Tummy Tuck at Brantley Operative Aesthetics
Revitalize Your Confidence with a Tummy Tuck with Dr. Shelby Brantley
Body positivity plays a vital role in our overall well-being and self-image. Life experiences such as pregnancy, significant weight loss, genetics, and aging can lead to weakened abdominal muscles, loose skin, and stubborn fat deposits, all of which can make it difficult to achieve a toned, contoured abdomen. Tummy tucks offer an ideal solution to restore a smoother, firmer abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the abdominal muscles. Under the skilled hands of Dr. Brantley, you can achieve a flatter abdomen and a more youthful silhouette, boosting your confidence and restoring your body image.
At Brantley Operative Aesthetics in Flowood, MS, Dr. Shelby Brantley and our compassionate team are dedicated to helping you reach your aesthetic goals. With tummy tuck procedures designed to enhance your overall figure, we want to help support your body confidence to promote a positive self-image. Whether you’re looking to address changes following pregnancy or refine your contours after weight loss, Dr. Brantley is here to shepherd you through every step of your transformation.
Are you interested in learning how a tummy tuck can enhance your overall physique and boost your confidence? Contact us at (601) 387-9005 or request your consultation to begin your body contouring journey today! We are located in Flowood, MS, new JAN International Airport and proudly serve patients from across the United States.
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Quick Facts
Anesthesia: General
Procedure Time: Around 2 hours
Recovery Time: Around 7 to 10 days
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove loose, sagging skin and excess fat while tightening abdominal muscles. This transformative procedure is ideal for women and men who may be dissatisfied with the appearance of their abdomen due to loose, sagging skin or stubborn pockets of fat following pregnancy or significant weight loss.
Tummy tuck surgeries involve a curvilinear incision from hip to hip, allowing access to the underlying abdominal structures to:
- Repair separated or weakened muscles (diastasis recti).
- Remove excess skin and fat.
- Sculpt the abdominal region with liposuction.
- Reorient the navel for more youthful, contours.
At BOA, Dr. Brantley takes a comprehensive and personalized approach to restoring natural-looking abdominal contours. To ensure the best outcome for each patient, he focuses on 3 key factors:
- Scar location – it should be as low and inconspicuous as possible.
- Natural-looking belly button – this is imperative for an optimal outcome.
- Enhancing an hourglass figure by utilizing liposuction simultaneously.
Why Choose Dr. Shelby Brantley for Your Tummy Tuck in Jackson, MS?
When selecting a surgeon for your tummy tuck, experience, skill, and trust matter. Dr. Shelby Brantley combines decades of expertise with a compassionate approach, making him the surgeon of choice for thousands of women in Mississippi and beyond. With Dr. Brantley, your tummy tuck isn’t just surgery—it’s a carefully tailored experience backed by skill, science, and genuine compassion for every patient.
Here are a few reasons patients choose Dr. Brantley:
Extensive Surgical Experience – Performed more than 20,000 procedures in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Published Expert – Authored 50+ medical journal articles and abstracts, contributing nationally recognized research on silicone immunology, ultraviolet light exposure, liposuction, and abdominoplasties.
Prestigious Training – Magna cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi; completed general surgery residency at UMMC and a plastic surgery fellowship at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.
- Recognized Leader – Member of elite organizations including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.
National Recognition – Named to the RealSelf 500 list of top cosmetic surgeons worldwide, and voted Best Cosmetic Surgeon in the Jackson Metro by BOOM Magazine readers.
Compassionate Care – Known for his approachable bedside manner, dedication to patient safety, and commitment to restoring confidence and self-image.
Tummy Tuck Benefits
A tummy tuck offers many aesthetic and emotional benefits, including:
- A firmer, more defined midsection.
- Improved abdominal tone.
- A more proportioned figure.
- Natural-looking, long-lasting results.
- Renewed self-image and increased confidence.
It’s important to note that a tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure rather than a weight-loss solution. During your consultation, Dr. Brantley will assess your anatomy and discuss realistic, achievable outcomes.
