Tummy Tuck Rediscover the Flat, Shapely Stomach of Your Youth

While diet and exercise are frequently thought of as the keys to a healthy, toned body, any number of issues—like pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or even simple genetics—can leave you with a flabby, sagging abdomen that does not improve no matter how much you diet and exercise. The surgical solution to this common and frustrating problem is known as an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), which not only reduces the excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen but also repairs the weakened, stretched-out muscle underneath. To learn more, reach out to Dr. Burton Sundin or Dr. Reps Sundin and set up your appointment. 

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Am I the Ideal Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck procedure is a complex and very personal decision for any patient to make. When you visit us for your consultation, you’ll have an important opportunity to learn about the various body contouring procedures we offer, and explore the various options that might be right for you. Drs. Sundin will call upon their 30 years of combined experience to guide you to the procedure that’s best for you. You may be an appropriate candidate for an abdominoplasty in Tysons Corner if:

  • You have excess fat, stretch marks
  • You’re bothered by the presence of loose abdominal skin
  • These issues won’t improve with diet and exercise
  • The contour of your abdomen has changed after pregnancy
  • Weight loss
  • You have a protruding lower abdomen

"Throughout my decades of helping patients achieve their goals, I've found it's important to provide treatment to the torso from all angles, not just the front, when performing tummy tuck. This is why I have been performing liposuction of the flanks and lower back for years on all of my tummy tuck patients. This helps to get the best result possible for a flat tummy and curvaceous figure, from more than just one viewpoint" 

- Dr. Reps Sundin 

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Your Tummy Tuck Experience

A tummy tuck in Richmond, Northern Virginia with Dr. Sundin will involve him surgically removing excess skin and fat from your lower abdomen, while also repairing the underlying musculature. Your surgery will be performed under general anesthesia and can take up to four hours to complete, depending on the details of your customized surgical plan. You may be required to stay overnight. If not, you’ll be able to return home after spending some time in our recovery area, though you’ll need a trusted friend to drive you as your anesthesia wears off. Please read the section below to learn more about each abdominoplasty technique, and the incisions that they involve.

Your Abdominoplasty Options

Tummy tuck procedures can vary depending on your specific needs, and Drs. Burton and Reps Sundin make it a point to work closely with each patient and will collaborate with you on a bespoke surgical plan that is tailored to your needs. At this point, you’ll be given a detailed explanation of the surgical options appropriate for your unique anatomy.

Full Abdominoplasty

You can expect an incision from hip bone to hip bone in the lower abdomen and a “cutout” incision around your belly button. Excess skin and fat will be removed from the belly button down, and the abdominal muscle will be repaired and tightened.

Extended Abdominoplasty

The extended tummy tuck is very similar to the full tummy tuck, but it can be ideal for patients who are interested in addressing a slightly larger area. The incisions will be slightly longer, to address excess skin in the love handles or hips.

Mini Abdominoplasty

A single incision of a few inches (similar to a C-section incision) will be made in the pubic area, enabling what usually amounts to minimal muscle repair. This is ideal if you have limited laxity and excess fat in the lower abdomen.

Skin-Only Abdominoplasty

The incisions for this procedure mirror that of the full abdominoplasty, but this procedure does not include muscle repair. This is ideal for patients whose core muscles are intact but who are struggling with excess skin and fat only. 

Hernia Repair

A hernia can be a fairly serious injury that sometimes requires immediate surgical attention. Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin will call upon 30 years of combined experience to utilize the latest surgical techniques and safely repair your hernia.

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Our Impressive Tummy Tuck Results

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Offering You the Drain-Free Tummy Tuck Why Are Drains Used?

In many cases, drains are utilized to prevent fluid accumulation after a tummy tuck procedure. A full tummy tuck, for example, may involve liposuction to remove excess fat, the excision of excess skin and tissues, and manipulation of the muscles to create a more contoured appearance. All of this trauma ultimately causes inflammation and fluid buildup in the treatment area, which is mitigated with the placement of drains that allow this fluid to escape. Patients typically wear drains for several days after surgery and need to empty out the drains periodically to ensure a speedy recovery.

