The Body
Tummy Tuck
Muscle Repair, Skin Removal, Architectural Precision.
Muscle Repair, Skin Removal, Architectural Precision.
The abdomen is among the areas most profoundly affected by pregnancy, significant weight loss, and aging, often leaving behind structural changes that no amount of exercise or diet can resolve. When our patients come to Edition Plastic Surgery, they are often frustrated that their dedication to the gym cannot overcome stretched skin or separated abdominal muscles. Dr. Schwartz views an abdominoplasty as a way to align your physical appearance with the hard work you have already put into your health, repairing the muscular foundation to reflect the discipline of the person within.
Dr. Schwartz believes the distinction between an average result and a transformative one begins with the precision of the first incision. In every procedure, he focuses on both structural integrity and aesthetic refinement, meticulously tightening the underlying muscle wall to restore a flat, firm contour and cinch the waistline. We place a high priority on the technical nuances that define a superior result—such as Dr. Schwartz’s natural, anatomical reconstruction of the belly button and the use of layered, dissolving sutures to ensure the most discreet scarring possible.
Every surgery is tailored to your specific anatomy, whether addressing sagging skin, repairing an umbilical hernia, or removing lower abdominal stretch marks. At Edition, our goal is to create a smooth, athletic profile that looks natural and honors your body’s proportions. By focusing on these precise surgical techniques, Dr. Schwartz helps our patients move past the limitations of their post-pregnancy or post-weight loss bodies, allowing them to feel comfortable, secure, and restored in their daily lives.
The most structurally significant component of a tummy tuck at Edition Plastic Surgery is the repair of the rectus abdominis muscles, which frequently separate during pregnancy or weight fluctuations. To restore a firm abdominal wall, Dr. Schwartz utilizes internal suture plication to bring the muscle edges back together, repairing any umbilical hernias if present. This repair provides our patients with a permanent, structural foundation for the core that no external procedure or exercise can replicate.
To address excess skin and lower abdominal stretch marks, Dr. Schwartz places a carefully planned, low horizontal incision designed to remain concealed beneath swimwear and underwear. After separating the skin and fat from the muscle wall, he smooths the entire abdomen and removes the damaged tissue. Using precise, hidden dissolving stitches, Dr. Schwartz redrapes the skin over its new foundation for a natural, refined result.
During a standard tummy tuck, Dr. Schwartz performs a meticulous circular incision around the navel to keep it attached to the underlying muscle while the surrounding skin is tightened. Once the abdominal wall is smooth, he creates a new opening and carefully pulls the belly button through to a natural, aesthetically pleasing position. At Edition, our goal is to rejuvenate the shape of the navel, avoiding the artificial 'pulled' look often seen in less refined outcomes.
Dr. Schwartz routinely integrates liposuction with abdominoplasty to contour the flanks, hips, and upper abdomen, allowing him to cinch and narrow the waistline more effectively. This comprehensive approach ensures a harmonious transition between the midsection and the rest of the torso. By addressing these peripheral areas, Dr. Schwartz can reveal your natural muscle definition and create a continuous, smooth silhouette.
While a full abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdominal wall, a mini tummy tuck is a limited procedure using a shorter incision for concerns restricted to the area below the navel. For those seeking a middle ground, Dr. Schwartz also offers a modified technique that allows the belly button to shift slightly downward as the skin is tightened. He will assess your anatomy during your consultation to recommend the most effective, least invasive approach for your goals.
Dr. Schwartz performs all tummy tuck procedures under general anesthesia at Edition Plastic Surgery to ensure your absolute safety and comfort. Most of our patients are ready to return to office-based work within five to ten days, though you will need to wait a full six weeks before resuming strenuous exercise. This ensures your internal muscle sutures have properly healed and your new abdominal contours have stabilized.
Drag the handle to compare.
All photographs are of actual Edition Plastic Surgery patients. Individual results may vary.
An abdominoplasty requires more preparation and a more involved recovery than many aesthetic procedures, but the result — a flat, firm abdomen — is among the most transformative in all of plastic surgery.
Dr. Schwartz will evaluate your abdominal anatomy, assess the degree of muscle separation and skin laxity, and design a surgical plan tailored to your specific needs. He will discuss whether a full or mini abdominoplasty is most appropriate, whether liposuction should be combined, and will be candid about realistic outcomes and the recovery commitment involved.
Pre-operative preparation includes lab work, medical clearance, and detailed recovery planning — particularly arranging care for young children during the initial recovery period. Our patient concierge coordinates every logistical detail and provides a comprehensive preparation guide well in advance of your surgery date.
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, typically taking two to four hours depending on the extent of muscle repair and skin excision. You are discharged the same day with drains if placed, a compression garment, and all post-operative supplies and instructions.
