Drainless Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Patients from across the U.S. and internationally seek out Dr. Samer Cabbabe for his expertise in body contouring, including his signature belly button design, high-definition liposuction, and low-scar tummy tuck. This procedure goes beyond the traditional tummy tuck, often resulting in a boxy shape, high scars, no pubic lift, a round belly button, and a residual muffin top. Dr. Cabbabe’s customized technique reshapes the entire torso, waist, hips, thighs, and buttocks, achieving a contoured yet natural and proportional result.
With decades of experience, Dr. Cabbabe has refined his unique approach in his high-volume, internationally recognized body contouring practice. His advanced technique is not widely known or performed by most surgeons, making his expertise highly sought after by patients seeking superior results.
Dr. Cabbabe developed and perfected his technique after completing more than 1,000 tummy tucks and numerous revision surgeries, which have become a significant part of his practice. Because he frequently performs 360 tummy tuck and lower body lift procedures that focus on reshaping the buttocks, hips, waist, and thighs, he incorporates these advanced contouring techniques into every tummy tuck, even when a full 360-degree approach is not used.
This modern technique includes:
- High-definition or 4D liposuction (ab etching) to sculpt and define the abdomen
- Fat transfer to the breasts, hip dips, or buttocks, with the option of a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) to enhance curves
- A drainless approach, which reduces discomfort, eliminates drain scars, and lowers the risk of infection
By incorporating these elements, Dr. Cabbabe ensures patients achieve a smooth, sculpted appearance rather than a flat, boxy midsection with abrupt hip transitions, common with standard tummy tucks.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure to remove excess skin and fat while tightening the abdominal muscles. It mainly benefits individuals with loose or sagging skin due to significant weight loss or pregnancy.
Traditional tummy tucks provide limited correction in the abdomen, improving only the lower abdomen from the belly button down. Most scars are placed too high, and there is limited skin removal from hip bone to hip and minimal to no liposuction done. This results in no waist shaping and a boxy result with a residual muffin top.
Unlike a traditional tummy tuck, Dr. Cabbabe’s approach focuses on full torso contouring.
- High-definition liposuction (ab etching) for sculpted abdominal contours
- Muscle tightening to strengthen the core and improve posture
- Fat transfer to the hips, buttocks, or breasts for enhanced proportions
- Belly button repositioning for a natural, aesthetically pleasing shape
Umbilical or other incidental hernias are repaired as part of the procedure unless they are particularly complex, which will be discussed during your consultation in St. Louis, Missouri.
Benefits of a High-Definition Tummy Tuck
This advanced tummy tuck offers several benefits beyond a standard procedure, including:
- Removal of excess, sagging skin
- Contouring of the waistline and torso
- Tightening of weakened or separated abdominal muscles
- Enhancement of the hips and buttocks for a balanced figure
- Lower, more discreet scars and a lifted pubic area
- Reduction in the appearance of stretch marks
- Potential relief from discomfort caused by abdominal muscle separation
Ideal Candidates
The best candidates for a high-definition tummy tuck are those in good overall health who want a full body transformation rather than just a flatter stomach. Ideal candidates include:
- Individuals with excess skin and stubborn fat after weight loss
- Women looking to restore their pre-pregnancy shape, including the waist and hips
- Patients at or near their goal weight but struggling with localized fat deposits
- Non-smokers or those willing to quit before and after surgery
A consultation with Dr. Cabbabe will help determine if this advanced procedure is the right fit.
What Happens Before Surgery?
During a consultation in St. Louis, Dr. Cabbabe will assess the entire torso—not just the abdomen—to design a customized surgical plan that enhances the patient’s natural proportions. His goal is to create a seamless transition from the chest to the abdomen, waist, hips, and buttocks, ensuring a balanced and natural appearance.
Preparing for Surgery
To optimize healing and minimize complications, patients should:
- Take iron supplements, beginning a minimum of three months before surgery. Some patients may benefit from iron infusions.
- Stop nicotine products and blood thinners
- Maintain a healthy BMI, preferably below 33, with an optimal range of 25-28 for the best results
Surgery is most commonly performed in a hospital; overnight monitoring is required to ensure a smooth recovery.
The Recovery Process
Patients must wear compression garments for at least twelve weeks, and lymphatic massages are recommended to reduce swelling and enhance healing. Recommended recovery items include:
- Extra compression garments/FAJAs in multiple sizes as swelling decreases
- Extra pillows and a recliner for better sleep positioning
- A BBL pillow if fat transfer to the buttocks was performed
- Polysporin ointment and moisturizers for incision care
- Silicone gel and tape for scar treatment
Most patients return to work and light activities within three weeks, thanks to Dr. Cabbabe’s specialized recovery protocols, which were developed from hundreds of successful tummy tuck procedures.
Before & After Photos
The Consultation
During your consultation in St. Louis Dr. Cabbabe will review your concerns and make recommendations to help you reach and exceed your goals. Dr. Cabbabe believes the key to a great result involves the correct proportions and harmony flowing from the chest to the abdomen, hips, pelvis and buttocks.
