Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck Surgery - Abdominoplasty Los Angeles, California

top

Tummy Tuck Surgery Abdominoplasty Surgical Procedure

Book Appointment

Anita Patel MD Beverly Hills Tummy Tucks

One of our most requested surgical procedures, a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) can help you achieve the flat, smooth torso that you’ve dreamed about. The tummy tuck is not only a key staple of the Mommy Makeover, but also a highly-sought-after procedure simply on its own. It 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. Tummy tuck surgery in Beverly Hills is ideal for patients who have loose skin on the abdomen, especially if they have lost a large amount of weight or have experienced pregnancy.

Tummy Tucks

TREATMENT OVERVIEW

First, you will meet with Dr. Anita to share your concerns and discuss the results that you hope to achieve. This will be followed by a review of your medical history and a focused physical exam. Dr. Anita will then go over the risks and activity restrictions, and give you time to ask questions. Prior to the surgery, you will fill out consent forms. General anesthesia will be administered, and we recommend that you arrange to have someone drive you to and from the appointments.

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.

Length of Surgery

4 hours.

Anesthesia

General.

Post-op Activity

Walking is essential, and must begin the same day of surgery to prevent blood clots in the legs. No full exercise until 6 weeks post-op.

Return to work

1-2 weeks.

Please Note: These are general estimates that may or may not apply to you individually.

Before & After Gallery

Anita Patel MD Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck

Tt-2-BA

Tt-3-BA

Tt-4-BA

Tt-5-BA

Anita Patel MD Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck

Click Here to View More Tummy Tuck Images

FINANCING AVAILABLE

Payments for nonsurgical treatments are made prior to or on the date of service, and payments for surgery are required to be paid in full 3 weeks prior to the surgical date.

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.

Apply for Care Credit

Apply for Alphaeon Credit

STEP BY STEP PROCESS

AT THE CLINIC

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 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-SURGERY

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a tummy tuck procedure done?

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.

Is tummy tuck surgery safe?

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.

What is a mini abdominoplasty?

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.

During a standard abdominoplasty in Beverly Hills, a horizontal incision is made more or less hip to hip, the skin and underlying tissue is raised to the level of the border of the ribs and the xiphoid (lowest part of sternum), the rectus muscles are brought back together in the middle, the belly button is brought out through the skin at its new location, and the extra lower abdominal skin is removed.

Does a mini tummy tuck leave scars?

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.

In a mini-tummy tuck, the incision is smaller (more like a long C-section incision), the rectus muscles may or may not be tightened, the belly button is not moved, and the skin above the belly button is not moved or tightened at all. Also, if the upper abdominal muscles need to be tightened, this may require an endoscopic repair (endoscopic mini-tummy tuck).

What are the requirements to get a 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.

To be a good candidate for the mini-tummy tuck means you have no extra skin above the belly button, no laxity or pooching out above the belly button, and a limited area of excess skin below the belly button. To be a good candidate for the endoscopic mini-tummy tuck, you have no extra skin above the belly button and a limited area of excess skin below the belly button.

How long does a tummy tuck surgery take?

Tummy tuck surgery typically takes about 4 hours.

What is the recovery time for abdominoplasty?

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.

How much does a tummy tuck cost in Los Angeles?

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.

What is a short scar tummy tuck?

A third option which is great for patients who do not have much excess skin, but notice pooching out or laxity of their abdominal wall (such as after pregnancy), is a short scar tummy tuck, where the internal work is the same as in a full tummy tuck, but accomplished through a short scar.

Can you get a tummy tuck after massive weight loss?

Beverly Hills patients who have tummy tucks following massive weight loss tend to have a greater risk for any potential problems. These could include wound healing problems, possibility of an open wound, recurrent laxity or stretching of the skin after surgery, risk of infection if lengthy operating room time, and possibly more complications related to anesthesia in patients with a high BMI (body mass index).

Depending on the bariatric surgeon, patients with lap bands may wish to have the port revised to lay behind the muscle fascia, making it out of the way for surgery and also making it less visible or noticeable after the tummy tuck smooths and tightens the skin. Recommendations will vary patient to patient, and can be clarified at the consultation.

Massive weight loss and nutritional deficiencies really take a toll on the skin and tissues. Dr. Patel has had excellent experience taking care of patients who have undergone all types of weight loss surgeries, and feels it is an honor to be part of their journey.

Tummy Tuck: The Belly Button

Client Reviews

" Dear Dr. Patel, June, and Zuny. Thank you so much for your kindness and compassion with me during and after my accident. I feel as though you saved me from disfigurement and I am SO grateful... Thank you for making my accident easer to put in the past. All my best. "

E.J.

" The fabulous Dr. Anita Patel, thank you so much for my new boobies! I am so happy with the results and already feel so much more confident. You truly made me feel comfortable every step of the way. You are a master at what you do and I am so honored to have gotten work done by you! I adore you tons. xxxo "

S.R.

" Dr. Patel, thank you so much once again! You saved me at an all time low. "

G.D.

