Procedure Time
Recovery Time
Starting from
1-2 Hours
1 Month
For many men and women in Bellevue and Kirkland, achieving a toned, flat abdomen can feel impossible despite consistent dieting, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. Factors such as pregnancy, significant weight fluctuations, or natural aging often cause stretched abdominal muscles, stubborn belly bulges, and loose, sagging skin. These changes are not only resistant to workouts but can also impact comfort, clothing choices, and overall confidence.
This frustration leads many patients to seek a solution beyond traditional fitness routines. At Northwest Face & Body, we specialize in tummy tuck surgery in Bellevue and Kirkland, offering advanced techniques to tighten the abdominal wall, remove excess skin, and create smoother body contours. Our goal is to provide natural, long-lasting results that enhance both physical appearance and self-assurance, helping patients feel more comfortable in their bodies and everyday lives.
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to remove excess tissue that causes bulging and drooping of the abdomen. During a traditional tummy tuck, your surgeon removes excess fatty skin tissue and tightens the remaining skin to create a smoother, flatter appearance. The procedure also involves repositioning the belly button to maintain a natural aesthetic.
Patients who undergo abdominoplasty in Bellevue achieve a smoother abdominal region with improved contours. In most cases, the procedure provides support to the abdominal wall by tightening the tissue in the midline. The final result is a dramatic improvement in the abdomen, accompanied by a reduced waist size and enhanced body proportions.
Patients throughout Bellevue and Kirkland seek tummy tuck procedures for various reasons:
Dr. Ludwig Allegra and Dr. Tarak Patel bring decades of combined experience in body contouring procedures to Northwest Face & Body. Their expertise in advanced tummy tuck techniques ensures you receive personalized care tailored to your unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. Both surgeons maintain board certifications and stay current with the latest surgical innovations to deliver exceptional results for patients in Bellevue and Kirkland.
Dr. Allegra specializes in complex body contouring cases, including post-bariatric surgery transformations and revision procedures. His meticulous approach to tissue handling and scar placement results in natural-looking outcomes that enhance your body’s proportions. Dr. Patel combines artistic vision with surgical precision, focusing on creating harmonious results that complement your overall physique.
Northwest Face & Body utilizes progressive tension sutures and other advanced techniques to minimize scarring, reduce recovery time, and optimize your results. These innovative methods reduce the need for surgical drains and promote faster healing for patients in Bellevue and Kirkland. Dr. Allegra or Dr. Patel will discuss which advanced techniques are appropriate for your specific case during your consultation.
For patients with extensive vertical and horizontal skin excess, particularly after massive weight loss, Dr. Allegra or Dr. Patel may recommend a Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck. This technique utilizes both horizontal and vertical incisions to remove the maximum amount of excess skin, resulting in dramatic contouring effects. This procedure is especially beneficial for patients who have undergone bariatric surgery or experienced significant weight loss.
Patients from Bellevue and Kirkland often choose to combine their tummy tuck surgery with other procedures to achieve a more comprehensive transformation. Common mommy makeover combinations include:
Many Bellevue tummy tuck patients combine their procedure with additional body contouring surgeries:
Combining procedures allows you to address multiple concerns in one surgery, reducing overall recovery time and achieving more comprehensive results.
Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon ensures you receive care from an experienced professional who has completed extensive training and maintains the highest standards of practice. Dr. Allegra and Dr. Patel maintain active board certifications and participate in continuing education to stay current with advancing techniques in tummy tuck surgery.
Board certification demonstrates a surgeon’s commitment to excellence and patient safety. When choosing a surgeon for your tummy tuck in Bellevue, verify their credentials, review their before-and-after photos, and ensure they have hospital privileges to perform the procedure.
Prepare for your consultation at Northwest Face & Body by considering these important questions:
Patients throughout Bellevue and Kirkland choose Northwest Face & Body for tummy tuck surgery because of our commitment to achieving natural-looking results and ensuring patient satisfaction. Our before-and-after gallery showcases the transformative outcomes achieved by Dr. Allegra and Dr. Patel, demonstrating their surgical expertise and artistic vision.
Each tummy tuck procedure in Bellevue is customized to address your specific concerns and goals. Whether you need a mini tummy tuck to address lower abdominal laxity or an extended abdominoplasty for comprehensive body contouring, our surgeons have the experience and skill to deliver exceptional results.
Most Bellevue tummy tuck patients return to light daily routines within 2 to 3 weeks following surgery. However, complete healing takes several months, and you should avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for at least 6 to 8 weeks. Dr. Allegra or Dr. Patel will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to ensure optimal healing and results.
During the first week after your tummy tuck in Bellevue, you will experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication. You will need to wear a compression garment to support your healing tissues and reduce swelling. Walking is encouraged immediately after surgery to promote circulation and prevent blood clots.
Results from tummy tuck surgery in Bellevue are long-lasting, especially when paired with a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet. Patients report improved comfort in clothing, enhanced body confidence, and increased self-esteem. While the aging process continues, maintaining a stable weight will help preserve your surgical results for many years.
It’s important to understand that significant weight fluctuations or future pregnancies can affect your tummy tuck results. For this reason, Dr. Allegra or Dr. Patel typically recommends that patients be at or near their ideal weight and have completed childbearing before undergoing abdominoplasty in Bellevue.
