When diet and exercise fail to deliver the flat, toned midsection you have been striving for, a tummy tuck may be the best option. Looking for a tummy tuck Boston residents? Contact Dr. Eliopoulos to set up a consultation at Eliopoulos Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, serving upper Massachusetts and lower New Hampshire. Dr. Dina Eliopoulos is dedicated to delivering exceptional results with an unmatchable quality of patient care.
Please view Dr. Eliopoulos’ tummy tuck before and after results. These are actual patients.
View Before & After GalleryDespite efforts to achieve physical fitness and maintain a healthy diet, many individuals are unable to shed stubborn excess fat in the midsection.
Pregnancy, weight fluctuation, heredity, and aging can all contribute to the accumulation of fat and excess loose skin in the abdominal region, which can leave the midsection loose, sagging, and undefined. Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, ranks among the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed today, both in Dr. Eliopoulos’s practice and across the nation. A tummy tuck contours and removes excess skin in the midsection while restoring weak, separated abdominal muscles. By restoring the function of these muscles, a tummy tuck reveals a smoother, more defined silhouette. Often, Boston Tummy Tuck provider Dr. Eliopoulos will perform liposuction on other areas in conjunction with a tummy tuck to help achieve the best body contour possible.
Depending on your needs and goals, Dr. Eliopoulos will perform one of two types of tummy tuck surgery: a complete abdominoplasty or partial abdominoplasty.
As an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body contouring, Dr. Dina Eliopoulos has a wealth of experience and knowledge about various body contouring procedures, from abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and mommy makeovers to diastasis recti repair and body contouring after massive weight loss. These combination procedures are some of Dr. Eliopoulos’ favorite surgeries to perform because they lead to truly inspiring and life-changing results.
A complete abdominoplasty, also known as a full tummy tuck, provides comprehensive tightening of the upper and lower abdomen. Imagine ridding yourself of all that excess skin and fat from the navel to the bikini—the results can be truly amazing!
Incisions. During a complete abdominoplasty, an incision is made from hipbone to hipbone, just below the bikini line, where it is well hidden. A second incision around the navel is necessary when there is considerable excess skin and fat in the upper abdomen as well. Dr. Eliopoulos will make every effort to make the incision sites as discreet as possible so that resulting scars may be hidden beneath underwear and bathing suits.
Sculpting and contouring. Dr. Eliopoulos will then re-contour the skin and tissue of the abdominal region and restore separated abdominal muscles. Surgical tightening of the rectus abdominal muscles that have become splayed apart due to weight fluctuations or pregnancy creates a sleek, flat abdominal contour. Excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen will then be completely removed.
Advanced suturing technique. Next, Dr. Eliopoulos places progressive tension sutures, which are special “quilting-like” internal sutures, to tack the abdominal skin flap to your muscle wall. This step reduces potential complications from body fluid collecting in the abdominal surgical space, minimizes the time needed for surgical drains, and optimizes healing of the lower abdominal incision for better scar quality. Ultimately, the belly button, which was separated from its surrounding tissue, will be brought through a new opening. This gives the belly button a tighter, more refined shape.
Incision closure and drain placement. After these adjustments are made, dissolvable sutures will be used to close the incisions. One or two drainage tubes will be inserted under the skin for a period of several days to aid in the healing process.
Are you happy with your upper abdominal appearance but wish your lower tummy looked better? If so, a “mini” or partial tummy tuck may be the answer. If the excess skin and fat are primarily located below the navel, a shorter incision may be required to remove the necessary tissue, and the belly button will stay in its original location.
This eliminates the need for an incision around the navel. Because patients undergoing a partial abdominoplasty require only a moderate amount of correction, the abdominal muscles may not need tightening. This procedure can be performed as an outpatient surgery and comes with a speedier recovery period than a full tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck can benefit individuals with sagging abdominal skin, stubborn fat deposits, or stretched abdominal muscles that cause a protuberance in the midsection. Benefits of a tummy tuck include:
Overall, the benefits of a tummy tuck can extend far beyond cosmetic enhancement, enhancing your physical comfort, self-confidence, and quality of life.
When searching for the right place to get a tummy tuck Boston men and women want someone they can trust. Dr. Eliopoulos expertly performs a tummy tuck personalized to each patient’s needs. NH and MA residents can feel confident they will look great. In fact, this is one of Dr. Eliopoulos’s favorite procedures to perform because of the dramatic results she can achieve! She finds it truly gratifying to help her patients come full circle with their body transformations after weight loss and pregnancy.
Dr. Eliopoulos is committed to helping patients meet their aesthetic goals with beautiful, natural-looking results. Contact Eliopoulos Plastic Surgery and Med Spa to learn more about complete and partial abdominoplasty or to set up a consultation.
