Loose skin and excess fat along the abdomen can be frustrating and challenging despite your efforts to get rid of it. Significant weight loss, childbirth and aging are the primary reasons why you may not be able to regain a tighter and slimmer stomach. A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that can successfully transform your midsection, helping you achieve the youthful contours and long-lasting results you’ve always wanted.
A tummy tuck eliminates excess skin, fat and tissue from the abdomen to restore firmer and more youthful contours.
A tummy tuck is often performed under general anesthesia, but less invasive techniques may use local anesthesia instead.
You have loose skin and a stubborn belly pooch that won’t respond to diet or exercise and want to sculpt a flatter stomach.
Two to three weeks
Weight loss, changes during pregnancy and the natural aging process can lead many individuals to seek an effective solution for getting rid of excess skin and stubborn belly fat. While liposuction can help with unwanted fat, a tummy tuck at Hakimi Plastic Surgery is one of the best ways to eliminate sagging skin and restore flatter contours in the midsection.
Book NowA full tummy tuck targets loose skin, fat and tissue in the upper and lower abdomen. It can also address diastasis recti, a condition that often occurs during pregnancy and causes the abdominal muscles to separate, creating a stubborn bulge or belly pooch that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise. While a full tummy tuck involves longer incisions, it offers patients a greater degree of correction than less invasive techniques for more comprehensive results.
As the name suggests, an extended tummy tuck is a more intensive version of the full tummy tuck, aimed at removing larger amounts of excess skin, fat and tissue from the flanks and midsection. It also tightens the abdominal muscles to eliminate a sagging belly pooch. Although an extended tummy tuck uses a larger incision that may extend around the hips, it can sculpt a significantly slimmer abdomen and waistline and provide the most comprehensive results.
A mini tummy tuck is used to address mild sagging in the lower abdomen by removing excess skin and tissue, sculpting a smoother and flatter midsection. Unlike a full tummy tuck, this technique only eliminates loose skin beneath the belly button and doesn’t address issues in the upper abdomen. However, it is less invasive and uses smaller incisions than a full tummy tuck and can be done awake without the need for general anesthesia.For the right patient, it can effectively reshape the abdomen to sculpt a slimmer appearance.
“Abdominoplasty can be one of the most rewarding body contouring procedures. It’s more than removing excess skin and fat — the goal is to sculpt the abdomen and recreate curves with smooth transition to hips, which requires liposuction of the abdomen and sometimes back along with tightening of the abdominal muscles, leaving a narrow scar in the bikini line. Achieving this is what distinguishes a perfect result from a good one.”
Dr. Michael Hakimi
A tummy tuck can provide dramatic and long-lasting results that help you feel more confident in your appearance. Trimming away loose skin, eliminating stubborn fat and tightening the abdominal muscles can transform your body contours and sculpt a slimmer, flatter midsection.
You’ll be able to see a difference immediately following your procedure but will appreciate the changes more as swelling subsides, with your final results appearing after six months. By maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, you can expect to enjoy these improvements permanently — the excess skin and fat that are removed won’t come back, but weight gain and future pregnancies can still have an impact on the longevity of your tummy tuck results.
The exact details of your procedure will vary depending on your treatment plan and which techniques are used to achieve your goals. The type of incision is chosen based on the amount of excess skin. Some patients with severe sagging typically require a full or extended tummy tuck, with an incision that goes from hip to hip, just on top of the pubic region. Other patients with minimal skin laxity may be better candidates for the mini tummy tuck, which involves a smaller incision. Regardless of the type of abdominoplasty performed, all tummy tuck procedures at Hakimi Plastic Surgery involve the removal of hanging skin and liposuction.
You can expect your tummy tuck to take between one to five hours to complete. Incorporating other surgeries into your treatment plan — such as a breast augmentation, breast lift or fat transfer — your procedure may take longer. Tummy tucks are performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can return home later the same day, but will need to arrange for transportation with a trusted friend or family member if general anesthesia is being used.
After your surgery, Dr. Hakimi will provide you with detailed post-op instructions. You will also be advised to walk the same night after surgery to prevent blood clots and expedite healing. You can generally resume a normal routine somewhere around two weeks and exercise closer to two months, or until cleared by Dr. Hakimi. Initially, you’ll experience some tightness and discomfort in the midsection, but you’ll look and feel normal again as your recovery progresses.
Compression garments should be worn as directed to reduce swelling, support the healing tissues and ensure the skin adheres to your new contours. You will have follow-up appointments scheduled to monitor your progress and remove any drains or sutures, if applicable. These visits also provide you with an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have with Dr. Hakimi.
Tummy tucks are suitable for both men and women with loose, wrinkly skin and excess fat in the abdominal area. For best results, Dr. Hakimi recommends achieving a healthy, stable weight before undergoing surgery, as a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure. If the skin of your stomach is firm but you still are not satisfied with its appearance even after diet and exercise, you may be a more suitable candidate for liposuction.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Hakimi will customize your treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals before discussing costs. He will be able to estimate your costs better once the type of tummy tuck, technique and anesthesia choices have been made.
During your initial consultation with Dr. Hakimi, he’ll ask about your goals and perform an exam. Then, he can better decide which tummy tuck will produce your best results. A full tummy tuck is good if you want to correct issues in both the upper and lower abdomen, whereas a mini tummy tuck is better for concerns under your belly button, such as a stubborn bulge. The extended technique can address loose skin and fat in the stomach, hips and upper thighs.
Dr. Hakimi typically only uses drains for tummy tucks. In general, the concept is that when you raise the skin from the muscle, your body’s natural response is to make fluid to fill the space. When we place a drain, it siphons off this excess fluid to reduce swelling and promote healing. If drains are used, you can expect to have them removed seven to 10 days after surgery.
If you are bothered by loose skin in the abdomen — whether caused by aging, pregnancy or weight loss — board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hakimi can help. With a tummy tuck tailored to your exact needs and goals, he can sculpt a flatter stomach and firmer contours. Call Hakimi Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills today at 424-239-5201 to learn more about this procedure and schedule a consultation. You can also get started by completing our online contact form.
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