Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

So you've worked hard to eat right and stay in shape, but for many women and men, all the rice cakes and crunches in the world won't tighten up their flabby stomachs. That's because factors such as genetics, past pregnancy and significant weight loss all can conspire to create a protruding tummy that only surgery can fix. For our patients in Long Beach and Newport Beach, tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, trims and tones the stomach by removing excess fat and skin tissue while retightening abdominal muscles in a way no amount of exercise ever could.

When diet and exercise alone fall short of helping you tighten and reshape your midsection, consider tummy tuck. At the Newport Beach and Long Beach locations of CosmetiCare, our plastic surgery specialists understand that achieving the look you want can help you live the life you want. Learn more when you request a Complimentary Consultation with one of our surgeons.

What Do I Need to Know about Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty is one of those cosmetic procedures that can have a dramatic effect on your whole outlook. Many of our patients who choose tummy tuck in Newport Beach tell us afterwards that having the procedure was one of the best decisions they ever made. Clothes fit better and many people feel more confident about their appearance, especially in low-rise jeans, swimwear, form fitting clothes and skirts.

To keep the results of your surgery lasting, it is important to maintain a good weight and exercise regularly. People who plan on losing a lot of weight should delay their abdominoplasty until their weight has leveled off so that no additional loose tissue is created after surgery. Also, women who plan on having children should not have a tummy tuck because once the abdominal muscles are surgically tightened, they could split or separate as a pregnancy progresses, requiring a second surgery.

Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck in Long Beach or Newport Beach?

Women and men from all walks of life have chosen abdominoplasty at CosmetiCare, including those who:

• Are unable to tighten the skin and muscle around their stomachs through exercise
• Have excess belly fat along with loose or sagging abdominal skin and muscles due to pregnancy or significant weight loss
• Have lost skin elasticity in their midsection with age
• Have lost a significant amount of weight (learn about post weight loss plastic surgery options)

Which Type of Abdominoplasty is Right for Me?

The amount of skin and fat to be removed as well as other personal characteristics will determine which type of tummy tuck procedure your surgeon will recommend. In some cases, abdominoplasty may be combined with liposuction to help contour the waist.

• Partial or "Mini" Tummy Tuck targets only loose abdominal skin through a smaller incision. This procedure is ideal for patients who have firm abdominal wall muscles and little excess fat tissue.
• Full or Standard Tummy Tuck is generally for those who have had children or lost a significant amount of weight. Depending on the amount of excess tissue to be removed, the incision may extend from hip to hip.
• Extended Tummy Tuck is performed for larger patients who need a greater amount of excess fat and skin to be removed. The incision for this procedure may extend beyond the hip area toward the lower back.
• Circumferential Abdominoplasty or Beltplasty technique may be required for those patients who have lost large amounts of weight on their own through extensive dieting or a gastric bypass procedure. The incision for this procedure extends around the body to eliminate large sections of loose, hanging skin.

How Will I Look and Feel after My Procedure?

Here is a brief overview of what to expect as you recover from tummy tuck and begin to enjoy your new look:

• Following surgery, your abdomen will be very tight, swollen and you'll have some discomfort. A pain pump is provided to help you manage the discomfort, with additional oral pain medication also prescribed.
• You will be sent home in a compression garment, (abdominal binder) much like a girdle, that is used to help keep swelling down. The garment will be worn for a few weeks.
• While you should take it easy for the most part, you will be encouraged to walk around after a day or two to minimize the risk of blood clots. Recovery time varies from person to person, but you should be able to resume light activities after about two weeks, adding in more strenuous activities after six to eight weeks.
• Scars may be noticeable in the first three to six months, but you should start to see an improvement after six months to a year. While the scars will not disappear entirely, they will become less noticeable with time. Some patients may end up with scars that are more noticeable due to keloiding (raised or excess scarring) or poor healing. Our surgeons are able to place most abdominoplasty incisions so that they are concealed even in bathing suits and low rise pants.

Request your Complimentary Consultation online with one of the plastic surgeons at CosmetiCare who will discuss the benefits of abdominoplasty in more detail and help you decide if the procedure is right for you. Or, if you'd prefer, call us at 800-95-IMAGE (800-954-6243) to schedule your appointment. With convenient locations on Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach and Bayside Drive in Newport Beach, CosmetiCare makes it easy to look your best in Southern California.

Remember that all medical procedures carry some risk. Specific risks associated with this procedure will be discussed with you during your consultation. Major complications are rare, but minor complications not affecting your surgical outcome may occasionally occur.