Tummy Tuck in Raleigh, NC
Shape and strengthen your core with a tummy tuck
Tummy Tuck in Raleigh, NC
Amelia Specializes in Modern Tummy Tucks
If you’re in Raleigh, North Carolina and hoping to feel stronger, more comfortable, and more confident in your body, a modern tummy tuck (also called abdominoplasty) can be a powerful step forward. This procedure is often a great option for people dealing with loose skin, stubborn fat, or weakened abdominal muscles after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or simply the natural changes that happen over time.
At Amelia Aesthetics in Raleigh, we take a modern, comprehensive approach to tummy tuck surgery. Instead of focusing only on removing excess skin, our trusted plastic surgeons also repair the underlying abdominal muscles when needed—a condition known as diastasis recti. This muscle repair acts like an internal corset, helping restore core strength, improve posture, and create a smoother, more sculpted abdominal contour.
Your comfort and recovery matter just as much as your results. That’s why our Raleigh surgeons use advanced pain-management techniques, including Exparel®, a long-acting local anesthetic placed during surgery that helps reduce discomfort for several days after your procedure. Many patients find this allows for a smoother, more comfortable early recovery and less reliance on traditional narcotic pain medication, so you can start moving and feeling more like yourself sooner.
For many patients, waistline liposuction is also included as part of the tummy tuck procedure at Amelia Raleigh. This allows your surgeon to gently contour the flanks and hips, creating a more balanced, natural-looking shape that complements your newly flattened abdomen. By addressing the full waistline—not just the front of the stomach—we’re able to deliver results that look more proportional and feel more like you.
Choosing a tummy tuck is a deeply personal decision, and at Amelia, we never take that lightly. Our plastic surgeons and care teams take the time to understand your goals, your health, and your concerns so your treatment plan truly fits you—not the other way around. From your first consultation through recovery and beyond, we’re here to support you with expertise, honesty, and care every step of the way.
Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
You may be a candidate for a tummy tuck if you are concerned by one or more of the following:
- Excess skin and fat in the abdominal area that doesn't respond to diet and exercise.
- Weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), often resulting from pregnancy or significant weight fluctuations.
- Sagging abdominal skin after pregnancy or major weight loss.
- You are at a relatively stable weight and in good overall health.
- You have realistic expectations about what a tummy tuck can achieve
What do tummy tuck scars look like?
Tummy Tuck Scars
Amelia specializes in 4 types of tummy tuck scars: standard (full), mini, extended, and fleur-di-lis. The type of tummy tuck scar that is right for you depends on the amount of skin removal needed to achieve your goals.
Do tummy tuck scars go away?
Abdominoplasty scars typically take around 12 months post-op to heal and when cared for properly can continue to fade for years to come. Consistent scar care and SPF are so important after your surgery, especially in the first year. Your surgeon and clinical team will be there to guide you on a protocol to help ensure your scars fade and heal their best.
Tummy Tuck Types
Full Tummy Tuck
The full tummy tuck addresses loose skin above and below the navel, reshapes the belly button, and repairs abdominal muscle separation.
- Targets loose skin on the upper and lower abdomen
- Often includes waistline liposuction for added shape
- Strengthens core with muscle repair
- Often includes Exparel® to support pain management
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck addresses skin laxity below the navel but does not address loose skin above the belly button.
- Targets loose skin below the navel, but does not address belly button shape
- Often includes waistline liposuction for added shape and contour
- Can include muscle repair to correct abdominal muscle separation
- Often includes Exparel® to support pain management
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck is a lot like a full tummy tuck with a slightly longer incision for more skin removal.
- Addresses loose skin in both the upper and lower abdomen
- Has a longer incision typically extended beyond the hip bones
- Often includes muscle repair and waistline liposuction
- Often includes Exparel® to support pain management
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is most commonly used for significant skin removal in major weight loss patients.
- Addresses loose skin in the upper and lower abdomen, plus the sides of the body
- Trades a longer horizontal incision and additional vertical incision for the most skin removal
- Often includes muscle repair to improve core strength and waistline lipo for better shape
- Often includes Exparel® to support pain management
What is a drainless tummy tuck?
The surgical techniques used in a modern tummy tuck often eliminate the need for post-operative drains in most cases. In many cases, eliminating post-op drains allows for a shower just two days after surgery and reduces tension on the incision for better healing.
Keep in mind that factors like your anatomy and sometimes details of your procedure, like the amount of liposuction done, play a role in whether or not you’ll have a drain.
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
- Includes Waistline Liposuction: A tummy tuck at Amelia often includes waistline liposuction, allowing for better contouring and a more natural result that enhances your overall silhouette.
- Comprehensive Pricing: The cost of your tummy tuck includes all pre-operative, surgical, and post-operative appointments, anesthesia, surgeon fees, and operating room fees, ensuring no hidden costs during your journey.
- Addresses Excess Skin and Fat: Tummy tuck surgery effectively removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, helping to create a flatter and more toned appearance.
- Strengthens Abdominal Muscles: Amelia’s tummy tucks include muscle repair. This addition repairs and tightens weakened abdominal muscles, providing a firmer foundation for your core and improving posture.
- Boosts Confidence: Many patients experience increased self-esteem and a more positive body image after achieving a flatter stomach, allowing for greater confidence in their appearance.
- Enhances Proportion and Symmetry: A tummy tuck can create a more balanced figure by improving the contour of the abdomen and waist, enhancing overall body proportions.
- Individualized Support: Each patient is assigned a dedicated Patient Care Coordinator who will guide you through every step of the process, providing personalized care and support.
- Experienced Surgical Team: Amelia’s skilled plastic surgeons specialize in body contouring procedures and will work closely with you to develop a personalized surgical plan tailored to your needs.
Tummy Tuck Results and Recovery Timeline
- 1-2 Weeks
Expect swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort. You’ll likely be asked to wear compression garments to reduce swelling for about 6 weeks. - 6 Weeks
Many patients are cleared to stop wearing compression garments and resume normal exercise. - 6 Months
Much, but not all of the swelling has resolved for most, and often when your “after photos” are taken. - 12 Months
Though you'll see improvements along the way, most patients achieve their long-term results around 12 months post-op.
Before Treatment
After Treatment
Plastic Surgeons in Raleigh, NC
Our Pricing Includes:
- All pre-op, surgical, and post-op appointments
- Anesthesia, surgeon, and operating room fees
- Individualized pre- and post-op support from our clinical team
- A dedicated Patient Care Coordinator to guide you throughout your entire journey
