Tummy Tuck in Charlotte, NC

Name: Tummy Tuck
Brand: Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa
Rating: 4.8 (458 reviews)

Achieve a smoother, firmer, and more sculpted midsection with a tummy tuck in Charlotte, NC at Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa, where expert surgeons remove excess skin and tighten muscles to restore a toned, confident silhouette.

woman smiling with her hands on her hips

Embarking on Your Tummy Tuck Journey

If you struggle with loose skin and a little extra weight around your belly, despite eating right and exercising, you’re in good company. From mothers who long to regain their pre-pregnancy figures to people who undergo dramatic weight fluctuations, the tummy is a common and persistent “problem spot” for many. Luckily, expert surgeons Dr. Bryan Criswell and Dr. Kara Criswell can help you smooth and trim your midsection with a tummy tuck in Charlotte, NC.

woman posing with her hand on her hip in white underwear set

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed to create a slimmer and more toned abdomen. The surgery typically involves removing excess skin and fat from the midsection, and it can also include tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall.

Tummy tucks are frequently performed on individuals who would like to restore their previous figure after pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or the natural effects of aging.

Dr. Kara Criswell is amazing! Not only in the results she provides, her artistic abilities, but also her bedside manners are impeccable. I'm a huge fan of Dr. Kara:) I had a Tummy tuck with muscle repair and lipo to the flanks. I cannot stop looking at my body in the mirror; not in vanity, but because I can't believe this is my body!!! She did an awesome job at sculpting me.

real self patient

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Tummy Tuck in Charlotte Before & After

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Who Is a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck in Charlotte?

A tummy tuck may be a good treatment option for women after childbirth, men, and women who have lost significant amounts of weight, and individuals who have developed a protruding abdomen that appeared through aging. You may be a good candidate for this procedure if you:

Have loose, excess skin around the abdomen
Have weak, stretched, or separated abdominal muscles
Are in good general health
Are not planning to become pregnant
Have reached a weight within 15 to 20 pounds of your ideal weight
Are not planning to lose more weight

When is Abdominoplasty Needed?

Achieving a flat, toned stomach through diet and exercise alone isn’t always possible. Even those at a healthy weight may struggle with loose skin, stubborn fat, or a protruding abdomen that resists their best efforts. A tummy tuck can help address these concerns, especially when caused by:

Significant weight fluctuations
Pregnancy-related stretching
Aging and loss of skin elasticity
Heredity and genetic factors
Previous surgeries

Stubborn fat and excess skin may persist despite a healthy lifestyle, and weakened abdominal muscles from pregnancy or weight loss can contribute to an unshapely midsection. When diet and exercise aren’t enough, a tummy tuck can restore a firmer, more sculpted abdominal contour.

What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

If you’d like to achieve a tighter, more defined midsection, a tummy tuck can potentially provide you with some or all of the following benefits:

Slimmer, more toned abdomen
Removes unsightly excess skin and fat
Tightens abdominal muscles that have become weakened or separated
Reduces the risk of certain medical conditions
Improved control over bodily functions
Increased self-esteem
Increased wardrobe options
Strengthens the core
Improved athletic performance and mobility

Abdominoplasty Consultation

Before tummy tuck surgery at Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa in Charlotte, you will meet with either Dr. Bryan Criswell or Dr. Kara Criswell for a consultation. Your surgeon will discuss:

Your treatment goals
Any previous surgeries
Current medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements
Drug allergies, medical conditions, and treatments
Drug use

It is important to be completely candid during your consultation. Your surgeon will evaluate your general health and risk factors, take “before” photographs, discuss your options, and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Which Procedure Is Right for You?

While both procedures can improve abdominal contours, a tummy tuck and liposuction address different concerns. Liposuction is designed to remove localized fat deposits but does not tighten loose skin or repair stretched abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess skin, tightens weakened abdominal muscles, and creates a firmer, flatter abdominal profile.

Patients considering a tummy tuck in Charlotte, NC often have concerns that extend beyond stubborn fat, including loose skin after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. During your consultation, Dr. Bryan Criswell or Dr. Kara Criswell will determine whether liposuction, abdominoplasty, or a combination of both procedures is the most effective approach for achieving your goals.

Patient with Tummy Tuck Testimonial

Considering a tummy tuck? Meet Deborah as she shares her experience undergoing tummy tuck surgery and a breast lift at Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa, including her recovery, results, and overall patient journey.

What is the Tummy Tuck Procedure

Also known as abdominoplasty, tummy tuck surgery is performed to remove excess skin and fat from the belly and, in many cases, to restore separated or weakened abdominal muscles to create a firmer, smoother profile. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. For a full tummy tuck procedure, a horizontally oriented incision is made low enough to be hidden by bathing suits and underwear in most cases.

The amount of excess skin and tissue will determine the length and shape of the incision. Our surgeon will place the incision as discreetly as possible. The skin on the abdomen is lifted, and weakened muscles underneath are repaired. If there is excess skin, fat and tissue in the upper abdomen, a second incision may be needed around the navel to correct the problem. After the muscles are repaired, the abdominal skin is pulled down, and the excess skin is trimmed.

