Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in West Palm Beach, FL

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes excess abdominal skin and fat and can repair separation of the abdominal wall. At BellaNova Cosmetic Surgery in West Palm Beach, Dr. Albert Carlotti plans the procedure around your skin, muscle support, previous scars and desired contour.

Dr. Carlotti is a fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon with more than 25 years of experience and over 30,000 procedures across facial, breast and body surgery. Consultations and surgery take place at BellaNova’s state-registered Level III surgical center, at 1261 S Congress Ave, West Palm Beach.

Start with full versus mini tummy tuck, browse before-and-after photos, or review recovery and cost considerations. The educational video below explains Dr. Carlotti’s approach.

Am I a candidate for a tummy tuck?

Abdominoplasty may be an option when loose skin or abdominal wall laxity remains after pregnancy or weight loss. An examination determines whether surgery can address your concerns and whether you are medically suitable.

• Excess abdominal skin or a lower abdominal overhang
• Abdominal wall separation that may benefit from repair
• A stable weight and realistic expectations about scars and recovery
• No active nicotine use and a health history compatible with elective surgery

A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss treatment. If you are planning significant weight loss or a future pregnancy, discuss timing before committing to surgery. Stretch marks can be removed only where the affected skin is excised; those on remaining skin may persist.

Full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck or liposuction?

The right operation depends on where excess skin lies and whether the abdominal wall needs repair. A smaller operation is useful only when it can address the problem you want treated.

Full tummy tuck

A full abdominoplasty addresses more extensive loose skin and can include repair above and below the navel. It typically involves a low abdominal incision and an incision around the belly button, which is brought through a new opening in the repositioned skin.

Mini tummy tuck

A mini abdominoplasty targets limited excess skin below the navel. It usually avoids an incision around the belly button, but it does not provide the same correction of upper abdominal laxity. Scar length and whether a limited muscle repair is appropriate depend on your anatomy.

Liposuction or combined treatment

Liposuction reduces localized fat. It does not remove a skin overhang or repair diastasis recti. It may be appropriate when skin elasticity is good, or may be combined with a tummy tuck to address selected areas. Dr. Carlotti will discuss whether combining procedures is appropriate for your health and recovery needs.

Diastasis recti and abdominal muscle repair

Diastasis recti is widening of the connective tissue between the paired rectus abdominal muscles. It can contribute to a central bulge after pregnancy or weight changes. Targeted exercise or physical therapy may help some patients; a persistent bulge alone does not establish that surgery is necessary.

When repair is indicated during abdominoplasty, sutures tighten the supporting tissue over the muscles to bring the abdominal wall closer to the midline. This can improve contour, but relief of back pain or restoration of function cannot be promised. Dr. Carlotti will examine the abdominal wall and assess any concern for a hernia separately.

For background, see Cleveland Clinic’s explanation of diastasis recti.

How tummy tuck surgery is performed

A low abdominal incision provides access to remove excess skin and reshape the abdomen. Its length and position depend on the amount and distribution of loose skin, existing scars and the planned repair.

Abdominal wall repair. When needed, the supporting tissue over the rectus muscles is tightened with sutures. The extent of repair is individualized.

Skin removal and belly button. Excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is repositioned. In a full tummy tuck, the belly button generally remains attached beneath the skin and is brought through a new skin opening.

Contouring. Selected liposuction may be added to blend the abdomen and waist. The treatment areas and extent are planned before surgery.

Closure and drains. Layered closure and progressive tension sutures help manage the space beneath the skin. Drains may still be needed; removal depends on drainage and healing rather than a fixed postoperative day.

The scar is permanent. Placement aims to allow coverage by underwear or swimwear, but coverage depends on the garment and your anatomy. Scars change over time, and some remain raised, wide or more visible than expected.

Educational video

Dr. Carlotti explains abdominoplasty

Dr. Carlotti explains how abdominoplasty addresses loose skin, abdominal wall separation, scar placement, and contouring in one structural operation.

How rectus repair can narrow the waist

The animation shows interrupted sutures approximating the anterior rectus sheath above and below the umbilicus. The waist outline narrows with the repair. This is a teaching schematic, not a prediction of an individual result.

Open the full-size animation

Tummy tuck recovery: planning time off and help at home

Plan for help with transportation, household tasks and childcare, especially lifting young children. Recovery depends on the extent of skin removal, muscle repair, combined procedures and your health. The stages below are planning guides; your written instructions and follow-up visits determine when activities are safe.

Stage	What to plan for
First several days	Discomfort, swelling and limited mobility are expected. Follow instructions for positioning, short assisted walks, medications, dressings and any compression garment.
First week	Attend follow-up visits and continue help at home. If drains are used, the team will explain their care and decide when they can be removed.
Weeks 2–3	Some patients can resume desk work around this stage; others need longer. A physical job or combined surgery can require more time. Lifting remains restricted according to your plan.
Weeks 4–6	Discuss a gradual increase in activity. Resume cardio only when cleared; feeling better does not mean the internal repair is ready for strenuous exercise.
Weeks 6–8 and beyond	Strength training and core exercise require individual clearance and a gradual return. Some patients need a longer restriction period.
Following months	Swelling and sensation changes may settle gradually. Scars mature over many months, sometimes 12–18 months or longer; final appearance varies.

Before surgery, ask when you may drive, return to work, lift children and travel. Patients visiting from outside the area should coordinate follow-up and the length of their local stay with the team; see planning for out-of-town patients.

Tummy tuck risks and considerations

Risks include anesthesia complications, bleeding or hematoma, fluid collection (seroma), infection, poor wound healing, skin or fat loss, persistent pain or numbness, unfavorable scars, contour irregularity, asymmetry, recurrence of laxity and additional surgery. Results vary, and a perfectly flat abdomen or a particular waist measurement cannot be guaranteed.

Blood clots in the legs or lungs are serious potential complications. Your risk factors and prevention plan are assessed before surgery. Nicotine increases healing risks; the team will give you specific cessation and preparation instructions. Combining operations requires an individual assessment of operative time, health and recovery demands.

Read the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ tummy tuck risk information and bring questions to your consultation.

How much does a tummy tuck cost in West Palm Beach?

Your quote depends on the type and extent of abdominoplasty, whether muscle repair or liposuction is included, anesthesia and operating time, and any additional procedures. A consultation is needed to determine the appropriate plan and its cost.

Ask for an itemized explanation of the surgeon, anesthesia and facility fees, as well as what is included for garments, medications and follow-up. The team can clarify any separate charges and discuss payment arrangements. Combining procedures does not automatically make them the best choice for you.

Review cost and financing information or request a consultation for a personalized quote. BellaNova is a self-pay practice and does not accept insurance or file insurance claims.

Tummy tuck before-and-after photos

View Dr. Carlotti’s abdominoplasty before-and-after gallery to see examples of patient results. Compare starting anatomy, scar placement and the extent of treatment when discussing what may be realistic for you. Photographs show individual outcomes and do not predict your result.

Your tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Carlotti

Meet one-to-one with Dr. Carlotti to discuss loose skin, abdominal fullness, previous surgery and your goals. Bring your medication list and relevant medical history, and be ready to discuss weight changes, pregnancy plans, nicotine use and the help available during recovery.

The examination helps determine whether full or mini abdominoplasty, liposuction, muscle repair or another approach fits your needs. You can review scar placement, examples of results, risks and a realistic recovery plan before deciding.

Request your consultation or call (561) 834-6682. BellaNova is at 1261 S Congress Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33406-5172.

Tummy tuck: frequently asked questions