Tummy Tuck

You can expect some discomfort, tightness, and soreness during the initial recovery period, especially in the first few days after surgery. Prescription pain medication will help manage this, and most of our Washington, D.C. area patients report that the discomfort significantly improves after the first week.

Typically, you’ll have several post-op appointments to monitor your healing, starting with a visit the day after surgery. Expect follow-ups at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. These visits ensure your incision is healing properly and allow Dr. Bitar to track your progress and optimize results. 

Some improvements are visible immediately, especially in terms of contour and flatness, but swelling is normal and can take several weeks to several months to fully resolve. Most patients begin to notice more noticeable results by the 6-week mark, with final results typically appearing around 3 to 6 months post-operatively.

Scarring is inevitable, but Dr. Bitar takes great care to place incisions low enough to be hidden by underwear or swimwear. For most patients, the scar extends from hip to hip and may include one around the belly button. Over time, with proper care and the use of scar treatments, the scars usually fade and flatten significantly within 6 to 12 months.

Most patients can resume light walking within a few days, which actually helps prevent complications. More strenuous activity, including core workouts, should be avoided until you’re cleared, typically around 4 to 6 weeks post-op.

Yes, and many of our patients in the Washington D.C. area do. A tummy tuck is commonly combined with breast augmentation or lift as part of a Mommy Makeover. It can also be performed in conjunction with liposuction, an arm lift, or a thigh lift, depending on your goals and overall health. 

There are risks associated with surgery, including bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, fluid accumulation, and changes in skin sensation. That said, complications are rare, especially when performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Bitar in a safe, accredited surgical facility. Smoking, certain medications, and underlying health issues can increase your risk, which is why we carefully review your health history beforehand.

At the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, we take pride in ensuring that we provide our patients with the best possible surgical experience, anticipating potential problems or setbacks and addressing them before they occur. This process encompasses preoperative preparation, the actual surgery, and postoperative care.

• General Complications
  General complications can occur with any surgery. Cosmetic surgery is typically a safe procedure performed on healthy patients and, like all surgeries, carries a low risk. To further reduce the risk of complications, we operate at a first-class surgery center with board-certified anesthesiologists and nurses. To avoid postoperative complications, we advocate for early mobilization – patients seen in our office one or two days after surgery- and active participation in their own postoperative care. When we create a partnership, the results invariably improve.

• Bleeding
  Bleeding after a tummy tuck is rare. Before surgery, our patients are tested to make sure they don’t have any common bleeding disorders by their own physicians and by lab tests. The use of tumescent solution before liposuction of the abdominal flanks, if it is performed during a tummy tuck, minimizes bleeding. Additionally, at the conclusion of the operation, two drains are inserted under the skin to manage any early postoperative bleeding. In our practice, the rate of significant bleeding is less than 1%. The treatment of a hematoma or blood clot under the abdominal skin involves opening the incision and removing the blood clot. Typically, this is a straightforward procedure.

• Infection/ Open Wound
  In my opinion, the most important step in avoiding infections and wounds is to undergo surgery at a first-rate surgical facility with board-certified anesthesiologists and nurses. Patients are given the appropriate intravenous antibiotic coverage throughout the surgery. During the surgery, the patient’s skin surface is cleaned thoroughly. After the procedure, our patients are prescribed antibiotics to minimize infection. As a result of these extra precautions, our rate of infection after a tummy tuck is extremely rare. Conservative removal of skin is crucial for achieving good results, as well as preventing the skin from being under too much tension after a tummy tuck. Wound healing problems may occur at the superficial incision level, where tension is highest, particularly in the lower mid-abdomen. A small open wound may result, which usually heals nicely with dressing changes and antibiotic ointment.

• Nerve Injury
  By elevating the skin in the abdomen to perform a tummy tuck, the nerves that provide sensation to the abdomen are cut, and sensation over most of the abdomen, especially the lower portion, is lost for months. After a year, sensation usually returns, but not completely. This fact is significant for patients to understand so that they will not place heating pads or cold compresses on their abdomen after surgery, as the absence of nerve sensation can lead to a burn.

• Smoking
  Smoking is an absolute contraindication in a tummy tuck. The carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarette smoke cause a severe reduction in blood supply to the skin and tissue during healing. This results in delayed wound healing, wound separation, skin death, and a higher risk of infection. Cotinine testing is performed in patients with a smoking history to ensure that they are safe when having this procedure.

Start by looking for a board-certified plastic surgeon—specifically someone certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). That’s your green flag that the surgeon has the training, skill, and experience needed for a safe, successful tummy tuck. Then, dig into their before-and-after photos, patient reviews, and credentials. A surgeon specializing in body contouring and practicing in an accredited surgical facility is key.

Providing excellent surgical results in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan, Dr. George Bitar stands out as a trusted name. He’s not only ABPS-certified but also affiliated with the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American College of Surgeons (FACS). His practice, Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, is known for combining surgical precision with artistry and a deeply personalized approach to care. When you’re trusting someone with your body, you want a surgeon who’s as invested in your results as you are. Dr. Bitar is just that.