Tummy Tuck in Grand Rapids, Michigan

At the Bengtson Center, we use a multimodal pain management protocol that includes TAP blocks and Exparel®. This dramatically reduces the discomfort you feel from the moment you wake up from your surgery. It also significantly decreases the need for narcotic pain medication. Many patients tell us the first few days after their tummy tuck were far more manageable than they expected.

A TAP block (transversus abdominis plane block) is an injection that delivers local anesthetic into the skin above your uppermost abdominal muscles. Our surgeons administer a TAP block at the end of your tummy tuck procedure. It takes about 20 minutes to reach its full analgesic effect, so by the time you wake up in the recovery suite, you'll already be benefiting from the pain relief. Your TAP block can provide up to 24 hours of continuous pain reduction.

Abdominoplasty is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss surgery. Although it's possible to lose a few pounds from the removal of excess skin and fat, the primary goal is reshaping your abdomen. Most patients find that their silhouette looks significantly different even if the scale doesn't change much. We recommend reaching a weight you're happy with before surgery so your results reflect your healthiest self.

If you've lost weight with GLP-1 medications, you might be left with a side effect you didn't expect: loose, hanging skin that won't budge no matter how much you diet or exercise. This is a normal outcome of significant weight loss, no matter what method you use to lose the weight. A tummy tuck is a wonderful way to put the finishing touches on your transformation after weight loss.

We recommend waiting to have a tummy tuck until your weight has been stable for at least three to six months. The waiting period gives your body time to adjust to its new size and ensures you're prepared to maintain your results. If you're still actively losing weight, your skin and tissues will continue changing, which can affect your outcome.

Here are a few key milestones in the typical tummy tuck recovery timeline:

• First few days: rest at home with limited movement
• Week one: return to light activities and desk work
• Four to six weeks: resume exercise and heavy lifting
• Three to six months: see your final results

Our surgeons encourage walking from day one. Light movement promotes circulation and supports the healing process. Within two to three weeks, you may be able to resume light lower body exercises, depending on your progress. You must wait four to six weeks before resuming core exercises, heavy lifting and high-impact activities. Your surgeon will provide personalized guidance at your postoperative appointments and clear you for specific activities as your body heals.

A tummy tuck does leave a scar, but our surgeons place the incision very low, along the bikini line, where it is concealed by most underwear and swimwear. The scar's length depends on how much skin is removed. It will reach its final appearance in 12 to 18 months. For most patients, the trade-off is well worth it: a flat, toned abdomen they feel great about, with a scar almost nobody sees.

Yes. A tummy tuck does not interfere with your ability to get pregnant, and it does not make pregnancy unsafe. However, pregnancy will stretch your abdominal muscles and skin that were tightened during the surgery, which may affect your results. For this reason, we usually recommend waiting until you're done having children before having a tummy tuck.

A mini tummy tuck addresses concerns in the area below your belly button. It's ideal for patients with a small amount of loose skin and no muscle separation. The incision is shorter, the procedure is less extensive and the recovery is quicker.

A full tummy tuck addresses both the upper and lower abdomen. It removes more excess skin and gives the surgeon the option to repair separated abdominal muscles. It requires a longer incision and more recovery time, but in exchange it provides more dramatic results.

An extended tummy tuck goes beyond the abdomen to address excess skin in the flanks and lower back. It's a popular option for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and have a lot of loose skin left behind. Although the incision is longer, it is still placed so that it is hidden by most clothing, and the entire midsection (front, sides and back) can be contoured. Patients interested in an extended tummy tuck will work with Dr. Alfonso, who specializes in this technique.

Repairing diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles) is one of the core components of a full tummy tuck. Diastasis recti occurs when the vertical abdominal muscles pull apart, often due to pregnancy. This creates a bulge or "pooch" that does not improve with exercise and leaves your core unstable. Many patients noticed improved horse strength and posture after this repair, in addition to the cosmetic improvement.

Drains are a routine part of most tummy tuck procedures performed throughout the world. They serve an important purpose, but they are not necessary in all cases.

Dr. Alfonso has made the drainless technique his standard of care. He uses it for most of his abdominoplasty procedures, as well as many circumferential body lift procedures.

Internal suturing can be more difficult in patients with substantial scar tissue from prior abdominal procedures. In those situations, a conventional drain-assisted recovery may still be necessary.

Tummy tuck pricing varies based on the type of procedure (mini, full or extended), whether liposuction is included, anesthesia fees and other factors.

During your consultation, you'll receive a personalized quote based on your treatment plan. Your quote includes surgery in our QUAD A-accredited on-site surgical center with board-certified anesthesiologists. You will also receive information on our financing options that can make your investment more manageable.

Liposuction removes excess fat but doesn't address loose skin or separated muscles. A tummy tuck removes both excess skin and fat while also tightening the abdominal wall. Many patients choose to combine them: liposuction to contour the waist and flanks, and a tummy tuck to flatten and tighten the abdomen.

Experience matters. The Bengtson Center performs approximately 200 tummy tucks each year and has completed more than 1,000 since January 2020.

Dr. Alfonso is our abdominoplasty specialist. He has developed a reputation for his exceptional body contouring results, and he is currently the only surgeon at BCAPS who offers the drainless and extended tummy tuck techniques.

Dr. Bengtson and Dr. Horriat also perform tummy tucks and bring their own areas of expertise to the procedure. Additionally, Dr. Bengtson the Medical Director of IC Surgical, the company behind Interi®, a system he helped develop to improve postoperative healing and reduce complications like seroma. His research on Interi® was presented at ASAPS 2020 and later published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. When your surgeon is literally inventing better ways to help patients heal, you're in exceptional hands.

No matter which surgeon you choose, you'll benefit from our QUAD A-accredited surgical center, board-certified anesthesiologists and advanced pain management protocols including TAP blocks and Exparel®.