Little Rock, AR: (501) 575-0088
Wright Plastic Surgery and Med Spa: Dr. Eric Wright
1811 Rahling Rd, Suite 100
Little Rock, AR 72223
Phone: (501) 575-0088
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can transform your profile by removing excess skin and tightening weakened abdominal muscles. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Wright tailors each procedure to meet the unique needs of men and women who struggle with loose skin that diet and exercise can’t address. From Little Rock and across Arkansas, patients choose Dr. Wright for expert surgical planning, attention to detail, and natural-looking results.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscle wall underneath.
A tummy tuck can:
Tummy tuck surgery is often combined with liposuction to create smoother, more defined abdominal contours.
An Arkansas native, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Wright has spent over a decade helping Little Rock women and men look and feel their best with both reconstructive and plastic surgery options.
Meet Dr. Wright
You may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you have loose abdominal skin or separated abdominal muscles that do not improve with diet and exercise. While pregnancy is a common reason for seeking surgery, both men and women may benefit.
Ideal tummy tuck candidates are nonsmokers who:
Tummy tuck is not weight loss surgery, and patients should maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) before scheduling surgery to optimize results and recovery.
Every patient’s anatomy and goals are different. Dr. Wright offers several types of tummy tuck surgery in Little Rock to address varying degrees of skin laxity, muscle separation, and excess fat. During your consultation, he will recommend the approach that best fits your body and long-term goals.
A standard tummy tuck, also called a full abdominoplasty, addresses both the upper and lower abdomen. This is the most common type of tummy tuck performed by Dr. Wright.
During the procedure, Dr. Wright makes a low horizontal incision from hip to hip, which can be concealed beneath underwear or swimwear. He removes excess skin and fat, and repairs weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) to restore a flatter, firmer contour. The belly button is typically reshaped to maintain a natural appearance.
A full tummy tuck is ideal for patients who:
Most patients return to non-strenuous work within 2 to 3 weeks, with full recovery and return to intense activity occurring over several months.
A mini tummy tuck focuses only on the area below the belly button. It is less extensive than a full abdominoplasty and involves a smaller incision.
This option may be appropriate for patients who:
Because the surgical area is smaller, recovery is often quicker. Many patients return to work within 1 to 2 weeks and resume more vigorous activities around 5 to 6 weeks after surgery. However, results are limited to the lower abdomen and do not address upper abdominal laxity.
An extended tummy tuck is designed for patients with significant excess skin that extends beyond the abdomen to the flanks or hips, often following major weight loss.
This technique uses a longer incision that allows Dr. Wright to contour the abdomen, waist, and sides for a more extensive transformation. The belly button is reshaped, and liposuction may be incorporated to enhance overall definition.
Recovery from an extended tummy tuck is typically longer than with other techniques. Most patients need 4 to 6 weeks to return to work and several additional weeks to resume strenuous exercise.
During your consultation in Little Rock, Dr. Wright will carefully evaluate your anatomy and recommend the tummy tuck technique that delivers natural-looking, confidence-enhancing results.
Tummy tuck surgery typically takes 2 to 3 hours under general anesthesia. Dr. Wright makes a horizontal incision low on the abdomen and often a second incision around the belly button. Dr. Wright removes excess skin, tightens abdominal muscles, and addresses unwanted fat with liposuction for complete contouring. He then inserts surgical drains to prevent fluid buildup and carefully closes the incisions with sutures.
A tummy tuck:
This procedure can restore confidence and improve how clothes fit, especially after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
Tummy tuck costs vary based on:
At your consultation, we will provide a personalized cost estimate and discuss financing options available to patients at our Little Rock practice. Read our related blog post to learn more about what affects the price of a tummy tuck.
While both liposuction and tummy tuck surgery are body contouring procedures, they serve different purposes.
If your concerns are caused by fat alone and not stretched abdominal skin and muscle, liposuction might provide your desired improvements on its own. Many patients benefit from a combination of both procedures. Read our related blog post for details about the difference between a tummy tuck and lipo.
