Tummy Tuck in Beverly Hills
A common issue for men and women of every age is the struggle to achieve a flat, toned tummy. Poor abdominal appearance due to significant weight loss, pregnancy, or aging can contribute to excess fat, loose abdominal muscles, and sagg ing skin. Often, these can only be corrected with tummy tuck surgery. If your waistline lacks an attractively narrow contour, tummy tuck surgery can help you achieve better core strength, more pronounced abdominal definition, and greater confidence in your appearance.
What Are the Benefits of Tummy Tuck Surgery?
What Are Your Surgical Options?
- Performed as an outpatient procedure
- Uses general anesthesia
- An incision is made in the lower abdomen along the bikini line that extends from hip to hip
- An additional incision is made around the navel
- The abdominal muscles are sutured together to enhance core support
- Excess skin is trimmed away
- Liposuction may be performed to gently suction away unwanted fat
- The remaining tissues are tightened around your newly improved abdominal contour
- Performed as an outpatient procedure
- Uses general anesthesia
- A single incision is made in the lower abdomen along the bikini line
- The abdominal muscles are tightened
- Excess skin is trimmed away
- Liposuction may be performed to gently suction away unwanted fat
- This technique is best for women post-pregnancy who have abdominal laxity but minimal excess skin
- Performed as an outpatient procedure
- Uses general anesthesia
- An incision is made along the lower abdomen and extends around the hips to the back
- The abdominal muscles are tightened to enhance core strength
- Excess skin is trimmed away
- Liposuction may be performed to gently suction away unwanted fat
- The tissues around the torso are tightened to improve body shape and tone
- This technique is best for patients who have endured major weight loss and may be combined with a lower body lift
or other similar procedures
Have Concerns About Tummy Tuck Surgery?
You will experience swelling and bruising after your surgery. Surgical drains may be placed to minimize excess swelling. A custom-fitted compression garment will be provided for you and should be worn to improve healing for better results. Most patients can return to work within two weeks of their procedure. Strenuous physical exercise should be avoided for four weeks. Most swelling should subside after six weeks.
The amount of scarring that develops from the incisions is dependent on the technique used and your body’s natural healing process. Most patients will develop mild scarring in the incision locations, but this scarring is likely to fade over time. Scarring can easily be hidden with clothing.
The cost of this procedure may vary per patient depending on factors such as technique, surgical fees, and anesthesia fees. A detailed quote will be given to you during your consultation.
General anesthesia is used to prevent pain during your procedure. Mild discomfort during recovery can be controlled using the pain medication prescribed for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tuck Surgery
Ideal candidates for tummy tuck surgery are in good health and have realistic expectations about their results. This surgery is not a weight-loss procedure; tummy tuck surgery is designed for patients who are near their goal weight and have maintained their weight for several months. Candidates may identify with one or more of the following:
- Excess abdominal skin
- Excess tissue around the flanks
- An abdominal pooch
- Weak abdominal muscles
- Excess fat accumulation in the mid to lower abdomen
You will be given instructions on what to avoid before your tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) during your consultation with Dr. Rey. Traditionally, you will be asked to temporarily stop all nicotine use (including smoking and vaping) and blood-thinning medications (including aspirin, ibuprofen, NSAIDs, and some herbal supplements). These practices should be avoided for 10 to 14 days before and after surgery. You will also be asked to limit or avoid alcohol intake during that same time. (You will need to avoid alcohol entirely in the days after your surgery, as it can negatively react with your post-operative pain medication).
Because tummy tuck surgery is an invasive surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your surgery and stay with you for at least 24 hours to help with all necessary tasks. You will also need to arrange to take one to two weeks away from work and daily obligations.
Liposuction is performed to remove stubborn fat pockets. While this procedure can be beneficial for fatty deposits in the tummy area, it cannot tighten skin or repair abdominal muscles. If you suffer from skin laxity or diastasis recti (separated rectus muscles), you will need to opt for a tummy tuck.
Tummy tuck surgery is commonly performed after pregnancy or significant weight loss to restore a firm and trim abdominal silhouette. Many tummy tuck patients choose to combine their surgery with other body contouring procedures, such as liposuction of the surrounding areas, or as a part of a Mommy Makeover. A Mommy Makeover combines a tummy tuck and liposuction with breast enhancement procedures like breast augmentation or breast lift surgery.
Patients who undergo tummy tuck surgery will still be able to become pregnant and bear children afterward. However, this is not recommended, as it can undo the results of tummy tuck surgery. Women are advised to postpone tummy tuck surgery until after they are finished having children.
Candidates with moderate to major skin laxity, excess fat, and separated abdominal muscles will benefit from the standard tummy tuck procedure. Those candidates who have the same issues as well as copious amounts of excess skin and excess tissue around the flanks may need an extended tummy tuck, possibly combined with lower body lift procedures. Individuals who only have minimal excess skin combined with abdominal muscle laxity may be helped by a mini tummy tuck. Candidates who have excess abdominal fat but have no issues with sagging skin or loose stomach muscles should consider liposuction alone. If you are not certain which technique would be best for you, Dr. Rey can advise you accordingly during your consultation.
Initial swelling during recovery can disguise the results, but as swelling dies down, the results will become more noticeable. By approximately six weeks after surgery, when most major swelling has subsided, you will be able to observe significant improvements in the appearance, shape, and firmness of your waist.
Patients who maintain their weight and live a healthy lifestyle will find that their tummy tuck results provide them with years of a fabulous physique.
Reviews
Dr. Rey,
With a million patients I don’t suspect you remember me but you might remember the girl with the strange looking designated driver Doug! How are you? I am absolutely happy with the way my breasts turned out!!! Now I’d like to come in and have the mini-tummy tuck done. I called and made an appointment, June 3rd is the earliest I could get. I just want to be ready for the summer especially now that my husband got us a second home in Manhattan Beach. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss all this…and once again I think that you are truly phenomenal!!
Dear Robert,
When will I ever be able to make up to you the beautiful job that you did with my breasts??! Your gifted spirit allows you to bring out the beauty in everyone, no matter how much or little they have already in their favor. I feel so lucky to have been touched by your hands- I have been so fortunate that my heart has been touched by yours and will cherish this forever.
Before & After
*Actual Patient