Tummy Tuck Portland Oregon
At Oregon Cosmetic and Reconstructive Clinic, our board certified plastic surgeon performs tummy tuck Portland Oregon (abdominoplasty) to tighten and rejuvenate the belly after pregnancy, weight loss, genetics, or aging. Dr. Tina Jenq provides expert care and personalized treatment to flatten and repair the shape of the belly. We also proudly serve the Portland Metro Region, including Happy Valley, Lake Oswego, Clackamas, Gresham, West Linn, and beyond.
What Is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes loose skin and fat both above and below the belly button. It also tightens abdominal muscles to restore a smoother, firmer shape.
Why Choose Tummy Tuck Portland Oregon?
- Loose or Sagging Belly Skin – Remove loose skin from aging, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations.
- Separated Abdominal Muscles (Rectus Diasthasis) – Repair stretched “six pack muscles” of the abdominal wall to improve core strength and posture.
- Stretch Marks – Decrease the amount of stretch marks on the belly area.
- Stretched Belly Button– Improve the appearance of the belly button that has loosened or become hidden over time.
- Reshape the Pubic Area – Decrease and lift the mons area for a more natural proportioned appearance
Tummy Tuck Techniques
- Low Transverse Tummy Tuck with Umbilical Transposition – This most common method involves a low horizontal abdominal incision. The belly button is repositioned to maintain natural appearance.
- Mini Tummy Tuck Portland Oregon with Floating Umbilicus – Perfect for mild lower belly skin excess. The incision is smaller, and the belly button stays attached, often moving slightly downward.
- Fleur-de-Lis Abdominoplasty – Best for major skin excess, especially after massive weight loss. Adds a vertical incision to tighten the height and width of torso skin.
Option to Enhance Results with Additional Procedures
- Abdominal Plication – tightens stretched abdominal muscles along the midline, to centralize the “six pack” muscles. Thereby restoring core strength and shape.
- Liposuction – Liposuction sculpts stubborn areas like the flanks and upper abdomen. It’s often combined with a tummy tuck for enhanced definition.
What to Expect from Tummy Tuck
- Consultation – Dr. Tina Jenq discusses your goals with you after an examination to determine the best approach.
- Surgery – Same day surgery performed under general anesthesia with expert precision and care. Occasionally, patients may benefit from overnight hospital stay.
- Recovery – Our patients heal usually in about 3-4 weeks, with continued improvement over several months.
- Results – Feel confident with rejuvenated, youthful body shape.
What Sets Our Practice Apart
Choosing a surgeon is an important decision—and we believe you deserve to know who will be performing your procedure. At our clinic, Dr. Jenq performs every part of the surgery from start to finish. Unlike some practices where surgical tasks may be delegated to trainees, residents, or surgical technicians, your care will never be passed off to someone else. This direct attention not only supports safety and consistency but ensures that your experience is truly individualized.
Quilting Sutures for Better Results Improve abdominal shape and precisely repositioning skin over the abdominal wall. An added benefit is reduced fluid buildup to support natural healing.
Why Drains Are Used – Drains gently remove fluid under the skin. They’re temporary and usually removed 1–2 weeks after surgery.
Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Portland Oregon Consultation Today
If you’re considering a tummy tuck Portland Oregon surgery in the Portland Metro region, trust Dr. Tina Jenq at Oregon Cosmetic and Reconstructive Clinic. Contact us today for expert care and real answers. Also, for more information about tummy tuck procedures, visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can You Help Your Tummy Tuck Scar Heal Beautifully?
One of the most common questions I get after tummy tuck surgery is how to help the scar heal as smoothly as possible. The good news is—there are several simple, effective ways to support great scar healing.
Once your Steri-Strips naturally fall off, usually four weeks after surgery, I recommend starting silicone sheeting. My personal favorite is a brand called Aroamas. It’s soft, easy to use, and works best when worn at least 10 hours a day, ideally from 1 to 4 months after surgery. Silicone helps keep the scar flat, soft, and less visible over time.
Scar massage is also a great tool. Gently massaging the scar can improve blood flow, break up tightness, and support a smoother texture as the tissue matures.
For more tips and a visual guide, you’re welcome to check out my Instagram post where I walk through how and when to start scar care.
Most tummy tuck scars respond beautifully to these treatments. But if a scar becomes thick, raised, or red despite this care, we have other helpful options. In those cases, I may recommend a steroid or 5-FU injection, or a CO2 laser treatment, both of which can soften and flatten more stubborn scars.
Remember, every scar tells a story of healing—but with the right care, we can help it tell that story gently. And of course, I’ll be with you each step of the way.
Why Are Drains Used in a Tummy Tuck?
After a tummy tuck, I place small surgical drains to help your body heal safely and smoothly. These drains remove extra fluid that naturally builds up between the layers of tissue we’ve reshaped during surgery.
Here’s how they work: a soft, flexible tube is gently placed under the skin and connected to a small bulb—often called a “grenade.” When we compress the bulb, it creates gentle suction, or a vacuum, that helps pull out fluid your body produces in response to surgery. This fluid is mostly lymph, which is normal and expected when tissue layers are healing and reattaching.
You’ll empty the bulb a few times a day and record how much fluid comes out. This helps us know when your body is ready to manage the fluid on its own.
Once the output is 30 cc or less over a 24-hour period for two days in a row, we’ll remove the drain in clinic. The process is quick—we simply snip a small stitch, and gently slide the drain out.
Why Does My Belly Feel Tight After a Tummy Tuck?
It’s totally normal for your belly to feel tight after a tummy tuck. In fact, most people notice this right away.
During surgery, I tighten the abdominal muscles and remove extra skin. That creates a firmer, flatter shape—but it also creates tension.
This tight feeling means the repair is holding and your body is healing well. But it can take time to adjust.
Some patients feel this tightness for several months. For others, it can last up to 1 to 2 years, especially when muscles are very stretched before surgery.
In the first few days, it may feel more comfortable to stay slightly bent at the waist. Don’t worry—this is temporary.
It helps reduce strain on your incision and gives your body a chance to rest. Many patients sleep in a recliner or with extra pillows.
By around one week, you’ll likely start feeling more upright and mobile. You can begin gentle walking and short trips out of the house, like running quick errands.
The key is to listen to your body and take things slow. You're healing from the inside out.
I always remind patients: healing is a process—not a race. And you're doing great.
What is the recovery like? When can I resume the gym, yoga, walking?
Expect about five days of prescription pain medication. After that, most patients switch to over-the-counter pain relief. You may feel fatigued for 2–3 weeks. However, this improves steadily with rest and light movement. Walking can start the first day after surgery, but you want to avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for 6 weeks. This helps protect your healing abdominal wall. You can resume light cardio like brisk walking or light jogging, lower body yoga, after 2 weeks, but core work should wait. You can start lifting weights or abdominal crunches after 6 weeks.
I'm nervous about the drain. Does it hurt when it comes out?
It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous about the drain removal—many people do. The good news is that while it can feel a bit strange or “weird,” it’s usually not painful. It only takes a few seconds, and most patients are surprised by how quick and easy it is. We’ll talk you through it and make sure you’re as comfortable as possible every step of the way.
