An abdominoplasty, more commonly called a tummy tuck, is a procedure that can help you get rid of stubborn pockets of fat and excess skin that remain even after reaching your weight goal. During this procedure, our surgeons remove extra fat and skin from the midsection and tighten the abdominal muscles to result in a smoother, tighter appearance.
Before
These before and after photos are of a patient in her 50s who underwent an abdominoplasty procedure. She was an ideal candidate for tummy tuck surgery because her weight was stable, but she still had some excess skin and adipose around her abdomen. She came to our San Diego plastic surgery clinic in order to achieve a flatter, firmer appearance in her midsection.
Our cosmetic surgery team developed a plan to help this patient get the results that she wanted. We recommended that she undergo a full abdominoplasty to get rid of the extra skin and combined that with some liposuction on the flank/waist area to help contour her appearance.
A tummy tuck is usually performed as an out-patient surgery in as little as 3-4 hours. For most patients, only a single, hipbone-to-hipbone incision is needed that is placed as low as possible so that it is concealed well by the underwear or bikini line.
(Before)
After
The after photos show the incredible results that this patient received after her surgery. Compared to the before shots, you can see that her middle appears smoother and tighter. You can also see that there is no visible scar, as it is well hidden at her waist.
Ideal candidates for this procedure are post-pregnancy moms whose skin has lost elasticity from being stretched out and patients who have experienced a large amount of weight loss. No matter how much exercise is done, the skin will not go back to its original state. Many patients are able to achieve a good outcome like this with an abdominoplasty, and the results are permanent as long as patients are able to keep their weight steady. For this reason, we recommend that women who are thinking about undergoing a tummy tuck wait until they have had their last child before the procedure is performed.
After surgery, most patients are able to return to normal activities within 2 to 4 weeks. Drains are used with this procedure and are left in for about a week in order to help minimize swelling and help with the healing process.
If you think a tummy tuck might be right for you, come to our clinic in La Jolla to consult with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. We can help you explore your options and recommend a personalized plan that is right for you.
