Tummy Tuck in Baton Rouge

Achieving a flatter, more toned stomach can be challenging with just diet and exercise alone. Our procedure for a tummy tuck in Baton Rouge will create real results tailored to your individual cosmetic needs.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

An abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, removes excess fat and skin while tightening abdominal muscles, resulting in a slimmer and more fit appearance. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dr. J. Anthony Stephens is known for his excellent results in customizing the tummy tuck procedure to each patient’s unique specifications and aesthetic goals, as each individual is different.

How Much Does Tummy Tuck Cost?

The price of a tummy tuck depends on which type of tummy tuck procedure you’re having to achieve your aesthetic goals. Based on the complexity of the procedure and whether you plan to have additional procedures during your tummy tuck, such as liposuction, laser treatments, or breast augmentation, the price varies.

During your consultation, Dr. Stephens will examine your abdominal area, discuss your aesthetic concerns and goals, and determine what your tummy tuck will entail. From there, we will design a customized surgical plan for your tummy tuck, including your exact cost.

Before & After Tummy Tuck Photos

Benefits of Abdominoplasty

Removes loose, sagging skin on the stomach
Tightens any remaining skin on the stomach
Removes fat deposits
Restores weakened or separated muscles
Improves the appearance of a C-section scar
Boosts self-image and confidence

Tummy Tuck Testimonial

“I’ve been wanting this surgery for years now, and this is the best thing I have done. Dr. Stephens explained how exactly the surgery would go. He walked me through each little step, and he gave me the confidence I needed to go with him to decide to do my tummy tuck. And even though I’m a mom of three kids, this surgery has definitely changed my life.”

Cassandra B.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

Typically, the best candidates for a tummy tuck are individuals who:

Are at or near their target weight, but have pockets of excess fat
Have sagging, overstretched skin on the abdomen due to pregnancy or significant weight loss
Are non-smokers in general good health

Although tummy tuck surgery can safely and effectively remove fat and tighten stomach contours, it’s important to note that this procedure is not a substitute for diet and exercise; nor is it a solution for weight loss. Dr. Stephens may encourage you to postpone surgery if you intend to lose weight, because weight loss can loosen stomach skin.

During your consultation, factors such as your health, medical history, cosmetic goals, and expectations will be evaluated to determine if an abdominoplasty in Baton Rouge is right for you.

How to Prepare For a Tummy Tuck

Leading up to a tummy tuck procedure, patients may be asked to:

Undergo lab testing and a full medical assessment
Begin or cease the use of certain medications
Quit smoking
Refrain from using aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal supplements, or any other blood thinners
Stay active and get regular exercise

Tummy tuck procedures are often performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case for your procedure, remember to arrange a ride from someone beforehand. Ideally, this person will be able to stay with you during the first 24 hours following the treatment to help around the house.

Abdominoplasty Surgical Details

During a typical tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Stephens places two incisions: one from hip bone to hip bone along the pubic line, and one around the navel. Once the underlying muscles are tightened and fat is removed, the skin is rewrapped and the navel is repositioned more naturally.

Partial Tummy Tuck

Some patients may also qualify for a partial or mini tummy tuck, which is similar to a full abdominoplasty — except a smaller incision is made and the navel does not have to be moved. This option can be discussed with Dr. Stephens during your consultation.

A Better Belly Button: The Neo-Umbilicus Technique

The umbilicus (the belly button) is an essential feature of the abdomen, and the way it looks after a tummy tuck can make or break the result of the surgery.

Dr. Stephens noticed that the scar around a woman’s belly button is a telltale sign of a tummy tuck, and began to develop and perfect a technique to resolve this issue: the neo-umbilicus technique. In this method, he sutures the abdominal wall from the abdomen’s top to the lower abdomen with a continuous running suture or stitches, not allowing for a herniation repair.

This ensures a tight, smooth, flat contour with overall better restoration of the abdominal wall.

The neo-umbilicus technique allows the new belly button to be positioned in a more desired location on the abdomen. It doesn’t create scarring and it can be used in cases in which the original skin and tissue of the belly button cannot be preserved. It achieves excellent aesthetic results and high levels of satisfaction among patients. However, this technique can be less effective in very thin patients whose belly button remains flat due to the lack of fatty tissue.

It’s important to note that preserving the belly button during a tummy tuck is not an unacceptable method — but it is very unpredictable when it comes to scarring. Some patients’ belly buttons look great and the scar is hidden in the umbilicus, but some leave a hypertrophic scar that can’t be improved.

Instead of having a wonderful tummy tuck result with a bad-looking belly button, Dr. Stephens’s neo-umbilicus technique can achieve a beautiful tummy tuck and an aesthetically pleasing belly button.

Tummy Tuck With Neo-Umbilicus Technique

Mini Tummy Tuck vs. Traditional Tummy Tuck

A standard tummy tuck procedure addresses both the upper and lower portions of the abdomen. A mini tummy tuck differs from the standard in that it is specifically designed to treat the lower region of the stomach, which usually means the area spanning from the navel all the way down to the pubic region. While some may believe that the name ‘mini’ means that the procedure involves smaller incisions, they are actually no smaller than the incisions of a standard tummy tuck procedure.

