Pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss, and other factors that are beyond your control may contribute to an abdomen that protrudes or folds over your waistline. These conditions may be limited to a small pouch around the navel or they may reach into the love handles. Dr. Ringler customizes his tummy tuck in Michigan to help you safely achieve a flat and toned abdomen with a redefined waistline.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, creates a flat, toned abdomen by reducing excess abdominal skin and tissue. An abdominoplasty may include:
- Correction of diastasis, a condition in which the abdominal muscles have vertically separated.
- The correction of excess skin and fat on the upper and lower abdomen. This typically involves an incision that may be several inches in length and may extend from hip to hip, right above the pubic area. There may also be a small incision around the belly button.
What is the cost of a tummy tuck in Michigan?
Every patient is unique and has their own aesthetic goals. Because your tummy tuck procedure is personalized for you, the price depends on the area or areas addressed, whether or not you’re having a complimentary procedure to enhance your results, and other factors.
You will have a consultation to determine the specifics of your custom surgical plan. Your surgical plan will include your exact price.
Am I a candidate for a tummy tuck?
Reshaping disproportionate curves and reducing unwanted fat and skin cannot always be achieved through weight loss and exercise alone. Our tummy tuck can dramatically improve the shape and proportion of your upper and lower abdomen, enhancing your appearance and self-esteem.
These factors generally define ideal candidates for abdominoplasty procedures:
- Aging, heredity, pregnancy, prior surgery or weight fluctuations have left you with extra skin on your abdomen, abdominal muscle weakness, or both.
- You do not smoke. Smoking slows down the healing process and increases the risk of serious complications during and after surgery. If you smoke, you must quit at least six weeks before surgery.
- Your weight is stable. Slender individuals with extra fat and loose skin in the lower tummy are the best candidates; if you are generally obese, this procedure is not appropriate for you.
- If you have a significant amount of intra-abdominal fat surrounding your internal organs, you may need to slim down before considering a tummy tuck.
- You are physically healthy. You must be in relatively good physical shape to tolerate this procedure.
- You are finished having children. The muscles that are repaired during an abdominoplasty can separate again during future pregnancy.
- Internal or external scars from any previous abdominal surgery may also affect your candidacy.
Why choose Dr. Ringler?
Dr. Steven L. Ringler is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is internationally recognized for his accomplishments in plastic surgery. Whether you want to completely reshape your abdomen or correct a small amount of excess flab in the area, his extensive experience and expertise in tummy tuck procedures, along with his state-of-the-art technology, can achieve what diet and exercise alone cannot.
Drainless Tummy Tuck: The procedure
What to expect
Dr. Ringler performs drainless tummy tucks in Grand Rapids on an outpatient basis and under general anesthesia. He uses various techniques based on your body type and goals. The drainless tummy tuck approach has allowed for the elimination of surgical drains post-operatively for most Michigan patients. These plastic surgical drains are typically employed to reduce seroma, which is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen post-operatively.
The two preferred approaches that Dr. Ringler uses to increase patient comfort and speed recovery are the Avelar technique and the use of progression tension sutures. There are times when a mini tummy tuck is all that is necessary for our Michigan patients to achieve their goals.
Tummy Tuck Videos
Different types of tummy tucks
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The progression tension suture technique
Dr. Ringler’s preferred type of tummy tuck in Michigan uses progression tension sutures to secure the abdominal skin flap to the underlying connective tissue called fascia, thereby distributing tension over a larger area. This technique eliminates the space where the seroma formation would typically occur and provides excellent results.
Because there is no room for the seroma to develop, there is no need for surgical drains. Typically, our Michigan patients recover more quickly with increased comfort and mobility and have fewer post-operative concerns with this approach.
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The Avelar tummy tuck
This tummy tuck is named after Dr. Juarez Avelar, who pioneered the technique in Brazil in the 1990s. Back then, there were more complications when tummy tuck and liposuction were performed in combination. Dr. Avelar developed a tummy tuck that kept the fat and skin from being separated from the fascia, ensuring that the blood vessels remained intact throughout the procedure.
With this technique, the risk of seroma (the accumulation of fluids) is minimized and blood flow to the tissues remains intact – which allows liposuction to be safely added. By eliminating the need for outside plastic surgical drains and improving blood flow, your recovery is quicker and more comfortable, with fewer complications.
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The mini tummy tuck
A mini-tummy tuck is the correction of limited excess skin confined to the central portion of the lower abdomen. It requires an incision at or just above the pubic region, which may be shorter in length than the one required for a full tummy-tuck. Combining liposuction with a mini tummy-tuck can provide excellent results without the downtime of a full abdominoplasty for some of our Grand Rapids, MI patients.
Enhance your tummy tuck with complementary procedures
Your tummy tuck in Michigan may be performed as a stand-alone procedure or in conjunction with SafeLipo, breast augmentation, breast lift, and mommy makeover.
