Tummy Tuck in Delafield
A midsection that matches the work you've put in.
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the underlying abdominal wall muscles to create a smoother, firmer abdominal profile. The procedure addresses changes caused by pregnancy, significant weight loss, aging, and hereditary factors. Abdominoplasty is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States, with over 170,000 procedures performed annually according to ASPS data.
At a Glance
- Approximately 171,000 abdominoplasty procedures were performed in the United States in 2024, making it one of the top cosmetic surgical procedures[4]
- Abdominoplasty can include repair of diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles), and systematic reviews report high patient satisfaction following surgical correction[8]
- Seromas and hematomas are the most common complications, occurring in up to one-third of cases according to clinical literature[7]
- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 1 to 5 hours depending on complexity and whether additional procedures are combined[6]
Before & after
Real faces, real results.
Before & after
Abdominoplasty
Before & after
Abdominoplasty
Before & after
Abdominoplasty
Individual results vary. Photos shown with patient consent.
Overview
A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal wall muscles, or rectus abdominis. It addresses abdominal skin that has loosened or sagged in a way diet and exercise do not reach, because the change lies in the skin’s elasticity and the position of the muscle wall rather than only in the volume of fat above them. Common reasons for abdominoplasty include changes after pregnancy, significant weight loss, aging, and genetic factors that affect abdominal contour.
The appropriate technique depends on the degree and location of tissue laxity. A mini, or partial, abdominoplasty uses a shorter incision to address the area below the navel and typically does not require repositioning the belly button. A full abdominoplasty uses a longer incision, repairs the muscle from the lower to the upper abdomen, and repositions the navel. Extended and circumferential techniques carry the correction around the flanks and hips and are often performed after massive weight loss.
The standard abdominoplasty Dr. Boehm quotes includes hip liposuction. This treats the flank as part of the abdominal contour rather than leaving it for a separate stage. More extensive sculpting is planned and priced in addition to the standard procedure.
Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss or an exercise program, and significant weight changes after surgery can affect the result. People planning substantial further weight loss, and women considering future pregnancies, may be advised to postpone surgery. Pregnancy can separate the repaired muscles and stretch the tightened skin again.
Consona publishes a gallery of Dr. Boehm’s abdominoplasty cases, and the cost is addressed in a published article rather than left entirely to a consultation. Neither changes the operation. Both allow the results and price to be checked before a first appointment.
What to expect
- Consultation to discuss goals, review medical history, assess abdominal tissue, and determine the appropriate abdominoplasty technique
- Pre-operative evaluation including laboratory work, medical clearance, and cessation of smoking if applicable
- Administration of general anesthesia
- Horizontal incision along the lower abdomen, positioned within the bikini line
- Elevation of the abdominal skin flap from the underlying muscle fascia
- Repair of diastasis recti by plicating the rectus abdominis muscles along the midline
- Removal of excess skin and fat from the abdominal flap
- Repositioning of the navel through the tightened skin (full abdominoplasty)
- Layered closure of the incision with sutures
- Placement of surgical drains if indicated to reduce fluid accumulation
- Application of dressings and a compression garment
- Post-operative monitoring and discharge with detailed recovery instructions
How a tummy tuck works
- A horizontal incision is made between the pubic hairline and the navel. Its length and shape depend on the amount of excess skin, and it is typically placed along the bikini line where most undergarments can conceal it.
- The abdominal skin is lifted from the underlying fascia. Weakened or separated rectus abdominis muscles are brought together along the midline and secured with long-lasting absorbable or permanent sutures, a repair called plication. This tightens the abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.
- Excess skin and fat are removed, and the remaining upper abdominal skin is drawn downward and secured. During a full abdominoplasty, a new opening is created for the navel, or omphaloplasty, and the navel is brought through the repositioned skin.
- The incision is closed in several layers with sutures. Surgical drains may be placed beneath the skin to help prevent fluid accumulation, and a compression garment or elastic bandage is applied to support the abdomen and minimize swelling.
- At Consona, abdominoplasty is planned with hip liposuction in the same operation so the flank is contoured without being left for a second stage. Broader sculpting, including circumferential contouring after major weight loss, is planned and quoted separately.
- The muscle repair extends as far as the separation extends. Dr. Boehm measures that separation during the examination rather than assuming its extent from the way the abdomen presents. Abdominal muscle separation is evaluated at Consona as a condition in itself, not only as one step within a tummy tuck.
