David B. Reath MD, PLLC
109 S Northshore Dr #101
Knoxville, TN 38919
(865) 450-9253 Office
(865) 450-9949 Fax
+1-866-732-8401 Toll Free
Physicians’ Surgery Center
Fort Sanders Center for Advanced Medicine Building
1819 Clinch Ave #206
Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 522-2949 Office
Dr. Reath’s honor
There are very few women who do not have changes in their abdominal wall after childbearing. Whether they come from the Knoxville area, Johnson City, Cookeville, or Cleveland, most tell us that they have been self-conscious about their stomachs for a long time.
Some have loose sagging abdominal skin. Others have abdomens that protrude because their abdominal muscles have been stretched by pregnancy. Some have reduced their weight and have excess tissue that won’t go away on its own. Almost all have tried dieting and exercising and are discouraged by the lack of results. In fact, patients find that as their weight drops the skin becomes looser and looks even worse!
Liposuction alone can’t fix that, nor does it repair the abdominal muscles or remove the excess skin. So, if you want to get your pre-pregnancy tummy back, there is no substitute for a Lipoabdominoplasty.
A tummy tuck can be combined with excision of the hip rolls as you can see in the first patient below. We are fondly referring to this procedure as the “muffinator” because it also treats the hip areas causing “muffin tops”.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
When reviewing tummy tuck pricing please keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of women we see are candidates for a full abdominoplasty. Some very lucky patients only need the area below their belly buttons fixed. For them, a modified (mini) abdominoplasty is just the ticket. If you have a large amount of excess skin to be removed from major fluctuations in weight, you may need an extended procedure which takes more time in the operating room and could require a hospital stay.
The cost of a tummy tuck with Dr. Reath or Dr. Walker includes both surgical and anesthesia fees, our exclusive recovery kit with silicone scar prevention shapes, recovery garments and all follow-up visits.
| Tummy Tuck Procedure | Cost | Cash Price |
|---|---|---|
| Full Abdominoplasty | $7,985 | $7,586 |
| Modified Abdominoplasty | $5,411 | $5,140 |
| Extended Abdominoplasty | $8,943 | $8,620 |
| “Muffinator” Abdominoplasty with Hip Rolls | $10,732 | $10,195 |
Cash Discount: Good news! We offer a 5% discount for our patients who would like to pay with cash or check instead of using a credit card or financing.
David B. Reath, MD is renowned for his surgical skills and his commitment to public education. Practicing in Knoxville, Tennessee since 1986, his personal approach with patients is what truly sets him apart. He is proud to welcome Jessica V. Walker, MD to the practice.
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Traditionally, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and liposuction have been separate procedures. A Lipoabdominoplasty is a new, novel single-stage approach combining extensive liposuction with the traditional abdominoplasty approach to the muscles and skin.
As Dr. Reath explains, “Lipoabdominoplasty is probably my favorite operation. I have always liked my results from tummy tucks, and by adopting these improved techniques, the results keep getting better. What we are able to do with this operation is to restore or improve the appearance of a part of the body that, in women, has been changed by pregnancy and child bearing. The changes that are made with this surgery cannot be achieved by diet and exercise alone. And, we are restoring what has been changed by bringing another life into this world. Cool stuff, really.”
Not everyone needs a full lipoabdominoplasty. If the area of loose skin and fat is entirely below the bellow button, a mini-lipoabdominoplasty is possible. During a mini-lipoabdominoplasty the incision can be hidden in the bikini area, there is no scar around the belly button, and the recovery can be a bit shorter. Women who have had Cesarean Sections are delighted to find out our surgeons can often use the same incision placement.
If the area that is to be treated also includes the upper abdomen, Dr. Reath or Dr. Walker will suggest a full abdominoplasty. In this procedure, the incision extends outward toward the hipbone. The length of these incisions depends on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. It is usually possible for Dr. Reath or Dr. Walker to place these incisions so they can be hidden underneath a swimsuit. There may also be an incision around the belly button as this is re-positioned during the tummy tuck.
It is important to understand that an abdominoplasty is not for weight reduction and is best suited for men and women that are in relatively good shape. A tummy tuck is not recommended for you if you are significantly overweight or if you plan on becoming pregnant again.
Here is a Body Mass Index calculator for you to get a general idea if you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck at your present weight. You should have a BMI less than 30 to safely consider an abdominoplasty.
BMI is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a fairly reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
Your weight ( pounds) is in the category for adults of your height ( feet, inches)
To learn more, visit the CDC's Healthy Weight website
Our blog about body fat explains what can and cannot be treated and why.
Absolutely! Tummy tucks are usually the centerpiece of most Mommy Makeovers that often include liposuction, breast augmentation, and/or breast lift, as well.
Our surgeons perform lipoabdominoplasties under general anesthesia. Helping our patients manage a speedy recovery is one of our primary missions. The length of the recovery will depend on the amount of muscle repaired, and the physical condition of the patient. For a full abdominoplasty the recovery period is usually 3 to 4 weeks but can be longer — particularly if you have a strenuous job. This may seem like a long time, but the muscles repaired are used for everything we do. And the better the repair, the better the long-term result. For a mini-lipoabdominoplasty, the recovery period will be much shorter.
Have a question about tummy tucks? Ask Dr. Reath.
Ask Dr. Walker
Have a question about plastic surgery?
Dr. Walker will personally answer it for you.
Good News for Today’s Tummy Tuck Patients
Drains, one of the most uncomfortable parts of recovering after a tummy tuck, are no longer needed.
Our Surgical Recovery Kits are a great personal touch. Patients tell us that the recovery kits we include with their surgeries are an area that really sets us apart. Each recovery kit contains items hand-picked to make your recovery faster and more pleasant. People who have had surgery with other doctors are amazed that we include these kits at no charge for all of our surgery patients.
Not our patient? No problem!
We have lovingly put together a kit of everything you’ll need during your tummy tuck recovery specifically for patients of other plastic surgeons. You’ll appreciate the extra post-surgical binder because you won’t be feeling like doing much laundry. Even better, the price of the kit is much less than if you bought each item separately.
Our staff has just written an amazing free eBook based on suggestions from some of our tummy tuck and mommy makeover patients. The Plastic Surgery Planner is 40 pages of best practices with everything you need to know about planning for your plastic surgery and recovery. It’s a must-read for anyone planning to have a tummy tuck. It’s a free download.