Schedule a Consultation TodayAre you unhappy with the way your tummy looks? Don’t get discouraged. Instead, please reach out to us and start the conversation. You will first talk with our surgical coordinator, who will immediately put you at ease as she gathers a little information from you and then gives you some very useful information about the tummy tuck procedure, along with a cost estimate. If you are a candidate for the procedure, we will then have you come in for a consultation with Dr. Eliopoulos. At that time, Dr. Eliopoulos will offer guidance, help you define your personal surgical goals, and provide a clear understanding of the results you can expect from your procedure.
We will guide you every step of the way from there. After your pre-op visit with Dr. Eliopoulos and her nursing team, you will feel very informed on how to prepare before surgery and what you will need to do after surgery to optimize your recovery.
Days 1-2. Dr. Eliopoulos prefers that her tummy tuck patients stay overnight in the hospital to get a little more TLC and assistance from the excellent nursing staff at Lowell General Hospital. Because she often combines other procedures with abdominoplasty, this additional monitoring period provides more safety and comfort.
Weeks 1-2. After the abdominoplasty, you will likely have at least one surgical drain. You will also need to wear a light binder or surgical garment designed to reduce post-surgical swelling and provide support to your abdomen as it heals. We will encourage you to move and walk around starting on the day of your surgery. Dr. Eliopoulos or her nurse practitioner will see you the day after your surgery, before you are discharged, and ensure you are well prepared to go home.
Weeks 2-5. You will still follow some activity restrictions with no exercise or heavy lifting until about six weeks after surgery. We will guide you on how to proactively optimize the appearance of your scars, starting before and then after surgery with topicals and lasers if you choose.
Week 6. You will be advised to limit physical activities for approximately six weeks. After healing from the procedure, Boston tummy tuck patients should be committed to maintaining their results through a healthy balance of diet and exercise.
Determining if you're a candidate for a tummy tuck depends on factors such as your overall health, BMI, and specific abdominal concerns. Ideal candidates are generally close to their target weight, in good physical health, and have realistic expectations about the procedure's outcomes. A consultation with Dr. Eliopoulos is essential to assess your candidacy and discuss personalized recommendations based on your needs and goals.
Whether you'll need a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck depends on the extent of excess skin and muscle laxity in your abdominal area. A full tummy tuck addresses concerns both above and below the belly button, making it suitable for more significant abdominal issues. A mini tummy tuck focuses on the lower abdomen and is ideal for individuals with mild to moderate excess skin and fat confined to this area. A consultation with Dr. Eliopoulos will determine the most appropriate procedure based on your anatomy and desired outcome.
Yes, a tummy tuck will leave a scar in the lower abdomen, typically placed to hide under bathing suits and bikini lines. Patients who choose this procedure are comfortable with the trade-off of well-placed scars for improved abdominal contours. We will starting topical body creams two weeks before surgery, followed by silicone-based topical scar care and lasers post-operatively to help fade your scar.
No, a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure. Rather, it is a body contouring procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, tighten the underlying muscles, and create a more sculpted appearance. While some weight may be lost due to the removal of excess tissue, it's not a significant amount and shouldn't be relied upon as a method for substantial weight reduction. A healthy diet and exercise are essential for weight loss and maintaining the results of a tummy tuck.
The cost of a tummy tuck varies depending on the extent of the procedure. We can provide a detailed breakdown of expenses for your needs during your personalized consultation with Dr. Eliopoulos.
Yes, Dr. Eliopoulos commonly combines abdominoplasty with other body contouring procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, or a breast lift. She will discuss which procedures can be safely combined to maximize your results, achieve your goals, and offer the shortest overall recovery time.
One gratifying aspect of abdominoplasty is that even on the first day of your recovery, you will see amazing changes in your tummy.
As post-procedure swelling subsides over the next few weeks, you will enjoy seeing an even more streamlined abdominal contour. Excess skin is replaced by taut contours. Fat deposits are sculpted away, and lax abdominal muscles are tightened for a flat, taut silhouette.
Because the tummy tuck incision is placed low on the abdomen, it is easy to conceal in undergarments or swimwear. Although a visible scar is an inevitable part of this procedure, the incision line will continue to fade and flatten for up to a year or more after your surgery. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can enjoy long-term results for enhanced confidence and a more vibrant quality of life.
Plastic surgery isn’t just about people changing their look—it's about making you feel good about being you. Whether you need breast augmentation, a breast lift, liposuction or Botox, Dr. Dina Eliopoulos is here for you. For over 20 years, patients have sought out the care and results that Dr. Eliopoulos can create in her beautiful Chelmsford, Massachusetts office. The peace of mind that comes from a board-certified, residency- and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon is hard to parallel. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Eliopoulos today to experience the difference for yourself.