Tummy Tuck
Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Diego, CA
Tummy tuck is the more commonly known name for abdominoplasty, a procedure in which loose sagging skin and abdominal muscular laxity are surgically addressed to create a tighter, flatter tummy. Many men and women who have lost massive amounts of weight commonly seek out this surgery to get rid of the hanging folds of skin that may remain after weight loss. Women who have been pregnant also may also benefit from a tummy tuck to help them recreate their pre-baby body.
Faces+ is San Diego’s premier plastic surgery practice, led by Dr. Steven R. Cohen, an internationally esteemed plastic surgeon. Our blog abounds with the news and updates on the latest aesthetic treatments.
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Contents
About Abdominoplasty
Patients who are interested in a tummy tuck may have already learned that stubborn folds of hanging skin at the belly are not something that can be fixed with a simple diet and exercise. Aging will gradually rob the skin of its natural elasticity. And overstretched skin, like the kind we find after pregnancy and massive weight loss, won’t snap back as if nothing happened.[1] Transformational changes require life-changing solutions. Tummy tuck surgery is the only sure way to a taut, toned appearance to your abdominal area.
Abdominoplasty involves surgically removing excess skin and fat from the belly. Dr. Cohen will skillfully remodel the contours of your waistline so that you will appear trimmer and the skin at your belly will look smoother and firmer. If you’re curious to learn more about this procedure and to see if it might be right for you, contact us to schedule an informative consultation at our offices in sunny Southern California. Call us at 858.453.7224 to get the conversation started.
Before and After Photos
Benefits
Poorly fitting clothing is one thing. But, when you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin, a tummy tuck is the best way to tailor overstretched skin for a flattering silhouette. There are plenty of non-surgical alternatives to body contouring surgery. However there is nothing more effective than a tummy tuck when it comes to achieving real and lasting results, especially in the severest cases of sagging skin.
Tummy Tuck Advantages
- Permanently removes excess skin from the midsection
- Flatters the silhouette
- Repairs stretched abdominal muscles
*Results May Vary
Candidates
The best candidates for a tummy tuck share a number of common features; among them is a set of realistic expectations for the outcomes of the surgery. Another trait of an ideal candidate for abdominoplasty is a willingness to invest the time it takes to fully recover so that they can enjoy a flatter, tighter stomach. More qualities of a qualified patient are listed below.
- Patients are healthy and at a stable weight
- Candidates for any major surgery should quit smoking
- Patients seek to do something about unsightly sagging skin at the abdomen
Abdominoplasty is Not A Weight Loss Procedure
It is very important that the patient knows the difference between body contouring surgery, like a tummy tuck, and weight loss procedures that are intended to treat obesity. While a tummy tuck will provide the patient with a tighter, leaner figure, it is performed strictly for aesthetic purposes, to help the patient look and feel better about themselves. Ideal patients should be between 10 and 15 pounds from their goal weight before they can be cleared for abdominoplasty.[2]
*Results May Vary
Personal Consultation
Dr. Steven R. Cohen warmly invites you to Faces+, one of the top places for plastic surgery in San Diego. Our knowledgeable and compassionate staff are ready to graciously receive you at our luxurious offices. During your consultation, the doctor or a member of his team will conduct a brief physical examination. Your consultation may also include an intake interview and a review of your medical history. The aim is to determine if you are a qualified candidate for abdominoplasty. If you are, and the procedure aligns with your aesthetic goals, then a time and date will be chosen for your surgery.
Take the first steps toward transforming your silhouette. Contact us at Faces+ to schedule your own informative consultation. You can call 858.453.7224 to speak directly with one of our helpful representatives.
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Procedure
Abdominoplasty is typically a three-hour procedure performed under general anesthesia. It begins when Dr. Cohen makes his initial incision horizontally, across the lower abdomen, just below the waistline of most swimsuits. His next incision is around the naval, freeing the skin from its tether there. Then, he can lift and separate the skin from the underlying tissue. Dr. Cohen will strategically remove the extra skin and fat from the midsection. He will redrape the skin so that it hugs the body more flatteringly, and delicately suture it into place.[3]
*Results May Vary
Recovery
Tummy tuck is a remarkably effective transformational body contouring surgery. It is an investment in your appearance and in your own happiness. Recovery from abdominoplasty takes about three weeks. During this time you should be careful and gentle with yourself. Please follow Dr. Cohen’s aftercare instructions with fidelity. During your delicate downtime is when proper self-care will help you to avoid unforeseen complications that can impact the quality of your results.