The skin is then sutured together. The surgeon will create a new opening for the belly button, pop it through to the surface, and suture it into position. Finally, the incision is closed with sutures, skin adhesives, clips, or tapes.

Repairing Abdominal Muscle Separation (Diastasis Recti)

Pregnancy, significant weight fluctuations, and aging can cause the abdominal muscles to stretch and separate, a condition known as diastasis recti. This separation can create a persistent abdominal bulge, weaken the core, and make it difficult to achieve a flat stomach despite regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

One of the key benefits of abdominoplasty in Charlotte, NC is the ability to repair and tighten these weakened abdominal muscles. During surgery, the muscles are carefully restored to a more supportive position, helping create a flatter abdomen, improved waistline definition, and stronger core support. For many patients, muscle repair is just as important as removing excess skin when creating long-lasting tummy tuck results.

Tummy Tuck as Part of a Mommy Makeover

A tummy tuck is one of the most popular procedures included in a Mommy Makeover. Pregnancy can stretch the abdominal muscles, create loose skin, and alter body contours in ways that may not always be corrected by diet and exercise alone.

Many women choose to combine a tummy tuck in Charlotte, NC, with procedures such as breast augmentation, breast lift surgery, or liposuction to address multiple concerns during a single surgical experience. By strategically combining procedures, patients can often achieve more comprehensive body contouring results while benefiting from a single recovery period. During your consultation, our surgeons can discuss whether a Mommy Makeover is the right option for your goals.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Charlotte, NC?

The cost of a tummy tuck in Charlotte, NC, varies based on several factors, including the extent of correction required, whether abdominal muscle repair is performed, facility and anesthesia fees, and whether additional procedures, such as liposuction, are combined with surgery.

Because every patient has unique goals and anatomy, the best way to determine the cost of your procedure is through a personalized consultation. During your visit, Dr. Bryan Criswell or Dr. Kara Criswell will evaluate your concerns, discuss your treatment options, and provide a customized surgical plan with detailed pricing information.

Why Choose Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa for a Tummy Tuck in Charlotte, NC?

Choosing the right surgeon is one of the most important decisions you'll make when considering a tummy tuck in Charlotte. At Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa, Dr. Bryan Criswell and Dr. Kara Criswell take a personalized approach to every procedure, carefully evaluating your anatomy, goals, and lifestyle to develop a customized surgical plan.

Whether you are addressing post-pregnancy changes, excess skin following weight loss, or age-related abdominal laxity, our team focuses on creating natural-looking body contours that complement your overall proportions. From your initial consultation through recovery, we are committed to providing exceptional care, clear communication, and results that help patients feel more confident in their appearance.

Patients throughout Charlotte trust Criswell & Criswell for our attention to detail, surgical expertise, and commitment to delivering beautiful, long-lasting tummy tuck results.

Frequently Asked Questions Tummy Tuck

How much downtime is involved with a tummy tuck in Charlotte?

Our tummy tuck procedure is surgical, so yes, there is downtime. Keep in mind that every patient is unique, and if you elect to have other procedures performed along with your abdominoplasty procedure, there may be a different downtime. Typically, patients are able to return to normal activities within two weeks.

Will I have a scar after a tummy tuck?

Yes, but it will be strategically placed so that it can be easily hidden behind the line of your pants or underwear. The tummy tuck procedure can easily be combined with many surgical procedures, including liposuction, breast augmentation, or vaginal rejuvenation.

How long will my results last after a tummy tuck?

Results can be maintained for patients who continue a healthy lifestyle. Significant weight gain can negate the effects of the tummy tuck procedure. Likewise, so can pregnancy; for this reason, we recommend patients who plan to get pregnant wait to pursue this procedure.

When can I see my tummy tuck results?

Some results can be immediate; however, it can take a few months to see optimal results as your body adjusts to its new contours.

How long does tummy tuck surgery take?

Depending on the extent of the procedure, abdominoplasty can take anywhere from one to five hours to perform. You will need to recover from anesthesia at our state-of-the-art surgical facility in Charlotte, NC, after which you must have a friend or family member drive you home.

Can a tummy tuck get rid of love handles?

Love handles are composed of excess fat that has accumulated in the waist. These localized fat deposits can be stubbornly resistant to exercise and diet, and many women and men are looking for effective ways to remove them. However, this procedure is not specifically designed to remove deposits of stubborn fat in the waist or hips. To accomplish this, we recommend liposuction performed in combination with tummy tuck surgery.

Is a tummy tuck painful?

Abdominoplasty in Charlotte, NC is performed under general anesthesia, patients do not feel pain during procedure. When you wake up from the anesthesia, you can expect pain, swelling, and bruising in the abdominal area, which will subside over time. Medications will be prescribed to control post-surgical pain and discomfort. To help reduce swelling and bruising after tummy tuck surgery:

Drink plenty of water
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Limit sodium intake
Walk every day to increase circulation and promote healing

What are the risks of a tummy tuck?

Like any surgical procedure, a tummy tuck comes with certain risks. The most common risks of the surgery include:

Scarring
Fluid accumulation beneath the skin (seroma)
Wound healing issues
Infection
Hematoma
Numbness
Unsatisfactory results