A Drain-Free Alternative

The drain-free tummy tuck protocol utilizes a product known as TissuGlu. This FDA-approved, synthetic surgical adhesive holds the tissue layers in the treatment area together tightly. In doing so, it reduces the empty spaces that can form between tissue layers, which typically fill up with fluid. This effectively eliminates fluid buildup, and lets you say goodbye to the frustration that can come with post-surgical drains. 

The product bonds tightly to your tissues during the healing process, allowing it to break down and be metabolized efficiently by your body as you recover. TissuGlu is 10x stronger than fibrin sealant, significantly speeding up your recovery period while also lowering the risk of problems with tissues healing. If you’d like to learn more about this drain-free procedure, reach out and set up your consultation today.

When to Consider a Drain-Free Tummy Tuck

You’re likely to be a great candidate for a drain-free tummy tuck in Richmond if you:

  • Have a healthy BMI
  • Are not undergoing extensive liposuction
  • Are not undergoing an extended tummy tuck
  • Are at a stable weight
  • Are a non-smoker or have stopped smoking at the recommended time before surgery
  • Have realistic expectations
  • Have good skin elasticity
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When to Consider Another Procedure

Patients with a high BMI or who are interested in a more extensive tummy tuck procedure (that involves liposuction and tissue manipulation, for example) may not be good candidates for this procedure. For these patients, drains may still be used but may be reduced in number, and you may wear them for a shorter period of time. Only surgeons who have been Drain-Free Certified can perform the drain-free tummy tuck with TissuGlu. Dr. Sundin is one of the few surgeons in the area certified to perform drain-free abdominoplasties and is available for a private consultation. Schedule your appointment to find out if you’re a good candidate for this innovative procedure.

Your Rest and Recovery

Given that we offer various tummy tuck options, we will provide you with all your postoperative care and directives before surgery so you will know exactly what to expect. We will also follow up with you very closely in the immediate days after your surgical procedure and encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have.  

When you wake up from surgery, your abdomen will be wrapped in a compression garment that helps minimize swelling. Small drains may also be placed to help your body get rid of excess fluid, and will be removed after the passage of about five to seven days. Most people take about two weeks off from work and other regular activities to recover.

You’ll need to abstain from heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for about six to eight weeks as your healing completes. You’ll be able to notice your results immediately, and they’ll continue to improve for up to several months, as the swelling in the treatment area subsides fully. At this point, you’ll be able to show your new body to the world.

Our Patients, in Their Own Words

Tummy Tuck Reviews

L.B.

I went to Dr.Sundin for a tummy tuck along with liposuction. I had a wonderful experience from the first initial consultation and throughout the entire process....

RealSelf Patient

I had an amazing experience with Dr. Burton Sundin and staff. They made me feel comfortable throughout the entire process. From the initial consultation to post...

S.R.

I’ve been a happy client for several years doing everything from CoolSculpting to Botox for my “angry 11’s”, and even a tummy tuck! I really appreciate the time...

Google Patient

I had a tummy tuck by Dr. Sundin on August 12th after losing 82.8 lbs in the a last year. I had 6 lbs of hanging skin on the front of my stomach which was inter...

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Burton M. Sundin, MD

Reps B. Sundin, MD

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Offering You the Experience You Deserve

Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin are board-certified plastic surgeons who offer a wide array of surgical options to their patients at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery. Our offices conveniently provide abdominoplasty to the Richmond, Northern Virginia, Tyson's Corner, Charlottesville, and Washington DC areas, and our team is excited to learn more about how we can help you achieve your cosmetic goals. We work closely with each of our patients, developing customized surgical plans that are bespoke to their physical characteristics, lifestyle aspirations, and aesthetic goals. Your tummy tuck will be designed around these three elements, with brothers Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin calling upon their extensive experience to offer you a truly elite-level experience. Dr. Burton and Dr. Reps also adopt a 360-degree approach to tummy tucks integrating flank/lower back liposuction in every procedure for a smoother, hourglass shape, even from the back.

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