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Tummy Tuck in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Best Plastic Surgeon 2021 - Grand Rapids Magazine Castle Connolly Top Doctor Realself Top 100 New Beauty
Best Plastic Surgeon 2021 - Grand Rapids Magazine Castle Connolly Top Doctor Realself Top 100 New Beauty Best Plastic Surgeon 2021 - Grand Rapids Magazine Castle Connolly Top Doctor Realself Top 100 New Beauty

Flatten Your Belly With an Abdominoplasty. Does it seem like no matter how much you exercise or how well you eat, you can't achieve a flat, tight abdomen? Board-certified Grand Rapids plastic surgeons Dr. Bengtson and Dr. Alfonso can help you improve the appearance of your belly with an abdominoplasty, also known as a "tummy tuck," in Grand Rapids at his Bengtson Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery.

Varying combinations of extra skin, extra fat, and weakened fascia (the thin, strong tissue that encloses your muscles) may combine to create an unsightly, bulging, unflattering stomach. Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and other factors beyond your control can contribute to a tummy that protrudes or hangs over your waistline.

Sometimes even the healthiest diet and exercise program cannot reduce certain fatty deposits in your abdomen or hip region. This is because stretched-out skin doesn’t respond to these efforts, some fat is considered stubborn and difficult to remove, and lax fascia need help returning to a tighter, more supportive position. If you are unhappy with the overall way your abdomen looks, know that Dr. Bengtson customizes his tummy tuck techniques to help his patients safely achieve a flat, toned tummy with a defined waistline.*

What is a Tummy Tuck?

As noted above, the technical name for tummy tuck surgery is abdominoplasty, which literally means to reshape the abdomen.

At the Bengtson Center in Grand Rapids tummy tuck surgery typically involves Dr. Bengtson or Dr. Alfonso removing excess abdominal skin and fat, while tightening loose fascia and tissue that has stretched with weight fluctuation, pregnancy, or weight loss. Tummy tuck surgery gives patients from Grand Rapids and beyond a flatter, more toned abdomen.* A tummy tuck in Michigan may include:

  • Correction of diastasis: This is a condition in which the abdominal fascia and muscles have become separated.
  • A horizontal incision: A full tummy tuck procedure requires a very low horizontal incision in the bikini line. The shape and length of the incision will be determined by the degree of extra skin and correction necessary.

To get a better idea of what a tummy tuck can do, check out before and after photos of patients who chose the surgery. While no one person’s results can be duplicated, the visuals can reveal the possibilities to anyone considering an abdominoplasty.

Tummy Tuck patient wearing a bikini

Know the Tummy TuckBasics

1. A tummy tuck is not a single surgical procedure, but a combination of methods that can be customized to the patient.

2. Common elements of a tummy tuck include removing excess and sagging skin, eliminating unwanted fat cells, and tightening lax abdominal tissues.

3. Incisions can be made in or below the bikini line, hiding signs of the surgery where they won't be seen — even if you decide to dress for the beach!

4. The tummy tuck surgery may involve only tissues below the navel, or it could include a larger portion of the abdomen. Dr. Bengtson always works to ensure the belly button looks natural and is in its proper place.

5. Tummy tuck is a common choice for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight or had a baby and found that their skin did not tighten itself to sit firmly against the new, slimmer body contours.

6. Dr. Bengtson works to stay current on the latest medical advances and techniques. His decades of experience have made him a trusted name for plastic surgery, including abdominoplasty, throughout Grand Rapids and beyond. He is routinely voted "Best Plastic Surgeon" by readers of Grand Rapids Magazine and annually finds himself on lists of top doctors in the country, thanks to votes from his patients and peers.

What Should I Know About Abdominoplasty Surgery at the grand rapids bengtson center

Grand Rapids Tummy Tuck patient smiling

During your private consultation for a tummy tuck Grand Rapids plastic surgeon, Dr. Bengtson will assess your body, ask questions to establish the desired ultimate end results, and plan the procedure accordingly.

Still, there are more details to consider, so you come into a surgery armed with the knowledge necessary for making the best decision for you.

  • Abdominoplasty is most commonly performed on an outpatient basis.
  • Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia.
  • Scars are normal after surgery and may be concealed by normal clothing and lingerie.
  • Recovery from abdominoplasty may take one to two weeks, but you will be up and active the day of the surgery.
  • You will need a capable adult with you for 24 hours after surgery.
  • You will return to your home after the surgery. For our out-of-town guests, you can head back to one of the designated hotels conveniently located a short distance from our office.
  • All surgeries carry the potential for risks that will be fully discussed with you during your consultation.

What Complements a Tummy Tuck?

Flattening the tummy area with a tummy tuck may inspire you to make cosmetic changes elsewhere on the body! The Bengtson Center understands that every patient has unique goals—and that overall body balance and proportion is important for maintaining a natural, slim, and healthy look.

That’s why some of our Grand Rapids tummy tuck patients also seek additional procedures and treatments. Women who have lost weight sometimes find that a breast lift is necessary to give their chest a perkier, fuller look, as opposed to a sagging one. Men in a similar position may opt for surgery to remove loose skin, liposuction to get rid of excess fat on the chest, or even male breast reduction surgery to address gynecomastia.

An element of many tummy tuck procedures, liposuction can also be performed as a standalone procedure on the abdomen, as well as on many other parts of the body where fat accumulates. Patients who want to reduce their fat while avoiding surgery can choose CoolSculpting, which cools targeted fat cells to disrupt them. The Bengtson Center offers this nonsurgical technique handled by experienced aesthetic specialists trained to maximize results.

Ideal Candidates

Who is a Candidate for Tummy Tuck in Michigan?

Every day, women and men of various ages and from a variety of circumstances choose to undergo tummy tuck surgery in Michigan.

Many of them have been working hard to transform their bodies, but just aren't seeing the results they want. Some are moms who enjoy their adorable babies, but not the way their abdominal muscles haven’t retracted since giving birth. Some are committed fitness enthusiasts who have literally worked their butts off, but still deal with a stubborn gut. It can be frustrating to feel like one particular part of your body won't be tamed! Beyond this, a range of factors generally defines good candidates for this procedure.

  • You can clearly define why you want the tummy tuck surgery.
  • You understand what abdominoplasty can and can't accomplish.
  • You accept the risks of this procedure and your responsibilities as an informed patient.
  • You are healthy, emotionally secure, and stable.
  • You accept that you will need to make healthy lifestyle choices to maintain the results achieved by tummy tuck surgery.
Two Tummy Tuck patients smiling

Request YourConsultation

To speak with Dr. Brad Bengtson or Dr. David Alfonso about a tummy tuck, consultations can be requested online or call our Grand Rapids practice today at 616.588.8880

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2155 E Paris Ave SE
Suite 100, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

To learn more about tummy tuck surgery in Grand Rapids, MI, contact Dr. Brad Bengtson or Dr. David Alfonso today. Request your consultation online or call our office at 616.588.8880.

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