Tummy Tuck

If you’ve had children or lost a significant amount of weight, you may have sagging skin, separated abdominal muscles, and stubborn pockets of fat. Exercising and eating a healthy diet are great for overall health, but can do little to help with these concerns. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Louis Cutolo performs abdominoplasty, (tummy tuck) to help people from Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and Holmdel, NJ, attain the smooth, firm abdomen they desire.

Tummy Tuck
 Before & After Photos

Case: 1 of 9
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Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 51 View #1 View in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, NY
Before & After
Case: 1 of 8

Case #51

This is a 58 year old female who wanted to improve the shape of her abdomen. She hated the long scar in the middle that was from previous surgery and wanted to eliminate it.  She also wanted to obtain a flat "tummy".  We discussed her options (liposuction, coolsculpting) and the best one that would allow her to... Read More
Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 2 View #1 View in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, NY
Before & After
Case: 2 of 8

Case #2

This is a 58-year-old female in excellent health who had pregnancies and weight gain and loss. She had become unhappy with her inability to obtain a flatter stomach with exercise and diet. She disliked the hanging flap of skin on her abdomen. Her abdominal muscles, the rectus abdominus, had stretched apart and separated and regardless of the... Read More
Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 32 View #1 View in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, NY
Before & After
Case: 3 of 8

Case #32

This is a 33 year old female who desired to obtain a flatter stomach.  Multiple pregnancies stretched her skin and abdominal muscles and she wanted to get back to her "pre pregnancy" state.  She desired an abdominoplasty in Staten Island.  She underwent the procedure without any difficulties and is seen here ap... Read More
Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 26 View #1 View in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, NY
Before & After
Case: 4 of 8

Case #26

This 31 year old female disliked the shape of her abdomen that resulted from pregancies.  She wanted to obtain a flat stomach and reduce the excess skin that was present.  She desired a tummy tuck and after consulting with other physicians decided to proceed. She underwent the procedure with ease - her recover was so smooth that she... Read More
Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 44 View #1 View in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, NY
Before & After
Case: 5 of 8

Case #44

This is a 48 year old female who disliked the shape and skin texture of her abdomen.  She also wanted to try to remove a scar that was present for many years while flattening her stomach and improving the skin texture.  After considering all of her goals,  it was decided that a tummy tuck would be the optimal choice.  It w... Read More
Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 28 View #1 View in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, NY
Before & After
Case: 6 of 8

Case #28

This 57 year old female desired to turn back the clock and get back the tummy that she had prior to pregnancies.  She did not like the excess skin as well and the shape of her abdomen. She desired a tummy tuck in Staten Island.She underwent a tummy tuck which included removing the excess skin below her belly button as well as tigh... Read More
Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 73 View #1 View in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, NY
Before & After
Case: 7 of 8

Case #73

This 42 year old female desired to improve her tummy.  She had 3 pregnancies and wanted to return her abodment to her "pre pregnancy" state.  She considered a tummy tuck in order to fulfill her desires.After a thorough consultation discussing all of her options she opted to proceed.  The excess skin was removed... Read More
Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 3 View #1 View in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, NY
Before & After
Case: 8 of 8

Case #3

This is a 46-year-old female in excellent health who gained and lost weight with each of her pregnancies. She had become unhappy with the stretched skin and the noticeable stretch marks. She thought that the excess skin made her appear older. Her goal was to reduce the excess skin of her abdomen, obtain a better contour and reduce the number... Read More

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

This popular procedure provides many benefits, including:

  • Removal of excess, sagging skin, stretch marks, and residual fat deposits
  • Repair of separated abdominal muscles
  • A slimmer waistline and flatter abdomen
  • More confidence when wearing swimsuits or form-fitting clothes

Additionally, a tummy tuck can help reduce the risk of developing a hernia and relieve urinary incontinence.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

A good candidate for a tummy tuck is a healthy adult concerned about excess, sagging skin on the abdomen and midsection. Most often, this is a woman who has had more than one child or a person of any gender who has lost a significant amount of weight. You should be a nonsmoker with a healthy BMI and at or near your goal weight. You should also be free of, or have under control, any medical conditions which put you at higher risk during surgery.

