Mountain West Plastic Surgery
60 Four Mile Drive #11
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 609-0210
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
In Kalispell, the board-certified plastic surgeons at Mountain West Plastic Surgery offer advanced abdominoplasty techniques, such as the “no-drain” tummy tuck, which you may have thought were only available in larger metropolitan areas. A tummy tuck creates a flatter, more toned abdomen by removing excess skin and repairing and tightening abdominal muscles separated by pregnancy. Because of their advanced training with this procedure, Dr. Michelle Spring and Dr. Michael Hromadka see tummy tuck patients from Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, and Whitefish, MT; Spokane, WA; Canada; and beyond who are willing to travel for superior results.
To find out if a tummy tuck is right for you, request a consultation using the online form or call our practice at
(406) 609-0210 to schedule an appointment.
Tummy Tuck
Before & After Photos
Case: 1 of 9
Before & After
Case: 1 of 8
Case #82
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40 year old female with exess and sagging skin after pregnancies. PreOp: 5'7", 185 lbs. Treated with Abdominoplasty with Power Assisted Liposuction of Bilateral Flanks.
![Tummy Tuck Case 34 Before & After View #1 | Kalispell, MT | Mountain West Plastic Surgery]()
Before & After
Case: 3 of 8
Case #34
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28 year old female preoperatively 5’9” and 190lbs, history of significant weight loss, Abdominoplasty with PAL flanks
![Tummy Tuck Case 144 Before & After Front | Kalispell, MT | Mountain West Plastic Surgery]()
Before & After
Case: 4 of 8
Tummy Tuck, Mommy Makeover
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This patient was unhappy with her abdominal skin laxity and fullness. She had a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) as part of a mommy makeover procedure.
![Tummy Tuck Case 56 Before & After View #1 | Kalispell, MT | Mountain West Plastic Surgery]()
Before & After
Case: 5 of 8
Case #56
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53 year old female PreOp: 195lbs, 5'6" tall treated with abdominoplasty and power assisted liposuction of bilateral flanks.
![Tummy Tuck Case 114 Before & After Left Side | Kalispell, MT | Mountain West Plastic Surgery]()
Before & After
Case: 6 of 8
Case #114
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43 year old female with significant amount of skin laxity after weight loss. Preop: 5'1" tall and 147 lbs. Treated with Abdominoplasty with Power Assisted Liposuction of Bilateral Flanks.
![Tummy Tuck Case 104 Before & After Right Side | Kalispell, MT | Mountain West Plastic Surgery]()
Before & After
Case: 7 of 8
Case #104
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35 year old female with significant amount of excess skin in the lower abdomen. Preop 185 lbs, 5’11” tall treated with abdominoplasty with power assisted liposuction of bilateral flanks.
![Tummy Tuck Case 101 Before & After Front | Kalispell, MT | Mountain West Plastic Surgery]()
Before & After
Case: 8 of 8
Case #101
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44 Year old female with significant stretch marks from her C-Section. Pre-Op: 5'3"tall, 167 pounds. Treated with abdominoplasty with power assisted liposuction of bilateral flanks.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Good Tummy Tuck Candidates
You can benefit from tummy tuck surgery if you:
- are in good overall health
- are self-conscious about excess skin
- have “pouching” of the lower abdomen or around the belly button from pregnancy
- have general abdominal laxity following pregnancy or weight loss
- have a stable body weight
It’s important that your weight is stable and that you are within about 10 pounds of the weight you intend to maintain before undergoing abdominoplasty. Our surgeons often combine liposuction with tummy tuck surgery, but the operation is not a weight-loss procedure. Gaining or losing a significant amount of weight after a tummy tuck can compromise the results.
Some patients may be good candidates for a more limited abdominoplasty, usually called a mini tummy tuck. These operations involve a shorter incision, but the cosmetic improvements are limited to the area below the belly button. The only way to know if you would benefit from this procedure is by consulting with a plastic surgeon.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
A tummy tuck begins with either Dr. Spring or Dr. Hromadka making an incision just above the pubic area that spans from hip to hip. They make it as low as possible so it can be concealed by underwear or bathing suit bottoms. For a full abdominoplasty, your surgeon makes a second incision around the belly button.
The surgeon uses the access to the abdominal area to repair muscles weakened by pregnancy, if necessary. After that, the skin is pulled down and any excess is removed. During a traditional tummy tuck, the surgeon places surgical drains to help remove fluid that can accumulate in a space created when the incision is sutured. When fluid accumulates, called a seroma, it can lead to an infection or other complications. Surgical drains often must remain in place for a week or more following tummy tuck surgery.
Meet Our Providers
Dr. Michelle Spring and Dr. Michael Hromadka are both board-certified, highly trained, and experienced plastic surgeons. Kristy Ehrmantraut PA-C, Surgical Physician Assistant for the practice, assists the surgeons in the OR and follows post-operative patient care in the office, allowing for better patient service and continuity of care. They provide personalized care that is tailored to the unique concerns of each patient, and use their expertise to create results that look natural. Our providers believe taking the time to truly understand their patients' goals is the key to not only meeting, but exceeding their expectations.
Dr. Spring is now certified to use TissuGlu®
What Is a No-Drain Tummy Tuck?
Our surgeons often use an advanced technique that eliminates the need for surgical drains. While they serve an important purpose, surgical drains can be an uncomfortable and cumbersome part of your recovery. Instead of drains, Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka use internal stitches (“progressive tension sutures”) or an FDA-approved abdominoplasty surgical glue to eliminate the empty space where fluid can collect. These techniques improve the recovery process by minimizing the discomfort and inconvenience associated with drains.
What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
A mini tummy tuck is a modified version of the traditional abdominoplasty. This procedure is performed to get rid of excess skin and fat below the belly button. It is most commonly performed for patients who only have excess skin below the belly button and have good skin elasticity. A mini tummy tuck involves a smaller incision and less recovery time than a complete tummy tuck.
Combining Procedures
Body contouring surgery such as a tummy tuck may be combined with other cosmetic procedures if desired. Women who have had children may choose to have breast augmentation or a breast lift performed at the same time to restore the appearance of the breasts after breastfeeding. Combining cosmetic breast surgery with a tummy tuck and liposuction is often referred to as a mommy makeover . This is an option you can discuss with Dr. Spring or Dr. Hromadka during your consultation.
Tummy Tuck Recovery & Results
A tummy tuck is a major operation and you should arrange to have help around the house for at least a week or so, especially if you have young children at home. You need to avoid lifting anything heavy, including children, during much of the recovery.
Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka provide detailed postoperative instructions to their patients to help minimize discomfort and promote the healing process. That includes wearing a tight-fitting, compression garment which helps reduce swelling. Getting enough rest is important, particularly during the first week after the procedure. Taking short walks, even just around the house, helps ensure good blood circulation. Expect to take 2 weeks off work. If your job requires strenuous physical activities, the time off will be longer.
By week 3 after the operation most patients are feeling good and carrying out their normal daily activities, such as running errands. Our surgeons usually tell patients that they can resume their regular exercise routine at about 6 weeks after the surgery. Even then, you should expect to gradually work your way back into your pre-surgery physical shape. The compression garment is usually worn for 4 to 6 weeks.
A tummy tuck produces results that can last for years, as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your weight relatively stable. You will have a flatter abdomen and a slimmer waist, and should feel more comfortable in lower-rise pants, bathing suits, and other fitted clothing.
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