Dr. Amir Ghaznavi is a double board-certified plastic surgeon (American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Board of Surgery) who has performed more than 500 tummy tuck procedures at his Northern Virginia practice. He is one of the few surgeons in the DMV region who has published peer-reviewed research specifically on post-abdominoplasty pain management. His studies on TAP block and liposomal bupivacaine protocols, published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2017-2018), directly inform the enhanced recovery program he uses for every tummy tuck patient at AMG Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Ghaznavi completed his plastic surgery fellowship at Henry Ford Medical Center and a microsurgery fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, followed by six years as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University. He serves on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Cosmetic Subcommittee, where he contributes to shaping the national standards for cosmetic procedures including abdominoplasty. This combination of surgical volume, academic research, and national committee involvement is what separates his tummy tuck results from those of surgeons who rely solely on clinical experience.
I’m very happy and pleased with the quality of care and treatment I received at AMG Plastic Surgery. Dr Ghaznavi was very thorough, attentive and caring before, during and after my surgery and continues to be. From the moment I walked in the office, Pam greeted me and helped calm my nerves and has been supportive throughout the entire process and continues to be. I highly recommend this practice for any plastic surgery you need. You will be well taken care of.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, medically called abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure removing extra skin and extra fat from the middle and lower abdomen while tightening the abdominal wall muscles. The goal is to create a well toned abdomen with natural, proportional contours.
Most tummy tucks address three problems at once: excess skin hanging over the waistline, stubborn fat deposits in the stomach area resisting proper diet and exercise, and separated abdominal muscles (a condition called diastasis recti) creating a rounded or protruding belly even when body fat is low.
Tummy tuck surgery is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States. It is not a weight loss surgery. Candidates should be at or near their ideal weight before the procedure. The surgery removes tissue and tightens structure. It does not replace the need to maintain a stable weight through diet and exercise after the procedure.
Breast and body contouring procedures, including tummy tuck surgery, are among the most commonly sought cosmetic procedures by adults in Northern Virginia.
Tummy Tuck Options: Full, Mini, and Extended
Dr. Ghaznavi evaluates each patient individually and recommends the tummy tuck option matching their anatomy and goals.
Complete Tummy Tuck (Full Abdominoplasty)
A complete tummy tuck addresses the entire abdominal area from the ribcage to the pubic area. Dr. Ghaznavi makes a horizontal incision from hip to hip, positioned low enough so the tummy tuck scar falls within the bikini line or below the pubic hair line. He places the incision consistently 6 centimeters from the vulvar commissure, a precise scar placement protocol keeping the scar as low and concealed as possible.
During a full tummy tuck, Dr. Ghaznavi separates the skin and fat from the abdominal wall, repairs separated abdominal muscles using vertical plication (and T-pattern plication when needed for additional strength), removes the excess skin, and repositions the belly button through a new umbilicoplasty. The procedure typically takes 3 to 4 hours.
A complete tummy tuck is appropriate for patients with significant extra skin across the middle and lower abdomen, weakened muscles from pregnancy or weight fluctuation, and fat deposits extending above and below the navel. This is the most common tummy tuck Dr. Ghaznavi performs.
Mini Tummy Tuck (Partial Abdominoplasty)
A mini tummy tuck focuses exclusively on the lower abdomen, below the belly button. The incision is shorter than a full tummy tuck, the belly button is not repositioned, and recovery is faster. Other patients with loose skin above the belly button or significant muscle weakness across the full abdominal wall need a complete tummy tuck, not a mini.
Extended Tummy Tuck and Body Lift
For patients who have lost a significant amount of weight (through bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, or natural weight loss), a standard tummy tuck often is not enough. An extended tummy tuck or circumferential body lift wraps the incision around the flanks and lower back to remove excess skin from the entire midsection. An FDL tummy tuck typically costs more than a standard tummy tuck because of the additional surgical complexity and operating time required.