Preparing for Surgery
All surgeries are performed with safety as the #1 priority. Dr. Cabbabe is a double board – certified plastic surgeon and the current Chief of Plastic Surgery at his hospital. He has an impeccable track record of safety with minimal complications for the extended scope of work being done for his patients. There are never elective marathon surgeries exceeding 6-7 hours as this is well-established as leading to a high rate of complications, including death. All surgeries are performed in the hospital and overnight stays with IV fluids and monitoring are required for these surgeries with discharge generally the following day after approval from Dr. Cabbabe or his staff.
Multiple things are done to minimize scarring including techniques during surgery and dressings and incision care after surgery. We carry a silicone gel in our office, silicone tape is also helpful to minimize scarring and can be purchased online, silicone is the active ingredient to look for. Patients should take iron supplementation prior to surgery, a multivitamin with iron once a day or iron with calcium once a day is recommended 3 months prior to surgery. Blood loss is always a part of surgery, particularly liposuction, and anemia must be minimized prior to surgery for optimal results. Patients need to be in good general medical health with no significant heart, lung or other organ problems. Risks increase in patients with increasing BMI and 35 is generally recommended for safety and optimal results. The results for patients over BMI 35 is often unsatisfactory and weight loss is recommended.
Recovery
Patients will be expected to wear compression garments for a minimum of 6 weeks after surgery and lymphatic massages are generally recommended starting within 1 week of surgery. We can help you with recommendations.
Useful items to have on hand include: additional compression garments/FAJA’s (more than one size), extra pillows, BBL pillow (as needed), extra gauze, polysporin ointment and Vaseline or other similar moisturizers. It is helpful to have a recliner to sleep on for the first week or two when you transition to a bed. Extra compression garments, including FAJA’s in different sizes, are helpful as your size will decrease after swelling goes down. Female urination devices can be purchased on Amazon to be used while garments are worn.
Return to full work and exercise is generally within 3 weeks of surgery due to Dr. Cabbabe’s protocols which he has built based on hundreds of tummy tuck and body contouring surgeries.
Cost
The overall cost of a Tummy Tuck in St. Louis is affected by anesthesia fees, hospital fees, post-surgery garments, and medications. Price is also impacted by medical tests, surgeon’s fees, and the exact techniques employed.
Watch to See How the Tummy Tuck Works
Patient Review
“Dr Samer Cabbabe performed a tummy tuck, breast lift, and liposuction on me one week ago. The whole process from the initial consultation to now has been smooth, professional, and my results have surpassed my expectations! I highly recommend Dr Samer Cabbabe to anyone looking for procedures like the ones I had. My best friend even has her mommy makeover scheduled in December! He is easily accessible, quick to respond, and meet your needs post-op. I want to thank Dr Cabbabe for helping me get my confidence back after the changes my body went through from becoming a mom.
– by K.L.
How Much Does Tummy Tuck Cost?
Anesthesia fees, hospital fees, post-surgery garments, and medications affect the overall cost of a Tummy Tuck in St. Louis. Medical tests, surgeon’s fees, and the exact techniques employed also impact the price.
Why Choose Dr. Cabbabe for Your Tummy Tuck?
Dr. Cabbabe is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has served as Chief of Plastic Surgery for over 10 years, earning a strong reputation for safe and transformative results. Unlike many surgeons who perform standard tummy tucks, he specializes in advanced body contouring. Recognized internationally as an expert in body contouring procedures, he has performed some of the highest volumes of these surgeries worldwide.
He is also a frequently requested speaker by all the major plastic surgery societies in the United States and abroad, sharing his expertise and techniques with other surgeons. In addition, surgeons from across the country and internationally travel to learn from Dr. Cabbabe and observe his innovative approach to body contouring and revision procedures.
Much of his practice now focuses on revision surgery, which often involves higher costs, multiple recovery periods, and limitations in correcting mistakes from previous procedures. Dr. Cabbabe believes that the best surgeons in any field can successfully perform revision surgeries, as they require a higher level of skill and expertise.
Many patients seek Dr. Cabbabe for corrective procedures to address high or uneven scars, unsatisfactory liposuction results, or fibrosis from previous surgeries. While revision surgeries are inherently more complex, patients experience significantly improved outcomes when choosing an expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be scarring after a tummy tuck?
Yes, scarring is an inherent part of the abdominoplasty surgery. However, Dr. Cabbabe takes great care to place incisions in discreet locations, often along the bikini line, so they are less visible.
Can I get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
While it is possible to become pregnant after a tummy tuck, it is advisable to wait until you are done having children. Pregnancy can stretch the abdominal area and potentially reverse the results of the surgery.
How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
The results of an abdominoplasty surgery can be long-lasting, especially if patients maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, aging, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy can impact the results.
Is a tummy tuck a weight-loss solution?
A tummy tuck is not intended for weight loss but rather body contouring. Ideal candidates are usually at or near their target weight and seek to remove stubborn fat and skin.
Start Your Transformation—Schedule Now
If you are ready to achieve a flatter, sculpted, and more contoured midsection, schedule a consultation with Dr. Cabbabe today. His expertise in high-definition tummy tucks ensures results that are not just flat, but beautifully sculpted and proportioned to the body.