Rebecca Garza Plastic Surgery
322 U.S. 41 #103
Schererville, IN 46375
Phone: (219) 322-3131
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Whether you are male or female, a tummy tuck in Indiana with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rebecca Garza can give you a flatter, more sculpted abdomen. This procedure tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess skin and fat.
Technically called abdominoplasty, this procedure helps patients from Munster, Crown Point, and other nearby cities have an improved body image and a new sense of confidence. A tummy tuck can benefit mothers after their childbearing years or individuals who have lost a considerable amount of weight and are experiencing muscle laxity, excess skin, and pockets of residual fat.
Talking It Over
Your transformation will begin with an in-depth, personal consultation with Dr. Garza. She will evaluate your medical history to determine the best way to achieve your desired result and will encourage you to ask questions and be open and honest about your goals.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Indiana?
Because each procedure is customized, the cost of a tummy tuck varies from person to person. Pricing depends on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure. Dr. Garza will discuss the estimated cost with you after creating a customized treatment plan as part of the consultation process. Our practice is pleased to accept payments through financing companies, such as CareCredit®, which offer affordable monthly payment plans.
Meet Your Surgeon,
Rebecca Garza, M.D.
Dr. Garza is one of the most accomplished female board-certified plastic surgeons in Indiana and the Chicagoland area. She completed elite fellowship training and is active in several prestigious professional associations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The Aesthetic Society, and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. She performs a full range of facial procedures, as well as breast enhancement and body contouring, all tailored to your personal needs.
More About Dr. GarzaCredentials You Can Trust
Procedure Details
Tummy tuck procedures can take between 2 and 5 hours. Dr. Garza performs tummy tucks using general anesthesia on an outpatient basis, meaning you’ll likely go home the day of your surgery. However, some patients will need to stay overnight in the hospital for observation.
Your surgeon may recommend a standard or mini abdominoplasty procedure. Read more about these options below.
Standard Abdominoplasty
A standard abdominoplasty, more commonly called a “full” tummy tuck, is the most common procedure and gets the most extensive results. It is appropriate for patients who have loose, excess tissue both above and below the belly button. Here’s how the process works:
- Dr. Garza marks the abdomen to show where she will make the incisions, from hip to hip very low on the abdomen and around your navel.
- After making the incisions, Dr. Garza will detach your skin from the abdominal wall, giving them access to the muscles. She then sutures the muscles, pulling them tight to repair them.
- In most cases, Dr. Garza uses liposuction to reduce excess fat from the area.
- She then pulls down the skin, stretching it past the incision and removing any excess.
- Dr. Garza then creates a new opening for your navel in a location that looks natural before closing the incisions.
Drains are usually used in a full tummy tuck, relieving fluid buildup, which can put pressure on incisions.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A modified version of a full tummy tuck, called a mini abdominoplasty or mini tummy tuck, requires a shorter incision and doesn’t involve repositioning the belly button. It’s most appropriate for patients who have excess skin only below the belly button. Good candidates for a mini abdominoplasty have skin with good elasticity and abdominal muscles that are strong.
The procedure is similar to the full tummy tuck, except Dr. Garza makes only a single incision above the pubic area. This incision is usually shorter than a full abdominoplasty.
Tummy Tuck for Men
A tummy tuck procedure is virtually identical for male and female patients. Women who have had children often need to have their abdominal wall muscles repaired. Men sometimes need this done as part of their procedure as well. Dr. Garza notes that one main difference with a male tummy tuck is that surgeons must avoid results that create an hourglass shape to maintain a masculine physique.
The approach to the surgery is less about gender and more about each patient’s specific desires. Your surgeon must be aware of your goals, so they can take them into consideration when creating a safe surgical plan.
A Reputation Built on Results
A Reputation
Built on Results
More Information
- During abdominoplasty procedures, Dr. Garza often performs liposuction to remove fat deposits from areas like the flanks, upper thighs, or hips.
- Women seeking a more comprehensive approach to rejuvenating their bodies often choose to undergo a combined breast and body procedure, which typically combines abdominoplasty with breast enhancement surgery.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
You will begin walking right after your procedure, and you will wear a compression garment for at least 4 weeks. This will help reduce swelling and improve comfort and healing. You will have prescription pain medication to manage your discomfort. Your stitches will be bandaged, and you will receive detailed post-surgical instructions. Most of your stitches will be internal, and any external sutures will be removed within a week. Drain tubes placed at the time of surgery will also be removed within about a week.
You should start light activities such as walking after the first day but avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks. Many patients return to work after 1 to 2 weeks, but others need longer.
Scars are unavoidable with abdominoplasty. Whenever possible, Dr. Garza places incisions below the bikini line to reduce the scar’s visibility. Scars can take up to a year to heal completely, and over-the-counter products can help scars heal more inconspicuously.
Trust a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
for Your Tummy Tuck
Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon and body contouring specialist who can help you look great and feel better. Request a consultation using the online form to meet with Dr. Garza or call our office at (219) 322-3131.