Dr. Louis C. Cutolo Jr.

Dr. Louis C. Cutolo, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S Dr. Louis C. Cutolo, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S

Meet Dr. Louis C. Cutolo Jr.

A board-certified plastic surgeon in Staten Island, Dr. Louis Cutolo, Jr. is an active member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the... read on

Meet Dr. Cutolo

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Staten Island?

The cost of a tummy tuck varies from patient to patient. It depends on the extent of the procedure needed, the time in the OR, whether it’s combined with other procedures, the training and expertise of the surgeon, and other factors. After your consultation with Dr. Cutolo, our practice provides a detailed price estimate you can review before deciding about surgery.

What Happens During a Tummy Tuck?

A full tummy tuck procedure begins with Dr. Cutolo making a horizontal incision just above the pubic area that extends from one hip to the other. Another small incision is made around the belly button, to release it from the overlying skin. With the skin lifted, he uses internal sutures to repair abdominal muscles that may be separated during pregnancy (a condition called diastasis recti). Dr. Cutolo also uses liposuction to remove excess fat and sculpt attractive contours.

After pulling the skin taut, he creates a new opening for the belly button. He also ensures the belly button’s shape looks natural—not too round and not so narrow that it looks like a slit. An excellent tummy tuck can be marred if the belly button looks unnatural. You can even have Dr. Cutolo change an outie to an innie if desired.

Dr. Cutolo performs tummy tuck surgery at Staten Island-area hospitals. He puts patients under general anesthesia to ensure the highest level of safety and comfort. Most patients can return home the same day. An overnight stay can be arranged should you so desire.

Tummy Tuck Diagram

How Long Is Recovery After a Tummy Tuck?

Dr. Cutolo will provide you with detailed guidelines on what to anticipate during your recovery process. Recovery times vary from patient to patient based on the extent of the surgery and a person’s natural healing process. Dr. Cutolo provides detailed post-op instructions to help accelerate the recovery process and make it as comfortable as possible. We recommend taking 2 weeks off from work if your job doesn’t involve strenuous physical activity; you’ll need more time off if it does require lifting or other physically demanding work. It’s important to begin taking short walks on the day after surgery to minimize the chance of blood clots and improve circulation. If you have small children, you’ll have to avoid lifting them for at least 2 weeks. Strenuous exercise can usually be resumed 6 weeks after the surgery.

Here are some milestones that occur during the recovery:

  • Removal of surgical drains: Surgical drains inserted under the skin near the incision help prevent fluid from accumulating during the early part of your recovery. We provide instructions for maintaining the drains, which are usually removed about 7 to 10 days after surgery.
  • Wearing a compression garment: You must wear a specialized garment similar to shapewear at all times for the first 2 weeks of your recovery. This garment helps reduce swelling and supports your abdominal muscles as they heal.
  • Walking: Tummy tuck patients need to walk cautiously around their homes starting within a day of the surgery. You’ll need to remain hunched over as you walk to prevent putting tension on the incision. Brief walks periodically throughout the day help reduce the risk of blood clots.
  • Standing upright: Straightening your posture and strengthening your core after a tummy tuck is a slow and gradual process. Maintaining a slightly hunched position for about 1 to 2 weeks is normal and prevents strain on the incision.
  • Resuming exercise: Many patients are eager to get back to the gym after a tummy tuck. You should avoid strenuous activities or exercises for the first 4 weeks after your surgery. After that, you can gradually resume low-impact workouts, such as riding a stationary bike. After 6 weeks, patients can often start running and perform upper body workouts.

What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck? 

Patients often wonder if they’re good candidates for a mini tummy tuck. This procedure is appropriate for patients whose concerns are limited to the area below the belly button. Dr. Cutolo makes a shorter incision for a mini tummy tuck, and the belly button is not released from the skin. You can discuss the possibility of getting a mini tummy tuck during your consultation.

