Mountain West Plastic Surgery
60 Four Mile Drive, Suite 11
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 609-0210
Fax: (406) 609-0211
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Many people are self-conscious about having excess abdominal skin and stretch marks after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Our board-certified plastic surgeons perform abdominoplasty—also called a tummy tuck—in Kalispell to restore a smoother, contoured abdomen for patients from Whitefish and Great Falls, Montana; Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint, Idaho; and throughout the Northwest.
Our surgeons perform a drainless tummy tuck, which eliminates the discomfort and hassle of surgical drains. During a traditional tummy tuck, you’re left with drains to prevent fluid buildup (seroma) at the surgical site. The collection bulbs must be emptied and monitored for about a week after surgery. Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka use a progressive tension suturing technique, eliminating the space where fluid would accumulate. In addition to increasing patient comfort and convenience, the no-drain tummy tuck has fewer complications.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Dr. Spring or Dr. Hromadka begins the procedure by making a horizontal incision that extends from hip to hip, just above the pubic area. They are meticulous when making the incision to ensure it’s low enough to be concealed by a swimsuit or underwear. The surgeon also makes an incision around the bellybutton during a full tummy tuck procedure to release the abdominal skin.
In some cases, the surgeon repairs and tightens abdominal muscles separated during pregnancy (a condition called diastasis recti). Liposuction is often combined with a tummy tuck to create attractive contours. The surgeon then pulls the skin down, removes the excess, and repositions the bellybutton so that it looks natural.
Dr. Spring was amazing. I had always been active and physically fit but birthing children and losing weight left a lot of skin. I had the typical butt in the front look. Dr. Spring took off all of that skin and sculpted my hips with lipo. She has an excellent eye for detail. The scar line is amazingly placed on my body
5-Star RealSelf review
If your concerns are limited to the area below the bellybutton, our surgeons may recommend a mini tummy tuck. This modified procedure involves making a shorter incision and doesn’t require the surgeon to create a new opening for the bellybutton. The recovery time is also shorter.
While both are cosmetic body contouring procedures, tummy tuck surgery and liposuction provide different benefits.
If a pocket of belly fat is the only concern, liposuction may be a good choice. Lax skin, protruding ab muscles, and a stretched bellybutton require surgical correction with a tummy tuck. Many patients benefit from a combination of the two procedures.
Many of the patients we see at Mountain West Plastic Surgery choose to combine tummy tuck surgery with other body contouring and breast enhancement procedures. This is especially true for women who have had children and want to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies with a mommy makeover. This combination of procedures typically includes liposuction and a breast lift and/or breast augmentation. We discuss why combining procedures is a good idea in this blog post.
We offer flexible financing options to help you make your body contouring dreams a reality. Please visit our Financing page to explore your options.
This was my first surgery, let alone first cosmetic surgery. Dr. Hromadka and the staff at Mountain West were incredible. From the first consultation I was impressed with his bedside manner, and his ability to make what I expected to be an unpleasant experience comfortable and easy. I had surgery after significant weight loss and couldn’t be more thrilled with the results. If you are looking for a great surgeon, and a great surgery experience call Dr. Hromadka, you won’t regret it.
5-Star RealSelf review
Recovery after a tummy tuck is a gradual process that varies from person to person. However, understanding a general timeline can help you prepare for what to expect during your recovery period. Here’s a typical tummy tuck recovery timeline:
• Immediately after surgery: You’ll wake up in the recovery room with bandages and return home with the help of an adult family member or friend.
• 1-2 days: For the first few days, it’s crucial to have someone stay with you. Get plenty of rest and take short walks around your home. Walking hunched over is necessary during the first week.
• 1-2 weeks: Discomfort and swelling peak during this time. Prescription medication can help manage the pain. Most patients can return to light activities and desk jobs after 2 weeks, but you should continue to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise.
• 3 weeks: Swelling and bruising should start to subside. You may be able to resume light exercise, such as walking longer distances, but should still avoid core exercises or heavy lifting.
• 4-6 weeks: Many patients feel significantly better by this point. Your surgeon may clear you to resume most normal activities, including more vigorous exercise. You’ll no longer need to wear a compression garment.
• 8-12 weeks: Most patients are fully recovered by this time. Swelling should be minimal, and you should be able to see the final results of your procedure.
• 6 months to 1 year: Your scars will continue to fade and flatten. The final results of your tummy tuck will be fully apparent.
Remember that this timeline is general, and your individual recovery may vary. Always follow your surgeon’s specific postoperative instructions for the best results and quickest recovery.
Diastasis recti is a fairly common condition that occurs when the abdominal muscles (the “six-pack” muscles) get stretched during pregnancy and separate. This separation can result in a “belly bulge” for months or years after having a baby. The bulge often persists even if you consistently work out and watch what you eat. Physical therapy can sometimes improve the condition, but many women choose to have the muscles repaired during a tummy tuck.
The combination of surgical skill and decades of experience sets Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka apart from other plastic surgeons not just in Kalispell, but throughout Montana and the Northwest. Assisted by Kristy Ehrmantraut, PA-C, their surgical physician assistant, Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka are known for their down-to-earth personalities and for spending the time to truly understand their patients’ goals.
During a traditional or complete tummy tuck, the bellybutton is brought through the abdominal skin after the excess is removed. The bellybutton actually stays in the same place, but the skin is pulled down and tightened.
While tightening abdominal skin and muscles can improve body contours, the surgeon can enhance the curves of the waist even more with liposuction.
Yes. A complete tummy tuck involves abdominal muscle tightening and repair, along with the removal of lax skin.
Whenever possible, our plastic surgeons remove an existing C-section scar while making the tummy tuck incision. The resulting scar is often better looking and more strategically placed than the one created during delivery.
Many tummy tuck patients lose 2 to 3 dress or pant sizes once the excess abdominal skin, diastasis recti, and swelling are gone.
Are you ready to discover how a tummy tuck at Mountain West Plastic Surgery can create a flatter abdomen and slimmer waist? Discuss your options with one of our two board-certified plastic surgeons by requesting a consultation using the online form. Or you can call our office at (406) 609-0210 to schedule an appointment.
Although surgical technique and pain management advancements have dramatically reduced the downtime required after abdominoplasty surgery, many patients still have questions about tummy tuck recovery time and expectations. We've put together this tummy tuck recovery…
Read MoreIt's safe to say that plastic surgery patients aren't fond of surgical drains used by many surgeons following tummy tuck procedures. Questions about drains are among the most commonly asked on sites such as RealSelf…
Read MoreFor all tummy tuck patients at our Kalispell practice, recovery questions are an important topic. The procedure is known for having a longer recovery time than most other cosmetic surgery operations. We want to make…
Read More
