Aesthetic concern
Abdominal skin and muscle.
After pregnancy or major weight change, no amount of exercise tightens skin that has lost its elasticity or muscles that have separated. A tummy tuck restores the wall that crunches cannot rebuild.
Skin + muscle
Both repaired
3D imaging
At every consultation
AAAASF
Accredited surgical suite
Dr. Kirwan
Board-certified surgeon
Overview
What crunches cannot fix.
Pregnancy and significant weight change stretch the abdominal skin and can separate the vertical muscles — a condition called diastasis recti. Once that happens, the wall stays loose no matter how strong the underlying muscle becomes.
Abdominoplasty removes excess, often loose or marked skin and tightens the separated muscles back to the midline, flattening and firming the abdomen. Dr. Kirwan often pairs it with liposuction and tailors the extent to how much skin and laxity are present.
Contributing factors
What changes the abdomen.
Pregnancy
Weight loss
Skin laxity
Muscle separation
What you might notice
What you might see.
Skin
- Loose, hanging apron of skin
- Stretch marks below the navel
- Skin that folds when sitting
Muscle
- A midline bulge
- A core that feels weak
- Doming when you sit up
Contour
- Persistent lower-belly pooch
- No response to diet or exercise
- Waistline lost its definition
Daily life
- Clothing fits poorly
- Irritation in the skin fold
- Discomfort with activity
Treatment options
Rebuilding the wall.
Tummy tuck
Removes excess skin and tightens separated muscles for a flatter, firmer abdomen and a restored waistline.
Procedure detailMini tummy tuck
A shorter-scar option for laxity limited to below the navel, with less downtime.
Procedure detailBodyTite
Radiofrequency-assisted contouring tightens skin as it reduces fat, refining mild laxity without an excisional scar.
Procedure detailMommy makeover
Combines abdominal repair with breast procedures to address post-pregnancy changes together.
Procedure detailLiposuction
Refines the flanks and contour around a tummy tuck for an all-angles result.
Procedure detail
Medical content on this page is illustrative and is reviewed with Dr. Kirwan before any treatment is recommended. Images do not represent patient results.
Questions
Common questions.
Do I need a full or a mini tummy tuck?
It depends on how much loose skin you have and whether the muscle separation extends above the navel. A full tuck addresses both; a mini suits limited, lower-only laxity.
Will the muscle repair help my core?
Reuniting separated muscles restores the abdominal wall and often improves core strength and posture, in addition to the flatter contour.
Where does the scar sit?
The scar is placed low, below the bikini line, so it stays hidden by underwear and swimwear. It fades over time.
Should I wait until I am done having children?
It is usually best to wait, since a future pregnancy can undo the muscle repair. Timing is part of the consultation conversation.
Next step
Restore the core.
A consultation determines how much is skin versus muscle so the plan rebuilds the abdominal wall, not just the surface.