Walking slightly bent forward is normal for the first several days as the abdominal skin adjusts to its new position. Drains are removed within one to two weeks. Most patients are surprised by how manageable the recovery is with proper preparation and prescribed pain management. The abdominal improvement is visible and motivating from the very first days.
Desk work typically resumes at ten to fourteen days. The compression garment is worn for six to eight weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are restricted for six to eight weeks. Dr. Schwartz guides the gradual reintroduction of activity at your follow-up appointments.
Final results emerge as swelling fully resolves over three to six months. The scar matures over twelve to eighteen months, fading from pink to a fine white line. The muscle repair is permanent; the skin result is long-lasting when maintained with a stable weight and an active lifestyle.
An abdominoplasty performed with precision produces a flat, naturally contoured abdomen with a well-concealed scar. One performed without it produces an overly tight result with a visible, poorly placed scar and inadequate muscle repair. Dr. Schwartz's meticulous planning and technique deliver consistently natural, refined outcomes that honor the patient's body rather than simply tightening it.
Full Credentials →A tummy tuck is a significant procedure best suited for patients who have completed their family and are committed to maintaining a stable weight following surgery.
Dr. Schwartz will give you a candid, thorough assessment — including whether a full or mini abdominoplasty is appropriate and whether staging with other procedures makes sense for your goals.
Answers to the questions Dr. Schwartz hears most often from tummy tuck patients.
Ideal candidates are those with loose, sagging skin or a protruding midsection—typically following pregnancy or significant weight loss—that does not respond to diet and exercise. At Edition Plastic Surgery, Dr. Schwartz looks for patients who are at a stable weight and wish to restore the natural structure and contour of their abdomen. For the most long-lasting results, our team recommends being at or near your goal weight before surgery.
A mini tummy tuck uses a shorter incision and only addresses loose skin in the lower abdomen below the belly button. While it leaves a smaller scar, its results are limited. A standard tummy tuck allows Dr. Schwartz to tighten the muscles of the entire abdominal wall and remove excess skin from both the upper and lower belly. This comprehensive approach is what most of our patients require to achieve a dramatic, flat, and firm transformation.
Diastasis recti is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles that commonly occurs during pregnancy, causing a rounded, protruding belly that cannot be corrected through exercise or physical therapy. During a tummy tuck, Dr. Schwartz repairs this separation through internal suturing of the muscle fascia. This restores a flat abdominal wall permanently and provides the structural foundation for the narrower waistline our patients desire.
Most of our patients return to desk work within ten to fourteen days. A compression garment is worn for six to eight weeks to support your new contours and manage swelling. While you will be mobile early on, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are restricted for six weeks to allow the internal muscle repair to heal. At Edition, we find that the immediate visibility of results—even beneath early swelling—is highly motivating throughout your recovery.
While a tummy tuck is a significant procedure, Dr. Schwartz utilizes modern pain management protocols, including long-acting local anesthetics, to ensure you are comfortable during the initial days of healing. Most of our patients describe a sensation of intense 'tightness' rather than sharp pain. By the end of the first week, any remaining discomfort is typically well-managed with mild oral medication.
In most cases, yes. The tummy tuck incision is placed at or below the existing C-section scar, which is removed as part of the skin excision. Additionally, because Dr. Schwartz physically removes the excess skin between the belly button and the pubic area, any stretch marks on that lower skin are gone forever. Marks on the upper abdomen will remain, but they will be pulled lower and tightened, making them much less conspicuous.
As with any major surgery, risks include infection, bleeding, or reactions to anesthesia. For a tummy tuck, our primary focus is ensuring the skin heals properly along the incision. Dr. Schwartz utilizes meticulous, layered suturing with hidden, dissolving stitches to minimize tension and promote the cleanest scar possible. Our team will review your full medical history at Edition Plastic Surgery to ensure surgery is a safe option for you.
The investment varies based on the extent of skin removal, the complexity of the muscle repair, and whether liposuction is combined for total contouring. During your consultation at Edition Plastic Surgery, Dr. Schwartz provides a transparent, all-inclusive quote that covers the surgeon's fee, the facility, and anesthesia, so there are no surprises. Financing options are available at our practice and will be discussed during your appointment.
At Edition Plastic Surgery, Dr. Schwartz performs your abdominoplasty as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia and utilizes meticulous techniques like hidden, dissolving stitches to ensure your healing process is as elegant as your results. Most of our patients feel ready to return to office-based work and light daily activities within seven to ten days, though we prioritize avoiding heavy lifting or movements that strain the abdominal wall during this initial phase. By the six-week mark, you can expect to resume full exercise once Dr. Schwartz’s internal muscle repair has fully regained the strength necessary for high-impact activity. Throughout this transition, our dedicated patient concierge team provides comprehensive aftercare—from drain management instructions to a personalized scar protocol—ensuring your recovery is as carefully curated as your surgery was precisely executed.