A mini tummy tuck is most often recommended for women who are already content with the overall shape of their bodies and simply want to treat issues that have developed following a pregnancy, such as muscle separation. While getting a C-section might seem like a good way to avoid these issues, the truth is that C-section scars can cause a bulge in the area that will also require treatment. A tummy tuck is designed to treat these issues without leaving any noticeable scars, as all of the incisions are made within the underwear line.

Recovery from Abdominoplasty

There’s no concrete answer for how long abdominoplasty recovery will take because the length of time will be determined by the technique used, your age, and your overall health. In general, however, the majority of patients return to work in about three weeks. It’s important to understand that recovery from a tummy tuck can take from a few weeks to a few months.

Most of our tummy tuck patients in Baton Rouge and Lafayette will need to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help with healing. Drains may also be placed to help collect fluids. Refrain from exercise and strenuous activities until Dr. Stephens clears you to resume. It’s normal to be swollen and bruised with mild discomfort after surgery, which is typically easily controlled with prescribed medication and following Dr. Stephens’s instructions.

He will provide you with post-surgical instructions to care for your incision sites while reducing the risk of infection or complications. Dr. Stephens will also take you step-by-step through what your recovery will entail.

See Post-Op Instructions for Abdominoplasty

Results: What to Expect

Most patients see their final shape at 3-4 months, with results improving over the course of the year. While the tummy tuck procedure is designed to have long-lasting results, adopting a healthy diet and exercise routine can add longevity to your results.

Why Choose Dr. J. Anthony Stephens?

Dr. J. Anthony Stephens is board-certified in both general surgery and plastic surgery by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is also an active member of The American Society of Plastic Surgery, putting him alongside worldwide leaders in cosmetic face, body, breast, and reconstructive surgery. Not only does he have proven experience and results; he is also passionate about ensuring his patients are educated about their procedure, aesthetics, and why they may or may not be good candidates for certain procedures.

Dr. Stephens and his staff treat you with honesty — no one is afraid to say “no” or recommend a different option if they believe it is the right thing to do. We truly have your best interest at heart, delivering the highest quality of plastic surgery and exceeding patient expectations. Our results speak for themselves. If you’re interested in learning more about abdominoplasty in Lafayette, we encourage you to contact Dr. J. Anthony Stephens today to schedule a consultation.

Tummy Tuck FAQ

What other procedures can be performed with a tummy tuck?

Will there be scars?

How much weight can I lose with a tummy tuck?

Can insurance cover a tummy tuck?

Is it safe?

Can I still have kids after a tummy tuck?

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?

What other procedures can be performed with a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is commonly performed with other procedures to achieve a more dramatic rejuvenation, including breast augmentation, additional liposuction, a butt lift, and others.

Will there be scars?

A tummy tuck leaves a scar from hip to hip, low enough on the abdomen to be hidden by underwear or a bikini bottom. The scar should fade as it heals and become a thin white line.

How much weight can I lose with a tummy tuck?

The amount of weight lost with a tummy tuck depends on the extent of the surgical procedure. Patients typically lose less than five pounds. However, if the amount of loose skin is more extensive, the amount of weight loss may be between five and ten pounds, possibly more.

Can insurance cover a tummy tuck?

Because cosmetic procedures aren’t typically covered by insurance, and a tummy tuck is generally considered a cosmetic procedure, it is not covered unless it is deemed medically necessary, usually after significant weight loss.

Is it safe?

While a tummy tuck carries the risks of any other major cosmetic surgery, it is generally considered a relatively safe procedure when performed by a knowledgeable, experienced, double-board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Stephens.

Can I still have kids after a tummy tuck?

You will still be able to have children after a tummy tuck, but the pregnancy may undo the results of your surgery. Dr. Stephens recommends waiting to have a tummy tuck until you know you are done having children.

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?

While these procedures can be performed in conjunction with each other, they are quite different. Patients who are struggling with loose skin and weakened stomach muscles should have a tummy luck. A tummy tuck targets excess or hanging skin and small pockets of fat to contour the waistline and strengthen the abdominal muscles. Liposuction simply removes unwanted fat.

Tummy Tuck in Baton Rouge

What is a Tummy Tuck?

How Much Does Tummy Tuck Cost?

Before & After Tummy Tuck Photos

Benefits of Abdominoplasty

Tummy Tuck Testimonial

Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

How to Prepare For a Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty Surgical Details

Partial Tummy Tuck

A Better Belly Button: The Neo-Umbilicus Technique

Tummy Tuck With Neo-Umbilicus Technique

Mini Tummy Tuck vs. Traditional Tummy Tuck

Recovery from Abdominoplasty

Results: What to Expect

Why Choose Dr. J. Anthony Stephens?

Tummy Tuck FAQ

What other procedures can be performed with a tummy tuck?

Will there be scars?

How much weight can I lose with a tummy tuck?

Can insurance cover a tummy tuck?

Is it safe?

Can I still have kids after a tummy tuck?

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?

Schedule a Consultation

Stay in Touch!