My Unique Approach to Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck patients at my Chicago plastic surgery center often come in with preconceived notions that…Read On
TLKM Plastic Surgery
737 North Michigan Avenue #1500
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 788-2560
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
For many people struggling with excess skin and fat around the abdomen—whether due to pregnancy or significant weight loss—a tummy tuck is the ideal solution. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Thomas Mustoe and Dr. Sammy Sinno use advanced techniques to give you the slimmer, firmer midsection that exercise and healthy eating alone often fail to achieve.
Our exceptional abdominoplasty results speak volumes about Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno’s skills and expertise, and draw tummy tuck patients to Chicago from all over Illinois, the Midwest, the nation, and even abroad.
A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure that dramatically improves your appearance by creating a smooth, flat abdomen and slim waistline. People choose tummy tuck surgery when they wish to:
We commonly perform tummy tuck on post-weight loss patients or women whose skin and muscles have been overstretched by pregnancy. Patients who wish to restore their bodies after childbirth often combine their tummy tucks with procedures, such as breast lift, liposuction, or labiaplasty as part of a transformative mommy makeover surgery.
With over 30 years of combined experience in tummy tucks and body contouring procedures, our surgeons use refined techniques to customize your results according to your specific needs and goals.
The procedure typically takes 2 to 3 hours, although this varies depending on the surgical technique used and whether procedures are combined for additional body contouring benefits.
If only the area below the navel needs correction, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno perform a “mini” tummy tuck. This procedure uses a smaller incision and may require less recovery and downtime than a full tummy tuck. However, most patients get a more dramatic result with a full abdominoplasty and can still return to work and most regular activities within 1-2 weeks.
TLKM Plastic SurgeryA full or “complete” tummy tuck is performed with an incision that runs from hipbone to hipbone. This approach removes excess skin and fat from both the upper and lower abdomen and, if necessary, tightens weakened or separated abdominal muscles. The procedure also typically includes repositioning the skin around the belly button.
This surgical approach involves extending the standard tummy tuck incision, sometimes wrapping it slightly around the torso to allow for more extensive fat removal and contouring of the flanks and lower back.
During your one-on-one consultation, our knowledgeable surgeons will conduct a physical examination, explore your needs and concerns, and share a customized tummy tuck treatment plan using one of these surgical approaches.
Dr. Thomas Mustoe and Dr. Sammy Sinno are board-certified plastic surgeons renowned in Chicago and beyond for their unparalleled expertise, refined surgical techniques, and exceptional patient outcomes. Together, they set the gold standard in plastic surgery treatment and care, delivering:
Ranked among the best tummy tuck surgeons in Chicago, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno employ various innovative abdominoplasty techniques to make recovery as easy as possible and provide the most attractive, natural-looking results. Their patients enjoy numerous benefits above and beyond what you can expect from the typical tummy tuck.
As premier plastic surgeons, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno provide detailed postoperative instructions to enhance your safety and comfort during the recovery window.
Dr Mustoe is renowned for pioneering the use of local anesthesia with sedation versus general anesthesia for virtually all aesthetic surgery of the face, body, and breast. This approach gives patients the benefit of being conscious and comfortable throughout their procedure. Further advantages of local anesthesia include:
Dr. Mustoe has lectured internationally about his groundbreaking use of conscious sedation during plastic surgery, and he has published extensive research on this approach in leading medical journals.
After having children, some women have loose skin, mainly in the lower abdomen, along with abdominal wall laxity (stretched and separated abdominal muscles). Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno achieve excellent results for these tummy tuck patients by performing a mini-abdominoplasty with a floating umbilicus. Most surgeons make an incision around the belly button, tighten the abdominal skin, and then insert the belly button through a new opening in the abdominal skin
The floating umbilicus technique involves detaching the belly button from underneath, repairing the muscles, and then reattaching it to the muscle wall. This limits the incision to below the bikini line, which allows access to the muscle wall and removal of the excess lower abdominal skin. This superior technique allows Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno to repair abdominal muscle separation while avoiding incisions around the belly button. The resulting belly button looks very natural.
If an incision around the belly button is necessary, our surgeons utilize a groundbreaking technique that Dr. Mustoe published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal. This approach results in a natural-appearing “inny” belly button that women can proudly show off in a bikini vs. an unnatural belly button that looks like it was “operated on.”
By using innovative scar reduction techniques and overlapping the soft tissues at the incision site, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno consistently achieve a well-concealed hairline abdominoplasty scar that is flat rather than depressed. Occasionally, there is a short vertical scar from the site of the umbilicus that has been pulled down in patients with less skin excess. This small scar can easily be excised in the office a year later when the skin has relaxed, leaving only an inconspicuous horizontal scar below the bikini line that follows the natural contours of the abdomen.
Although it is an outpatient procedure, a tummy tuck is still a major surgery. However, our innovative techniques result in a much more comfortable recovery with a reduced rate of complications. It’s essential to follow Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno’s post-op protocols for a smooth, accelerated recovery and optimal results.
While every patient varies, here’s an overview of what to expect during tummy tuck recovery:
Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno share the same essential philosophy of being attentive and hands-on in post-op care. Our tummy tuck patients are given their surgeon’s direct cell phone number after surgery to ensure they receive prompt responses to any concerns or questions.
As with any plastic surgery procedure, pricing varies widely due to the surgery’s complex and custom nature. Following your consultation, you’ll receive a detailed and personalized quote, so you’ll know exactly what to expect regarding your specific procedure and pricing.
Request A ConsultationIdeal candidates for tummy tuck surgery are in good overall health, close to their ideal body weight, and have loose, excess abdominal skin, usually due to pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Many tummy tuck patients also have weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti). We recommend that you wait to have a tummy tuck until you are done having children. A consultation with Dr. Mustoe or Dr. Sinno is the best way to determine your tummy tuck candidacy.
An abdominoplasty removes excess abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal muscles, while the primary goal of liposuction is to target and remove stubborn areas of fat. Our surgeons will help you determine whether you can benefit from a tummy tuck, liposuction, or both procedures.
Tummy tucks are considered elective cosmetic procedures, thus they are not covered by health insurance. However, we offer flexible financing options to make paying for your tummy tuck more convenient and manageable.
No, most of our tummy tuck patients do not describe their tummy tuck recovery as painful. Because we manage your comfort during a tummy tuck using local anesthesia with conscious sedation instead of general anesthesia, our patients experience a faster, more comfortable recovery period with reduced nausea and other complications. Many of our abdominoplasty patients recover comfortably using only over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or Tylenol®.
If you would like to meet with Dr. Mustoe or Dr. Sinno in Chicago to discuss your abdominoplasty or other plastic surgery options, request a consultation online today. Or you can call us at (312) 788-2560 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.