Overview
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while repairing separated or weakened abdominal muscles to create a flatter, firmer, more contoured midsection. At The Ferguson Clinic in Honolulu, Dr. John C. Ferguson, MD, FACS, performs tummy tuck surgery with the precision and anatomical expertise that come from more than 25 years of surgical practice and five board certifications spanning cosmetic, facial plastic, and head and neck surgery.
For men and women on Oahu who have been unable to achieve their desired abdominal contour through diet and exercise alone, whether due to pregnancy, significant weight loss, aging, or genetics, a tummy tuck with Dr. Ferguson offers a permanent structural correction that no amount of crunches or dieting can replicate. As a quintuple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Ferguson approaches abdominoplasty not as a one-size-fits-all procedure but as a customized surgical plan designed to address each patient’s specific anatomy and goals.
Am I a Good Candidate?
You may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you have excess, loose skin on your abdomen that has not responded to diet and exercise; separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), which commonly occurs after pregnancy; a persistent lower abdominal “pooch” that remains despite being at or near your goal weight; or excess skin and tissue following significant weight loss.
The best candidates are in stable overall health, at or near a stable body weight, and do not plan future pregnancies (as pregnancy can reverse the results of muscle repair). Active smokers must be willing to quit well before and after surgery, as smoking significantly impairs healing.
During your consultation, Dr. Ferguson will evaluate your abdominal skin quality, fat distribution, muscle integrity, and overall health to recommend the approach, mini or full tummy tuck, that will best achieve your goals.
The Procedure — What to Expect
Dr. Ferguson performs tummy tuck surgery at his AAAHC-accredited facility in Honolulu under general anesthesia. The procedure typically takes two to four hours, depending on the extent of correction needed.
Full Tummy Tuck
A full abdominoplasty involves a hip-to-hip incision placed low across the lower abdomen, typically within the bikini line. Through this incision, Dr. Ferguson elevates the abdominal skin, repairs the underlying rectus abdominis muscles (correcting diastasis recti), removes excess fat when indicated, and redrapes the remaining skin to create a smooth, flat contour. The navel is repositioned through a small incision to sit naturally in its new location. Excess skin is trimmed and the incision is closed meticulously to minimize scarring.
Mini Tummy Tuck
For patients whose concerns are limited to the area below the navel with minimal muscle separation and a modest amount of excess skin, a mini tummy tuck may be appropriate. This procedure uses a shorter incision and does not typically require repositioning the navel. Recovery is a little shorter, but the scope of correction is more limited.
Dr. Ferguson frequently combines tummy tuck surgery with liposuction of the flanks or adjacent areas to enhance overall body contour. This combination is particularly effective for patients seeking a comprehensive improvement in their torso silhouette.
Recovery and Results
Tummy tuck recovery requires patience and adherence to Dr. Ferguson’s post-operative instructions. The abdominal muscle repair component makes this a more involved recovery than many cosmetic procedures.
Days 1–7: Patients go home the same day with a surgical drains in place (typically removed within a few days). An abdominal binder or compression garment is worn to support healing. Walking upright is encouraged from day one. Pain is managed with prescribed medications and is typically described as tightness and soreness rather than sharp pain.
Weeks 2–3: Most patients can return to desk work and light daily activities after the first 1-2 weeks. Light exercise such as walking can gradually increase. Swelling begins to subside noticeably, and patients start to see the emerging contour of their results.
Weeks 4–6: All exercise and other activities are pretty much back to normal by now. The binders are no longer necessary though some like to wear light compressing like Spanx. Most visible swelling resolves during this period.
Weeks 6–12: Other than mild swelling above the incision, most edema has resolved. The scar continues to mature and fade over the following 12 months.
Months 3–12: Final results are visible as residual swelling fully resolves and the scar lightens and flattens. The abdominal contour achieved by a tummy tuck is permanent, provided you maintain a stable weight.
Follow-up: Dr. Ferguson believes in frequent follow-up. You will always see him the day after surgery, 1 week later, and 2 weeks later. After that it depends on how you are healing. But you will always see him frequently during the first year after surgery and then yearly afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck?
A mini tummy tuck addresses excess skin and fat below the navel with a shorter incision and less extensive surgery. A full tummy tuck corrects the entire abdomen, including muscle repair and navel repositioning. Dr. Ferguson will recommend the appropriate option based on your anatomy during your consultation at The Ferguson Clinic in Honolulu.
Will a tummy tuck help me lose weight?
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure. It is a contouring procedure that removes excess skin and repairs muscle structure. While several pounds of skin and tissue may be removed, the goal is a flatter, firmer abdominal profile not significant weight reduction. Dr. Ferguson recommends that patients be at or near their stable weight before undergoing abdominoplasty.
Can I have a tummy tuck after a C-section?
Yes. Many tummy tuck patients in Hawaii have had one or more cesarean sections. Dr. Ferguson can often incorporate the existing C-section scar into the tummy tuck incision, effectively replacing it with a single, well-placed scar.
How visible will the scar be?
The tummy tuck incision is placed low on the abdomen, typically within the bikini line. While the scar is permanent, it fades significantly over the first year and can be easily concealed by underwear or swimwear. Dr. Ferguson uses meticulous closure techniques to minimize scar width and visibility.
Can a tummy tuck be combined with other procedures?
Absolutely. Tummy tuck surgery is frequently combined with liposuction, breast augmentation or breast lift, and other body contouring procedures as part of a mommy makeover or comprehensive body reshaping plan.
How long do tummy tuck results last?
The results of a tummy tuck are permanent, provided you maintain a stable weight and do not become pregnant after surgery. The muscle repair and skin removal create structural changes that do not reverse on their own. Aging will continue naturally, but your abdomen will always look better than it would have without surgery.
Why Choose Dr. Ferguson for Tummy Tuck Surgery
Abdominoplasty requires more than removing skin; it demands an understanding of abdominal wall anatomy, tension dynamics, and aesthetic proportioning. Dr. Ferguson’s training across five surgical boards gives him a comprehensive understanding of surgical anatomy that informs every decision in the operating room, from the placement of the incision to the degree of muscle repair to the final contouring of the waistline. His AAAHC-accredited facility in Honolulu ensures the highest standards of surgical safety, and his 25-plus years of experience mean that patients receive judgment refined by decades of practice.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ferguson at The Ferguson Clinic in Honolulu. Call (808) 521-1999 or book online.