Tummy Tuck
Pregnancy, significant weight loss, or natural aging can stretch the abdominal wall and loosen underlying tissues beyond what diet and exercise can fix. At Knoxville Center for Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Fowler performs customized tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) to remove excess fat and skin and repair loose muscles. Our down-to-earth team ensures your surgical journey is comfortable, transparent, and fully supported.
Tightens loose muscles, repairs muscle separation, and removes sagging skin and fat from the stomach area.
Typically 2 to 4 hours under general anesthesia.
Most patients return to light, daily activities within 2 to 3 weeks.
Restores a flatter abdomen, firm midsection, and improved clothing fit.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a major surgery designed to flatten the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat while tightening the underlying connective tissue and separating abdominal muscles. Weight gain, pregnancy, or major weight loss often stretches the skin and causes muscle separation (diastasis recti), leaving a persistent pooch or hanging skin on the lower abdomen. Depending on your needs, your surgeon performs different variations:
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Under general anesthesia, Dr. Fowler makes a horizontal incision just above the pubic hairline. The skin and fat are lifted from the abdominal wall, allowing Dr. Fowler to tighten muscles and pull the separated abdominal muscles back together with sutures in cases of diastasis recti. The remaining skin is stretched down, excess skin and fat are trimmed away, and a new opening is created for the belly button.
Once the contour is refined, the incision site is closed, and temporary surgical drains and an abdominal binder are placed to support healing.
This surgery plan can be modified from a traditional tummy tuck to be expanded or contracted, depending on what abdominal changes you would like to achieve with your surgery.
This reconstructive surgery directly corrects structural concerns in the midsection that standard weight loss efforts cannot resolve:
A tummy tuck treats the full abdominal region, including the upper abdomen, lower abdomen, waistline, and belly button area.
Tummy tuck surgery offers physical and cosmetic improvements that help you feel completely comfortable in your own body.
Firmer Midsection and Core Support
Tightening separated muscles repairs the internal abdominal wall, which can improve posture, ease lower back strain, and create a flatter abdomen.
Improved Comfort and Clothing Options
Removing hanging skin eliminates chafing, pulling, and discomfort, helping jeans, athletic wear, and swimwear fit smoothly over your stomach.
Good candidates for tummy tuck surgery are non-smoking men and women in good health who have maintained a stable weight near their healthy weight goal. Candidates should have realistic expectations for recovery and a tummy tuck scar.
It is best to wait until after future pregnancies and significant weight-loss goals are complete, as future weight gain or pregnancy can stretch the repaired tissues again. Patients with poor wound healing conditions should discuss risks thoroughly during consultation.
Allowing your body to heal properly after abdominal surgery requires patience and rest. Most patients wear a supportive abdominal binder for several weeks to compress tissues, manage fluid buildup, and assist the healing process. If temporary surgical drains are placed at the incision site, our team will teach you how to manage them before removal.
Mild soreness and tightness are normal early on. Most patients feel ready to return to light desk work within 2 to 3 weeks, though strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and vigorous activity must be avoided for 6 to 8 weeks to prevent complications like poor wound healing, fluid buildup, or blood clots.
You will notice a visibly flatter abdomen and firmer midsection immediately following surgery, though full tummy tuck results refine over 3 to 6 months as residual swelling subsides. Your stomach area will look significantly smoother, tighter, and more proportionate to your overall frame.
The structural repairs to your abdominal muscles and the removal of excess skin and fat are long-lasting. Maintaining a stable weight and active routine will help preserve your sleek, toned appearance for years to come.
At Knoxville Center for Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, your cosmetic surgery is guided by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Fowler. Our practice is built on a collaborative model where plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and aesthetic providers work under one roof to give our patients solutions across the spectrum of skin and aesthetic care.
Whether combining your abdominoplasty with breast surgery (such as a Mommy Makeover) or pairing it with post-operative skin care, our friendly team delivers approachable, high-quality medical care tailored to your life.
A full tummy tuck repairs muscles throughout the entire abdomen and repositions the belly button. A mini tummy tuck focuses strictly on removing a smaller section of loose skin below the navel without moving the belly button.
A tummy tuck will remove stretch marks on the lower abdomen that are directly attached to the excess skin removed during surgery. Stretch marks outside this area will remain.
The incision is strategically placed low on the lower abdomen, right above the pubic hairline, so it remains hidden beneath standard underwear and bikini bottoms. Scars soften and fade significantly over time.
Yes. Many patients combine abdominoplasty with liposuction to remove extra fat or pair it with breast surgery (breast lift or augmentation) for a comprehensive body contouring transformation.
Total costs depend on whether you undergo a mini abdominoplasty, a complete abdominoplasty, or a combination of surgery and liposuction. Our team provides clear, straightforward pricing details during your personal consultation.
