Loose, sagging abdominal skin is one of the most common concerns among our patients, especially after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or simply the natural aging process. Many people find that no matter how much they exercise or improve their diet, it’s nearly impossible to remove excess skin in the abdominal area without surgery.
At our Boston practice, Dr. Joseph A. Russo, a Harvard-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon, performs tummy tuck surgery (also known as abdominoplasty) to help patients achieve a smoother, firmer, more contoured midsection. Whether you’re looking to restore your pre-pregnancy shape or redefine your abdominal contour after weight changes, a tummy tuck could be the solution you’ve been looking for.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty procedure, is a comprehensive cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and fat, tightens loose abdominal muscles, and restores a firmer, flatter appearance to the abdominal region. The procedure is especially effective for patients with abdominal wall laxity caused by pregnancy, aging, or major weight changes.
Dr. Russo begins the surgery with a low, discreet incision, usually just above the bikini line. Through this, he can access and repair the underlying muscles (including cases of diastasis recti) and eliminate excess fat and skin. The remaining skin is repositioned for a smooth, natural look, and the belly button is carefully reshaped and relocated if necessary.
This surgical procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and may include a drainless tummy tuck technique, depending on your unique anatomy and goals.
A tummy tuck offers more than just aesthetic improvement. It can truly change how you feel in your body. Some of the most common benefits include:
For many patients, the psychological and physical improvements are just as impactful as the visible results.
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are healthy individuals who are near their stable weight but are dealing with excess skin, stubborn fat, or weakened abdominal muscles that haven’t responded to diet or exercise. This often includes women post-pregnancy, individuals who have experienced significant weight loss, and patients with natural skin laxity due to aging.
During your consultation, Dr. Russo will assess your goals, medical history, and anatomy to determine if you’re a good fit. Candidates should be non-smokers and be committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While tummy tuck surgery isn’t a weight-loss procedure, it can be a great solution for reshaping and restoring the abdominal contour you’ve worked hard for.
We'll start with a comprehensive initial consultation with Dr. Russo at our Boston practice. We’ll discuss your concerns, review your medical history, and receive a physical examination to evaluate skin elasticity, abdominal wall laxity, and overall anatomy. This is also when Dr. Russo will determine whether a full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck is best suited to your goals.
You’ll receive detailed preoperative instructions to help ensure the safest and most comfortable experience possible. This includes maintaining a healthy diet leading up to surgery, discontinuing certain medications or supplements, and avoiding smoking for several weeks before and after surgery. You will also want to spend time preparing your home for recovery, including arranging time off and support.
Whether you're addressing diastasis recti, loose abdominal skin, or refining your silhouette after weight loss, Dr. Russo will craft a fully personalized treatment plan using advanced plastic surgery techniques for natural, lasting results.
One of the most common questions we hear is: “Do I need a full tummy tuck, or would a mini tummy tuck be enough?” Understanding the difference is key to setting realistic expectations.
A full tummy tuck addresses the entire abdominal area, from the ribs to the lower abdomen. This version tightens abdominal muscles, removes significant excess skin and fat, and often repositions the belly button. It's ideal for women after pregnancy, patients with massive weight loss, or anyone with more advanced skin laxity and abdominal wall laxity.
A mini tummy tuck is a more limited procedure that focuses on the area below the belly button. It does not typically involve abdominal muscle repair or navel repositioning, making it suitable for patients with a small amount of loose skin or a slight bulge in the lower belly. This technique can result in a shorter incision and reduced recovery time.
Dr. Russo will recommend the best option based on your unique anatomy, goals, and skin elasticity.
Before your tummy tuck in Boston, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to prepare, including guidance on medications, smoking cessation, hydration, and nutrition. On the day of your surgery, you’ll be placed under general anesthesia in our accredited surgical suite.
Dr. Russo begins with a low horizontal incision across the lower abdomen, typically hidden along the bikini line. Through this, he carefully repairs loose abdominal muscles, addresses any diastasis recti, and removes excess skin and fat. In a full tummy tuck, the belly button is repositioned for a seamless, natural look. In select cases, Dr. Russo may use a drainless tummy tuck technique, which can improve comfort and recovery time. Once the tissue is refined, the incision is closed with advanced plastic surgery techniques to minimize tension and reduce visible abdominoplasty scars.
Recovery is an essential part of your surgical journey and varies from patient to patient. Most people can expect to take about two weeks away from work or major responsibilities, and light activity is encouraged within a few days to support circulation and healing. A compression garment or abdominal binder will be worn around the clock for several weeks to minimize swelling, support your new shape, and help the skin re-drape smoothly.
Dr. Russo will provide detailed post-op care instructions and monitor your progress at follow-up visits. Pain is typically manageable with prescribed medication, and while you may notice a tighter, smoother abdomen early on, final results become more defined over time. Scar care, including massage or silicone therapy, may be introduced to help refine and fade your tummy tuck scars over time.
You'll see visible improvements in your abdominal contour as soon as initial swelling begins to subside, typically within the first few weeks. Over the following months, your results will become more refined as your body adjusts, scars fade, and the soft tissue settles. Many patients experience not only a physical transformation, but an emotional boost in confidence and comfort.
Long-term results are best preserved by maintaining a stable weight, following a healthy diet, and staying active. While the effects of gravity and aging are natural, most patients enjoy their flatter, firmer abdomen for many years. And when your results are supported by smart lifestyle choices, a tummy tuck can be one of the most rewarding body contouring procedures available.