Dr. Ghaznavi published peer-reviewed research on post-bariatric body recontouring and maintained weight loss outcomes (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2014) and presented this research at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery meeting in Montreal. He stages post-weight-loss procedures in a specific sequence: upper body first (arm lift, breast lift, back lift), then midsection (body lift, FDL tummy tuck, extended tummy tuck), then lower body (medial thigh lift), with 3 months between surgeries to allow safe healing. For many patients, body contouring after weight loss is life changing.
The Tummy Tuck Surgical Procedure
Pre-Operative Preparation
During your consultation, Dr. Ghaznavi evaluates your abdominal skin quality, fat distribution, muscle integrity, and overall health. He reviews your medical history, current medications, herbal supplements, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients must stop smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery and stop taking blood thinners, aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and certain herbal supplements (including vitamin E, fish oil, ginkgo, and garlic supplements) at least two weeks before surgery. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24-48 hours. Plan to take two weeks off from work and daily responsibilities.
Anesthesia
Tummy tuck surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Ghaznavi’s enhanced recovery protocols, based on his published research on regional pain management, reduce the amount of narcotic medication needed after surgery. His peer-reviewed studies demonstrated superior pain control with TAP blocks and liposomal bupivacaine compared to traditional pain pump approaches, allowing patients to experience pain at lower levels during the critical first 72 hours.
The Surgical Steps
- Incision: Dr. Ghaznavi makes a horizontal incision from hip to hip, positioned at the lower abdomen so the resulting tummy tuck scar sits within or below the bikini line. For a complete tummy tuck, he also makes a small circular incision around the belly button.
- Muscle repair: The abdominal wall muscles are tightened through plication, suturing the separated abdominal muscles back together at the midline. Dr. Ghaznavi uses both vertical and T-pattern plication depending on the degree of muscle separation. Mesh is used only when a true hernia is present, not for standard muscle repair.
- Skin and fat removal: The excess skin and underlying extra fat are removed from the middle and lower abdomen. The remaining skin is pulled taut and secured.
- Belly button repositioning: In a complete tummy tuck, the belly button is brought through a new opening in the repositioned skin (umbilicoplasty) and sutured into a natural-appearing position.
- Closure: The incision site is closed in layers. Dr. Ghaznavi uses a drainless technique for standard tummy tucks. When extensive liposuction is performed at the same time, drainage tubes are placed to prevent fluid accumulation.
- Operative time: A standard tummy tuck takes 3 to 4 hours. When combined with liposuction or other procedures, total operative time increases.
Recovery After a Tummy Tuck
First Two Weeks
The first two weeks are the most intensive part of the healing process. Swelling, bruising, and tightness in the stomach area are normal. Most patients experience pain well managed with prescribed medication. Walking upright will be difficult for the first several days because of the abdominal tightness, but early walking (starting the day of surgery) is critical to prevent blood clots.
Dr. Ghaznavi provides a custom compression garment worn continuously for the first 3-4 weeks. The compression garment reduces swelling, supports the repaired abdominal wall, and helps the skin conform to the new contour. If drainage tubes are placed, they are typically removed within 1-2 weeks when output drops below a threshold level. Plan to take a minimum of two weeks off from work. You will not be able to lift anything over 10 pounds, bend at the waist, or perform any strenuous activity during this period.
Weeks 3-6
Swelling continues to decrease. Most patients return to desk-based work by week 3. The compression garment transitions to 12 hours per day and is worn for a total of two to three months.
Weeks 6-12
Dr. Ghaznavi clears patients to gradually resume exercise, starting with light cardio. Avoid core-specific exercises for at least six weeks to allow the repaired abdominal muscles to heal fully. The tummy tuck scar begins to mature. It will appear red or pink initially and fades over 6-12 months.
Follow-Up Schedule
Dr. Ghaznavi sees tummy tuck patients at 1 week, 3-4 weeks, 8 weeks, 3.5 months, and 6 months post-surgery. This follow-up cadence allows him to monitor the healing process, assess scar maturation, and address any concerns early.
