Whether you want to look your best on the beach or simply feel comfortable in your favorite outfits, a flatter abdomen is a common goal for many men and women. Unfortunately, a healthy diet and core exercises often aren't enough to fix the physical changes caused by life’s milestones. If you are struggling with hanging skin or separated abdominal muscles that won't retract, our New Jersey tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and mini tummy tuck procedures offer a definitive surgical reset. Led by board-certified plastic surgeons, our team specializes in body contouring that helps you reclaim your pre-pregnancy shape and self-confidence.
Led by nationally renowned board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Barry DiBernardo and Dr. Matthew Trovato, New Jersey Plastic Surgery serves patients in Montclair, Clifton, Newark, and the surrounding Essex County communities. During your initial consultation, we will determine if a full abdominoplasty or a more targeted mini tummy tuck is the right solution to help you part ways with dimpled tissue and achieve the firm, taut midsection you desire.
During a tummy tuck procedure, the rectus abdominis muscles are tightened and repositioned to create a firm internal corset. This is vital for patients with rectus diastasis, where the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy or significant weight loss. By repairing the abdominal wall and removing loose skin, we can restore a firmer abdominal profile.
While the abdominoplasty procedure involves removing fatty tissue, it is designed for contouring, and weight loss is not the goal of a tummy tuck. Therefore, most patients should be at a stable weight before their tummy tuck consultation.
For many patients, a midsection reset provides both physical and emotional advantages. By combining surgical skill with an artistic eye, our surgeons create contours that complement your natural body.
Full Tummy Tuck Benefits:
Mini Tummy Tuck Benefits:
If your midsection doesn't match the rest of your fitness progress, surgery can fix what workouts and clean eating cannot.
A full abdominoplasty is designed to address:
A mini tummy tuck specifically targets:
Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
The best candidates for a New Jersey tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck are adults in good overall health who have realistic expectations about their outcomes. Our surgeons will evaluate your medical history, body mass index (BMI), medical history, and your specific aesthetic goals to ensure patient safety and determine the optimal choice for your needs.
Ideal candidates:
No two patients are completely alike, which is why it is so important to meet with our New Jersey plastic surgeons in advance to determine if abdominoplasty is the optimal choice for your needs and goals. At New Jersey Plastic Surgery we individualize care to each patient, and we have the range of procedures and services needed to make each treatment unique to you.
A full abdominoplasty requires general anesthesia and usually takes three to five hours. Dr. DiBernardo or Dr. Trovato begins with two incisions: one across the hipbones and one horizontally through the navel. The skin is lifted to allow the underlying muscles to be tightened, creating a contoured waist. The skin is then pulled taut, excess tissue is removed, and the navel is repositioned in its natural location.
The mini tummy tuck is a shorter, less invasive process. It involves a single, small incision between the hips, similar to a C-section scar. Because the work is limited to the area below the belly button, the navel is not moved. The surgeon removes excess fat and skin, pulls the remaining tissue tight, and closes the incision for a smoother lower abdominal circumference.
Recovery time varies depending on the extent of your surgery. For a full tummy tuck, most patients return to work and light activity within two weeks.
During the healing process, you will wear an abdominal binder or compression garment. This is essential to minimize swelling and support the abdominal skin as it conforms to your new shape. Pain medication or pain medicine will be provided to manage discomfort in the early stages following cosmetic surgery.
We prioritize techniques that minimize scarring at the incision site, and we will provide you with a detailed guide on how to care for your tummy tuck scar so it fades beautifully over time.
Recovery for a mini tummy tuck is generally smoother and faster. Most patients are back to light activity in about a week and fully back to normal within a month. While scars are a part of any surgery, our surgeons use precise techniques to ensure they are placed low enough to be hidden by most underwear or swimsuit bottoms. Using silicone-based scar gels and following post-op instructions will help the incision sites fade significantly over time.
When seeking a plastic surgeon for reconstructive plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures, experience matters. At New Jersey Plastic Surgery, we are known as the authority for tummy tuck abdominoplasty in the region. Our surgeons have a deep background in reconstructive surgery, ensuring that whether we are treating rectus diastasis or performing a breast lift and breast augmentation as part of a makeover, the results are safe and long-lasting.
Dr. Barry DiBernardo has been a trusted name in cosmetic surgery for decades. He's not just a skilled surgeon, he's also a teacher, researcher, and award-winning speaker who's helped shape how aesthetic medicine is practiced.
Dr. Matthew Trovato brings a unique approach rooted in natural-looking outcomes and personalized care. With experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, he knows how to create results that fit your body and lifestyle.
At our Montclair practice, you'll find a welcoming team, the latest tools, and a thoughtful process that puts your needs first.
The cost of a New Jersey tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck ranges among individuals based on the complexity of the procedure and your desired outcomes. During your consultation in Montclair, we will establish a realistic cost tailored to your anatomy. For your convenience, we accept cash, check, and major credit cards, and we offer financing options via CareCredit to help make your goals more accessible. Residents of Bloomfield, Morristown, and the surrounding area can trust our team for complete satisfaction and transparent pricing.
Customization is key to successful treatment. When you visit New Jersey Plastic Surgery, you can count on our doctors and staff to treat you with respect. We share your goal of identifying your best options for a slimmer, more defined stomach, and we make it our mission to ensure your experience is comfortable from first visit to final outcome.
If you're interested in getting back to having a more toned, firmer, and slimmer stomach and midsection with a tummy tuck New Jersey body-contouring experts at NJPS can answer any questions you have and address your concerns during a consultation. Call (973) 834-6910 today. New Jersey Plastic Surgery serves patients in local communities like Montclair, Clifton, and Newark while welcoming patients from out of state and abroad.
The results are long-lasting and are predicted to last as long as you maintain a stable weight and exercise regularly.
Yes. In many cases, we can use your existing C-section scar for the tummy tuck incision to keep scarring to a minimum.
It is best to reach your aesthetic goals and a stable weight before abdominoplasty surgery. Major weight loss after the procedure can result in new saggy skin, which may require a second surgical procedure.
Stretch marks located on the excess skin that is removed during the surgery will be gone. Marks on the remaining skin may be pulled tighter and become less noticeable.
A mini tummy tuck targets loose skin and fat and excess skin only below the navel. A full tummy tuck addresses the entire abdominal wall, repairing separated abdominal muscles above and below the belly button.
You are encouraged to walk immediately to help circulation. However, you should avoid heavy lifting and intense core workouts for about six weeks.
A mini tummy tuck is ideal if your only concern is a small "pooch" or loose skin below the belly button. If you have muscle separation or skin laxity above the navel, a full tummy tuck is usually required.
In a full tummy tuck, our surgeons are highly skilled in repositioning the navel so it looks natural and fits your new abdominal contours perfectly. In a mini tummy tuck, the navel is not moved at all.
Absolutely. A tummy tuck is often combined with liposuction, breast procedures, or other body contouring treatments for more complete results.
New Jersey Plastic Surgery 29 Park St, Montclair, NJ 07042
Our New Jersey Plastic Surgery cosmetic specialists are ready to help you achieve your aesthetic goals with the most advanced treatments the cosmetic industry has to offer. Contact us today to take your first step toward a more beautiful you.