Tummy Tuck
Many men and women alike can feel dissatisfied with the appearance of their midsection, preventing them from feeling confident at the pool or on the beach, or even from fitting comfortably into their clothes. Abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, is one of the most popular procedures among women who have been pregnant or anyone who has lost significant amounts of weight. The procedure removes excess fatty tissue in the abdominal area, tightens stomach skin and can repair diastasis recti, or separated abdominal muscles.
Top female plastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Harrington understands that everyone’s needs are different and prides herself on customizing each tummy tuck procedure to meet the needs and goals of each individual. During your consultation, she’ll answer any questions you may have to ensure that you feel comfortable with your procedure from start to finish.
Schedule Your Surgical Consultation
Use our convenient online scheduler to book your initial surgical consult online. Choose a time that works for you and meet with Dr. Harrington’s RN, Saebra. We look forward to seeing you!
Contact us online or call our office today at 651-290-7600 for more information about tummy tucks, including pricing. Harrington + Associates Plastic Surgery in Plymouth, Minnesota has helped men and women from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Wayzata, Minnetonka, St. Cloud and beyond with abdominoplasty.
Why Choose Harrington + Associates for Your Tummy Tuck
There are many reasons our patients feel confident and comfortable working with Dr. Harrington and her team at Harrington + Associates in the Minneapolis area:
- Board-certified, top female plastic surgeon. Dr. Jennifer Harrington is nationally recognized and consistently ranked among the best female plastic surgeons in the Twin Cities and beyond.
- Board-certified, top female plastic surgeon. Dr. Jennifer Harrington is nationally recognized and consistently ranked among the best female plastic surgeons in the Twin Cities and beyond.
- Decades of experience specializing in body contouring procedures like abdominoplasty. With specialized fellowship training and leadership roles in trauma and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Harrington brings a specialized blend of technical skill and artistic aesthetics to each and every procedure.
- Cutting-edge facilities and technology. We offer the latest medical technology and devices in our state-of-the-art Plymouth facility, as well as a dedicated medspa, SpaVie, for patients looking to combine nonsurgical treatments with cosmetic surgery.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Many women and men who are unhappy with loose skin and stubborn fat in their midsections can be good candidates for a tummy tuck. Some of the most common reasons why our Minneapolis-St.Paul patients seek abdominoplasty include repairing separated abdominal muscles, improving loose skin after pregnancy or weight loss and removing stubborn fat that doesn’t respond well to diet and exercise alone.
Ideal candidates for this procedure are:
- In good physical and mental health.
- Already at or close to their target weight.
- Able to maintain a healthy, stable weight.
- Have finished having children (for women).
- Have realistic expectations for their tummy tuck results.
Our Before & Afters
View before and after photos of real tummy tuck patients.
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These before and after photos contain nudity. Please click/tap to view the images.
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These before and after photos contain nudity. Please click/tap to view the images.
Your Tummy Tuck Consultation
If you are considering a tummy tuck, the first step is to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Harrington. During this time, she will carefully listen to your needs and goals and perform a physical evaluation to help you determine if abdominoplasty could be the best solution for you.
She will also explain in detail your tummy tuck options and the ways in which your procedure can be customized to meet your specific needs. This is an excellent opportunity to ask any questions you might have, both about tummy tucks in general and Dr. Harrington’s customized recommendations for you.
Personalizing Your Tummy Tuck
There are several tummy tuck options that Dr. Harrington will discuss with you during your consultation to customize your procedure. While a full or traditional tummy tuck is typically the best choice for many people, some people also ask about mini or extended tummy tuck techniques.
- A full tummy tuck involves an incision that runs from hip to hip, allowing Dr. Harrington to remove and tighten excess skin and fat from the entire abdominal area, as well as repair muscle tissue if necessary.
- A mini tummy tuck targets only the lower abdomen, below the belly button. While this technique involves a shorter scar, it is limited in how much skin tightening it can achieve.
- An extended tummy tuck uses the same technique as a full tummy tuck but continues around the sides to address excess skin and fat on the hips or lower back.
Additionally, Dr. Harrington may recommend additional procedures to complement your tummy tuck, depending on your cosmetic goals and natural anatomy. Liposuction is nearly always included with a tummy tuck. Other popular procedures to pair with abdominoplasty include breast enhancements like a breast lift and/or breast augmentation and labiaplasty.
