What is a Tummy Tuck?
At The Breast Implant Center of Hawaii a tummy tuck is a procedure designed to reduce the amount of excess skin and fat in the abdominal area. The procedure, commonly referred to as an abdominoplasty, can also be used to repair the abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck is a very versatile procedure that can be combined with other procedures for a complete body transformation. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS performs tummy tucks along with breast augmentation, liposuction, labiaplasty and other procedures for his Mommy Makeover patients.
Dr. Schlesinger was extremely generous of his time and expertise. There has been no limit to his effort to achieve the best possible results for me. Based on my experience and results, I highly recommend Dr. Schlesinger. Dr. Schlesinger truly deserves being voted one of Hawaii’s best Doctors in 2015! Thank you Dr. Schlesinger from the bottom of my heart!—Actual tummy tuck patient on RealSelf. Read more RealSelf patient reviews »
Preparing for Your Tummy Tuck Consultation
Prepare yourself for your tummy tuck consultation by defining your surgical goals as descriptively as possible. With a thorough and complete understanding of exactly what you want from the procedure, S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS can tailor a procedure plan specifically for you. Also, be prepared to share information about any medications you are currently taking and details about any previous surgeries you may have had. It is also recommended that you view S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS before and after photo gallery to get an idea of what is possible with a tummy tuck.
Preparing for a Tummy Tuck in Hawaii
S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS is Hawaii’s tummy tuck expert and will guide you through every step of the procedure. At your consultation, S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS will evaluate your general health to confirm that you are fit to have the procedure, take photographs, discuss your full range of options and recommend a specific tummy tuck procedure. After consulting with S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS, you may be asked to adjust any medications you are currently taking. It is ideal to stop smoking as soon as possible before the procedure and avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
Dr. Schlesinger and his staff are tremendous. Working with him, I felt like I was important and that he actually cared about me. From my first consultation, throughout my post op appointments, they took care of me every step of the way. If you are contemplating having any type of procedure done, this is the Dr. and the staff for you!—Actual patient on Yelp. Read more real patient reviews on Yelp »
Who is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
In general, you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck in Hawaii if:
- You are in good overall physical health
- You have maintained a stable, healthy weight
- You are a non-smoker and can commit to staying so
- You have realistic expectations for the procedure
- You have specific goals in mind for your post-operative appearance
- You are persistently bothered by the aesthetic of your abdomen
- You have tried losing weight in the abdominal area with limited or no success
Concerned that you may need to lose weight before a tummy tuck, but having trouble reaching your goal weight. Dr. Schlesinger offers options for patients with BMI <30 to safely and successfully achieve a firmer, flatter midsection. Learn more »
How much does a tummy tuck cost in Hawaii?
Tummy tuck surgery costs at Breast Implant Center of Hawaii range between $16,000 to $20,000.
Included in this price are surgeon’s fees, operating room and lab costs, post-op materials, and laser scar revision, tattooing and/or touch-ups, should they be necessary (most plastic surgeons do not include these as part of their fee). Anesthesia fees, medication, and travel costs are not included.
Be sure to check out our patient financing options and current specials to see how you can save.
Elements of the Tummy Tuck
Belly Button Surgery (Umbilicoplasty)
Belly Button Surgery is the re-creation of an aesthetically pleasing belly button during a tummy tuck. Most plastic surgeons ignore the belly button during a tummy tuck, but S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS knows the aesthetic importance of a belly button. During a tummy tuck, the skin of the abdomen is moved downward. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS anchors the belly button to the muscle wall and creates a new opening for it to heal. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS’s unique belly button surgery requires no sutures placed at the junction of the abdomen to your belly button, with all other sutures placed either below the skin or hidden within the belly button to minimize scarring.
Rectus Diastasis
Rectus Diastasis is the separation of the abdominal muscle during pregnancy. To repair this separation, permanent sutures are required as dissolvable sutures may dissolve too soon and erase the results of the corrective surgery. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS uses a very specific series of “figure 8” sutures to close the separation of the abdominal muscle, then sews over that with what is known as a running locking suture. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS has seen success with this technique in hundreds of patients.
View Our Tummy Tuck Gallery
Tummy Tuck Closure
For the most aesthetically pleasing tummy tuck, the closure must be as low as possible on the body – usually, 8 to 10 inches of pubic hair and abdominal skin is removed. The lower the closure, the more likely it is any visible scaring will be covered by clothing or swimwear. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS’s unique closure procedure includes a closure of multiple layers to minimize the appearance of scarring. The bottom layer of the incision is closed in the SFS (superficial fascial system) with thread. Above that, dissolvable staples and sutures are used, followed by traditional staples and sutures which are removed after three days. Then, the suture line is taped for 3-4 months to reduce scarring and redness.
Typical Tummy Tuck Results
Tummy tucks provide a slimmer, firmer abdominal contour with the goal of matching the proportions of the rest of your body. The final results of your tummy tuck will be initially obscured by swelling and other factors, but do not be discouraged! Every tummy tuck patient has to wait a couple of weeks before getting an idea of the final result. Be sure to view S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS before and after gallery and make note of any specific patient results you would like to experience yourself.
Reviewing Tummy Tuck Before & After Photos
One look at Dr. Schlesinger’s plastic surgery before and after gallery will show you that his tummy tuck pictures look a bit different than other surgeons: he has patients sit down for their photos. He does this for a very specific reason, which is to show how flat and tight the abdomen is, in real-world positions. The unspoken goal of many women who have put up with stretch marks and rippling of skin or fat is to have a flat abdomen with absolutely no wrinkles between breasts and thighs—and Dr. Schlesinger’s technique achieves this, as his gallery shows. When viewing standing before photos, you’ll notice that even patients who have a lot of loose skin on the lower stomach don’t have wrinkling higher up, thanks to the natural effect of gravity. The same holds true for after photos—if you’re only viewing a standing patient, you won’t know what their results look like when they’re sitting by the pool in their favorite bikini.
Tummy Tuck Risks
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and possible complications with tummy tucks; however, S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS has extensive experience and the best possible training to minimize these risks as much as possible. For a complete and thorough list of possible risks, schedule a consultation with S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS. The best way to learn about your procedure is to meet with S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS so he can give you a complete evaluation.
Learn More about Tummy Tucks
The best way to learn more about tummy tucks is to schedule a consultation to meet with S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS and his wonderful staff. They will be more than happy to answer all of your questions and assist you in any way they can throughout your Hawaii tummy tuck. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS routinely serves tummy tuck patients from Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Hilo and across the beautiful state of Hawaii. If you’re tired of looking in the mirror and being embarrassed by your tummy, don’t hesitate to make an appointment today and be on your way to a new you that you’ll love!
In the meantime, you can watch Dr. Schlesinger and surgical tech Brandie discuss his tummy tuck techniques step by step in this short video series:
Part 1: Tummy tuck surgery overview
- Part 2: Learn about tummy tuck incisions »
- Part 3: Learn about belly button placement »
- Watch Dr. Schlesinger perform a live tummy tuck surgery (graphic) »
Schedule a consultation with tummy tuck specialist, S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS.
RealSelf Q&A with S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS