A flatter, firmer, natural-looking belly personalized to your body and your goals.
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and sometimes fat from the abdomen and tightens stretched or separated abdominal muscles. Some patients want to smooth a small lower belly pooch. Others want to restore a flatter, firmer abdomen after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Every procedure is personalized to create a result that looks natural and flatters your figure.
At Poris Plastic Surgery, Dr. Stephenie Poris takes a thoughtful, customized approach to tummy tuck surgery. Together, you’ll create a surgical plan that fits your body, lifestyle, and the result you want to see.
These are typical starting points. Your procedure details and recovery experience will be confirmed during consultation.
A tummy tuck can make your belly smoother and firmer by removing loose skin and tightening the abdominal muscles. It can also improve stretch marks below the belly button and help clothing and swimwear fit in a more flattering and comfortable way.
What a tummy tuck does not do is address persistent fat around the midsection. While it can smooth and flatten the abdomen, it does not remove excess fat from the hips or love handles. If stubborn fat is also a concern, Dr. Poris may recommend liposuction with or without a tummy tuck.
Most Common
The right choice if you want to address loose skin and muscle separation across your entire abdomen.
A full tummy tuck removes excess skin from the abdomen, tightens the abdominal muscles, and repositions the belly button. By treating the entire abdomen, it can create a noticeably flatter and firmer result, especially after pregnancy or weight loss.
The best choice if you want to improve a small pooch below the belly button.
A mini tummy tuck uses a shorter incision to remove a smaller amount of loose skin from the lower abdomen. It also offers correction of the lower abdominal muscles only. This can be a great option if your concerns are limited to the area below the belly button.
Every tummy tuck is different. Dr. Poris will customize your procedure to meet your needs and goals.
Pregnancy and weight changes can stretch the abdominal muscles apart, a condition called diastasis recti. Dr. Poris can bring the separated muscles back together with permanent sutures to create a firmer, flatter core. Whether you may need abdominal muscle repair depends on how much your abdominal muscles have separated.
Pregnancy and weight changes can stretch the abdominal skin beyond its ability to retract. Dr. Poris can remove excess skin and tighten the remaining skin to create a smoother waistline. An added benefit of skin removal is that it also eliminates many stretch marks below the belly button.
Some patients also have stubborn fat along the abdomen, flanks, or hips. Customizing a tummy tuck by adding liposuction can smooth both the front and sides of the waist for a more balanced, contoured figure.
Some patients with separated abdominal muscles also have an umbilical hernia, a weak spot near the belly button. When both are present, Dr. Poris can typically repair the hernia during your tummy tuck. Insurance may contribute to the hernia repair portion of the procedure when it is medically documented.
You may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you:
If you have stubborn belly fat but good skin elasticity, and you do not have separated abdominal muscles, Dr. Poris may recommend liposuction instead of a tummy tuck.
Dr. Poris focuses on natural-looking proportions, a smooth waistline, and careful incision placement. Known for providing a supportive patient experience, she will be honest with you if liposuction or a mini tummy tuck would give you a better result than a full tummy tuck.
It’s not uncommon for patients to express concerns about visible scarring and how their belly button will look after surgery. Dr. Poris takes these concerns into consideration from the beginning by placing the incision low on the abdomen, where it can be concealed by most underwear and swimwear. She also takes care to create a natural-looking belly button that suits your new waistline contour.
A full tummy tuck is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 2 to 4 hours.
Dr. Poris makes the planned incision low on the abdomen, usually from hip to hip, and around the belly button.
The separated abdominal muscles are brought back together and secured with permanent sutures.
Excess skin is removed, and the belly button is brought through a new opening.
Some subcutaneous fat may be surgically removed, and liposuction may be performed to contour the waist and hips.
The incisions are carefully closed to support a smooth recovery and optimal scar healing.
A mini tummy tuck is typically performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 1 to 2 hours.
A shorter incision is made low on the abdomen.
The lower abdominal muscles are tightened (if needed).
Excess skin below the belly button is removed.
The incision is carefully closed to support a smooth recovery and optimal scar healing.
You will have a scar after a full tummy tuck, but Dr. Poris places the incision where it can heal as discreetly as possible. The scar usually runs low across the abdomen from hip to hip, where it can be hidden by most underwear and swimwear. You will also have a small scar around the belly button, which blends into its natural contours.
A mini tummy tuck leaves a shorter scar low on the abdomen, often similar in length to a C-section scar. Because the belly button is usually not repositioned, there is typically no scar around the navel.