Recovery
Dr. Ringler uses SofPulse to accelerate recovery for our Grand Rapids, MI patients. SofPulse uses targeted micro-currents to transmit gentle pulses to the tissue, which can reduce swelling and speed up the natural recovery process. Recovery from abdominoplasty may take one to two weeks, but you will be up walking the day of surgery.
Tummy Tuck Patient Testimonial
“I had a tummy tuck with lipo of the hips, back and thighs and I am 100% happy w/ my care & results! Dr. Ringler has amazing talent and his expectations for quality are evident from the moment you walk into his office. This quality flows through to his friendly staff and Lauren helps set accurate expectations of surgery & recovery. It was so reassuring as each day passed to remember what she said would be the normal process and how I would be feeling - she was spot on. The surgery center nurses and anesthesiologist were exceptional too. I have a history of bad anesthetic reactions and he listened with true concern and determination to be prepared to help me recover without side-effects. He succeeded and my recovery went very well for the first time in 4 surgeries (c-sections). I had minimal pain and never even had to take the narcotic that was prescribed, I did well on just ibuprofen and Tylenol. I felt safe & cared for by everyone every step of the journey. I'm now 3 weeks post-op and my tummy is flatter than it was even before kids and I believe Lauren when she says I will just continue to improve. Thank you all for the exceptional care!”
Tummy Tuck Patient Testimonial
“I had a tummy tuck with lipo of the hips, back and thighs and I am 100% happy w/ my care & results! Dr. Ringler has amazing talent and his expectations for quality are evident from the moment you walk into his office. This quality flows through to his friendly staff and Lauren helps set accurate expectations of surgery & recovery. It was so reassuring as each day passed to remember what she said would be the normal process and how I would be feeling - she was spot on. The surgery center nurses and anesthesiologist were exceptional too. I have a history of bad anesthetic reactions and he listened with true concern and determination to be prepared to help me recover without side-effects. He succeeded and my recovery went very well for the first time in 4 surgeries (c-sections). I had minimal pain and never even had to take the narcotic that was prescribed, I did well on just ibuprofen and Tylenol. I felt safe & cared for by everyone every step of the journey. I'm now 3 weeks post-op and my tummy is flatter than it was even before kids and I believe Lauren when she says I will just continue to improve. Thank you all for the exceptional care!”
Tummy Tuck Patient Testimonial
“I had been struggling with severe diastasis recti since my second child was born five years ago. It caused horrible back pain and was affecting my workouts and everyday life. I went to physical therapy for about a year and did exercises to try and improve it but nothing worked. I decided to do some research on tummy tucks to correct the issue and researched top doctors in the area. I was drawn to Dr Ringler not only because he was a top rated doctor, but he performs a drainless tummy tuck. I had my consultation and decided to go through with the procedure. I am a little over three months post op and it has been life changing. The drainless method is definitely the way to go! The healing process has actually been easy. I started going on longer walks and went back to work three weeks post op, started back jogging/ light weight training six weeks post op, now three months post op I am running, weights training and doing core exercises. Dr Ringler and his staff have been nothing but amazing from the start! I am so happy with my results this far! I have a core again and I look and feel amazing and have zero back pain! Thanks!”
Tummy Tuck Patient Testimonial
“Dr. Ringler is a fabulous person and an incredible doctor. He cares about each patient and will go above and beyond to make them happy. I love his staff and everyone working there as well. I always felt safe and secure and I would never go to anyone else. Thank you for everything, Dr. Ringler!”
Tummy Tuck Patient Review
“I highly highly highly recommend Dr. Ringler to anyone. I could not be happier with the care I received or the results of my procedure. I suffered with a pretty severe diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles) for almost 20 years after my last pregnancy. I had been told by other surgeons there was nothing to be done and it was "just the price of motherhood." Over time, it became worse, to the point where I had to wear elastic waist pants all the time and appeared to be 4 months pregnant, even though I was a normal weight and in good shape otherwise. Thank heavens I finally found Dr. Ringler. He took the time to explain the procedure to me and answer any questions I had. I could tell from his before-and-after photos that he was a true artist, and I was not disappointed. He's so knowledgeable and experienced that he had my complete confidence going into surgery. Everything went very smoothly and I returned home that day. He personally called to check on me the next day which was so kind of him. And I appreciated that I could call the office with questions throughout the recovery period and somebody always called me right back. Even though there was swelling at first, I could see the results right away and I was so excited! Now that it's been a few months, I can clearly see my new shape and it's way beyond my wildest expectations. Clothing fits like it did before I had children and I'm just so much more comfortable. It's hard to describe what a difference it's made in my life ... worth every penny! I'd also like to mention that everyone in his office is patient, kind, and professional, and so nice to deal with. The office itself is gorgeous. Now that I'm on the other side, I realize what a major procedure this was (mostly due to the extent of the repairs I needed) and how very important it was to choose the right surgeon. Dr. Ringler was definitely the right person and I'm grateful every day I went to him.”
