Restore a Flatter, More Contoured Midsection
Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, genetics, and aging can stretch the abdominal muscles and skin in ways that diet and exercise alone cannot fully correct. Dr. Tanya Atagi performs tummy tuck surgery to repair weakened abdominal structures, remove excess skin, and create a smoother, firmer, more contoured midsection.
Understanding Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck addresses separated abdominal muscles, overstretched or damaged skin, and excess tissue that commonly develop after pregnancy or significant weight changes.
During pregnancy, the rectus abdominis muscles, often referred to as the “six-pack” muscles, can separate to accommodate a growing baby. Similar stretching can also occur with significant weight gain. At the same time, the abdominal skin may stretch beyond its ability to fully retract and can even develop additional skin, leaving loose or hanging tissue after weight loss or pregnancy.
A tummy tuck, medically known as abdominoplasty, surgically tightens the separated abdominal muscles, effectively cinching the waist, while removing excess skin and redraping the remaining tissue to create a flatter, firmer abdominal wall.
Who Benefits from Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Tummy tuck surgery is best suited for patients who are at or near a stable weight but continue to have muscle separation, excess skin, or abdominal laxity that does not improve with diet and exercise.
You may be an ideal candidate if you:
- Experience muscle separation from pregnancy or weight gain that creates a persistent abdominal “pooch”
- Have lost significant weight and are left with loose, damaged, or hanging abdominal skin
- Have excess skin that does not respond to diet and exercise
- Feel self conscious about your midsection despite being at or near your goal weight
- Want to restore a firmer, flatter abdominal contour after pregnancy or major body changes
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure. Dr. Atagi will evaluate your anatomy, health, skin quality, and goals to determine the most appropriate surgical approach.
Quick Links
Get in Touch
Ready for a Consultation?
What to Expect During Your Tummy Tuck Journey
Consultation
Dr. Atagi listens carefully to your concerns, evaluates your abdominal muscles and skin, and develops a personalized surgical plan based on your anatomy and goals.
Treatment
Your tummy tuck is performed under general anesthesia at a hospital or accredited ambulatory surgical center.
Dr. Atagi makes a horizontal incision along the lower abdomen, positioned so it can typically be concealed beneath underwear or swimwear. She repairs separated abdominal muscles by bringing them back toward the midline, helping strengthen the abdominal wall and create a more defined waist. Excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is redraped for a smoother contour, and the belly button is repositioned when necessary to maintain natural proportions.
Aftercare
Recovery involves non-strenuous activity for the first one to two weeks, followed by a gradual return to normal activities.
Patients should avoid heavy lifting during the initial recovery period. Unrestricted lifting is generally resumed after six weeks, once Dr. Atagi confirms that healing is progressing appropriately.
A compression garment is worn to support healing and help control swelling.
Results
Patients will notice an immediate improvement in abdominal contour after surgery, although swelling will initially affect the final appearance.
Results continue to refine as swelling resolves and tissues settle, with the final outcome becoming more apparent near the one year mark.
Expert Care at Atagi Plastic Surgery & Skin Aesthetics
Dr. Tanya Atagi brings over two decades of experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon to every tummy tuck procedure. Her artistic eye and surgical precision allow her to create natural-looking results that complement each patient’s unique body proportions and aesthetic goals. As one of the few female board-certified plastic surgeons in the Denver area, Dr. Atagi understands the physical and emotional changes that bring patients to her Lone Tree practice, combining advanced surgical techniques with a warm, approachable manner that puts patients at ease throughout their journey.
Tummy tuck surgery costs vary based on the extent of correction needed and whether additional procedures are performed. During your consultation, Dr. Atagi will provide detailed pricing based on your specific treatment plan. We offer financing options through CareCredit, Cherry, and PatientFi to help make your procedure more affordable.
Tummy tuck surgery does result in a horizontal scar along the lower abdomen, but Dr. Atagi positions the incision to be hidden beneath most underwear and swimwear. The scar will fade significantly over time, and most patients find it's a worthwhile trade-off for the dramatic improvement in their abdominal contour.
Light walking is encouraged beginning the day of surgery to promote circulation and help reduce the risk of blood clots.
More strenuous exercise can typically be introduced gradually after about two weeks, depending on your recovery. During this period, patients should continue to avoid significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure and should observe a 10 to 15 pound lifting restriction.
Lifting restrictions are generally removed around six weeks with Dr. Atagi’s approval. Core-specific exercises may need to wait longer to ensure the repaired abdominal muscles have fully healed.
A full tummy tuck includes repair of separated abdominal muscles and tightening of the entire abdominal wall, along with removal of a greater amount of excess skin.
A mini tummy tuck can also restore separated muscles, but less skin is removed because there is less excess tissue to address.
Dr. Atagi will recommend the most appropriate approach based on the amount and location of excess skin, the degree of muscle separation, and your individual goals.
Tummy tuck surgery can be combined with other body contouring procedures for comprehensive results in a single surgical session. Many patients choose to combine tummy tuck with breast enhancement procedures as part of a mommy makeover to address multiple post-pregnancy concerns simultaneously. Liposuction can also be added to remove stubborn fat deposits and enhance the overall body contour.
You can schedule your consultation by calling our office at (303) 327-7300 or using our online contact form. During your visit, Dr. Atagi will evaluate your concerns, discuss your goals, and create a personalized treatment plan for achieving the results you desire.
Complementary Body Contouring Procedures
PAL Lipo
Remove stubborn fat deposits that resist diet and exercise. PAL liposuction can be combined with your tummy tuck for comprehensive body sculpting.
Mommy Makeover
Address multiple post-pregnancy concerns in a single surgical session. Combine tummy tuck with breast enhancement for complete transformation.
BodyTite
Minimally invasive skin tightening using radiofrequency energy. Ideal for patients seeking mild to moderate improvement with less recovery than a full tummy tuck.
Ready to Restore Your Confidence?
Schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Atagi to discuss your tummy tuck goals and learn about your options for achieving a flatter, more contoured midsection. We accept all major credit cards and offer financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and PatientFi.