Advantages of Having Abdominoplasty Prior to Swimsuit Season

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Dr. Eric Barker

February 18, 2021

Dr. Barker earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. He then completed his combined training in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Rush University Medical Center and John H. Stroger, Jr. (Cook County) Hospital in Chicago, IL. Dr. Barker was able to train under distinguished breast reconstructive surgeon Dr. Anuja Antony, and prestigious cosmetic surgeon Dr. John Q. Cook.

Everyone wants to look and feel their best before swimsuit season hits. Even if you exercise regularly and eat healthy meals, most traditional weight loss programs cannot treat loose or hanging skin on the abdomen. Peak Plastic Surgery Center can help you restore your confidence with tummy tuck surgery in Denver, CO. Learn how to get ready for bikini season with plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Barker and schedule your tummy tuck consultation today.

Tummy tuck surgery explained

So, how do we get loose skin on our abdomens in the first place? For many women, pregnancy often causes the abdominal skin to stretch out more than normal. The extra tissue left behind after pregnancy hangs around our midsection and will not always go back to its original position. Rapid or extreme weight loss can also lead to excess skin.

Even with a healthy diet and regular exercise, tummy tuck surgery, or abdominoplasty, may be the only way to smooth out your stomach in time for bikini season. To get the desired effect, we perform excess skin removal while the remaining skin is stretched over the abdomen. Lax or loose abdominal muscles are also tightened in the process. Liposuction may be employed to treat small pockets of fat in the area. During your body contouring assessment with Dr. Barker, we can discuss exactly what will go into your custom surgical plan.

Benefits of body contouring surgery

There are many reasons why people pursue tummy tuck surgery before summer officially starts. The team at Peak Plastic Surgery Center in Denver, CO can help enhance your appearance and health in a number of unexpected ways:

 

  • Firmer tummy: Having a flatter stomach means your favorite outfits, like swimsuits, will fit better. Patients who undergo abdominoplasty report a rise in confidence and self-esteem during the summer months.

  • Improved posture: Excess skin is heavy, which changes our posture and draws our bodies forward. Removing this skin can sometimes help patients straighten their spines and improve their posture.

  • Make exercise more comfortable: Excess abdominal skin can cause discomfort when exercising or performing certain motions. Tummy tuck surgery makes activities, like beach yoga or swimming, far more enjoyable.

What size can I wear after excess skin removal?

Some people decide to have abdominoplasty to enhance body contours and wear a smaller size swimsuit. While it is possible to go down a size or more as a result of this procedure, this is not always guaranteed. It depends on the amount of excess skin involved as well as your cosmetic goals. During your personalized consultation with Dr. Barker, we can perform an assessment and let you know what kind of slimmer results to expect from excess skin removal.

Get bikini body ready!

Summer is the best time to celebrate all kinds of beach bodies. If traditional weight loss methods have failed to address loose or hanging skin on your belly, call Peak Plastic Surgery Center to learn about body contouring surgery. A tummy tuck can refresh your appearance and help you feel positive about your curves again. Dr. Eric Barker can create a custom treatment plan when you visit our clinic in Denver, CO. Rest assured we can help you get ready for the summer.

A common question we receive at Peak Plastic Surgery is: Who is a candidate for a mini tummy tuck? This is a frequent inquiry because there is often confusion about the difference between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).

When we talk about a mini tummy tuck, it specifically addresses excess abdominal skin below the belly button. Essentially, the goal is to flatten the area below the belly button by removing any excess abdominal skin. This procedure often targets damaged skin below the belly button, which is commonly caused by stretch marks. In many cases, this damage results from pregnancy in women or significant weight gain in men.

When patients call our office and speak with my coordinator prior to their consultation, we ask a few key questions to determine their concerns. If excess abdominal skin is mentioned, we follow up by asking:

  • Where is the excess skin located?
  • Is it all over the abdomen or just in the lower part?

If a patient indicates the issue is primarily in the lower abdomen, especially following a C-section, they are often ideal candidates for a mini abdominoplasty. C-section scars frequently tether to the abdominal wall, creating contour irregularities or an “overflow” of skin above the scar.

A mini tummy tuck is effective in removing this lower abdominal skin, and it can be combined with laser liposuction (performed while awake in my clinic) to achieve a smooth, flat appearance. However, candidacy also depends on other factors, including:

  • Weight status: Are you at or near your goal weight?
  • Pregnancy history: Have you had a recent pregnancy?
  • Recovery timeline: Has enough time passed (typically 6–8 months) for your skin and subcutaneous tissues to heal and retract after pregnancy?

If you’re a mother, we need to evaluate where your muscles have settled after pregnancy. The abdominal muscles (rectus musculature) often separate in the middle (a condition called rectus diastasis), and while they may return to their normal position, they sometimes require surgical repair.

If muscle repair is necessary, the procedure will require general anesthesia. If not, the procedure can be done while you’re awake. All of these factors are assessed during your consultation to determine the most appropriate approach for your mini abdominoplasty.

For many of my patients, the decision comes down to whether the excess skin is located only below the belly button. If there’s no excess skin above the belly button, a mini tummy tuck may be the ideal solution. In cases where there are additional skin or muscle concerns, we might discuss options like adding laser liposuction or performing muscle repair.

For mothers specifically, we recommend waiting at least 6–8 months after giving birth to allow the skin to heal and the abdominal muscles to settle. This ensures we have a clear picture of your body’s post-pregnancy recovery before proceeding with surgery.

It’s also worth noting that a mini abdominoplasty does not preclude future procedures. For instance, patients may later opt for a full tummy tuck due to changes in weight, skin elasticity, or personal goals. While I prefer to achieve optimal results in one surgery whenever possible, patient goals and circumstances often evolve over time.

Ultimately, deciding on a mini tummy tuck depends on your individual goals and timeline. During your preoperative phone consultation with my coordinator, and later in your in-person consultation with me, we’ll discuss your concerns and expectations to determine the best surgical approach for you.

For those wondering if a mini tummy tuck is right for them: the ideal candidate is someone who is close to their goal weight and wants to address excess skin below the belly button. Whether it’s due to pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or other factors, this procedure can help patients achieve a flatter, more defined lower abdomen.

Even if you decide on a mini abdominoplasty now, you remain a candidate for a full tummy tuck in the future if needed. Our goal is to guide you through this process and ensure your surgical outcomes align with your long-term goals.

Learn more and schedule your consultation!