Dr. Wright frequently combines a tummy tuck with additional procedures to address multiple concerns during a single surgery and recovery period. These procedures may include:
Combining a tummy tuck with cosmetic breast surgery is often called a mommy makeover.
As with any surgery, a tummy tuck procedure carries risks such as:
Dr. Wright will review all risks during your consultation and explain how he minimizes complications through careful surgical technique.
Tummy tuck recovery generally takes 2 to 6 weeks. Most patients can return to work and non-strenuous activities after 2 to 3 weeks. Abdominal muscle repair, skin tightening, and swelling create tightness that can be uncomfortable and prevent patients from standing upright initially. Here is some helpful information about what to expect:
Discomfort can be challenging the first few weeks of tummy tuck recovery; however, most patients say it is well worth the results they gain. Dr. Wright prescribes medication to control pain, which patients typically need for just the first few days.
You will return home from surgery wearing a compression garment that applies gentle pressure to the surgical area to minimize swelling and promote smooth contours as you heal. It’s important to wear the garment continuously, except while showering, until you are cleared to stop.
During the surgery, Dr. Wright places surgical drains to prevent fluid buildup. While you might be annoyed by these tubes, if the tummy tuck drains are removed too soon, fluid may build up under the skin (seroma), becoming painful or infected. The drains will be removed at a post-op appointment 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Rest as much as you can and do gentle walking throughout the day for the first week after treatment. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for skin and tissues to relax and the incisions to heal enough to make lying flat on your back (supine) safe and comfortable after a tummy tuck. You will need to wait at least 6 weeks to resume sleeping face down (prone). Learn more by reading our blog post answering tummy tuck recovery FAQs.
Most patients are ready to resume non-strenuous exercise in 2 to 3 weeks and will need to avoid strenuous exercise and activities until 6 weeks after surgery.
Dr. Wright places tummy tuck incisions very low on the abdomen so the resulting scar can be covered by pants or a bikini bottom. He is careful to minimize scarring and can offer advice on reducing its appearance. Read our related blog post for more information about tummy tuck scars and how to minimize them.
The recovery time after a tummy tuck varies from patient to patient and depends on the extent of the procedure. A typical recovery timeline includes:
Week 1
Pain and swelling typically peak around days 3 to 5. You will need to walk slightly bent at the waist to reduce tension on the incision. Drains are usually removed within 7 to 10 days.
2-3 Weeks
You may be able to return to a job that doesn’t require strenuous activity by the end of week 3. Continue wearing your compression garment to minimize swelling.
6 Weeks
You will likely be ready to stop wearing the compression garment and resume normal activities and exercise.
Full results develop over several months as swelling resolves.
If you’re visiting Little Rock to see Dr. Wright, our patient care team will help make your trip easy and enjoyable.
No. Tummy tucks are considered elective cosmetic procedures and are not covered by medical insurance. Complications related to elective surgery are also typically not covered. Dr. Wright offers optional Aesthetisure insurance for plastic surgery complications for an additional fee.
Yes. One of the key benefits of a tummy tuck is repairing separated abdominal muscles, improving core stability, and enhancing abdominal contour.
During a full tummy tuck, the belly button is repositioned and reshaped. Dr. Wright tightens the abdominal skin and muscles, creates an opening in the tightened skin, inserts the belly button, and carefully secures it with sutures around the inside edge for a natural look. Mini tummy tucks typically do not affect the belly button, just the area from the belly button to the pubic bone.
While abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure, many patients drop 1 to 2 clothing sizes once the excess skin and fat are removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened.
Most patients can start lymphatic drainage massage about 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, once the early healing phase is complete. These relaxing treatments, performed with the Ballancer®Pro system, enhance recovery, circulation, and overall wellness.
Women travel from across the state of Arkansas and beyond to have Dr. Wright perform their breast augmentation procedure. If you would like to learn more about breast enhancement, request a consultation using our online form, or call our Little Rock, AR, practice.
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