Diastasis recti is a separation of the two vertical muscles in the abdomen, known as the rectus abdominis muscles. This condition occurs when the connective tissue between your rectus abdominis muscles stretches, creating a gap that allows your abdomen to bulge forward. Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and aging can all contribute to this separation for some patients, making it impossible to achieve a flat abdomen through exercise alone.
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) corrects this condition by repairing and stitching together the separated abdominal muscles to restore core support and stability. This procedure not only provides aesthetic improvements by reducing the “belly pooch” but also offers functional benefits, such as improved posture, digestion, and potentially relief from back pain and urinary incontinence.
Ready to achieve the flat, toned abdomen you deserve? Contact Northwest Face & Body today to schedule your tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Ludwig Allegra or Dr. Tarak Patel. Our expert team serves patients throughout Bellevue and Kirkland with personalized care and exceptional results.
Call Northwest Face & Body or complete our online consultation form to begin your transformation journey. During your consultation, you will discuss your goals, receive a personalized treatment plan, and learn how tummy tuck surgery in Bellevue can help you achieve the body confidence you’ve been seeking.
A standard tummy tuck in Bellevue typically takes 2 to 3 hours, while a mini tummy tuck may take 1 to 2 hours. Extended procedures or combination surgeries may require additional time. The exact duration depends on the complexity of your case and whether you’re combining your tummy tuck with other procedures.
Insurance typically does not cover tummy tuck surgery as it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. However, if you have documented medical issues like hernias, chronic rashes, or functional impairment from excess skin, partial coverage might be possible. Northwest Face & Body can assist with insurance documentation when applicable.
Liposuction removes excess fat but cannot address loose skin or separated muscles. A tummy tuck in Bellevue removes excess skin, tightens muscles, and can include liposuction for comprehensive contouring. Many patients benefit from combining both procedures for optimal results, as this addresses all components of abdominal concerns.
You can typically walk immediately after surgery to promote circulation and prevent complications. Light activities can resume after 2 weeks, while full exercise and heavy lifting require 6 to 8 weeks of healing. Dr. Allegra or Dr. Patel will provide personalized recovery timelines based on your specific procedure and healing progress.
Your incision will be placed low on the abdomen, typically hidden by underwear or swimwear. Scars fade significantly over time, and Dr. Allegra or Dr. Patel uses advanced closure techniques to minimize scarring. Most patients find their scars are easily concealed and well worth the dramatic improvement in their abdominal contour. Following post-operative scar care instructions will help optimize healing.
Pregnancy after a tummy tuck is safe, but it may stretch the repaired muscles and skin, potentially compromising your results. For optimal, long-lasting results, consider waiting until you have completed your family before undergoing tummy tuck surgery in Bellevue. If you do become pregnant after your procedure, you may need revision surgery to restore your results.
There’s no specific age requirement for tummy tuck surgery. Good candidates are healthy adults at a stable weight with realistic expectations, regardless of age. Patients from their 20s to 70s successfully undergo this procedure at Northwest Face & Body. The ideal time for a tummy tuck depends on your individual circumstances, goals, and overall health.
Preparation includes maintaining a stable weight for at least six months, stopping smoking several weeks before surgery, arranging recovery assistance, and following pre-operative instructions from Northwest Face & Body. You’ll receive a detailed preparation checklist during your consultation. Proper preparation helps ensure a smooth surgery and optimal recovery.
Most patients report high satisfaction with their tummy tuck results, citing improved confidence, better-fitting clothes, and enhanced quality of life. The procedure addresses concerns that cannot be resolved through diet and exercise alone, making it a worthwhile investment for appropriate candidates. Bellevue patients consistently express satisfaction with their decision to undergo abdominoplasty.
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure, though you may lose 5 to 10 pounds from the removed skin and fat. The primary goal is contouring and tightening, not weight reduction. Patients should be near their ideal weight before surgery for the best results. If significant weight loss is needed, Dr. Allegra or Dr. Patel may recommend achieving your goal weight before scheduling your tummy tuck.
Absolutely. Male tummy tucks are increasingly popular in Bellevue, particularly for men who have lost significant weight or want to address age-related changes. Dr. Allegra or Dr. Patel customizes the procedure to maintain masculine contours while achieving a flatter, more athletic abdomen. Men benefit from the same functional and aesthetic improvements as female patients.
The ideal candidate for tummy tuck surgery in Bellevue is at or near their goal weight with good overall health. You should have realistic expectations about the procedure and be a non-smoker or willing to quit before surgery. The best results occur when patients have excess skin and muscle separation that cannot be corrected through exercise alone. During your consultation, Dr. Allegra or Dr. Patel will evaluate whether you’re a good candidate for abdominoplasty.
At Northwest Face & Body, a standard tummy tuck is priced at $6,995. This comprehensive cost covers the surgeon’s fee, operating room and anesthesia expenses, a compression garment, and all standard follow-up appointments. The final cost may fluctuate based on the doctor’s recommendations and the patient’s preferred surgical options.
During your consultation, you will be provided with an exact, all-inclusive quote. To make a new silhouette achievable for everyone, whether residing in downtown Bellevue or along the Kirkland waterfront, flexible financing plans are available.