Combining procedures can help you achieve more comprehensive and harmonious results. Dr. Russo often integrates other plastic surgery techniques with your tummy tuck to address nearby areas and maximize your outcome, all with safety, efficiency, and artistry.
Adding tummy tuck liposuction can target excess fat in the flanks, hips, or upper abdomen, areas not always fully addressed by skin removal alone. This combination creates smoother transitions and a more sculpted waistline. Liposuction is often performed during both full and mini tummy tucks, enhancing overall body contouring results.
Many women opt to combine a breast lift or breast augmentation with their tummy tuck as part of a personalized mommy makeover. This addresses volume loss or sagging in the breasts while restoring abdominal tightness, creating overall balance and rejuvenation of the upper and lower body in a single surgical session.
A thigh lift can help remove loose skin and improve tone in the inner or outer thighs, especially beneficial for patients who have experienced massive weight loss. When paired with a tummy tuck, it offers more complete lower-body reshaping and helps restore proportionality.
For patients who need more extensive reshaping due to significant weight loss, a lower body lift can be added to address the flanks, buttocks, and thighs. This comprehensive approach removes large areas of excess skin and fat, tightens soft tissue, and improves the overall abdominal region and surrounding zones.
If you have a small hernia near the belly button or in the lower abdomen, Dr. Russo can often repair it during your tummy tuck. Combining hernia repair with a tummy tuck procedure avoids the need for separate surgery and enhances core integrity by addressing both function and form at once.
Tummy tuck cost can vary based on factors like the extent of the procedure (mini tummy vs full tummy tuck), whether liposuction is included, and the specifics of your surgical plan. Geographic location, anesthesia, and facility fees are also factors.
At your consultation, Dr. Russo will provide a personalized quote and help you understand the full value of your investment. We also offer flexible financing options to help make your transformation more accessible.
While most insurance plans don’t cover cosmetic abdominoplasty, procedures involving hernia repair or medical concerns may offer some exceptions. Our team will help guide you through any necessary documentation or insurance questions.
With more than 30 years of experience in plastic surgery and a reputation for excellence across the Boston area, Dr. Joseph A. Russo offers unmatched expertise and a deeply personal approach to care.
He is a Harvard-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in combining advanced surgical skill with artistic vision to deliver natural-looking results. Patients trust him not only for his credentials, but also for his warm, honest, and compassionate bedside manner.
At our practice, every patient is treated as a partner. We take time to understand your vision, educate you on your options, and support you every step of the way. Your goals are our goals, and we’re here to help you achieve them.
Ready to restore confidence in your core and feel at home in your body again? Schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Joseph A. Russo, one of Boston’s most trusted names in abdominoplasty and body contouring. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Yes. Many patients combine a tummy tuck with other body contouring procedures, such as liposuction, a breast lift, or even a thigh lift, depending on their overall goals and health. Dr. Russo will evaluate your anatomy and create a safe, customized treatment plan that delivers natural results while minimizing downtime.
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks, including infection, bleeding, poor wound healing, fluid buildup, and reactions to anesthesia. Dr. Russo uses advanced plastic surgery techniques and careful monitoring to reduce complications and will review your full medical history to ensure the safest possible experience.
The results of tummy tuck surgery are considered long-lasting, but they can be affected by major life changes such as pregnancy and weight gain, significant weight loss, or natural aging. Following a healthy diet and maintaining a stable weight will help preserve your slimmer, firmer abdominal contour for many years.
Yes, it is possible to become pregnant after a tummy tuck abdominoplasty, but future pregnancies may stretch the abdominal muscles and skin, potentially impacting your results. For this reason, Dr. Russo typically recommends waiting until you’ve finished building your family before pursuing a tummy tuck.
Most tummy tuck procedures are considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance. However, in cases where the surgery also addresses medical issues, such as hernia repair or severe abdominal wall laxity, coverage may be possible. We recommend checking directly with your insurance provider, and our team can assist with documentation if needed.
Yes, a tummy tuck scar is part of the procedure, but Dr. Russo takes care to place the incision low along the bikini line so it can be easily hidden beneath clothing or swimwear. With proper care, including scar management techniques, the scar typically fades significantly over time.
A tummy tuck can improve the appearance of stretch marks, especially those located on the lower abdomen, where excess skin is removed. However, it may not eliminate all stretch marks entirely. Dr. Russo will review what improvements you can expect based on the location and severity of your skin changes.
Absolutely. A male tummy tuck is increasingly common for men who have loose skin or a protruding abdomen after significant weight loss or aging. The procedure tightens the underlying muscles, removes excess fat, and restores a more defined, masculine abdominal contour.
575 Boylston Street, Newton Centre, MA 02459
Your body is constantly changing. Gravity, age, and the elements are constantly pulling at you. But you are not alone in this fight. The doctors and aesthetic experts at Joseph A Russo, MD are also in constant motion, relentlessly innovating better ways to overcome the entropic effects of time and gravity.
Mon: 9am - 7pm Tues: 9am - 7pm Wed: 9am - 7pm Thurs: 9am - 7pm Fri: 9am - 7pm Sat: 9am - 2pm
© 2025 Joseph A Russo, MD | All Rights Reserved | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement