Tummy Tuck Vail Valley & Aspen

Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and aging can all affect the appearance of your stomach. Unwanted fat, wrinkled and sagging skin, stretch marks, and displacement of the belly button can make you feel embarrassed about exposing your midriff and self-conscious about your figure.

At Mangat Copit Plastic Surgery, located near Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge, Dr. Steven A. Copit performs state-of-the-art tummy tuck surgery. Tummy tucks, also known as abdominoplasty, correct a range of abdominal concerns – restoring a naturally firm, taut, and attractive stomach that helps you feel confident and beautiful.

Am I a candidate for a tummy tuck in Aspen?

You may be a candidate for a tummy tuck in Vail Valley & Aspen if you have had children or lost a significant amount of weight, and suffer from:

Loose skin
Stretch marks
Poor muscle tone

These issues also often affect both women and men as they age, making it a popular procedure for those who enter their later years and still want to maintain a slim, attractive figure. Ideal candidates are in good health and do not smoke.

Young woman stretching her arms and showing slim waist

What can a tummy tuck correct?

The tummy tuck is a 100 percent customized procedure tailored to your unique physiology. If you suffer from minor issues, we may utilize a small incision with minimal skin tightening and muscle repositioning. For more significant enhancements, we may utilize a longer incision that allows greater access to the abdominal tissues. In all cases, a tummy tuck will correct:

Excess, hanging skin
Muscles that have become displaced or loose
Belly button displacement
Pockets of abdominal fat that do not respond to diet or exercise

Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck
Which should I choose?

The tummy tuck procedure

A tummy tuck usually takes about two hours and involves the following surgical steps:

A surgical pen is used to mark the location and length of the abdominal incision
Our board-certified anesthesiologist puts the patient under general anesthesia
An antibacterial solution is applied to the lower abdomen and belly button to reduce the risk of infection
An incision is made in the lower abdomen, followed by an incision in the belly button – if needed
The skin is separated from the underlying muscles
The muscles are adjusted, repositioned, and sutured
Excess skin is removed, along with any stretch marks that affect the skin below the belly button
The skin is re-draped over the abdomen, producing a smooth and toned appearance
If necessary, the belly button is reconstructed
All incisions are closed, and the area is cleaned
Medical tape is applied over the incisions, and gauze is applied to the treatment area
The patient is put in a compression garment

Recovering from a tummy tuck

Recovering from a tummy tuck may take longer than some other cosmetic procedures, but you should be back to light activity within one to two weeks. For the first week after surgery, we recommend that you rest, keep your head elevated, and apply soft ice packs to your stomach. You will likely have drains in place to reduce swelling and allow fluid to leave your abdomen, which we will remove within the first week.

We recommend following these guidelines during your recovery:

You can shower within 48 hours after surgery, but you must exercise caution and pat the medical tape and drains dry after the shower. You can change the gauze, but do not remove the medical tape before your first post-operative appointment.
You should wear a compression garment at all times except when showering for at least four weeks after surgery.
You must avoid strenuous exercise, bending, and lifting for four to six weeks after surgery.
We encourage you to perform lower leg and calf exercises while lying down to prevent blood clots. It would be best if you also started taking five-minute walks as soon as you feel up to it.
We will ask you to avoid exposing the stomach to the sun or heat for three months after surgery, as sun exposure can worsen scarring, and heat can increase inflammation.

Why choose Mangat Copit Plastic Surgery for a tummy tuck?

Our award-winning surgical team at Mangat Copit Plastic Surgery has earned a reputation throughout the country for achieving a “never had surgery” look. Dr. Steven A. Copit has earned multiple board-certifications and is extraordinarily talented in the field of cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Copit is an educator and speaker in both the national and international arenas and is known for staying at the cutting edge of surgical and technological advancements, and for his innovations in the plastic surgery field. If you demand exceptional results from a tummy tuck in Vail Valley, Aspen or Breckenridge, do not compromise. Call us today.

Is a tummy tuck safe?

A tummy tuck, like any cosmetic procedure, comes with some risk. Thousands of tummy tucks are performed each year with zero complications, and our award-winning surgical team has a reputation for performing safe and effective tummy tucks that meet or exceed patient expectations.

While they are very rare, you should be aware of the following risks involved in a tummy tuck:

Allergic reaction to anesthesia or medical materials
Infection
Excessive bleeding
Hematoma
Fluid accumulation
Blood clots
Slow wound healing
Skin numbness
Nerve damage

Tummy tuck results

While some results appear immediately after the procedure, your final, natural-looking, and aesthetic results will appear gradually as your abdomen heals. You can expect to see visible results within the first four weeks, but it may take up to three months for the swelling and bruising to disappear and your new stomach to emerge. We will help with detailed aftercare tips to reduce scarring and help your new tummy look natural and gorgeous.