Tummy Tuck Surgery in Baton Rouge, LA
Expert Abdominoplasty Results - Flatter, Firmer Abdomen
An abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a popular cosmetic body procedure for both men and women with loose skin and excess fat in the abdominal area.
If you are bothered by these issues and if Dr. Chiasson decides you are a good candidate for surgery, a tummy tuck can transform the way you look and feel. Ford Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery specializes in providing personalized surgical solutions that help you feel confident in your own skin. Our mother-daughter partnership brings a unique, compassionate perspective to every treatment plan, ensuring that your aesthetic goals are met with the highest level of care. By addressing areas that diet and exercise alone often cannot reach, we help you achieve a more contoured, athletic appearance.
If you are ready to explore how this procedure can enhance your life, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our expert team today.
What Is a Tummy Tuck and How Can It Improve Your Abdominal Contour?
A tummy tuck is a specialized surgery designed to remove loose skin and repair weakened or separated abdominal muscles. It’s common for people to seek this procedure after significant life milestones such as pregnancy or substantial weight loss, which can stretch the abdominal tissues beyond their ability to snap back naturally.
We focus on delivering outcomes that look natural and feel life-changing. Beyond the visible aesthetic improvements, our patients often report improved core support and a renewed sense of self-assurance. We work closely with you to refine your silhouette, providing a flatter surface that better reflects your hard work and healthy lifestyle.
A tummy tuck can remove loose, excess skin and fat, and tighten weak fascia. It can also remove stretch marks and excess skin in the lower abdomen below the bellybutton. However, a tummy tuck won't correct stretch marks outside of this area.
If you've previously had a C-section, Dr. Chiasson might be able to incorporate your existing C-section scar into your tummy tuck scar.
A tummy tuck can also be done in combination with other body contouring cosmetic procedures, such as breast surgery. If you've had fat removed from your abdomen (liposuction), you may decide to have a tummy tuck because liposuction removes tissue just under the skin and fat but not any excess skin.
Benefits of Abdominoplasty
Choosing to undergo an abdominoplasty offers several physical and emotional advantages:
Flatter, firmer appearance of the entire midsection.
Removal of loose skin that can cause discomfort or limit clothing choices.
Repair of separated muscles, specifically addressing diastasis recti for a stronger core.
Improved body proportions and a better fit for your favorite clothes.
Long-lasting results when maintained with a stable weight and healthy habits.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Ideal candidates are healthy individuals who wish to enhance their abdominal contours. While this is not a weight-loss surgery, it is an excellent finishing touch for those who have reached their goal weight but are left with lax tissue.
Your candidacy is always determined through a personalized consultation at Ford Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. We evaluate several factors to ensure this procedure is the right fit for your needs:
Skin Laxity: You have noticeable excess or hanging skin on the abdomen.
Muscle Weakness: You experience a bulging or soft midsection due to separated muscles.
Weight Stability: You have maintained a stable weight for several months.
Overall Health: You are in good health and do not have medical conditions that impair healing.
Realistic Expectations: You understand the surgical process and the resulting improvements.
Dr. Chiasson might caution against a tummy tuck if you plan to lose a significant amount of weight or might consider a future pregnancy, since another pregnancy will undo your results. She may also advise waiting if you have a severe chronic condition such as heart disease or diabetes, a body mass index greater than 30, are a smoker, or have had a previous abdominal surgery that caused significant scar tissue.
What to Expect - Mini vs. Full
Not every patient needs the same procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Chiasson will determine whether a mini or full abdominoplasty is the better fit for your anatomy and goals. The right choice depends primarily on how much excess skin you have and whether your abdominal muscles have separated.
Mini Tummy Tuck
If you have a lesser degree of skin excess and no muscle separation above your umbilicus (belly button), you may be a good candidate for a modified or mini-abdominoplasty. A mini tummy tuck focuses only on the area below the belly button, where loose skin and stubborn fat tend to collect. Because it addresses a smaller area, it involves a shorter incision, often does not require repositioning the belly button, and generally allows for a quicker recovery. This option tends to suit patients who are close to their ideal shape but are bothered by a small "pooch" of lower abdominal skin that won't respond to diet and exercise.
