in New Jersey
Weakness of your ab muscles, loose skin, and excess fat after pregnancy or weight loss may cause your midsection to appear bloated and distorted. Some people turn to diet and exercise to try and slim down their figure, but many continue to struggle with a protruding abdomen despite their best efforts. This is where the likes of an expert NJ plastic surgeon like Beverly Friedlander can really pay off, providing some of the best tummy tucks New Jersey has to offer.
Swipe To Next
Learn more about our New Jersey Tummy Tuck procedures and discover your new figure today!
When diet and exercise have failed to tone and sculpt your midsection as anticipated, and you're now considering a tummy tuck, Short Hills, NJ plastic surgeon Beverly Friedlander MD, board-certified and with over 25 years experience, can address your needs.
Beverly Friedlander, MD
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is intended to restore a more youthful appearance to the abdomen. After pregnancy and changes in weight, the distribution of skin and fat will have changed, leaving loose folds in the lower abdomen and extra fullness in the upper abdomen.
In addition, the waist takes on a rounder appearance, signifying a weakness in the ab muscles that no amount of sit-ups can correct. Tummy tuck surgery addresses all of these changes, resulting in a more pleasing shape. Often included as a part of a Mommy Makeover, it removes excess skin and fat. It simultaneously tightens the underlying muscle (abs or rectus muscle) to give a flat, firm look. It is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures for both men and women.
Erika talks about her New Jersey Tummy Tuck journey with Dr Bev.
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are women (and men) who are in good health, do not smoke, are close to their ideal body weight, eat healthily, and exercise. Skin and muscles become lax after pregnancy or weight changes, and an overhang (or “pooch”) may develop.
Even if you are over your ideal weight, you may still obtain a great result, helping you feel better about yourself and how you look. You may benefit from tummy tuck surgery if you relate to one or more of the following issues:
New Jersey Tummy Tuck provider, Dr. Friedlander will review your medical history and perform a complete examination during your consultation. She will also review any questions or concerns you have and recommend the best approach for your procedure.
Beverly Friedlander, MD
After examining you, Dr. Friedlander will recommend the procedure that best addresses your needs.
There are three different types of tummy tuck:
A Mini Tummy Tuck addresses loose skin on the lower abdomen only. It is ideal for patients who only have a modest amount of excess skin. The resulting scar is smaller and more discreet than other types of tummy tucks. The procedure only addresses lax skin and does not involve abdominal muscle repair. While some surgeons can technically perform a mini tummy tuck without general anesthesia in an outpatient setting, most patients opt for anesthesia in an accredited facility to make the procedure more comfortable.
Most patients need a full abdominoplasty to get a flat, firm tummy. The Full Tummy Tuck tightens lax skin on both the upper and lower abdomen while addressing a common condition known as diastasis recti, or abdominal muscle separation, in nearly 60% of pregnancies. The horizontal scar goes from hip to hip and is hidden in most underwear and swimwear styles.
An Extended Tummy Tuck removes the maximum amount of loose skin with an elongated scar extending further than a traditional tummy tuck for patients who have lost a substantial amount of weight. The incision runs across the lower abdomen and above the hips. Like a standard tummy tuck, it can also correct muscle separation due to pregnancy or past obesity for a tummy that looks flat and toned.
Most people don’t realize it, but your back, hips, and flanks have a significant impact on the overall size and shape of your waistline. Dr. Bev’s preferred approach includes a 360-Degree Tummy Tuck to incorporate liposuction and abdominoplasty to address all aspects of the torso, not just the tummy. Her approach truly sculpts your midsection to create an improved waistline from all angles.
A 360-degree tummy tuck is recommended, but if your problem areas are isolated to the region below the belly button, you may be a candidate for a mini tummy tuck, which involves liposuction and skin tightening. Unfortunately, women are often disappointed with mini tummy tuck results since the procedure does not address muscle weakness. Alternatively, if loose skin folds extend around the waistline onto the back, Dr. Friedlander might recommend an extended tummy tuck or body lift.
Dr. Friedlander frequently performs liposuction at the same time as your tummy tuck surgery to improve your waistline. The results of liposuction combined with a tummy tuck are synergistic. This combination surgery is called Lipoabdominoplasty. To achieve the best result, it is necessary to assess the abdomen circumferentially and to determine the contribution of the back fat and the upper abdomen to your appearance.
The difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck can be confusing. Liposuction only reduces excess fat; it does not remove excess skin or tighten the muscles. All three of these can be problematic, so it is often necessary to simultaneously perform liposuction on the flanks, hips, or even the upper abdomen as a tummy tuck to create a more balanced shape. Ask Dr. Bev about a 360 degree Tummy Tuck during your consultation. This unique procedure combines abdominoplasty with liposuction of the tummy, back, hips, and flanks to create a sculpted shape all around the midsection.
Tummy tuck surgery is an outpatient procedure that typically takes between two to three hours to complete, depending on the correction needed. If you’ve had a C-section, Dr. Friedlander will make an incision in your lower abdomen at the same level as your C-section scar.
If needed, liposuction will be performed. The abdominal muscles are tightened, and the extra skin is marked and removed. She uses drains to reduce the likelihood of any adverse fluid accumulation under the skin. The incision is then closed with sutures, resulting in a scar across the lower abdomen hidden by most undergarments. You will be given a compression garment after surgery to support your new contours and minimize swelling.
Board Certified Female Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Beverly Friedlander
Early ambulation is the best way to reduce postoperative complications. Dr. Friedlander feels most patients recover better at home. However, if multiple procedures have been performed together, she may recommend an overnight stay at the facility in Short Hills, NJ.
After your procedure, you will be assisted out of bed. The sooner you can move about, the sooner you can heal. Many patients are concerned about the pain after surgery. Dr. Friedlander uses a long-acting local anesthetic called EXPAREL® to reduce your post-op discomfort. The EXPAREL®, which has revolutionized pain control after surgery, lasts up to three days and significantly reduces the amount of pain you will feel. However, don’t be lulled into a false sense of confidence because you feel good. It is important to remember that you have had a procedure, and you need to take it easy.
Beverly Friedlander, MD
Your tummy tuck results will continue to improve over the next few months. You will notice a pleasing improvement in your midsection following your New Jersey tummy tuck surgery. Swelling and some bruising are normal and disappear after a few weeks.
However, the results are generally permanent as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle and have no further pregnancies following your procedure. Visit the online gallery to see more NJ Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos of actual patients of Dr. Friedlander. Your results may vary.
Dr. Friedlander utilizes her surgical skills and years of experience to perform tummy tuck surgery and eliminate persistent tummy issue, helping you achieve the slim, attractive silhouette of your dreams. If you are interested in learning more, including the cost of a tummy tuck, please contact Dr. Friedlander by calling her at her Short Hills, NJ office at (973) 912-9120, or you can schedule a consultation online today!
Medication will be prescribed to help you transition back to routine activity. Although you may not be able to stand up straight initially, you should begin walking the day of and after surgery. You may gradually increase your activity level and return to strenuous activity and heavy lifting approximately six weeks after your procedure. Typically after a tummy tuck New Jersey patients can return to work after about two weeks and work remotely sooner.
As with any elective surgery, complications are uncommon. Although not a complication, the resulting scar takes time to heal. Dr. Friedlander offers scar management advice to all of her patients. About three to four weeks after the procedure at our center in New Jersey tummy tuck topical scar reduction products and silicone sheeting are introduced. Massage of the scar is helpful as well. Numbness of the treated areas is normal and improves as healing progresses.
Key factors that impact pricing are the surgeon’s years of experience, type of tummy tuck, type of anesthesia, and whether you have a tummy tuck with liposuction performed simultaneously. In addition, a tummy tuck as part of a Mommy Makeover is likely to incur additional costs as the operating room time increases substantially. Dr. Friedlander will discuss your surgical costs during your consultation.
A tummy tuck is considered cosmetic surgery and is not typically covered by medical insurance. We recommend checking with your insurance provider about your coverage options. However, financing and payment options may be available for your convenience. Be sure to ask.
Dr. Friedlander became a plastic surgeon to make a real difference in the lives of her patients. She started her practice in New Jersey three decades ago, and still treats some of her very first patients to this day! Experience the difference that comes from working with a true plastic surgery professional who cares about your results by scheduling your consultation with Dr. Bev.
636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 1A, Short Hills, NJ 07078