Combining a Tummy Tuck With Other Procedures

If you’re considering a tummy tuck after having children, you may want to combine breast enhancement or other procedures to restore your pre-pregnancy body. Often referred to as a mommy makeover, this combination of procedures often includes a tummy tuck and:

During your consultation, Dr. Cutolo can discuss these options and create a customized surgical plan.

A Reputation Built on Results

Dr. Cutolo is an amazing doctor. He is honest with his patients and always does beautiful work!
I am so happy with my choice to have a breast lift. My experience with Dr Cutolo was amazing from the...
Dr. Cutolo is by far the best plastic surgeon. His expertise, professionalism, caring, warmth and knowledge...
My experience with Dr. Cutolo and his staff has been wonderful. My recent neck lift procedure was extremely...

Tummy Tuck FAQ

Patients often wonder if they’re good candidates for a mini tummy tuck. This procedure is appropriate for patients whose concerns are limited to the area below the belly button. Dr. Cutolo makes a shorter incision for a mini tummy tuck, and the belly button is not released from the skin. You can discuss the possibility of getting a mini tummy tuck during your consultation.

How much weight do you lose after a tummy tuck?

It’s important to note that a tummy tuck is not an obesity treatment. Most candidates have had children or undergone significant weight reduction and have been left with sagging skin around their abdomen and bulging abdominal muscles. Minor residual fat deposits can also be addressed with liposuction during a tummy tuck.


What happens during a tummy tuck consultation?

At an initial consultation, Dr. Cutolo reviews a patient’s medical history and asks about their lifestyle and reasons for getting a tummy tuck. He uses the answers*mdash and a physical examination to create a surgical plan designed specifically for each patient. He takes the time needed to answer patients’ questions during the consultation.


Can I have children after a tummy tuck?

It’s possible and safe to become pregnant after having a tummy tuck. Dr. Cutolo, however, recommends that patients postpone scheduling the surgery until they finish having children. Pregnancy stretches abdominal muscles that are usually tightened during an abdominoplasty, and you may again have excess skin that must be removed in a revision tummy tuck procedure.


How visible are tummy tuck scars?

Scarring is one of the most common concerns Dr. Cutolo hears from patients considering tummy tuck surgery. During a full tummy tuck, Dr. Cutolo makes an incision that stretches from hip to hip as low as possible—usually just above the pubic area. This means the scar can be concealed even when wearing bikinis. Another incision is made around the belly button to reposition and shape the navel. Dr. Cutolo can recommend products designed to fade scars and advises patients to stay out of the sun while the incision is healing.


Can a tummy tuck remove stretch marks?

In some tummy tuck procedures, it’s possible to remove stretch marks caused by pregnancy. Sagging skin on the lower abdomen removed during the surgery often includes stretch marks. You can minimize the appearance of remaining stretch marks with topical creams and ointments, but those treatments can’t completely erase them.


How do you know if you’re ready for a tummy tuck?

Knowing when you’re physically ready for tummy tuck surgery involves a few factors. One of the most important considerations is that your weight is stable. Gaining weight after a tummy tuck can stretch the tightened muscles and remaining skin. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or lower minimizes the chances of complications. It’s also essential that you’re not a smoker, and ideally, you don’t plan to have more children.


How do I know if a tummy tuck or liposuction is better for me?

For most people with loose, sagging skin and stretch marks, a tummy tuck is the only solution. If you have smooth, firm skin on your abdomen but an excess of fat in the area, you may be able to get the results you want with liposuction.


How long will the results of my tummy tuck last?

Patients typically enjoy their tummy tuck results for several years if they maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Plastic surgery doesn’t stop or slow down the aging process, though, so you can expect to see some age-related changes occur over the years, including the loss of skin elasticity.


Will I get a new belly button with tummy tuck surgery?

Yes and no. You will keep your belly button, in that it will remain attached to its stalk. However, as part of a tummy tuck, Dr. Cutolo can make changes to the belly button to enhance its shape and appearance.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Take the first step to achieve a flat, firm stomach. Request a consultation using the online form, or call us today at (718) 720-9400 to schedule a visit.


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