin.

Ideal tummy tuck candidates:

• Are in good overall health
• Are at or near the weight they want to maintain, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or lower
• Have realistic expectations about the results
• Can take the time needed to recover
• Don’t plan to have additional children

It’s also important that patients lead healthy lifestyles—including exercising regularly and eating a nutritious diet—to help maintain their results.

How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?

Dr. Masters customizes each tummy tuck surgery he performs based on the needs of the patient. Advanced body contouring techniques include the standard tummy tuck and multiple variations. Dr. Masters discusses these options during the consultation and recommends the approach he believes is best suited for you.

A standard tummy tuck involves making a horizontal incision low on the abdomen, slightly above the pubic area, so that the scar can be easily concealed by underwear or swim bottoms. After making the incision, Dr. Masters carefully lifts the skin and repairs the separated abdominal muscles, if needed. He typically uses liposuction to remove excess fat and create smooth contours. He also makes an incision around the bellybutton to release it from the skin, which is then pulled tight. Typically, a significant span of excess skin is removed.

Before closing the incision, Dr. Masters injects a long-acting, non-opioid local anesthetic called Exparel® to greatly reduce postoperative pain during the early stages of recovery. A research paper authored by Dr. Masters in 2013 was the first to demonstrate the post-op pain control benefits of Exparel; he earned an award for the Best Aesthetic Paper at the American Society of Plastic Surgery’s annual meeting that year.

What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

In some cases, Dr. Masters may perform a mini tummy tuck which involves making a smaller incision. However, relatively few patients are good candidates for this approach because it only addresses concerns below the bellybutton. The abdominal muscles and upper abdominal skin are not improved with this limited procedure.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

The cost of your tummy tuck surgery depends on several factors, including the extent of the surgery. A personalized quote will be presented to you at your consultation. It includes related fees for the operating room, a board-certified anesthesiologist, and other costs. A tummy tuck is major surgery, and it’s important to choose the best plastic surgeon for you in OKC.