Tummy tuck surgery (also called abdominoplasty) is a procedure often performed in Richmond, VA. A tummy tuck can flatten the abdomen, remove excess skin, and enhance abdominal muscle tone. Tummy tuck surgery has helped many people achieve their ideal body—including my patient, Tracy.
Tracy’s Story
Tracy came to me because she constantly felt like she had a stomach pooch. In fact, what prompted her to research Richmond plastic surgeons was a comment she received from another woman who asked Tracy when she was due to have a baby.
Tracy was not pregnant.
“It’s not the first time someone had mistaken me for pregnant when I wasn’t,” Tracy says in her video testimonial. “I was very upset.”
Tracy’s stomach had always been an issue for her, but childbearing and aging made her abdominal issues worse, and diet and exercise didn’t help. After talking with her husband, she decided she had two options: either stop complaining or do something. Tracy chose to do something.
Finding the Right Surgeon
Tracy began her journey by researching board-certified plastic surgeons in her area. She came up with a list of several options, and she scheduled consultations at various clinics, including Lewis Plastic Surgery.
I met with Tracy and conducted a thorough evaluation to determine if tummy tuck surgery was right for her. Tracy met all the criteria to be a tummy tuck candidate, because she:
- was healthy and at a stable weight
- lived an active lifestyle and ate well
- had good skin elasticity
- had loose skin around her abdomen
- had excess fat deposits in the upper and lower belly
- had realistic expectations about her results
After our meeting, Tracy decided that she felt comfortable with me and the staff and decided to continue with a tummy tuck.
“I just really felt comfortable with Dr. Lewis and his staff,” Tracy says. “Dr. Lewis was very patient, and his staff was very patient. I asked a million questions.”
Tracy’s Abdominoplasty Experience
Tracy’s abdominoplasty in Richmond, VA, went very smoothly. During her procedure, I removed excess fat using liposuction, tightened the abdominal wall, removed excess skin, and pulled the remaining skin tight. The entire surgery took about 3 hours to perform, and Tracy was able to go home that same day.
“I had pain for a couple of days afterward,” Tracy says. “But I was able to go home that day, and that was important to me.”
After a few days, Tracy was up walking and doing things for herself. She came back to see me just 2 or 3 days after her surgery so that I could evaluate whether or not she was healing as she should. In 1 week, she came back for another follow-up appointment and had her surgical drains removed. After 3 weeks, she no longer had to wear surgical garments. And in 4 to 6 weeks, Tracy was cleared to exercise again and was back to her normal routine.
“I was able to do everything, so it was great,” Tracy says.
Enjoying the New Tracy
With her new figure and improved confidence, Tracy was excited to do something that she used to dread: shop for a swimsuit.
“It was very exciting to just pull a bathing suit off the rack, try it on, and be able to assess, ‘Is this flattering? Is it the right color?’ Rather than, ‘How does my stomach look?’,” Tracy says. “It was a great experience. I was so excited.”
When asked if she would recommend a tummy tuck to others or have the procedure again, Tracy responded with an enthusiastic “Yes.”
“It’s not a decision I made lightly, but I’m so glad I did it.”
Are You Ready for Your Transformation?
If you can relate to Tracy’s story and are ready to discuss your options for tummy tuck surgery, contact us today for a consultation. You can also view our online photo gallery to see before-and-after photos of some of our tummy tuck patients.