Tummy Tuck in St. Louis, MO
Having a flatter, toned stomach can seem unattainable if your skin is stretched after pregnancy or weight loss. Even exercise and dieting aren’t enough to produce visible changes.
That’s why many women and men choose to undergo abdominoplasty, often called a tummy tuck at our practice in Glen Carbon. Tummy tuck surgery helps patients from Maryville, Edwardsville, and the St. Louis area restore confidence in their bodies after having children or losing a significant amount of weight. At MidAmerica Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ryan Diederich is a board-certified plastic surgeon who combines experience and advanced training with a friendly personality to create a positive experience for patients.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, surgically removes excess skin from the abdomen while tightening abdominal muscles that may have separated due to pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or aging. This condition, known as diastasis recti, can weaken the core and contribute to lower back pain. A tummy tuck restores a smoother, firmer abdominal profile and can enhance overall body contours. At MidAmerica Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ryan Diederich specializes in an advanced drainless tummy tuck technique, which eliminates the need for post-surgical drains, making recovery more comfortable and reducing potential complications.
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Tummy tuck results can vary considerably depending on a variety of factors, including your age, height, and weight. Below, we have included an image gallery of our St. Louis tummy tuck patients that show before and after photos of their results.
There are many reasons people seek tummy tucks, including:
This tummy tuck procedure is for those with minimal laxity of the abdomen. It only addresses some of the laxity below the belly button and does not repair the separated abdominal muscles. This procedure can be performed in the office under local anesthesia with a quicker recovery time compared to a full tummy tuck.
This is the most common type of tummy tuck performed by Dr. Ryan Diederich and is often the procedure of choice after pregnancy. All skin and stretch marks below the belly button are removed, the rectus muscles (6-pack muscles) are repaired if they have separated, and we remove as much tissue as possible. Dr. Diederich performs a drainless tummy tuck using progressive tension sutures, which significantly reduces fluid buildup, eliminates the need for drains, and allows for a more comfortable recovery.
This is a type of tummy tuck that leaves a vertical scar in addition to a horizontal scar. Because Dr. Diederich creates a vertical scar, he can tighten both in the vertical direction and side to side. This procedure is used primarily if the patient already has a vertical scar or for massive weight loss patients.
Yes! More and more male patients are coming to our practice for abdominoplasty to restore a flat midsection.
This procedure is especially beneficial for men who have lost a significant amount of weight; it may be combined with a lower body lift. Dr. Diederich performs the procedure for men using a low vertical incision and a second incision hidden inside the navel. Tummy tucks for men usually involve the removal of excess skin and pockets of fat and may involve abdominal muscle repair.
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Dr. Diederich works hard to provide the latest techniques and innovations, which has led him to progressive tension abdominoplasty, an innovative drainless tummy tuck technique.
This method uses sutures to close any open space in the abdomen that could potentially collect fluid. By placing rows of progressive tension sutures, the tension is evenly distributed across the abdomen, significantly reducing the risk of hematoma, seroma, wound breakdown, and other complications.
The result? A flatter, firmer abdomen with a better-looking scar and a more comfortable recovery experience. Patients can also shower the day after surgery, unlike traditional tummy tuck methods that require drain management for several days or weeks.
Recovery varies based on the extent of the procedure, individual health, and adherence to post-operative guidelines. Patients undergoing a drainless tummy tuck at MidAmerica Plastic Surgery typically experience an easier recovery process compared to those with traditional techniques. Here’s what to expect:
You should avoid lifting anything heavier than 20 pounds for the first six weeks following surgery. If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat, seek medical attention immediately.
With a drainless tummy tuck, patients no longer need to measure fluid drainage, empty surgical drains, or manage suction reinsertion. Because there are no drains inhibiting movement, many patients find it easier to shower, sleep, and resume light activities earlier in the healing process.
As with any procedure, there are risks. Fortunately, with a tummy tuck, these risks are minimal. These include but are not limited to:
For more information see the American Society of Plastic Surgery topic Tummy Tuck.
Southern Illinois residents considering tummy tuck surgery find our Maryville location more convenient than driving into St. Louis for the procedure. We invite you to request a consultation with Dr. Diederich or give us a call at (618) 288-7855 to schedule an appointment. A $200 consultation fee will be collected to reserve your appointment. That fee is then applied to the cost of the procedure.
*This article is intended as a guideline only. This is not intended as medical advice. There are no guarantees written or implied from the information presented here. Only a consultation can provide an appropriate evaluation and discussion regarding any procedure. Refer to your physician for medical decision making and advice.
Dr. Diederich is a Southern Illinois native realizing his dream of giving back to the community. He helps patients feel and look their best with his surgical skills and compassionate care.
Some abdominal liposuction can be completed at the same time, however, too much liposuction in the area can increase risks. It is safe to do liposuction in other body areas, such as the love handles, at the same time.
In many cases, we can also combine a tummy tuck with procedures that address the physical toll of having children. Dr. Diedrich customizes this combination of procedures, known as a Mommy Makeover, to suit your specific goals. Besides a tummy tuck and liposuction, Mommy Makeover surgery typically includes a breast lift, breast augmentation, or combining a breast lift with implants.
Thanks to progressive tension abdominoplasty, Dr. Diederich does not use drains with this tummy tuck technique.
During your initial phase of recovery, light walking around the house is encouraged. As you gradually heal, you may be able to increase your walking distance. You should be able to resume your regular exercise routine in about 6 weeks or at a time advised by your doctor.
Dr. Diederich takes several steps to allow the scar to heal as well as possible! Some of the healing process is simply how your body heals so if you have scars from another surgery, that can be a good indication. Many of the after photos in our gallery were taken 6 weeks after the procedure so they are still red but will continue to heal for up to a year after the procedure. If you are unsatisfied with the appearance after a year, The Spa at MidAmerica has some options that could help!
This very much depends on the type of job you have. If you have a desk job or something that doesn’t require much physical activity, you can typically go back to work after about 2-3 weeks. A job that requires more physical activity, such as lifting items, would require more time off. We can discuss specifics during your consultation.
The main restriction associated with the tummy tuck is no lifting more than 20 pounds for the first 6 weeks. This is especially important for the repair of Diastasis Recti (the 6 pack muscles).
Although this procedure does remove skin and can make a dramatic change in the appearance of the body, the number on the scale doesn’t really change. This is not a weight loss method and we highly recommend being at a consistent goal weight before a consultation.
Even though a tummy tuck isn’t designed to significantly reduce weight, you’ll wear a smaller dress size that fits your new contours. Research shows that most tummy tuck patients wear dresses that are 1 or 2 sizes smaller after they recover.
Most of our patients do spend the first night at the hospital. This makes for a much more convenient and comfortable recovery. Dr. Diederich is also able to see the patient in the hospital the next morning before they go home which eliminates the need for the next-day follow-up appointment at our office.
