MEDICAL SCHOOL
Duke University School of Medicine
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in Ann Arbor
If pregnancy or weight change has left loose skin or an abdominal bulge, an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) may be the answer, particularly if diet and exercise do not make a difference. This page will help you decide whether a consultation is your next step.
What a Tummy Tuck Is
An abdominoplasty removes excess skin and some tissue beneath it, then redrapes the remaining skin for a smoother contour. It also often involves the repair of diastasis recti (the separation between your 6-pack muscles) in order to achieve a flat abdominal profile. In addition, the umbilicus (belly button) is transposed into a more youthful position and shape. I also often add liposuction during an abdominoplasty to further contour the remaining tissue, addressing fat pockets or other irregularities I find during surgery.
A tummy tuck is not surgery for weight loss. It cannot remove fat that sits deep inside the abdomen, and stretch marks improve only when they lie within the skin that is removed. It is also different from liposuction, which reduces localized fat but cannot remove loose skin or repair separated muscles. At consultation we sort out which problem is yours.
- ANESTHESIA
- Reviewed per patient
- LENGTH
- Reviewed per patient
- SETTING
- Reviewed per patient
Is Surgery Right for You?
YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE IF
- Good candidates are nonsmokers who are done having children, who are at least 6-12 months out from completing breastfeeding or pumping, and who have achieved a stable "happy" weight for at least 3-6 months. Weight change afterwards can stretch the repair and affect your result.
WHAT IT CAN HELP WITH
- Restores proportion and contour planned around your anatomy
- Addresses volume, position, or laxity based on your specific goals
Diabetes or another condition does not automatically rule surgery in or out. Your health must be optimized before elective surgery, and we partner with your primary care providers as needed to ensure your safety. For autoimmune conditions such as lupus, we include your treating specialist.
At consultation, we look at the whole picture:
Goals & Anatomy: We identify whether your concern is skin, muscle laxity, fat, or a combination, and what surgery can and cannot change.
Health & History: We review your conditions, medications, and prior surgery to plan safely.
Support & Timing: We do our best to plan around your schedule so you can line up help at home.
Why Choose Dr. Ambani
Board-certified Plastic Surgeon, Castle Connolly Top Doctor
RESIDENCY
Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Affiliated Hospitals
FELLOWSHIP
Microsurgical Reconstruction, University of Pittsburgh Affiliated Hospitals
BOARD CERTIFICATION
American Board of Plastic Surgery
RECOGNITION
Castle Connolly Top Doctor in Plastic Surgery
Plan a Consultation
A consultation is the clearest next step I offer both in-person and virtual consultations. Together we will explore whether a tummy tuck, liposuction, or waiting is the right path for you. If you start virtually, we confirm your final candidacy and surgical plan with an in-person exam.
When you are ready, reach out, and we will help you plan your consultation with Shoshana Ambani Plastic Surgery.
What Recovery Involves
01
Early Recovery
The first day or two are often the most uncomfortable, with soreness, tightness, and swelling that vary by patient. You will wear a compression garment for several weeks, and early walking is encouraged (bent at the hip for 5-7 days to minimize tension on the stitches). If drains are used, they are temporary, and we remove them based on your healing, often within a week or two.
02
Weeks 2 to 4
Many patients with desk work return in about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the job and the person. Heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and physically demanding work wait about 8 weeks, or until I clear you.
03
Long-Term Healing
Swelling settles gradually, so judge your result over several months rather than weeks, with further scar remodeling expected over 1-3 years to reach a final form. A tummy tuck is a major surgery, and we review each risk before consent. Risks include bleeding or fluid collection, infection, slow wound healing, changes in skin sensation, unfavorable scarring or contour irregularities, blood clots in the legs or lungs, anesthesia complications, and possible revision surgery. For chest pain or shortness of breath, seek emergency care right away. Call us promptly for fever, drainage, or rapidly increasing swelling, pain, or redness.
Cost & Self-Pay Philosophy
Shoshana Ambani Plastic Surgery is a cosmetic, self-pay practice, and we do not bill insurance for this care. Cost reflects the complexity and extent of skin removal and muscle repair, the anesthesia, the surgical facility, and time required for surgery.
A price only helps if it matches your actual plan, so I do not post a single figure. We review an itemized estimate with you after consultation, and can walk through financing your care.
Risks and Common Questions
If pregnancy or weight change has left loose skin or an abdominal bulge, an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) may be the answer, particularly if diet and exercise do not make a difference. This page will help you decide whether a consultation is your next step.
How much does a tummy tuck cost near Ann Arbor, MI?
It varies with your anatomy and the exact plan, so we share an itemized, self-pay estimate after your consultation and exam.
Can I lose 20 pounds after a tummy tuck?
You can, but if you plan to lose that much, it is best to lose that weight before surgery while maintaining good nutrition with plenty of protein. A tummy tuck is not weight-loss surgery, and major weight changes afterward can impact your result.
Is it cheaper to get lipo or a tummy tuck?
It depends on the complexity of your needs. These surgeries are like comparing apples to oranges: they solve different problems. Liposuction treats localized fat; a tummy tuck treats loose skin and muscle laxity. Your anatomy decides.
Do you offer mini tummy tucks?
Yes, for the right candidates. A mini tummy tuck uses a shorter, more limited scar and suits patients with a small amount of loose skin that does not go away with exercise. Depending on the severity of the abdominal bulge, it may still involve repair of the abdominal muscles. A formal examination is the only way to know whether a mini or full abdominoplasty fits your anatomy.
How painful is a tummy tuck on a scale of 1 to 10?
It varies too much for one honest number. Each person has a different pain tolerance. Expect soreness and tightness, with the first day or two usually the most uncomfortable. There will be good days and bad days with steady improvement over time.
What will the scar look like?
The scar sits low within your underwear line, horizontally, often from hip to hip, and around the navel as well. By 8 weeks, the scar often smooths and flattens significantly, but it can take 1-3 years for scars to fully remodel and fade.
Plan Your Care with Shoshana Ambani Plastic Surgery
Consultation-based, self-pay plastic surgery in Ann Arbor.
Virtual Consultations & Travel Planning
We offer virtual consultations for out-of-town patients, followed by an in-person exam to confirm your final plan.