If you’ve worked hard to achieve a healthy weight but still struggle with loose skin or a belly that just won’t flatten, a tummy tuck may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Also known as abdominoplasty, this transformative body procedure removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening weakened or separated muscles, creating a smoother, firmer, and more toned midsection.
At Radiance Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lori Cherup combines over 35 years of experience, superior surgical technique, and an artistic eye to deliver natural, balanced results. Whether your concerns stem from pregnancy, aging, or weight loss, Dr. Cherup customizes each tummy tuck to restore both form and confidence, helping you look and feel your very best.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
At our practice in Bridgeville, tummy tuck is a very common procedure. A tummy tuck, or by its correct name, abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen area while tightening abdominal muscles and recontouring the abdomen. You can achieve a flatter stomach through tummy tuck surgery performed by Dr. Cherup at her Bridgeville, PA surgical center. A tummy tuck procedure can achieve the most dramatic body contouring results. Sometimes liposuction techniques are used in conjunction with tummy tuck surgery.
Tummy Tuck Candidates
This surgery is best for those individuals with looser abdominal skin (from weight loss or after pregnancy), and abdominal muscle laxity. Our Bridgeville tummy tuck patients have experienced:
“Would recommend her to anyone”
Dr. Cherup did a mommy makeover for my wife we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome she’s stood by my wife from pre-op consultation to post-op check-ups I would give her 10 stars if possible and would recommend her to anyone she’s 1000% upfront and honest cut and dry we need more people like her! Thank you
Tummy Tuck Consultation
At our modern cosmetic surgery Bridgeville facility, Radiance, Dr. Lori Cherup provides consultations for potential Bridgeville abdominoplasty patients to discuss which procedures best fit their needs. Thanks to Radiance Anesthesia Corporation’s staff experience and advanced techniques, 95 percent of our patients can have outpatient surgery and go home the same day. A mini tummy tuck is an option for some patients. This requires slightly shorter incisions and no work on the umbilicus. This mini-version is good for patients who have only lower fatty and skin excess below the belly button. The upper abdomen will not be changed much. Patients who are candidates for a mini tummy tuck are those who have never had a pregnancy, or at most one pregnancy. Dr. Cherup is widely known by her patients as the best Tummy Tuck surgeon in Bridgeville.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is performed under general anesthesia. You will undergo a bowel prep two days before the surgery that will empty your lower colon and make it possible to have a tighter reconstruction. An incision will be made above the pubic hairline extending towards the flanks, or sometimes extending slightly around the upper posterior gluteal area. The abdominal skin and fat will be elevated off the underlying muscle. The abdominal muscles (the rectus and the obliques) will be tightened together with sutures. This maneuver will recreate your waistline. The abdominal skin will be redraped and the excess will be removed. An incision will also be made around the belly button and the skin around it is redraped and contoured to give the abdomen a flat, tight appearance. Two drains will exit your outer incisions and drain the fluid that would accumulate. A liposuction garment provides support. Dr. Cherup infuses a long-acting anesthetic into the incisions to provide you with long-term pain relief.
Post-Operative Instructions
Because tummy tuck surgery involves removal of the extra abdominal skin and tightening of the abdominal muscles, you will experience some difficulty standing up straight for a week or two. You should allow at least two weeks of no work activity. Sutures need to remain in place for two weeks. For the first week after surgery, you will be on the couch or in bed, getting up for meals and the bathroom. No housework. No child care. No work outside the home. You will be required to have drainage tubes that will stay in anywhere from five to 12 days. You will be taught how they function, do a dressing change daily, and record the drainage from the tubes. Tummy tucks are probably the most uncomfortable operation we do. You will experience some pain for 10 to 20 days and will not feel like resuming sports or heavy exercise for at least four weeks. After the first two weeks, you may resume moderate walks for as long as tolerable. Too much initial activity can prolong swelling in the lower abdomen.
