Tummy Tuck
Sculpted. Firm. Elegant Contours.
It’s common to develop excess skin around your belly after having kids or following significant weight loss. Many women also have weakened abdominal muscles after their pregnancy. Combined, these effects can cause your belly to protrude, affecting the overall contour of your body. A tummy tuck is the ideal cosmetic procedure for patients who are unable to achieve a taut, flat midsection through diet and exercise alone.
Dr. Sauerhammer performs tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) to give Appleton and Green Bay patients a flatter and firmer midsection. If diet and exercise haven’t provided the results you want, consider a surgical option for transforming your body into your aesthetic ideal.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is an advanced cosmetic surgery designed to enhance the appearance of the abdomen and restore core strength and integrity. Unlike liposuction, which only addresses excess fat, the tummy tuck procedure is a comprehensive solution. It involves three primary steps: tightening the abdominal muscles, removing excess skin and fat, and repositioning the skin for a smooth, taut finish across the stomach area. The result is a more defined, firmer abdominal wall.
A tummy tuck is the gold standard for correcting chronic abdominal concerns that no amount of sit-ups can fix, including:
Separation of the abdominal muscles that weakens the abdominal wall and causes a persistent bulge.
Loose skin in the abdominal area, often following pregnancy or significant weight loss.
A bulging stomach area and excess skin and fat in the middle and lower abdomen that disrupts the overall figure.
The tummy tuck procedure is a structured surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia in our Appleton facility. The approach is dictated by your treatment plan (a mini vs. a complete abdominoplasty).
The tummy tuck procedure focuses on the abdomen, specifically the middle and lower abdomen, to create a tighter profile.
In a complete abdominoplasty, the skin up to the upper abdomen is redraped, and the belly button is repositioned for a natural appearance.
Dr. Sauerhammer offers patients nearly 15 years of experience and specialization in rejuvenating procedures for the body, breasts, and face. Her practice also includes transgender confirmation, reconstructive procedures, and non-invasive cosmetic treatment. She is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
A tummy tuck focuses on creating a slimmer midsection and tighter body contour. Patients choose to have the procedure so that they can:
Feel stronger and fitter. A standard tummy tuck will tighten both the underlying muscles of your belly and get rid of unwanted extra skin. For some patients, these results aren’t achievable with diet and exercise alone.
Fit well in clothing. Excess skin and lax abdominal muscles can affect the way form-fitting clothes look on you. A tummy tuck can resolve this problem in a single surgery.
Have a better body image. Our Appleton and Green Bay patients frequently tell us how happy they are to be able to wear a bikini again and how much more comfortable they are with their appearance.
Since the Wisconsin Institute of Plastic Surgery plans every procedure based on the individual patient’s needs, your pricing may vary.
We encourage you to schedule an initial consultation so we can discuss your goals, explore your options, and help you look and feel the way that you want.
An ideal tummy tuck candidate is in good health, does not smoke, and has reached a stable weight. This procedure is not a primary solution for weight loss but a body contouring procedure designed to refine the midsection. Dr. Sauerhammer does not typically recommend undergoing a tummy tuck if you are planning any future pregnancies, as this could undo the results of surgery. It’s also important to have realistic expectations about the tummy tuck scar. A standard tummy tuck incision typically stretches from hip to hip but is placed low on the abdomen, near the pubic area, where it is easily concealed by clothing, undergarments, or swimwear.
Some of the questions you should consider when exploring tummy tuck surgery are:
Many patients come to our practice thinking that stubborn belly fat is the problem they need to address. A liposuction procedure can remove targeted areas of fat, but more often than not, excess skin is the real culprit behind their aesthetic concerns. In these cases, a tummy tuck is more likely to provide the results patients want.
Most patients need a procedure that focuses on excess skin above and below the belly button — a “standard” tummy tuck. In this standard procedure, Dr. Sauerhammer tightens the weakened abdominal muscles and removes the unwanted skin. However, \ some patients are candidates for a “mini” version of the surgery. This procedure only addresses excess skin below the belly button and along the bikini line.
Since pregnancy will reverse the aesthetic changes that a tummy tuck provides, women who may become pregnant should delay their procedure.
Dr. Sauerhammer will spend time during your consultation discussing these questions with you and will help you decide on the best approach for achieving your goals.
Patients in Appleton and Green Bay choose Wisconsin Institute of Plastic Surgery because of the skill, experience, and personal attention that our team provides. Learn what other people in our community have to say about our doctors and their treatment.
Dr. Sauerhammer performs tummy tuck surgery for Appleton and Green Bay patients under general anesthesia. You can expect to go home on the same day as your procedure. If you are like most of our patients and have a standard tummy tuck, you should plan for about two weeks off from work and away from normal daily responsibilities. Dr. Sauerhammer will place drains to help with fluid buildup following your surgery. She will also use a long-lasting local anesthetic to keep you as comfortable as possible in the days after your procedure.
Dr. Sauerhammer focuses on creating natural-looking and beautiful results for all of her patients. With a tummy tuck, this means placing incisions below the bikini line so that scars remain well hidden. Incision lines take about one year to fade to their fullest extent, and during your recovery, our team will provide guidance on how to minimize their appearance long-term.
You will see the excess skin removed immediately, resulting in a noticeably flatter abdomen. However, swelling will obscure the final result for several weeks. Most patients see their final, firmer abdominal wall and contour at three to six months. Because the surgery includes permanent repair of the abdominal muscles, the result is long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight.
Choosing Dr. Sauerhammer for your abdominoplasty ensures a result that is both safe and aesthetically elegant.
As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Sauerhammer uses advanced plastic surgery techniques to achieve a smooth transition and a well-placed tummy tuck scar. All cosmetic procedures are performed in our private, AAAHC-certified facility, with a treatment plan focused on achieving the best possible firmer abdominal wall and overall body contour.
Dr. Sauerhammer is committed to truly understanding your unique goals and devotes herself to providing high-quality, life-changing results for every patient, every time. If you are ready to learn more about how the Wisconsin Institute of Plastic Surgery can help you achieve your ideal image, call our office today to request a consultation!
A complete abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdominal area, including muscle repair (for separated abdominal muscles) and removal of excess skin from the upper and lower abdomen, requiring repositioning of the belly button. A mini tummy tuck (or mini abdominoplasty) uses a smaller incision, focuses only on the lower abdomen, and involves minimal or no muscle repair.
No, a tummy tuck is a body-contouring procedure, not a weight-loss solution. While removing excess skin and fat results in a few pounds of weight loss, candidates should be at a stable weight before the surgical procedure.
Most patients take off work for 2 to 3 weeks, depending on their job. Light activities can resume quickly, but avoiding strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks is essential for proper healing and to prevent complications such as blood clots.
The tummy tuck scar is a result of the surgeon needing to remove excess skin and is a necessary part of the procedure. It is typically placed very low, just above the pubic hair/pubic area, designed to be easily concealed by a bikini line or undergarments.
At the Wisconsin Institute of Plastic Surgery, you can enjoy a range of cosmetic procedures and dedicated care in our offices in Appleton and Green Bay. As a double-board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Sauerhammer specializes in rejuvenating surgical solutions, including breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and facelifts, designed to help you look and feel your best. We seamlessly integrate all our plastic surgery services with skilled dermatology care and aesthetic specialists: Megan MacCarthy, PA-C, Colleen Van Egeren, PA-C, and Amanda Olsen, PA-C. They prioritize your goals through comprehensive evaluations and advanced techniques to help you achieve optimal and long-lasting results.
