Craig W. Colville, M.D., F.A.C.S
2865 North Reynolds Road #250
Toledo, OH 43615
Phone: (419) 534-6551
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
For women and men who would like a smoother, flatter midsection, Dr. Craig Colville performs abdominoplasty, often called a tummy tuck, at his Toledo, Ohio, practice. This transformative surgery is the preferred option for removing excess skin and fat, and tightening lax abdominal muscles – characteristics that often result from pregnancy or significant weight loss. Tummy tuck surgery provides improvements that cannot be achieved through diet and exercise alone.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Craig Colville attracts tummy tuck and other plastic surgery patients from Sandusky, Findlay, Ann Arbor, and throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan to his Toledo plastic surgery practice. To learn more, request a consultation online or call (419) 534-6551 to schedule an appointment.
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Tummy tuck is the appropriate procedure when you have more than just fat around your abdomen. Abdominoplasty patients usually have one or more of the following concerns:
The appearance may improve somewhat with exercise, but ultimately these conditions require surgical correction. Typical tummy tuck patients have gone through one or more pregnancies or lost a significant amount of weight.
Tummy tuck surgery repairs weakened or damaged muscles, removes excess skin, and reduces fat in the midsection. This makes it especially popular with women who have had children, because in addition to stretched skin, pregnancy often causes a separation of the abdominal muscles called diastasis recti. Although diastasis recti sometimes resolves on its own, many cases require surgical repair, which slims the waist and flattens the abdomen.
Tummy tuck is also a good option for individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight. These men and women are often left with extra skin and abdominal sagging that prevent them from fully enjoying the results of their hard work.
If you have good skin elasticity and your primary concern is fat around the midsection, liposuction may be a better option than a tummy tuck. Dr. Colville often combines both liposuction and abdominoplasty into a single procedure.
During your consultation, Dr. Colville will evaluate your abdomen and make a recommendation about the right choice for you.
If you are like most tummy tuck candidates, you will likely benefit from a full tummy tuck. During this procedure, Dr. Colville typically makes an incision on the lower abdomen, extending from hip to hip where it will be hidden beneath underwear or a bikini. In most cases, there is also an incision around the navel. The full tummy tuck allows for muscle repair and fat and skin removal, both above and below the navel.
A mini tummy tuck is a less-invasive tummy tuck technique that involves a shorter incision and recovery period.
The mini tummy tuck is appropriate for a small number of patients. If your concerns are isolated to the area below the navel, a mini tummy tuck may be appropriate. This technique does not alter the belly button.
Yes, every surgical procedure leaves a scar. The mini tummy tuck incision leaves a shorter, less visible scar directly above the pubic bone, similar to a C-section scar.
If you’re unsure of which approach is best for you, Dr. Colville can help you decide during your consultation.
In some cases, women who undergo tummy tuck surgery choose to combine it with breast augmentation or a breast lift in a popular combination surgery called a mommy makeover. Whichever options you choose, Dr. Colville will be sure to inform you of what you can expect from your surgery and recovery.
To ensure your safety and comfort, Dr. Colville performs abdominoplasty using a general anesthetic. He begins by making the incision low on your abdomen. Depending on your unique surgical plan, he may remove excess fat using liposuction, surgically tighten weakened or separated abdominal muscles, and remove stretched skin, pulling it downward to create a smooth, flat abdominal contour. He may also adjust the navel, if necessary. Once he is satisfied with the shape and symmetry of your abdomen, he closes the incision with sutures. In most cases, he will place at least 1 temporary surgical drain to prevent complications from the buildup of excessive fluid.
Tummy tuck surgery is an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be able to return home the same day. You’ll need a friend or loved one to drive you home and stay with you as you rest immediately after surgery.
"My ultimate goal is to design a plan accommodating your wishes and desires in the most aesthetically pleasing manner possible."
Meet Dr. ColvilleDuring recovery, it’s important to have a family member or friend to help you with certain everyday tasks. You should avoid any activities that require you to reach, bend, stoop, or lift. Therefore, you’ll need help with things like housekeeping, cooking, errands, and childcare.
You will wear a compression garment to help control swelling, and you will receive detailed instructions about showering, changing bandages, caring for your drains, and taking medications. Your surgical drains are removed after about a week, and Dr. Colville and his team monitor your healing at follow-up appointments.
Pain levels after tummy tuck surgery vary from person to person, but it is common to experience some discomfort and soreness for at least the first 10 days. Pain can be managed with prescribed pain medications, and the discomfort typically improves over time as healing progresses.
Most tummy tuck patients take 10 to 14 days off work after surgery. It’s imperative that you give your body plenty of time to recuperate and heal before returning to your routine activities.
Dr. Colville warns against driving until you’re no longer taking prescription pain medication.
Patients are typically ready for gentle workouts in about 3 to 4 weeks. Hold off on more strenuous workouts for at least 6 weeks.
For more information about tummy tuck recovery week by week, review our blog post.
Tummy tuck surgery isn’t a weight loss procedure; it primarily focuses on removing excess skin and tightening the abdominal muscles. While some weight may be lost due to the removal of skin and tissue, the amount varies among individuals and is not the primary goal of the surgery.
While perfectly safe after a tummy tuck, pregnancy can create many of the concerns that make patients want to have the surgery, such as loose skin and stretched abdominal muscles. It may be a better option to hold off on a tummy tuck until after your family is complete.
On average, most people can expect to drop between 1 to 3 clothing sizes after tummy tuck surgery, with the most noticeable change being a reduction in waist size due to the removal of excess skin and tightening of the abdominal muscles.
Wearing a compression garment during the recovery period after a tummy tuck is typically recommended. Compression garments help reduce swelling, provide support to the surgical area, and promote proper healing. Following your surgeon’s advice regarding wearing a compression garment can contribute to optimal results.
In most cases, during a tummy tuck procedure, the bellybutton is not moved. Instead, the excess skin and tissue are repositioned and tightened around the existing belly button, resulting in a more rejuvenated appearance. However, in certain cases where significant changes to the abdominal area are required, the position of the bellybutton may be adjusted.
If you’ve had a C-section in the past, you should still be eligible for a tummy tuck. In fact, many women are thrilled to learn that they can improve or remove their C-section scar with a tummy tuck.
The results of a tummy tuck can be long-lasting, especially if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and stable weight after the surgery. However, factors such as aging, weight fluctuations, and genetics can affect the long-term outcome. Generally, with proper care and maintenance, tummy tuck results can be enjoyed indefinitely.
Patients considering a tummy tuck come from Sandusky, Findlay, Ann Arbor, and throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan to our Toledo practice. If you’re interested in learning more about tummy tuck surgery, request a consultation online, or call Dr. Colville’s office at (419) 534-6551 to schedule an appointment.
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