Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat in the midsection and tightens the abdominal muscles. These changes help promote a firmer and flatter appearance, improving both the aesthetic and functionality of the abdomen. Many individuals struggle with stubborn fat, lax skin, and separated muscles in their midsection after pregnancy, weight loss, aging, and more, and a tummy tuck offers an effective remedy.

Dr. Daniel Markmann is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the leader of Metamorphosis Plastic Surgery. He employs expert surgical precision alongside artistic vision to foster exceptional results, prioritizing patient safety and comfort throughout the entire surgical process. Our team’s goal is to provide personalized attention and support from the initial consultation to the postoperative recovery period. If you are ready to explore what a tummy tuck can help you achieve, contact us online or call our office at (410) 465-3600 to schedule your personal consultation!

Before and After Photos

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About Abdominal Fat

Abdominal fat can fluctuate with aging, poor diet, lack of exercise, hormonal shifts, stress, and more. When the skin stretches to accumulate this fat, it often reaches a point of no return. When this fat is lost, the skin is left deflated, lax, and sagging. The development of mild laxity can begin relatively early, as soon as your late thirties. This is due to the breakdown and reduction in the production of collagen and elastin, which are protein fibers within the skin that help maintain its recoil and elastic qualities. ⁽¹⁾ As these proteins degrade, the fat in the midsection is more likely to protrude. A tummy tuck procedure can address this protrusive fat and lax skin, creating a flatter, smoother, and more toned torso.

Benefits

A tummy tuck offers a wide range of cosmetic and medical benefits that make it a life-changing procedure. Under Dr. Markmann’s expert care, patients can:

Candidates

If you are experiencing excess skin and fat present in the abdomen that is resistant to exercise and diet, if your abdominal muscles have separated, and if you are near or at your ideal body weight, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck. To qualify for treatment, you must be in good general health and hold realistic expectations regarding achievable outcomes. Ideally, patients should be non-smoking (or be willing to quit) and complete their family planning, as future pregnancies can compromise results with new weight gain and muscle strain. If your abdomen is a source of frustration, then Dr. Markmann can help. During your consultation, he will finalize your candidacy and help you explore your options.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Markmann will evaluate your medical history and discuss your overall goals for your procedure. He will also perform a physical exam to review skin laxity, muscle separation, fat distribution, and more. This will allow him to determine how a tummy tuck can benefit you. By examining the condition of your abdominal skin, muscle tone, and fat deposits, Dr. Markmann will be able to tailor a treatment plan with the best approach for delivering your desired results. To schedule your personal consultation, contact us online or call our office at (410) 465-3600.

Preparation

Prior to your tummy tuck, you should optimize your health by incorporating healthier habits into your routines, such as modifying your diet and exercise routine. Weight stability is an important factor for tummy tuck longevity, and enhanced strength and muscle tone will contribute to better outcomes.

Additionally, patients will receive comprehensive pre-treatment guidelines from Dr. Markmann. Though these vary for each patient, Dr. Markmann generally recommends:

Procedure

With his expertise, Dr. Markmann performs three variations of the tummy tuck that address slightly different needs. It is important to understand the difference between these procedures to get an idea of which one may work best for your goals. These are all performed under general anesthesia and are outpatient procedures that provide long-lasting results.

Full Tummy Tuck

At the beginning of your procedure, you will receive general anesthesia to reduce any discomfort. Dr. Markmann will then make a horizontal incision above the pubic bones that runs from hip to hip, keeping it as low as possible so that it is hidden by just about any bikini.This procedure not only tightens the abdominal skin, Dr Markmann also lifts and rejuvenates the mons and pubic area. Using this technique, he will lift the stomach flap, remove extra skin and fat, and restore the abdominal muscles with sutures. Once he removes excess skin and fat to slim the appearance of the abdomen, he will reposition the navel to create a natural and cohesive appearance. Before suturing your incision, Dr. Markmann may place surgical drains to better evacuate fluid, speed up healing and recovery, as well as help reduce swelling. In the full tummy tuck, sutures remain beneath the skin, so they will not need to be removed at a later date, and scarring hides low on the abdomen where it is concealable beneath underwear or a bathing suit.

Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck is extremely similar to a full tummy tuck, but it incorporates a larger incision to address the flanks. This is performed for patients who have more skin laxity and a roll of skin that extends towards the back. With this technique, Dr. Markmann can contour a slimmer waist that aesthetically complements the front sides of the midsection.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck usually involves a shorter incision since less fat and skin will be excised, and it is specifically designed for patients who have a belly bulge primarily beneath the navel. However, this method does not include abdominal muscle tightening above the belly button, only below.

In each tummy tuck method, Dr. Markmann can further accentuate your new figure with liposuction.

Recovery

After your procedure, you will experience swelling, tenderness, and/or bruising, but Dr. Markmann will give you post-operation instructions and prescribed medications to heal as comfortably as possible. During the first two weeks, you must prioritize rest and wear your compression garment as advised by Dr. Markmann, as well as participate in short, gentle walks to prevent blood clots. By the third and fourth weeks, you will be able to increase your mobility. At this point, most patients can comfortably stand up straight and resume non-strenuous desk work. When you reach your fifth to eighth week of recovery, you may participate in light exercises and normal daily routines with the potential of Dr. Markmann clearing you for strenuous activities. Your final tummy tuck results will be noticible immediately, even through the compression garments. But, they will get better and better for the first 3-6 months as the residual swelling fades, revealing your tightened and contoured abdomen, while your incision scars will continue to flatten and fade over time.

Results

Your tummy tuck will provide a flatter and firmer abdomen by removing loose skin and fat while simultaneously repairing separated muscles. You will also notice fewer stretch marks and a tighter core, allowing you to feel like your best self with an increase in your self-esteem and confidence.

Corresponding Procedures

Mommy Makeover

Dr. Markmann may recommend a tummy tuck as part of a more extensive mommy makeover procedure. This is a fully customizable procedure that can include several surgeries in one, such as a tummy tuck, a breast lift, breast augmentation, a lower body lift, a Brazilian Butt Lift, or others.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

While there isn’t any laser that will correct lax skin in the same way a tummy tuck will, our Mixto CO2 laser is a great option for those who want extra skin rejuvenation post-procedure. Once you reach optimal healing, the laser can help diminish surgical scars, reduce any remaining stretch marks, and provide a smoother, more even skin tone across your midsection.

Liposuction

If you have good skin elasticity, it’s possible that you will benefit solely from liposuction more than a tummy tuck procedure. With liposuction, Dr. Markmann injects a solution called tumescent fluid that numbs the area, minimizes bleeding, and allows for easier and smoother fat extraction. Using incisions of less than a centimeter, he inserts a device called a cannula that manually suctions the fat cells away.

Cost of a Tummy Tuck in Baltimore, Maryland

The total cost of your tummy tuck will vary based on the extent of your surgery, the techniques that Dr. Markmann will utilize, and whether you decide to undergo any other procedures. Dr. Markmann will provide you with a total cost estimate for your procedure during your personal consultation.

To explore your tummy tuck costs, contact us online or call our office at (410) 465-3600 to schedule your personal consultation.

FAQ

References

1. Rousseaux I, Robson S. Body Contouring and Skin Tightening Using a Unique Novel Multisource Radiofrequency Energy Delivery Method. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2017;10(4):24. Accessed August 21, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5404777/
2. Carruthers KH, Kocak E, Hulsen JH, McMahan JD. Improvement in Stress Urinary Incontinence After Abdominoplasty. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2014;34(7):1091-1098. doi:10.1177/1090820×14544023