Tummy Tuck In St. Louis, MO
Flattens and firms the midsection by removing excess skin and tightening muscles.
Flattens and firms the midsection by removing excess skin and tightening muscles.
Pregnancy, significant weight loss, and aging can leave you with excess skin and weakened abdominal muscles that don't respond to diet and exercise. A tummy tuck can help you achieve a flatter, more toned abdomen. Our team at Nayak Plastic Surgery offers exceptional expertise in tummy tuck procedures. Award-winning fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, Dr. Milind Kachare offers extensive training and a fine eye for aesthetics, particularly in body contouring procedures like tummy tucks. He is passionate about helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals and combines his surgical skills with a focus on natural-looking results.
Tummy Tuck at a Glance
The cost of a tummy tuck varies based on the complexity of the case, the anticipated time in surgery, and whether additional procedures like liposuction are included. During your consultation, we provide a transparent, all-inclusive fee quote so there are no surprises later.
This fee covers not only Dr. Kachare’s surgical expertise but also the entire support system that ensures your safety and comfort. This includes our dedicated operating room team (we do not use rotating or traveling staff), board-certified anesthesia providers, and all pre-and post-operative care appointments. For patients undergoing extensive combination procedures, optional overnight nursing care is available to ensure you are supported through the first 24 hours of recovery. We also offer financing options, such as CareCredit, to help patients manage their investment in their confidence.
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to improve the appearance of the abdomen. It addresses loose skin, weakened abdominal muscles separated by pregnancy or weight loss, and stubborn fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise. During a tummy tuck, Dr. Kachare tightens the underlying muscles, removes excess skin, and repositions the belly button for a flatter, more toned midsection. Dr. Kachare can perform a full tummy tuck for more extensive corrections or a mini tummy tuck for patients with concerns limited to the lower abdomen. There are also other types of tummy tucks available, depending on your individual needs – a consultation with Dr. Kachare will help determine the best option for you.
On the day of your tummy tuck St. Louis plastic surgeon, Dr. Kachare will review the procedure and answer any final questions. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and IV sedation or general anesthesia, which will ensure your comfort. Dr. Kachare will make an incision along the lower abdomen, tighten the abdominal muscles, remove excess skin and fat, and reposition the navel if necessary. The procedure usually takes 2-3 hours, and most patients are able to go home the same day as surgery.
The specifics will vary based on your chosen technique, but generally, there are several common types of tummy tucks, each tailored to the degree of sagging, excess skin and the desired outcome:
By addressing these areas comprehensively, a tummy tuck can dramatically improve your midsection's appearance and your overall silhouette.
A tummy tuck offers a multitude of benefits, including:
Improved Body Contour: By removing excess skin and tightening muscles, a tummy tuck creates a flatter, more toned midsection, boosting your confidence in fitted clothing.
Enhanced Self-Confidence: It’s hard to explain how much better daily life feels after abdominoplasty. Your wardrobe choices expand, allowing you to try out new clothes (or bring back old favorites). You can enjoy a day at the beach without always looking down or worrying about how you look. It is truly a beautiful thing to feel more comfortable and confident in your own skin.
Improved Function: In some cases, weakened abdominal muscles can contribute to back pain or difficulty with certain activities. A tummy tuck can address this issue, leading to improved core strength and function.
Generally, good candidates for a tummy tuck are in overall good health, maintain a stable weight, and have realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure. Ideal patients often struggle with significant loose skin or stretch marks in the lower abdomen, stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise, and weakened abdominal muscles that contribute to a protruding stomach.
During your consultation, Dr. Kachare will discuss your medical history, aesthetic goals, and candidacy for a tummy tuck. He will also go through alternative procedures that could deliver similar results so you can make the best decision for your body.
There is often a misconception that a "mini" tummy tuck is simply a modern, less invasive version of the traditional surgery. In reality, they are two distinct procedures designed for very different anatomical issues. The choice isn’t about preference; it is about what your anatomy requires to achieve a flat, stable contour.
The Mini Tummy Tuck is reserved for a small percentage of patients who have a "pooch" of excess skin and fat located entirely below the belly button, with no significant muscle separation (diastasis recti) in the upper abdomen. In these cases, Dr. Kachare can tighten the lower skin through a shorter incision without repositioning the navel.
The Traditional (Full) Tummy Tuck is the standard for most patients, particularly after pregnancy or significant weight loss. If you have loose skin above the navel or muscle separation that causes your abdomen to protrude (even when you are at a healthy weight), a mini tuck will not solve the problem. A full abdominoplasty allows Dr. Kachare to repair the abdominal muscles from the rib cage down to the pelvis, restoring core strength and creating a flat profile while removing excess skin from the entire abdomen.
Tummy tuck recovery typically involves 1-2 weeks of restricted activity followed by 4-6 weeks of limited strenuous exercise. Dr. Kachare will provide detailed instructions on post-operative care, including wearing a compression garment to aid healing and minimize swelling, along with follow-up visits to ensure that you’re healing properly. You can expect some discomfort, which can be managed with medication.
It is very common for patients to combine a tummy tuck with other surgical enhancements to maximize their recovery time. When a tummy tuck is paired with breast surgery, such as a breast augmentation, lift, or reduction, this is widely known as a Mommy Makeover. This combination addresses the two areas most significantly impacted by pregnancy and breastfeeding in a single operating session.
Liposuction is another frequent partner to abdominoplasty. While the tummy tuck addresses loose skin and muscle laxity, it does not inherently remove fat from the flanks (love handles) or hips. Adding 360-degree liposuction allows Dr. Kachare to sculpt the waistline, creating a more defined, hourglass silhouette that skin excision alone cannot achieve.
However, safety is our primary metric. At Nayak Plastic Surgery, we do not perform "mega-sessions" that keep patients under anesthesia for unsafe durations. Dr. Kachare will assess your overall health and the complexity of your surgical plan to determine if combining procedures is a safe option for you.
St. Louis Tummy Tuck patients will notice an immediate change in their abdominal contour after surgery. Final results will become apparent as swelling subsides over the next few weeks to months. With proper care, the results of a tummy tuck can be long-lasting, helping you maintain a flatter, more toned midsection for years to come. Regular follow-ups with Dr. Kachare will help ensure your long-term satisfaction with your results.
A tummy tuck removes stretch marks on excised skin, typically below the navel.
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure, but you may lose a few pounds of excess skin and fat.
Yes, but Dr. Kachare places the incision low on the abdomen, typically hidden by underwear or swimwear.
Tummy tuck results can be long-lasting with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
While it's possible, we recommend waiting until you're finished having children for optimal, long-lasting tummy tuck results.
You'll be under anesthesia during the procedure. Post-operative discomfort is typically manageable with medication.
Light activities can usually resume after 2-3 weeks, with full exercise at 6-8 weeks.