Mini Tummy Tuck
For patients who require muscle repair and have only minor fat deposits in the lower abdomen below the belly button, a mini tummy tuck may be the ideal solution. With a shorter scar, this procedure focuses solely on the area below the belly button, making it less extensive and ideal for subtle contouring.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck targets and removes excess fat and sagging skin from the abdomen and entails floating the umbilicus, to refine contours and sculpt the waistline. By incorporating liposuction with the extended tummy tuck, Dr. Brantley can deliver a comprehensive transformation. It allows for tightening of the muscles above and below the umbilicus and lowers the belly button.
Your Tummy Tuck Consultation at BOA
At Brantley Operative Aesthetics, we believe that a relaxed, unhurried consultation is the foundation of a trusting and successful patient relationship. During your visit, Dr. Brantley takes the time to get to know you – not just your aesthetic goals, but also your family, lifestyle, career, hobbies, and daily routine – to better understand your unique concerns and aspirations for your tummy tuck.
Dr. Brantley encourages your questions and values your input, with the goal of empowering you to achieve natural-looking, personalized results that reflect your vision. By understanding your concerns, he focuses on how he can customize each tummy tuck procedure to address your unique concerns and ensure your optimal outcome.
Dr. Brantley understands that physical issues that cause you grief can also have an impact on your emotional and mental health. As such, Dr. Brantley takes considerable time with each patient to ensure you feel heard and supported during your consultation and throughout your aesthetic surgery journey.
- The specific areas of your torso that concern you most.
- Your expectations and goals for tummy tuck surgery.
- Your medical and surgical history.
- Your current weight and any weight loss plans.
Am I an Ideal Candidate for a Jackson Tummy Tuck?
Candidates for Mississippi tummy tucks are those who are healthy and are refractive to diet and exercise but still bothered by excess skin and pockets of fat in the abdominal region. They want to enhance the overall appearance of their physique and improve their body image.
Ideal candidates interested in a Mississippi tummy tuck should:
- Be in good overall health.
- Be a non-smoker or willing to quit all nicotine at least 2 weeks before and after surgery.
- Have no medical conditions that may impair healing or affect general anesthesia.
- Have a positive outlook and realistic goals for their tummy tuck procedure.
- Understand the surgical risks and benefits.
Preparing for Your Tummy Tuck
Before your tummy tuck, it’s important to be in good overall health to ensure beautiful results and a smooth recovery. Here are some tips to help you prepare for surgery.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Continue your consistent exercise routine and follow a balanced diet rich in protein to support healing and maintain a stable weight. Avoid significant weight fluctuations before and after surgery.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to and following your procedure to support recovery and overall wellness.
- Medical Clearance: If required, schedule a visit with your primary care physician for a pre-surgical evaluation to ensure you are physically fit for surgery. Testing may include routine blood tests or an EKG. We will discuss this during your consultation.
- Medication & Supplement Restrictions: Dr. Brantley will review your medications, supplements, or vitamins during your consultation. You may need to stop taking anything that increases the risk of bleeding or bruising for two weeks before and after surgery, including fish oil, garlic, ginseng, vitamin E, Ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications.
- Discontinue Nicotine Use: If you smoke, vape, or use nicotine products, you must stop at least 2 weeks before and after surgery. Nicotine negatively impacts healing and increases surgical risks.
- Prepare Your Home for Recovery: This can include ensuring you have ample time off work, completing household chores, setting up a comfortable recovery space, preparing and freezing healthy meals, arranging for a meal delivery service, or filling medications and purchasing supplies.
- Arrange for Help: Plan on having a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours following surgery. For the first few days, you may also need help with childcare, pet care, or household tasks.
Abdominoplasty Procedure Overview in Flowood, MS
On the night before surgery, avoid eating or drinking after midnight; however, take approved medications with small sips of water. Come to surgery freshly showered with Hibiclens, without makeup, lotions, or deodorants. Leave jewelry or contact lenses at home, and wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to take off and put on after your procedure. Depending on the characteristics of your individual procedure, tummy tucks typically take approximately 2 hours.
Pre-Op Review
Before surgery, carefully review your paperwork to confirm your surgery location and arrival time. At check-in, you may be asked to provide identification and emergency contact information.
Anesthesia Consultation
On the day of your procedure, you’ll meet with Dr. Brantley and your anesthesia provider to review your surgical plan and address any final questions or concerns. If necessary, an anesthesia consultation will be arranged before your surgery.