" Dr. Patel, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me! Your gentle kindness is greatly appreciated. I love the New Me and it is all because of you! Warm Regards. "

T.V.

" I would like to say that Dr. Patel and her medical and office staff are professional and courteous. From my initial consultation visit until the present which is post-surgery 3 months. They smile and look you in the eye. They make you feel comfortable enough to express your true desire for your appearance and they sincerely endeavor to give to you the closest possible result. Dr. Patel and her team took such good care of me. She anticipated my needs and was attentive to my wound care and pain maintenance. I am pleased with my tummy and thighplasty. I am looking forward to next year when I continue with a breast reduction and lift and upper arms. "

O.A.

" Dr. Patel and her staff are absolutely AMAZING!!! After having my lap-band in 2009, I was ready to get rid of my loose skin for good! I decided to have a tummy tuck and a thigh lift. =) I met with 5 different surgeons before I was referred to Dr. Anita Patel. She was finally the one!!!! Her assistant Jenny is just as amazing as she is!!! I was super nervous about having these two procedures done, but I had Dr. Patel and Jenny right there the whole way!!! They went above and beyond to meet all of my concerns. =) I had my surgeries 11 days ago and I am super happy with my results so far!!! I can't wait to see them when I am fully recovered! I will be having a breast lift/augmentation next! Everyone from the front desk to the operating room are just AMAZING!!!! "

V.J.

" Dr. Patel made me so comfortable. She is absolutely amazing and I would recommend her to everyone! "

D.B.

" I had my lap band surgery three years ago now I was ready for my tummy tuck. But from the horror stories I heard I kept putting it off. I went to see two other doctors and wasn't happy, until I met Dr. Patel and her amazing staff. The first day I met them I knew I wanted her to be the one to do my surgery for me. Everyone was fantastic from Dr. Patel's staff to the after care. "

M.M.

" Dr. Patel and her staff are the best professionals in town! "

A.S.

" Dr. Patel is a great Doctor. From the very first phone call with Jenny, Dr. Patel's Coordinator, I felt very comfortable. When I went for the 1st appointment in Newport Beach, I was very impressed with the professionalism of Dr. Patel and Jenny. They took time discussing the procedures and options and put my mind at ease. I had a Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift with Implants. The surgery day went great and I am so happy with the results. I would recommend her to my family and friends and will use her for any future cosmetic surgeries I may have. Thank you Dr. Patel!! "

C.C.

" Dr. Patel is absolutely amazing! I interviewed many surgeons and no one could touch her compassionate, genuine personality. Dr. Patel takes her time during the consultation, you are never rushed. She is very detailed when explaining the procedures, prep and recovery. She is real... not pretentious, no inflated ego and zero God complex. Dr. Patel cares about every person who takes the time to come to her clinic. Throughout my pre-op, surgery and post-op Dr. Patel's exceptional care was displayed without waiver. I would HIGHLY recommend anyone considering the services of a PS to contact her... it will be worth your time. Thank you Dr. Patel!!!!! "

A.V.

" You give so much of yourself in the kindness you show and the lives you touch. Wish that all the goodness you share comes back to you. Thank you for everything you have done for me. "

A.K.

" Words cannot express how thankful I am for you. You really have helped to change my life for the better, and gave me the body I knew was under there somewhere... making it all happen truly renews my faith that there are great people out there. You are an artist and I am so happy to have you in my life... "

M.V.

" Dr. Patel, Jenny, Nicole, and staff, I have enjoyed every moment with each of you and I thank you again for making the entire process of my surgery at Rox Surgery Center such a joy and success. You're all the best!!... "

V.W.

" You are an amazing surgeon I am so glad I found you. I am more than happy with the results. It is better than I could have ever imagined. Your staff Jenny and nurse Zarina were so caring and made me feel comfortable with the whole process... Thank you so much... "

K.S.

" There really isn't a way to explain what this surgery has meant to me. It is the final step of a really long and hard emotional journey... From the bottom of my heart thank you for making me look like I feel. Your talent is amazing!... "

C.L.

" I was extremely happy with everyone. The whole staff was helpful and very personable. Dr. Patel you are amazing!!... I would recommend you to anyone looking for a breast augmentation. Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!... "

V.M.

" Thank you and your staff so much for making me feel so special and taking such good care of me. I can tell you love what you do... "

C.B.

I just wanted to thank you for taking such great care of me before, during, and after my surgery. It meant a lot to know I wasn't just another patient coming through. I'll actually miss seeing you once all is said and done!... "

N.H.

" I've wanted to do this my whole life. Thank you for being so kind and holding my hand through this experience. I am so grateful I found you... "

D.W.

" Thank you for taking the time to listen. I am so happy with my results! I wish I had done it sooner... "

S.P.

" Thank you so much for taking care of me. Your kindness is greatly appreciated... "

N.A.

" Words cannot express my gratitude for your expertise... I was in need of a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and no where near Beverly Hills! It was nice of you to work at the hospital that day!! Thank you... "

L.G.