Tummy Tuck Surgery
Abdominoplasty Surgical Procedure
One of our most requested procedures, a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) can help you achieve the flat, smooth torso that you’ve dreamed about. A key staple of the Mommy Makeover, the tummy tuck is also a highly-sought-after surgery on its own, and involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen, combined with the tightening of the abdominal muscles. The result: a slimmer, tighter, more youthful silhouette. Our patients report high levels of satisfaction and improved confidence after this procedure. This surgery is ideal for patients who have lost a large amount of weight or have experienced pregnancy.
Tummy tuck surgery involves removing excess lower abdominal skin, repositioning the belly button, and repairing any diastasis recti (separate of ab muscles). This typically involves an incision running between the hipbones, with another incision separating the navel from the surrounding tissues. At the end of the procedure, all incisions will be sutured and dressed, and a compression garment will be applied.
General.
Please Note: These are general estimates that may or may not apply to you individually.
We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, cash, and cashier checks. We also work with two third-party financing companies, Care Credit and Alphaeon Credit. You can find more information and apply for credit online using the links below.
During your consultation, Dr. Anita will take time to learn more about your motivations and goals, understand your concerns, and discuss the treatment in detail. She will go through your medical history and perform a physical exam in order to determine the best plan to reach your goals, and make sure you are a good candidate for surgery.
The lower abdominal incision is marked before surgery in a manner that allows it to be hidden under clothing as best possible. The entire abdomen is then tightened top to bottom, cinching the abdominal muscles down the center (and thereby the waist), and pulling the skin taut and excising any excess. Depending on the individual situation, the belly button may be kept at the same level or moved.
Post-operative abdominal binder is placed immediately after surgery, and helps provide gentle compression and limit the extent of swelling. The most important thing to do the day of surgery is to begin walking to prevent blood clots in your legs. If going to aftercare, the facility typically provides transportation from the recovery room to the aftercare facility, and from the after facility to the office the next morning for a follow-up visit. An additional visit occurs the week after for drain removal if appropriate. Additional post-op visits are typically spaced at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery.
A tummy tuck procedure begins with an incision around the belly button, allowing it to stay attached to its stalk from underneath, but separating it from the skin flap that is elevated next. The lower abdominal incision is made and the flap is raised all the way up to the border of the ribs and the sternum, and pulled down like a window shade. The excess skin hanging over at the bottom is then removed, and the belly button is brought out at its natural position through the newly tightened skin. The result is a smooth taut abdomen, cinched waist, and smooth contours.
Tummy tuck surgery is a safe procedure when important preoperative criteria are followed. The most worrisome risk of tummy tuck surgery is the risk of getting a deep venous thrombosis (DVT), or blood clot, in the legs due to not moving around after surgery. A blood clot in the legs can be fatal, and is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away. Simply walking after surgery helps minimize this risk, and that is why it is mandatory to walk the day of surgery.
A mini tummy tuck, or mini abdominoplasty, is when a much smaller incision is used, and just the lower abdominal skin is tightened. It does not involve full muscle repair top to bottom, change in position of the belly button, or tightening of the skin above the belly button.
Mini tummy tucks do leave a scar. The main benefit of a mini tummy tuck is that the scar is shorter in length than a full tummy tuck.
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are at a healthy and stable weight, done having children (if female), and in overall healthy medical condition.
Tummy tuck surgery typically takes about 4 hours.
You can walk the same day of surgery, but it is recommended to take 1-2 weeks off of work for recovery. One should not be doing any heavy lifting (>15 lbs) for the first 3-6 weeks, so help with small children is advised. Full exercise should be avoided until 6 weeks postoperatively.
The cost of tummy tuck surgery, or abdominoplasty, can depend on many factors. To provide you with accurate pricing information, we invite you to book a complimentary Pre-Consult Phone Call with our Patient Care Coordinator by calling 310-205-0212. During that phone call, important information will be discussed and ballpark pricing will be provided.