Michigan Tummy Tuck Review
“I reached out to Dr. Ringler after having a previous Extended TT, MR, and FDL the previous year with less than stellar results. I really needed to be 'fixed'. Dr. Ringler kindly did a consult with me and told me he felt he could give me a good result with a circumferential TT. I was ecstatic that he was willing to take it on as I had been told by the previous PS that there was nothing more that could be done for me because of my bone structure. I waited for over a year to completely heal from my first surgery and then had my surgery with Dr. Ringler. I am now 10 days post op and my results are AMAZING! I am so thrilled with the work he did and how I look. Dr. Ringler truly is my 'Miracle Dr' and is awesome!!! I am a RN and am quite familiar with medical issues, procedures, and all, so this made it even more impressive to me. If I could, I would give him 10 stars!!! I highly recommend him to anyone wanting a tummy tuck. Thank you so much, Dr. Ringler.”
Tummy Tuck Testimonial
“Highly recommend Dr. Ringler. I met with him over 20 years ago after my baby was born and again about 10 years ago. I finally had the Drainless TT surgery; my only regret is waiting all those years. I couldn't be happier with my results and my care with Dr. Ringler + Staff. It truly changed my life!!”
Patient Review
“Dr. Ringler is truly the best! He instantly put me at ease and answered all my questions with detail and confidence. I am now three weeks post op and my results are exceeding my expectations. These excellent results could only have been achieved by Dr. Ringler. He is a master at his craft and ensuring my experience was first-class.”
Patient Testimonial
“I waited for this procedure for two years and visited several doctors before settling on Dr. Ringler. His professionalism is unparalleled and his staff went above and beyond to make sure all of my questions and concerns were addressed. I am only one day out from my procedure, but I can already see my results. I felt like Dr. Ringler listened to me and didn’t pressure me to look a certain way. I would recommend Dr. Ringler in a heartbeat.”
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Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS
Contact UsWhat results can I expect from my tummy tuck?
After the abdominal muscles are tightened and loose or sagging skin is removed to create a tighter, more sculpted contour, the results of a tummy tuck are quite significant. This procedure achieves a transformative result: a trim waistline, a taut and flat abdomen, and a smooth and sculpted abdominal area. The excess, sagging skin is completely removed, and the muscles are surgically tightened with sutures. The scar is low on the abdomen, easily concealed with underwear or a bikini bottom. It will fade over time to become a thin white line.
Tummy tuck results help boost confidence and return the abdominal area to its youthful, firm, and attractively sculpted shape.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction
A tummy tuck and liposuction are commonly done at the same time to achieve maximum results. However, the procedures are distinct from each other and require different techniques.
During liposuction, very small incisions are made. A cannula is used to break up and suction out fat deposits from the hips, thighs, butt, or stomach. Liposuction contours and slims the physique, addressing difficult areas while preserving essential tissues.
During a tummy tuck, a long, horizontal incision is made from hip bone to hip bone. Excess, sagging skin is removed from the lower abdomen. The muscles are tightened and strengthened with permanent sutures, small fat pockets are removed, and the upper skin is pulled down and tightly secured.
Determining the right procedure for you or whether you would benefit from a combination of both depends on your aesthetic goals and physical condition.
Tummy Tuck FAQ's
Are the results permanent?
Results are long-lasting, but weight fluctuations or pregnancy can change your results. Normal aging and gravity may also affect your outcomes over time.
What will my scars look like?
Scars are normal after surgery and may be concealed by normal clothing and lingerie.
What should I know about abdominoplasty surgery?
- Abdominoplasty is performed on an out-patient basis.
- Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia.
- Scars are normal after surgery and may be concealed by normal clothing and lingerie.
- Recovery from abdominoplasty may take 1-2 weeks, but you will be up and active the day of surgery.
- Dr. Ringler uses SofPulse to accelerate recovery. SofPulse uses targeted microcurrents to transmit gentle pulses to the tissue to help reduce swelling and speed up the natural recovery process.
- Results are long-lasting, but weight loss/gain or pregnancy can change your results and normal aging and gravity may affect your outcomes over time.
- You will need a capable adult with you for 24 hours after surgery.
Will I be in pain after surgery?
Most patients experience mild to moderate pain throughout the days following surgery, but this pain can easily be managed with prescription medication. We will work with you to ensure you get what you need to ease the recovery period.
Should I wait until after I’m done having children to get a tummy tuck?
Pregnancy will stretch and alter the skin on your abdomen, so if you get a tummy tuck before having children, you may need revision surgery later. If you’re planning on waiting before having another child, it might be worth it to have the years in between look fantastic, and it’s not unheard of for women to choose this path.
Can a tummy tuck help with my stretch marks?
If you’re suffering from stretch marks from pregnancy or weight loss, a tummy tuck in Michigan can reduce or remove the appearance of the stretch marks, depending on where they are located on your abdomen. As long as you voice your goals and discuss them with our surgeon beforehand, we can often perform the surgery with stretch mark removal in mind.
Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS
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Call Us 616-328-8800
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