Tummy Tuck in Southern California
Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure that can remove excess skin and fat while tightening underlying muscles to slim the midsection and reduce a protruding stomach. Tummy tuck surgery can benefit both men and women seeking to enhance their body contours, boost self-confidence, and achieve a more youthful figure.
Our aesthetic surgeons specialize in body contouring and offer three tummy tuck options in Southern California, including the mini tummy tuck, full tummy tuck, and extended tummy tuck. AesthetiCare offers offices in Newport Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Corona, and Encinitas.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that treats loose skin, separated abdominal muscles, and pockets of fat for a smoother, flatter abdomen. This procedure is popular with men and women alike, as it provides comprehensive results that cannot be achieved with diet and exercise alone.
What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery can remove loose skin and excess fat in the abdominal area, as well as tighten loose or stretched abdominal muscles. Stretch marks on the lower abdomen can often be eliminated to improve the appearance of the midsection. This procedure can do wonders to restore confidence and help patients look and feel great.
Other benefits of a tummy tuck include:
- Flatter, more toned abdomen
- Fixes diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles)
- Can improve posture and reduce back pain
- Improves self-esteem
Who Can Benefit From a Tummy Tuck?
If you have any of the following concerns, a tummy tuck might be for you.
Am I a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
An ideal candidate for a tummy tuck wants to remove excess skin and fat from their abdominal area. They may have been experiencing excess fat or skin around their stomach due to a pregnancy, genetics, extreme weight loss, or aging.
Additionally, candidates should be:
- In generally good health
- Non-smokers or willing to stop smoking before and after the procedure
- Understanding of the expected results and have realistic expectations
- Within 25 pounds of their ideal weight
Women who plan on getting pregnant again should postpone their tummy tuck until after.
During your initial consultation, the doctor will review your medical files and examine you to ensure that you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
Can I Combine My Tummy Tuck With Other Procedures?
Tummy tuck surgery is commonly performed with other body contouring techniques like liposuction, body sculpting after massive weight loss, and Mommy Makeover surgery (which combines body and breast enhancement surgeries).
Patients interested in body contouring with one of Dr. Moser’s tummy tuck techniques in San Juan Capistrano, Newport Beach, Corona, or Encinitas should reach out to AesthetiCare Cosmetic Surgery Institute for more information.
What Are My Tummy Tuck Options?
At AesthetiCare, we offer multiple options for your tummy tuck, allowing you to achieve the best results without resorting to unnecessarily invasive techniques. During your consultation, your aesthetic surgeon will recommend one of the following options.
Full Tummy Tuck
Full tummy tuck surgery is ideal for patients with excess skin, fat, and muscle laxity in both the upper and lower abdomen.
Your surgeon will make an incision along your bikini line directly above the pubic area and a second incision around the belly button.
The skin will be separated from the muscles up to the rib cage. The vertical muscles of the abdomen will then be stitched together to provide a tighter abdominal wall. The skin will be pulled tight, and excess skin and fat will be removed.
A new opening will be created for the belly button and stitched into place.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck addresses excess skin, fat, and minimal muscle laxity below the navel using a single incision along the lower abdomen (a second incision around the belly button is not needed).
The skin will be separated from the underlying tissues up to the belly button, and excess skin and fat tissue will be removed. Once your abdominal muscles are tightened, the skin will be draped back over the abdomen, and the incision will be stitched together with sutures.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck procedure is best suited for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight. It targets excess skin throughout the abdomen, across the hips, and partially around the back.
An extended incision will be made low in the pubic area that extends around the hips and onto the back as needed to remove excess skin. This procedure contours and slims the belly and hips for a more toned physique.
Why Choose AesthetiCare for Your Tummy Tuck Surgery?
AesthetiCare offers the most cutting-edge non-surgical aesthetic treatments and exceptional surgical results, guided by our experienced medical director, Dr. Moser. We offer the highest levels of consistent patient care across each procedure, provider, and location. When you choose AesthetiCare for your tummy tuck, you are choosing a custom yet seamless cosmetic surgery experience.
Procedure
What Is the Tummy Tuck Procedure Like?
Your Tummy Tuck Consultation
During your tummy tuck consultation, you’ll be able to meet with your aesthetic surgeon, ask them questions about the procedure steps, results, and recovery, and discuss your overall goals for the procedure. They may give you a physical exam, discuss your medical history, and provide suggestions for the surgical plan. Once you agree on the best procedure for your needs, they will create a plan for you and provide you with pre-operative instructions.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure Steps
The procedure’s time will vary from patient to patient, but it generally takes between two and four hours. This time will increase if other surgical procedures are performed in combination.
Typically, a tummy tuck is performed as an outpatient procedure. There may be situations where patients are asked to undergo the procedure and spend one night in the clinic or hospital. Although each procedure will vary, a general tummy tuck procedure outline is as follows:
- Your cosmetic surgeon will meet with you and go over your surgical steps once more. They may mark your incision location on your abdomen with a pen.
- Your anesthesia will be administered, and surgery will begin with your surgeon making careful incisions.
- Through these incisions, your surgeon will repair the abdominal wall, tighten loose tissues, and remove pockets of fat.
- Once your surgeon is satisfied with the appearance of your abdomen, they will redrape the skin so that it lies flat and taut, before excising the excess skin.
- They will close the incisions, and you will be placed in a surgical compression garment.
Recovery
What Can I Expect From Tummy Tuck Recovery?
If you are released after surgery to spend the night at home, you will need to arrange a ride home and someone to monitor you during the first night. Additionally, it will be helpful to have someone at home during the recovery period to help you with tasks, such as cleaning and cooking.
After your surgery, an abdominal binder will be given to you for support as you heal. You should be up and about in one to two days, but still take it easy as you recover. It could take weeks before you feel back to normal. Light exercise, such as walking, is recommended to help you feel better and recover more quickly. Swelling and pain in the abdomen are normal. Any discomfort you experience can be handled with pain medication prescribed by your surgeon.
Be sure to avoid all strenuous exercise for at least six weeks, or until you are cleared by your surgeon.
Results
When Can I See My Tummy Tuck Results?
You’ll notice an immediate improvement to your abdomen, although final results will take some time to appear. As swelling decreases, your final result should appear around 6 to 12 months after your procedure. While that may seem like a long time, you will experience gradual improvement throughout the entire process.
Cost
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Southern California?
The average cost of a tummy tuck ranges between $6,000 and $15,000, with the final cost depending on several factors, including:
- Length of the procedure and the technique used
- Patient’s needs and aesthetic goals
- Anesthesia fees
- Operating room fees
- Geographical location
Once your surgical plan has been created and agreed upon, your aesthetic surgeon will provide you with an accurate cost estimate.
Never sacrifice quality for price when choosing your surgeon. We offer financing options for qualifying patients.