Take the appropriate time off of work, and make arrangements for other responsibilities. Childcare and household chores are likely to be too much during the first several days of downtime. After the first couple of weeks, the swelling and soreness should subside. Please refrain from strenuous physical activities for four to six weeks.
*Results May Vary
Results
If our patients’ positive reviews are any indication, then Dr. Cohen’s stellar work is certainly life-changing. Many tummy tuck patients tell a similar story about their life before the procedure. They say they were too embarrassed to go to the beach and that excess folds of skin made an active lifestyle more difficult. But, thanks to abdominoplasty, they feel comfortable in their own skin again.
Surgical Scars
Scars are an unavoidable part of surgery, but the skill of your surgeon plays a large role in the quality of your results. Dr. Cohen minimizes the appearance of scars by placing his incisions carefully along the abdomen. A tummy tuck entails a long horizontal incision that Dr. Cohen cleverly conceals by placing just below the waistline of most clothing. In time, with proper aftercare, most scarring will fade.
*Results May Vary
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in San Diego
Abdominoplasty is a customized procedure that is tailored to the needs of every individual. At your personal consultation, Dr. Cohen will assess the needs of the patient, while carefully considering their aesthetic goals. When the consultation concludes, he will present a personal course of treatment that will include an accurate cost estimate.
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FAQ
How many sizes do you lose with a tummy tuck?
The average woman can expect to lose two to three dress sizes after a tummy tuck, while men can expect to drop several pant sizes. However, it is important not to think of tummy tuck as a weight loss procedure; it is a body contouring surgery that is performed for aesthetic purposes. Many people often make this mistake because a tummy tuck involves removing skin and fat from the belly area. However, patients who struggle with obesity should pursue bariatric treatments if traditional diet and exercise have failed them. Many post-bariatric patients consider a tummy tuck to eliminate overstretched skin.
What causes loose skin?
The skin naturally becomes laxer as its source of collagen depletes with age. There are also significant life events that can have a major impact on the abdominal skin. Pregnancy and massive weight fluctuations are the most common causes of excess loose skin. Many people consider abdominoplasty to correct this issue.
How long do tummy tucks last?
The results of a tummy tuck are considered to be long-lasting. During an abdominoplasty, the excess skin is surgically removed from the body, so it won’t be coming back. However, there are certain lifestyle guidelines that the patient is encouraged to abide by in order to maintain the integrity of their results. If the patient has a history of obesity, they should certainly commit to keeping the weight off. Not only is this a healthy thing to do, regaining the weight will stretch the remaining skin and ruin the results of their surgery. Women should pursue a tummy tuck at a point in their lives when they know they won’t be having any (more) children. In addition to these more dramatic life events, simple aging can cause the skin to become laxer. The results of an abdominoplasty can be supplemented with non-surgical skin-tightening procedures later on to counteract the effects of age.
*Results May Vary
References
- Abramson, D. L. (1998). Tumescent Abdominoplasty: An Ambulatory Office Procedure. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 22(6), 404-407. doi:10.1007/s002669900224
- Najera, R. M., Asheld, W., Sayeed, S. M., & Glickman, L. T. (2011). Comparison of Seroma Formation following Abdominoplasty with or without Liposuction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 127(1), 417–422. doi: 10.1097/prs.0b013e3181f95763
- Maria S. Altieri, Jie Yang, Jihye Park, David Novikov, Lijuan Kang, Konstantinos Spaniolas, Andrew Bates, Mark Talamini, Aurora Pryor. Utilization of Body Contouring Procedures Following Weight Loss Surgery: A Study of 37,806 Patients. Obesity Surgery, 2017; doi: 10.1007/s11695-017-2732-4