Dr. Dev Vibhakar, DO, FACS, is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with decades of experience performing body procedures, including abdominoplasty. Dr. Dev received his education and training at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, and is the Founder & Medical Director of Ensō Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Dev Vibhakar, DO, FACS
Double Board-Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Founder & Medical Director, ENSŌ Plastic Surgery - Miami, Florida
Before & After Tummy Tuck Photos
Results from real Enso Plastic Surgery patients
Why Choose Ensō Plastic Surgery for Your Tummy Tuck
Ensō is home to two world renowned plastic surgeons who perform abdominoplasty, Dr. Dev Vibhakar and Dr. Paul Durand. Both doctors are passionate about the Ensō philosophy that emphasizes personalized surgical planning, putting patients first, and natural-looking results. They carefully tailor every tummy tuck each patient, knowing no two people share the same anatomy or cosmetic goals. Dr. Durand also offers consultations in both English and Spanish, making him a top choice for patients all over the US and Latin America.
Ensō Plastic Surgery is discreetly located within the Four Seasons Millennium Tower on Brickell Avenue, offering an upscale destination for private care in the heart of Miami.
What Can a Tummy Tuck Address?
Many tummy tuck patients are frustrated that their abdomen hasn’t responded to a healthy diet or exercise alone. A tummy tuck can address several concerns at once, including:
- Loose or hanging skin: Pregnancy or significant weight loss often leave behind excess skin that won't tighten on its own.
- Stubborn lower belly fat: A tummy tuck isn't a weight loss procedure, but it can remove localized fat and excess tissue that can remain despite a healthy lifestyle.
- Separated abdominal muscles: Abdominal muscles can stretch apart during pregnancy or weight gain.
- Stretch marks: Scars and stretch marks located on the lower abdomen can often be improved.
- Belly button distortion: A tummy tuck can reshape and reposition a stretched or elongated navel into a more youthful position.
- Loss of waistline definition after pregnancy: Many women choose tummy tuck surgery to restore a tapered or sculpted abdominal shape after childbirth.
What to Expect: Procedure, Recovery & Results
Procedure
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes between 2 and 4 hours. Your doctor will place a horizontal incision along your waistline to remove excess skin and fat and carefully reposition the remaining skin for a smooth, natural contour. If necessary, they will also repair weakened or separated abdominal muscles.
Depending on your needs, liposuction can also be part of your surgical plan to improve definition around your waist and flanks (love handles).
Recovery
Recovering from a tummy tuck is a gradual process that benefits from patience and proper self-care. Because muscle repair is often involved, you should plan for dedicated downtime to allow your body to fully heal.
The first few days
Most patients return home the same day wearing a compression garment. Mild to moderate soreness and swelling are normal and managed with prescribed pain medication.
Weeks 1 to 2
Walking is encouraged shortly after surgery to promote circulation, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided during early recovery. Many patients feel ready to return to desk jobs and light daily activities within 10 to 14 days.
Weeks 4 to 6
Your swelling will start to go down around a month after surgery. Dr. Dev and Dr. Durand usually clear patients to resume light exercise around week 4, with full workouts resuming around week 6.
Results
You'll notice an immediate improvement in your abdominal contour, although the initial swelling will hide some of your final results. You can expect your flatter and firmer abdomen to take shape over the next 4 to 6 months as swelling continues to go down.
Once fully healed, tummy tuck results are long-lasting, particularly if you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
Who's a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is best suited for patients who have realistic expectations and are looking to improve abdominal contour, rather than lose weight. You may be a good candidate if you:
- Have excess skin in your abdominal area
- Have separated abdominal muscles after pregnancy (diastasis recti)
- Are close to your goal weight and have maintained a stable weight for at least 6 months
- Are finished having children or don't plan future pregnancies
- Are in good overall health
- Don't smoke or are willing to stop before and after surgery
Mini Tummy Tuck vs. Full Tummy Tuck
Not every patient requires a full abdominoplasty. During your consultation, Dr. Dev or Dr. Durand will evaluate your anatomy and concerns to recommend the best procedure for you.
Mini tummy tuck
A mini tummy tuck, or partial abdominoplasty, is a less invasive procedure that focuses on the area below the belly button. The incision is typically shorter than with a full tummy tuck and the recovery tends to be easier.
You may be considered a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck if you have minimal excess skin and muscle separation, with the area confined to your lower abdomen.
Full tummy tuck
A full tummy tuck treats the entire abdomen, from the rib cage to the pubic area. It’s a more comprehensive procedure that removes larger amounts of excess skin, repairs abdominal muscles when necessary, and repositions the belly button to create natural-looking proportions.
A full tummy tuck is usually recommended for patients whose concerns arise following pregnancy or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck Q&A with Dr. Dev and Dr. Durand
Many patients worry their tummy tuck will be obvious. How do you keep results natural-looking?
Dr. Dev: One of the most important parts of creating a surgical plan is respecting the patient’s proportions. That’s when the results will be most natural and the patient will look like the best version of themselves, not like they’ve had surgery.
How do patients know if they need a tummy tuck or liposuction?
Dr. Dev: This is one of the most common questions we get. And a common misconception is that liposuction and abdominoplasty accomplish the same thing.
Put simply, liposuction removes unwanted fat deposits, but it doesn't tighten loose skin or repair separated muscles. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, removes excess skin, tightens the abdominal wall, and can also remove some fat.
During your consultation, I’ll determine whether you're a better candidate for a tummy tuck, liposuction, or both.
Watch Dr. Dev discuss the differences here:
Why is muscle repair so important?
Dr. Durand: Many patients, particularly after pregnancy, don't even realize their abdominal muscles have separated, and no amount of exercise can repair significant diastasis recti. By bringing the muscles back together, not only do patients get a flatter abdomen, they’ll enjoy better core support and mobility as well.
Do you ever combine tummy tucks with other procedures?
Dr. Durand: Absolutely. In fact, combining procedures is relatively common. Many women opt for a Mommy Makeover, which combines an abdominoplasty with a breast lift or reduction to address multiple post-pregnancy changes at one time. Liposuction on the flanks or waist may also be part of the surgical plan.
A big benefit for our patients, other than a more comprehensive transformation, is that combining procedures allows them to go through only one recovery period.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Consultation
If loose abdominal skin or separated muscles are preventing you from achieving the body you're working hard for, a tummy tuck may be the solution.
Schedule a private consultation with our team to see if abdominoplasty is right for you. Book online or call our Miami office at (305) 918-1750.