Incision and Tissue Work
Based on the surgical plan developed during your consultation, Dr. Brantley will make a curvilinear incision, as low as possible, across the lower abdomen, typically from hip to hip. Through this incision, he will repair abdominal muscles, remove excess skin and tissue, drape the remaining skin, and reorient the navel to achieve firmer, tighter abdominal contours.
Sutures and Dressing
Dr. Brantley will place sutures internally and in layers to support healing and reduce fluid buildup. He will cover the incisions with steri-strips, which will remain in place until your first post-operative appointment.
Enhanced Results with Liposuction
To further refine abdominal contours, Dr. Brantley often uses liposuction around the posterior trunk and sides with tummy tuck procedures to deliver a more toned, polished, hourglass appearance. He understands that you can’t just address excess skin without also addressing areas of underlying fat, which also impacts the overall contours. He also suctions in areas of the abdomen that can be safely done simultaneously.
By combining liposuction with a tummy tuck, Dr. Brantley helps patients achieve their goals more efficiently, avoiding the need for separate surgeries and recovery periods, and offering a more cost-effective solution.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Tummy tucks are outpatient procedures, so you should arrange for someone to drive you home afterward. You may also need to arrange assistance with daily tasks, including childcare and pet care, for the first few days.
Immediately after surgery, your incisions will be dressed, and you’ll be fitted with a compression garment to reduce swelling and support healing tissues. It’s essential to wear this garment as much as feasible, except when showering or laundering, for 2 weeks, or as directed by Dr. Brantley.
During the initial recovery period, you can expect mild to moderate discomfort, fatigue, soreness, bruising, swelling, numbness, or muscle tightness. These side effects peak within 48 to 72 hours and then gradually improve. To help manage your discomfort, Dr. Brantley will prescribe pain medication and recommend appropriate over-the-counter options.
It’s critical to avoid strenuous activities, such as vigorous exercise or heavy lifting, for 2 to 4 weeks to protect your sutures and promote proper healing. However, Dr. Brantley recommends resuming light activities like walking or using a stationary bike as soon as possible to improve circulation and support recovery.
Recovery time varies depending on the extent of your tummy tuck and your body’s natural healing response. Most patients require about 10 to 14 days for initial recovery and feel well enough to return to light work at that point.
How Soon Will I See My Jackson Tummy Tuck Results? How Long Will Results Last?
Following a tummy tuck, most patients will notice an immediate improvement to their overall silhouette. However, it’s important to note that swelling and bruising are normal parts of the healing process and may temporarily obscure your final outcome. Depending on the extent of your procedure, most swelling subsides within 3 months, revealing your full aesthetic results. Residual swelling may persist for up to a year.
Typically, scarring is most visible in the first few months. Incisions may appear pink or raised. As the scars mature, they will gradually fade and blend with your natural skin tone. During your follow-up visits, Dr. Brantley may recommend medical-grade scar therapies to help optimize healing and scar appearance.
Tummy tucks permanently remove excess skin, fat, and tissue; however, weight fluctuations can impact the remaining fat cells, potentially affecting your results. Maintain your beautiful tummy tuck results long-term by following Dr. Brantley’s post-operative instructions and committing to a healthy lifestyle that includes balanced nutrition and regular exercise – including core strengthening and losing fat inside the abdomen – to sustain your stable weight.
Partner with Mississippi’s Premier Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Shelby Brantley
Dr. Shelby Brantley is one of the premier plastic surgeons in Flowood, MS, and he understands how the challenges that can come with body contouring procedures. As experts in body contouring procedures, Dr. Brantley and his team want to help you enhance your overall appearance, increasing your confidence and body image.
Learn about tummy tuck near me options in Flowood, MS, by calling (601) 387-9005 or completing our online form to schedule your consultation today!
Tummy Tuck FAQS
How do I choose a tummy tuck surgeon?
Selecting a tummy tuck surgeon is a personal and important decision. Your surgeon should not only understand your aesthetic goals but also prioritize your safety and deliver consistently excellent results. During your consultation, ask to view your surgeon’s before-and-after gallery to see the type of results they typically provide.
Another factor to consider is feeling comfortable and confident with your surgeon. Look for someone who is transparent about potential risks and complications, has hospital admitting privileges, and is open to discussing complication management should any issues arise.
A tummy tuck is a significant investment in yourself, and your surgeon should take every measure to ensure optimal outcomes. This includes identifying any factors that may affect your safety or results and developing a personalized plan for optimization before scheduling your procedure.
During your consultation, Dr. Brantley will ensure you are comfortable, discuss your potential outcome, and explain how he will prioritize your safety during your procedure and beyond.
How should I prepare for my tummy tuck consultation?
During your consultation, Dr. Brantley will review your health and medical history and assess the areas that bother you as well as your goals. Come with questions and inspiration photos to show Dr. Brantley your desired outcome. Dr. Brantley will determine if a tummy tuck is the right procedure for you and will thoroughly explain the procedure, its risks and benefits, and what you can expect during recovery.
Will a tummy tuck help me lose weight?
Rather than weight loss, a tummy tuck focuses on contouring the abdominal region. As such, it’s important not to expect the scale to change significantly. Patients will lose some weight due to the tissues that are removed; however, it’s typically less than 5 pounds while looking like it’s significantly more.
What are the 3 signs of great tummy tuck results?
Dr. Brantley believes great tummy tuck results consistently feature three key elements:
- A natural-looking belly button that blends with the abdominal contours.
- A low, curvilinear, and symmetrical scar placement that is inconspicuous and easy to conceal.
- Smooth, even contours, often achieved via liposuction, that help create an hourglass shape and flatter abdomen.
These characteristics are essential for achieving a refined, natural-looking result that enhances both form and confidence.
How long does the tummy tuck procedure take?
Tummy tucks are performed as outpatient procedures under general anesthesia. They typically take 2 hours, depending on the extent of your procedure.
Can I have full body sculpting at the same time?
Dr. Brantley often performs liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck to deliver smoother contours and an hourglass figure, ensuring your optimal results.
What is post-treatment abdominal swelling like?
Swelling after a tummy tuck can be significant and mask your initial results. Typically, swelling peaks 48 to 72 hours after surgery, but it will gradually improve every day. It’s important to wear your compression garments as directed by Dr. Brantley as it minimizes swelling and supports proper healing. Most swelling will resolve within 3 months after a tummy tuck, revealing your final results. However, you may experience residual swelling that may persist for up to 12 months after surgery.
How long is tummy tuck recovery?
- Initial Recovery (First 2 Weeks): You’ll need to avoid intense physical activity and heavy lifting during this critical period to reduce the risk of complications such as bleeding. Most patients begin to feel back to normal within 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.
- Lift Restrictions: In the first 4 weeks, avoid lifting anything heavier than 20 pounds. You can gradually increase that weight to 30 pounds in weeks 5 to 8, or as recommended by Dr. Brantley.
- Compression Garments: To support healing and minimize swelling, wear your recovery compression garments for a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks, removing them only for showering or laundering.
How long before I can exercise after tummy tuck?
Most patients can begin light activities, such as walking, about 7 to 10 days after surgery. It’s important to give your body the time it needs to heal properly and avoid rushing back into high-impact or strenuous exercise. Dr. Brantley will guide you toward resuming your normal routine as your healing progresses.
Can I become pregnant after a tummy tuck? What happens if I do?
Yes, abdominoplasty does not impact fertility or the ability to carry a pregnancy, so it is entirely possible to become pregnant after a tummy tuck. However, a tummy tuck represents a significant investment of your time and financial resources, and the physical changes associated with pregnancy can negatively impact the improvements made during the procedure. Dr. Brantley strongly recommends postponing the procedure until you are certain you are finished with childbearing to ensure long-lasting results without future revisional procedures.
Is a tummy tuck painful?
While you won’t feel any pain during the procedure itself, discomfort is expected during the recovery period, especially due to muscle repairs, which is often the primary source of post-operative pain. To manage this, Dr. Brantley uses a multimodal pain regimen that targets pain, muscle spasm, and inflammation. Most patients find that they need pain medications for about 5 to 7 days following surgery, after which discomfort typically becomes manageable or only requires over-the-counter options.
Will my belly button change after a tummy tuck?
As an oddly shaped belly button is one of the telltale signs of a poorly executed tummy tuck, Dr. Brantley finds it imperative to create a beautiful, natural-looking belly button. In most cases, your original belly button remains the same, but Dr. Brantley creates a new opening to bring it back through the skin and reorient it to provide a more youthful and natural appearance.