Full Tummy Tuck
A full, or standard, tummy tuck addresses the entire abdomen — both above and below the belly button. It's the better choice when there is a more significant amount of loose skin or when the abdominal muscles have separated (diastasis recti), which is common after pregnancy or major weight changes. During a full tummy tuck, Dr. Chiasson tightens the connective tissue across the full length of the abdomen, removes excess skin, and repositions the belly button into a natural-looking position. While the scar is longer than with a mini tummy tuck, it is placed low along the bikini line where it can be easily concealed, and the results address more comprehensive concerns.
Both standard and mini-abdominoplasty can be combined with carefully performed liposuction to refine the contours of the waist and flanks. Pairing the two procedures can help create a smoother, more sculpted result than skin tightening alone.
Recovery and Results
While you will experience some swelling and downtime, we provide constant guidance to ensure a smooth transition. Most patients can return to light activity within a few weeks, with full results becoming more apparent as swelling subsides over several months. We remain your dedicated partner throughout the healing process, providing the support and care you need for a beautiful transformation.
Tummy Tuck Before & After
Ask The Expert
Dr. Kate Chaisson
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A tummy tuck isn't a weight-loss procedure, and it's not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise. The patients who do best are at or near a stable, healthy weight but are left with excess skin that simply won't tighten back up. If weight loss is your main goal, I'll be honest with you about that in our consultation and help you think through the right timing.
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Most of my patients plan for about 10 to 14 days before heading back to work, and several weeks before getting back to full activity and exercise. You'll wear a supportive abdominal binder for about six weeks, and I'll be following your progress closely for at least a year afterward.
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You will, and I always want to be upfront about that. The incision scar is permanent, but I place it low along your bikini line where it's easily hidden, even in most swimwear. How the scar settles varies from person to person. And if you've had a C-section before, I can often work that existing scar into your tummy tuck incision so we're not adding a new one.
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Your tummy tuck is done in a hospital or outpatient surgical facility, and you'll be under general anesthesia, so you'll be completely asleep and won't feel a thing. The exact technique depends on how much change you're hoping to see.
In a typical tummy tuck, I remove most of the excess skin and fat between your belly button and pubic area, then tighten the connective tissue over your abdominal muscles with permanent sutures. I reposition your belly button through a small incision so it looks natural, and the hip-to-hip incision is closed along the crease of your bikini line.
Most procedures take about two to three hours.
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A few things matter most: if you smoke, I'll ask you to stop before surgery and through your recovery, because smoking slows healing and raises the risk of complications. You'll also need to avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, and certain herbal supplements that can increase bleeding — my office will give you the full list and timing.
You will need to be at a stable weight for several months beforehand, since big weight changes after surgery can affect your results. You should arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you that first night.
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Like any major surgery, a tummy tuck carries some risk — bleeding, infection, and a reaction to anesthesia are the general ones. More specific to this procedure, we watch for fluid collecting under the skin (a seroma), slower wound healing, scarring, and temporary changes in skin sensation.
In our consultation I'll go through every one of these with you personally and explain exactly how I work to keep you safe.
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Yes, I'd encourage you to wait. A future pregnancy will stretch everything back out and undo the results we worked so hard to achieve. If you're thinking you might want more children down the road, I'd rather we plan your surgery for after you're finished growing your family so you get the lasting result you deserve.
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The honest answer is that it depends — a mini tummy tuck, a full tummy tuck, and a tummy tuck combined with liposuction or another procedure all carry different costs. Rather than quote you a number that may not fit your situation, I'd rather examine you, understand your goals, and give you a clear, personalized estimate at your consultation. My team will walk you through the full cost and any financing options so there are no surprises.
Tummy Tuck Patient Testimonials
Reveal a Smoother, More Sculpted You
Ready to find out if a tummy tuck is right for you? We are committed to patient-centered care and will tailor a treatment plan specifically for your body.