Together with Dr. Harrington, you can create a completely personalized procedure that will best meet your goals.
Preparing for a Tummy Tuck
Dr. Harrington and her team will help you prepare for every step along the way of your tummy tuck journey. Leading up to your procedure, you will receive detailed guidelines on how to get ready for surgery. These include things like:
- Discussing medications and supplements with Dr. Harrington, in case any need to be adjusted before surgery.
- Not smoking or vaping for at least several weeks before and after your tummy tuck.
- Avoiding alcohol in the days leading up to your procedure.
- Getting prescriptions filled ahead of time.
- Doing grocery shopping, meal prep and household chores beforehand.
- Arranging for at least 2 weeks off of work and other obligations while recovering.
If you have any questions about how to prepare for your tummy tuck, don’t hesitate to call our Plymouth office at 651-290-7600.
Your Tummy Tuck Procedure
Abdominoplasty is a same-day procedure performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility. You should arrive at the surgery center 1 hour before your procedure start time and will stay for at least 1 hour after your procedure is finished. The entire process takes approximately 3 to 5 hours, depending on the specifics of your surgery. You should bring a friend or family member who can drive you home once you are discharged, and an adult will need to stay with you for at least 24 hours following your surgery.
Tummy tuck incisions are typically placed below the midsection, running horizontally across the upper pubic region so that the resulting scar can be easily hidden by a bathing suit or underwear. The length of your incision will depend on the extent of your procedure, but most traditional tummy tucks involve an incision that stretches roughly from one hip to the other. Dr. Harrington takes special care to make scarring as minimal as possible, and will advise you on how to heal optimally and achieve the best tummy tuck scar.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
After your tummy tuck, some soreness and swelling is to be expected. Most people take at least 2 weeks away from work and other normal activities. Some patients, however, may feel up to returning to work sooner, especially if they have a desk job with no heavy lifting. Dr. Harrington may ask you to wear a special post-surgical compression garment designed to promote blood circulation and minimize swelling during the first days and weeks after surgery.
Swelling and bruising should begin to subside during the second week of your recovery, but results will continue to develop over the coming weeks and months. During this time, you will need to limit physical activity until Dr. Harrington clears you to resume normal exercise and other activities. Most people are able to get back to their regular exercise routine within around 6 weeks after a tummy tuck.
It is important to discuss any possible risks or complications with Dr. Harrington prior to getting your tummy tuck. If you notice any sudden swelling or pain, notify our office immediately.
Your Tummy Tuck Results
While you may notice a difference in the shape and contours of your body directly after your tummy tuck, keep in mind that swelling and bruising will camouflage your initial results for several weeks. Be patient with your body as it continues to heal and results gradually develop over time.
Although individual experiences will vary, most people will have a good idea of what their final outcome will look like around 3 to 6 months after abdominoplasty. However, it can take up to 1 year for full results to shine through. Scars can take 12 to 18 months to fully mature and begin to fade, so expect resulting scarring to continue to improve over time.
Keep in mind that while a tummy tuck can remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, this procedure does not prevent future weight gain. Thus, Dr. Harrington advises patients to commit to a healthy and active lifestyle before and after their tummy tuck to maintain and prolong their results.
Abdominoplasty FAQs
How much does a tummy tuck cost in Minneapolis?
Is a tummy tuck the best plastic surgery procedure for me?
Does insurance cover a tummy tuck?
How do I find the best tummy tuck plastic surgeon near me?
Is a tummy tuck the best plastic surgery procedure for me?
How painful is a tummy tuck?
Is a tummy tuck dangerous?
How long does it take to recover from abdominoplasty?
How much weight do you lose with a tummy tuck?
How long does a tummy tuck last?
Next Steps
Abdominoplasty can repair separated abdominal muscles while removing excess skin and fat. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact us online or call our Plymouth office at 651-290-7600 to request your tummy tuck consultation and learn more about how to achieve your cosmetic goals.
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Written By: Dr. Jennifer Harrington
Dr. Jennifer Harrington is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the medical director at SpaVie in Minneapolis. Dr. Harrington is recognized as one of the best female plastic surgeons, and is locally and nationally renowned for bringing the highest standards of medical excellence and aesthetic sensitivity to all procedures of the breast, body and face.
More about Dr. Jennifer Harrington | Last Reviewed: August 6th, 2025
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