When it's recommended
- Excess abdominal skin and fat that does not respond to diet and exercise
- Abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti), commonly occurring after pregnancy
- Skin laxity following significant weight loss or bariatric surgery
- Weakened or stretched abdominal wall due to aging or hereditary factors
- Abdominal contour irregularities caused by prior abdominal surgery
- Overhanging abdominal skin (pannus) that may cause discomfort or skin irritation
Is a tummy tuck right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Concerns it addresses
Recovery & aftercare
- Initial recovery typically requires 2 to 4 weeks of limited activity
- A semi-reclined (semi-Fowler) position is recommended for approximately 2 weeks to minimize tension on the incision
- A compression garment is worn for several weeks to reduce swelling and support the abdomen
- Surgical drains, if placed, are typically removed within 1 to 2 weeks
- Most patients can return to desk work within 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the extent of surgery
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are generally restricted for 4 to 6 weeks
- Bruising, swelling, and numbness are common during the first several weeks and gradually improve
- Final results may take 3 to 6 months to become fully apparent as swelling resolves
- Scar maturation continues for 12 to 18 months, with sun protection recommended during this period
Alternatives
- Liposuction alone (for patients with good skin elasticity and minimal skin laxity)
- Panniculectomy (removal of the overhanging skin apron without muscle repair, sometimes for medical rather than cosmetic indications)
- Non-surgical body contouring procedures (limited efficacy for significant skin laxity)
- Combined procedures such as a lower body lift for patients with circumferential excess tissue
Related treatments
How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A tummy tuck at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $14,000. Additional body sculpting procedures, including Lipo360, may incur additional costs. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the underlying muscles to create a firmer, flatter abdominal profile. It is commonly performed after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain during surgery. Discomfort is expected afterward and is typically managed with prescribed pain medication. Most patients report a significant improvement in comfort within the first 1 to 2 weeks.
- Abdominoplasty is a well-established operation with a long safety record when performed by a board-certified surgeon. It still carries surgical risks, which are discussed in detail during the consultation and listed in the risks section of this page.
- Most patients can return to desk work within 2 to 3 weeks. Strenuous activity is typically restricted for 4 to 6 weeks. Final results may take 3 to 6 months to become fully apparent as swelling resolves, while the scar continues to mature for 12 to 18 months.
- People who currently smoke, plan future pregnancies, have unstable body weight, or have significant uncontrolled medical conditions may not be suitable candidates. A thorough evaluation during the consultation determines whether the procedure is appropriate.
- A mini tummy tuck uses a shorter incision and addresses only the lower abdomen below the navel, without repositioning the belly button. A full tummy tuck uses a longer incision, addresses the upper and lower abdomen, includes muscle repair, and repositions the navel. The choice depends on the degree of skin laxity and muscle separation.
- Yes. Hip liposuction is included in the published price because the flank usually needs to be addressed for the abdominal contour to read correctly from the side. Additional cost reflects additional scope: 360-degree contouring, or an extended or circumferential lift after major weight loss, is planned and quoted separately. The appropriate scope depends on how much loose skin is present and how far around the body it extends. Qualified borrowers can also spread a surgical fee of this size across 12 monthly payments at no interest.
- Yes. The abdominoplasty gallery contains consented, paired images of cases Dr. Boehm performed, photographed in matched posture and lighting. It contains no manufacturer or stock imagery. That makes the gallery smaller than one built with stock images and considerably more useful for judging Dr. Boehm’s own work. The examination determines which version of the operation is being quoted, and the published figure describes the base procedure with hip liposuction included.
Tummy Tuck risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Current tobacco use (smoking significantly compromises blood supply to the surgical flap and increases the risk of tissue necrosis)
- Active plans for future pregnancy (pregnancy can reverse the results of muscle repair and skin tightening)
- Unstable body weight or plans for significant further weight loss
- Advanced cardiopulmonary disease or uncontrolled chronic conditions such as diabetes
- Active infection at the surgical site
- Conditions that significantly impair wound healing
- Body mass index that substantially increases surgical risk (evaluated individually by the surgeon)
Possible risks
- Seroma (fluid accumulation beneath the skin), the most common complication
- Hematoma (collection of blood beneath the flap) that may require drainage
- Wound infection, which can delay healing and affect cosmetic outcome
- Poor wound healing or wound dehiscence (separation of the incision edges)
- Skin or flap necrosis from compromised blood supply, more common in smokers
- Scarring, including the possibility of hypertrophic or widened scars
- Changes in abdominal skin sensation or numbness, which may be temporary or prolonged
- Asymmetric appearance or contour irregularities
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism, a risk associated with any surgical procedure
- Need for revision surgery to address cosmetic concerns or complications
- Umbilical necrosis due to compromised blood supply to the navel stalk
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 8 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.
Government & research
Medical institutions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12