Tummy Tuck Surgery
As men and women age, abdominal fat and skin laxity can develop due to pregnancy, improper diet, hormonal imbalances, stress, genetics, and weight fluctuations. While some patients endeavor to get rid of their flabby stomachs through diet and exercise, others are frustrated at the lack of results from at-home methods. They want a more effective solution.
A tummy tuck is designed to pick up where genetics, diet, and exercise leave off because they can’t do enough. Some women are not naturally built with an hourglass shape. For others, the changes in their bodies due to age, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations have made them self-conscious about how they look in and out of clothes.
If you’re ready to see what a tummy tuck in Beverly Hills can do to change your look and life, visit Dr. Josef Hadeed.
During your consultation in Beverly Hills, Dr. Hadeed will help you choose the options that will give you the best results for your body.
Schedule A ConsultationWhat Is Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat and skin from the abdominal area and tightens weak abdominal muscles to achieve a flatter, more aesthetically pleasing appearance. This plastic surgery procedure is often sought after by individuals who have experienced pregnancy and childbirth or significant weight loss.
What Are My Tummy Tuck Options?
Whether you need a minor adjustment to achieve the desired figure or require a more comprehensive approach to body contouring after pregnancy or weight loss, Dr. Josef Hadeed is ready to help you meet your aesthetic goals. He offers two types of tummy tucks at his Beverly Hills office and will work with you to tailor your treatment to your specific needs and desires.
Full Tummy Tuck Surgery
A full tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from pregnancy or significant weight loss. It addresses the entire abdomen, from the rib cage down, to tighten and contour the area. It also involves substantial abdominal muscle repair and requires belly button repositioning.
Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery
A mini tummy tuck is beneficial for patients with minimal excess fat and skin on the lower abdomen. This tummy tuck option is ideal for patients who only need minor cosmetic correction in the area below their navel and do not require changing their belly button.
Combination Procedures
Liposuction can be performed alongside tummy tuck surgery to remove excess fat and enhance the overall results by achieving optimal contours. You may also add other body procedures to your tummy tuck, such as an arm lift or breast augmentation. A tummy tuck with lipo is commonly performed as a part of a Mommy Makeover, which can be easily tailored to address your specific areas of concern.
See many examples of real patients before & after results
How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?
Tummy tuck surgery typically takes two to three hours, depending on whether you’re getting a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck, your unique physiology, and your desired results. Your surgery may also take longer if you combine additional procedures with your tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck is an outpatient procedure performed using general anesthesia. Once the anesthesia is administered, one of two techniques is used:
Mini Tummy Tuck
During a mini tummy tuck, an incision is placed below the bikini line, typically where a C-section incision would be. Excess skin and fatty tissue are removed, and your lower abdominal muscles are repaired if necessary. The incisions are carefully closed using absorbable sutures, and you’re taken to recovery.
Full Tummy Tuck
Full tummy tuck surgery requires an incision to be made along the lower abdomen that extends from hip to hip. An incision is also made around your navel to give your surgeon more room for correction. The skin is lifted, and your abdominal muscles are pulled back together and securely tightened. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the layer of tissue that helps hold your ab muscles in place is also tightened to provide a firmer, more contoured stomach and waistline. The remaining abdominal skin is then pulled down, and your belly button is repositioned. Finally, the incisions are stitched closed, and you’re ready for recovery.
Your tummy tuck incision is covered by sterile dressings, which you will need to change periodically. Drainage tubes will also be placed along the treated area to collect blood and other fluids. Dr. Hadeed typically removes the drains at a follow-up appointment one to two weeks after your surgery.
What Can I Expect During My Tummy Tuck Recovery?
Following your tummy tuck surgery, you will be required to wear a compression garment for six weeks to minimize swelling and maintain the new contours of your abdomen. Strenuous activity is generally not permitted six weeks after surgery, but most patients can return to work within two to three weeks.
When Will I See My Tummy Tuck Results?
You will see some results immediately after your surgery, and your results will continue to improve as swelling diminishes. As it heals, your body will gradually settle into its new shape, helped by the contouring and support of your compression garment. Most patients will see significant results from tummy tuck surgery within a few months, while full results are typically seen between six months to a year after surgery.
Tummy tuck patients can expect long-lasting results to boost their self-confidence as they enjoy their slim new contours. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise will help extend your tummy tuck results for years.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
Do you struggle with excess skin and fat around your midsection despite eating right and spending hours at the gym? Is getting dressed a daily exercise in hiding the pooch around your lower belly? Are you tired of sucking in your gut for every photo? Do you have to wear shapewear under everything? Are you pulling a belt tight daily just to create a noticeable waist? If the answer to these questions is yes, a tummy tuck may be right for you.
Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck are non-smokers in overall good health. Other criteria include:
- Being at a healthy, stable weight
- Finished having children
- Have excess skin and fat due to pregnancy or significant weight loss
- Have loose skin on the abdomen
- Have diastasis recti or require abdominal muscle repair
A consultation and evaluation by Dr. Hadeed will help to determine if you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck.
Can a tummy tuck be combined with other cosmetic procedures?
Combining plastic surgery procedures is often a great way to simultaneously address several areas of your body. An integrated process eliminates the need for separate recovery periods and may save you money in the long run.
Many tummy tuck surgeries include liposuction as a finishing touch. Additionally, nearly any other body or breast procedure can be added to enhance your results further and ensure a smooth silhouette. You can discuss which procedures you’d like to add to your tummy tuck surgery during your consultation with Dr. Hadeed.
How long after my tummy tuck can I resume my normal activities?
It is recommended that you get out of bed and take short walks as soon as you can after surgery to encourage healing and avoid complications like blood clots. Most patients can return to work and everyday activities within about two weeks after tummy tuck surgery, but strenuous exercise and lifting should be avoided for six weeks. Be patient, listen to your body, and allow yourself to fully heal to enjoy the best results from your tummy tuck.
Can a tummy tuck remove stretch marks from my stomach?
A mini tummy tuck surgery can remove stretch marks below the navel. If you choose to have a full tummy tuck, more extensive excess skin and stretch marks can be removed. Mini tummy tuck surgery is ideal for patients requiring minimal correction in the lower abdomen, while a full tummy tuck provides more dramatic correction.
Will having children affect my tummy tuck results?
Yes, pregnancy can negatively affect the results of your tummy tuck surgery and abdominal muscle repair. If you are still considering having children, it’s best to wait until you’ve completely recovered from your last pregnancy before undergoing a tummy tuck.
Is a tummy tuck safe? What risks are associated with a tummy tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery is a safe procedure when performed by a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon. However, as with most surgical procedures, tummy tuck surgery has some potential risks. Though rare, risks associated with tummy tuck surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Impaired wound healing
- Poor scarring
- Seroma (excess fluid buildup)
- Loss of sensation around the incision site
Dr. Hadeed will provide you with detailed postoperative instructions to help prevent these risks and ensure a smooth recovery after your tummy tuck. You must follow his instructions closely to help avoid complications as you heal. If you experience anything unusual during the recovery process or have concerns about how you are healing, contact Dr. Hadeed immediately.
How much does a tummy tuck cost in Beverly Hills, CA?
The cost of tummy tuck surgery in Beverly Hills, CA, will depend on factors such as the technique and incisions used and whether you decide to combine additional cosmetic procedures with your tummy tuck. During your consultation, Dr. Hadeed will provide an estimated cost for your tummy tuck procedure that will best meet your aesthetic goals.
Is a tummy tuck painful?
Tummy tuck surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so you will not feel any pain throughout the procedure. During your recovery, you will experience some initial pain temporarily, but this will subside and be easily managed with over-the-counter or prescription pain medication.
You will need to limit your movement for the first few days of your recovery, being careful not to strain your abdominal muscles or incisions. You will be able to gradually increase your activity as tolerated and approved by Dr. Hadeed.
Will a tummy tuck leave scars?
As with all surgeries, some scarring will occur after tummy tuck surgery. Dr. Hadeed will take great care to place the incision in a discrete area so undergarments and bathing suits easily conceal the resulting scar. Your tummy tuck scar will fade over time. Following Dr. Hadeed’s postoperative instructions, protecting your incisions and scars from the sun, and applying scar gels and silicone strips will help diminish the appearance of your tummy tuck scar.
What can I do to prepare for my tummy tuck?
Once you schedule your tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Hadeed will let you know how best to prepare. You will need to stop using nicotine (including smoking or vaping) for at least two weeks before and after your surgery, as nicotine impairs healing. You may also need to stop taking specific prescriptions, supplements, or over-the-counter medications.
Before you have your tummy tuck, prepare your home recovery area. Ensure you have everything you need to be comfortable as you heal, including water, snacks, pain relievers, electronics (and chargers), pillows, and blankets to keep you propped up and supported. Because tummy tuck surgery is performed using general anesthesia, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home after the procedure and stay to help you for the first 24–48 hours after surgery.
You cannot drive for at least a week after your tummy tuck, so you must arrange transportation for your children. Other ways to prepare include:
- Ensuring that your prescriptions are filled before you get home
- Having soft and non-constricting clothes available to wear as you heal
- Ensuring that meals and groceries can be handled without your assistance
Beverly Hills, California
9454 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 710
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