Scars are usually more noticeable at first, then gradually soften and fade. Many begin improving within 3 to 6 months and continue maturing over 12 to 18 months. Final scar appearance varies based on your skin tone, genetics, incision care, and how your body heals.
Your expected recovery will vary based on your surgical technique and whether your tummy tuck is combined with another procedure. Most patients can expect 10 to 14 days of downtime.
Swelling, tightness, soreness, and bruising are normal, and you may need to walk slightly bent at the waist. You will wear a compression garment and may have small drains. You will need someone to drive you home after surgery and help you during the early part of recovery.
Many patients feel more comfortable and are able to stand up straighter. Drains, if used, are usually removed within the first 2 weeks, and you may be ready to resume light daily activities and desk work.
Swelling continues to improve, and your abdomen begins to look flatter and more natural. Normal daily activity becomes easier, but heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Continue wearing your compression garment as directed.
Most patients can gradually return to normal exercise and full activity once cleared. Abdominal exercises and weightlifting should be postponed until 8 to 10 weeks after surgery. Your results will continue to refine over the next several months.
See real tummy tuck results from Dr. Poris’ patients. Look for patients with a similar starting point, not just a final result you like. This can help you evaluate changes in loose skin, waistline definition, belly button appearance, scar placement, and overall balance.
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After View More Tummy Tuck Before & After Photos
Individual results vary.
A tummy tuck with Dr. Poris typically costs $12,000 – $16,000. The total depends on the type of tummy tuck, whether muscle repair or liposuction is included, anesthesia and facility fees, and whether your surgery is combined with another procedure. You will receive a personalized quote at your consultation.
Get Your Personalized QuoteDr Stephenie Poris at Poris Plastic Surgery is fantastic! The entire staff is helpful and will find the answers to any questions you may have, The Staff at Sherman outpatient Surgery was also fantastic! Today is my first day post-op and everything that I have experienced so far is exactly what Dr Poris described.
From the minute, I walked in Dr Poris office. I felt right at home. My procedure went very well. I highly recommend this practice if you’re in need of any plastic surgery.
Dr. Poris and her staff are superb professionals and care givers. My surgery was a dream! Literally, lol, I don’t remember a thing and one day post-op I feel great!
Tummy tuck cost ranges from $12,000 – $16,000 and varies based on a variety of factors. You will receive a personalized quote during your consultation.
A full tummy tuck addresses loose skin and muscle separation across the entire abdomen. A mini tummy tuck is designed to address only the area below the belly button. Dr. Poris will help you decide which option fits your body and goals.
If loose skin or separated muscles are your main concern, a tummy tuck alone may be enough. If you also have stubborn fat along your flanks or waist, Dr. Poris may recommend combining your tummy tuck with liposuction.
Yes. A tummy tuck can repair diastasis recti by suturing the separated abdominal muscles back together. Because muscle separation is a structural problem, diet and exercise usually cannot close the gap on their own.
Often, yes. Because a C-section scar is usually located low on the abdomen, it is frequently removed with the excess skin during a full tummy tuck. If any of the scar remains, it typically becomes part of the new tummy tuck scar.
Tummy tuck results are long-lasting, but they can still change over time. Natural aging, pregnancy, and significant weight changes can all affect your results. Maintaining a stable weight can help you enjoy your results for many years.
In some cases, small drains may be placed to help prevent fluid from collecting under the skin. If you have drains, they are usually removed within the first 2 weeks, and you will receive instructions on how to care for them at home.
Yes. A seroma is a collection of fluid under the skin that can develop after a tummy tuck. This is a possible complication of tummy tuck surgery that Dr. Poris will discuss with you before surgery.
A tummy tuck does not affect your ability to get pregnant, but pregnancy can stretch the abdominal skin and muscles again, thereby undoing the results of your tummy tuck. If you are planning a future pregnancy, discuss it with Dr. Poris during your consultation.
Possibly. Temporary numbness in the lower abdomen is common after surgery and often improves as healing progresses. Permanent changes are possible.
A tummy tuck removes excess skin, but the remaining skin and fat can still change with your weight. Significant weight gain or loss, including GLP-1-assisted weight loss, can affect your results. If you are actively losing weight or planning to do so, Dr. Poris may recommend postponing your tummy tuck until your weight is stable.
Your consultation is where your tummy tuck plan comes together. Dr. Poris will evaluate your body, talk through your goals, and help you choose the tummy tuck and surgical techniques that make the most sense for you.
Orlando, FL