Positioning
Because tummy tuck surgery involves removing extra tissue, maintaining a good position for healing is extremely important. During the recovery period, you may find it more comfortable to place a pillow or two under your knees while in bed. The tightness will gradually disappear as you heal and progressively use more of your body muscles. The optimal position for the first three days is your head propped up with two pillows, your trunk fairly flat, and your legs slightly elevated. We would expect you to get up and walk every two hours. This is important to reduce the danger of blood clots after tummy tuck surgery.
Dressings
We will place gauze, tape, and a liposuction garment around your tummy immediately after the surgery to provide some gentle pressure, give you stability, and reduce the swelling. If you are a larger woman or man, or Dr. Cherup is concerned about increased support, she may also put an elastic binder on your tummy. We do not want the binder to interfere with circulation to the skin, which could cause blistering or skin loss. You may remove it occasionally for laundering and to give your skin a break. Many patients like wearing the binder for several weeks after the tummy tuck surgery and some choose to wear it for several months. The liposuction garment will be worn for at least three weeks. Once Dr. Cherup changes your dressings, it is very important to wash your garments every day. Let your own comfort and the amount of swelling you experience guide you. We want you as comfortable as possible without swelling.
Drains and Drain Care
Sutures
Dr. Cherup will remove the sutures around the belly button and in your lower abdomen anywhere from 12-14 days after the tummy tuck surgery. Removing the sutures does not hurt.
Risks and Complications
Swelling — please read Dr. Cherup’s blog post, “SWELLING AFTER ABDOMINOPLASTY.”
Umbilical healing — can be delayed if your abdominal flap was thick and fat and your umbilical stalk was long.
Loss of skin sensation — is normal and expected, especially above your pubis. Fifty percent of the sensation will return within one year, and it may take up to two to four years for all the sensation to return. Few patients complain of this complication.
Skin loss — poor blood supply to the skin due to previous smoking, a fat skin flap, or infection can cause the skin above the pubis to die and form a scab. Dr. Cherup will treat it gently, eventually debride it, and revise the scar if necessary to give it good results.
Infection — can happen due to less-than-optimal wound care, prolonged need for drains, and if the skin flaps are particularly thick. If you develop an infection, Dr. Cherup will diagnose it with wound cultures, get you on the correct antibiotics, and, if necessary, open and drain the area that is infected. In the end, the infection will be gone, and you will have a good result.
Tummy Tuck Cost
The cost of Tummy Tuck surgery in Bridgeville can vary on several different factors. During your consultation, Dr. Cherup will be able to provide a detailed abdominoplasty cost for you.
| Surgery | Surgeons Fee Range | Operating Room Fee Range $ | Anesthesia Fee Range | Appx Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdominoplasty | 5000.00 – 7000.00 | 2100.00 – 2700.00 | 1000.00 – 1200.00 | 8100.00 – 10,900.00 |
| Abdominoplasty with Lipo | 6500.00 – 9500.00 | 2400.00 – 3000.00 | 1000.00 – 1300.00 | 9900.00 – 13,800.00 |
Why Choose Radiance Plastic Surgery for a Tummy Tuck
When it comes to achieving a smoother, more toned abdomen, Dr. Lori Cherup brings over 35 years of board-certified surgical expertise and an artist’s eye for detail. She takes a personalized approach to every tummy tuck, addressing loose skin, weakened muscles, and stubborn fat to restore a firmer, flatter midsection. Her surgical precision ensures natural-looking contours that complement your overall body shape.
Patients choose Radiance Plastic Surgery for its commitment to safety, exceptional care, and outstanding results. Procedures are performed in our JCAHO-certified surgical facility, where Dr. Cherup and her experienced team prioritize comfort, meticulous technique, and long-term satisfaction. From consultation to recovery, you’ll receive compassionate, individualized care that helps you look and feel your absolute best.
Trim Your Tummy with a Tummy Tuck in Bridgeville, PA
Many Bridgeville tummy tuck patients find their procedure benefits their lives. For more information on scheduling your tummy tuck consultation, call Dr. Cherup at 412-220-8181 or use our online form below.
