Tummy Tuck
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Beverly Hills, CA
A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure that can restore a flatter, smoother, and more defined abdomen. This procedure resculpts your figure by removing excess tissue and repairing weakened or separated muscles. (1)
Over time, many different factors can affect the appearance of the abdomen and the elasticity of abdominal skin. While some patients can improve abdominal aesthetic concerns through disciplined lifestyle changes like dieting and exercising, these problems persist for many others despite their efforts. A tummy tuck offers an effective solution for sculpting the abdomen.
Dr. Ashkan Ghavami of Ghavami Plastic Surgery is leading board-certified plastic surgeon in Los Angeles. They perform tummy tucks with expert precision and care.
If you are ready to learn more about the tummy tuck, please schedule a consultation online or call/text (310) 275-1959 to reach our Beverly Hills office directly.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Tummy Tucks
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that can remove excess skin, fat, and tissue around the abdomen and repair its underlying muscles. This procedure is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures, as it reduces many of the lasting physical changes of pregnancy or weight loss that many patients cannot effectively address through traditional lifestyle habits alone. These typically include hanging skin, abdominal muscle weakness, separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), and more. With a tummy tuck, your surgeon can improve each of these concerns, restoring a more contoured, youthful silhouette.
Types of Tummy Tucks
There are several variations of the tummy tuck that your surgeon may perform, including the mini tummy tuck, full tummy tuck, and extended tummy tuck.
- Mini Tummy Tuck: A mini tummy tuck is not necessarily a less extensive version of the tummy tuck. It is called a mini because the scar length is typically shorter than the traditional one. This is for patients who have the majority of their skin laxity below the navel. (2) This variation may or may not include muscle plication, as our surgical team performs it to address more mild to moderate concerns and laxity.
- Full Tummy Tuck: The full tummy tuck is also known as the traditional tummy tuck. This procedure addresses skin laxity, muscle separation, and muscle weakness found above and below the navel.
- Extended Tummy Tuck: An extended tummy tuck combines the techniques of a tummy tuck and lateral thigh lift, a procedure that lifts and tightens the skin around the outer thighs. Our surgical team reserves this approach for those who require more extensive recontouring.
Candidates
You may be an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck if you are interested in restoring a smoother, flatter, and more defined abdomen. Tummy tucks can effectively address loose or lax skin and tissue persisting after weight loss or pregnancy. This procedure can also correct diastasis recti, or the separation of the abdominal muscles.
To qualify for your procedure, you should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. You should be nonsmoking or willing to quit using nicotine entirely. Dr. Ghavami will determine your candidacy during your consultation.
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation, either Dr. Ghavami will meet with you to explain the tummy tuck, finalize your candidacy, and create your treatment plan. They will ask you about your medical history, personal concerns, and aesthetic goals. They will also perform a physical evaluation to assess your natural anatomy and skin quality.
Your surgeon will use the shared information to tailor a custom treatment plan. They will select the most effective variation of tummy tuck and the most suitable surgical techniques for your individual concerns.
If you are ready to schedule this consultation and receive your personalized treatment plan, please contact us online. Alternatively, you can reach our Beverly Hills office by calling or texting (310) 275-1959.
Preparation
After scheduling your tummy tuck, there are several preparations that you will need to make. To help you prepare, your surgeon will provide a set of detailed pre-operative instructions. These may direct you to:
- Avoid Certain Substances: Discontinue certain blood-thinning medications and supplements under medical guidance.
- Arrange Time Away: Prepare to take time away from your career, responsibilities, and other commitments to allow your body to recover.
- Prepare Transportation: Arrange a ride home from a trusted friend or family member after your procedure. Your surgeon will perform the procedure using either general or local anesthesia, both of which can render you unable to drive yourself home.
- Fill Your Prescriptions: We advise picking up any medications that you may need for your recovery.
- Stop Smoking: You will need to quit smoking several weeks before your procedure.
- Abstain From Alcohol: Refrain from consuming any alcohol in the days before and after your procedure.
Procedure
Our surgical team performs each tummy tuck in our surgical suite. The duration of your procedure will vary depending on the extent of your treatment plan, but you can expect it to last several hours. We will first administer general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout your procedure.
Mini Tummy Tuck
If you are receiving a mini tummy tuck, your surgeon will place an incision between your hips, just above the pubic area. They will then remove any loose, hanging, or creased skin they find below the navel. By doing so, they can restore a smoother, tighter, and flatter look and feel to your midsection. Your surgeon may also perform muscle repair when performing a mini tummy tuck, depending on your personal concerns.
Full Tummy Tuck
Your surgeon will begin your procedure by placing an incision that extends from hip to hip, just above the pubic area. With sufficient access to your abdomen’s underlying structures, they will repair any weakened or separated muscles, as well as remove any loose or excess skin. If there is a significant amount of fat found in the treatment area, they may perform liposuction to address it. Your surgeon may also reshape or reposition your navel, if needed.
Extended Tummy Tuck
When performing an extended tummy tuck, your surgeon will place an incision just above the pubic area. They will then perform steps similar to those of a full tummy tuck, such as removing excess skin and tightening separated or weakened muscles. Your surgeon will then proceed to lift and tighten the skin around your outer thighs, creating a seamless transition between your abdomen, hips, flanks, and thighs.
Recovery
After a tummy tuck, it is common to experience some swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the treated areas. These side effects are temporary and will subside on their own, but you may also manage them by using a cold compress, prescription medications, and plenty of rest. After three to five days, your surgeon will ask you to return to the office for a follow-up visit, where they will remove any surgical drains. Dr. Ghavami uses specialized techniques that reduce fluid accumulation rates. This allows him to remove your drains sooner, especially when compared to more traditional approaches.
You may return to desk work and most of your other daily activities after resting for approximately one to two weeks. However, you will need to refrain from participating in any strenuous or physically demanding activities until approved by your surgeon.
Your surgeon will provide you with a full set of post-operative instructions during your consultation. By following each one, you can return to your routine more quickly and ensure the best possible results.
Results
You will be able to enjoy the full results of your tummy tuck once any residual swelling subsides. Your exact results will vary, but you can expect to enjoy a flatter abdomen, a more defined waistline, improved muscle stability, and a more sculpted silhouette overall. Your skin will also look and feel tighter and smoother–contributing to a more desirable appearance.
The results of a tummy tuck are long-lasting, with effects that you can enjoy for several years to come. However, it is important that you maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle, as weight fluctuations can alter your appearance.
Cost of Tummy Tucks in Beverly Hills, CA
The cost of your tummy tuck will vary depending on several factors of your treatment plan. These can include the type of tummy tuck that your surgeon performs, the type of corrections they make, and the overall complexity of your procedure. Once your surgeon has met with you to discuss each detail and establish your treatment plan, they will give you a comprehensive price estimate. Ghavami Plastic Surgery additionally offers financing for those who qualify.
To learn more about our pricing, please schedule a consultation online. You may also call or text (310) 275-1959 to reach our office directly.
FAQ
What is the difference between a mini tummy tuck, a full tummy tuck, and an extended tummy tuck?
A mini tummy tuck exclusively addresses concerns below the navel, and it may or may not include muscle repair. A full tummy tuck addresses skin and muscle concerns above and below the navel. An extended tummy tuck builds upon the traditional tummy tuck approach, addressing the flanks, thighs, and back for more comprehensive contouring.
How do I know if I qualify for a tummy tuck?
During your personal consultation, your surgeon will ask you about your medical history, personal concerns, and ideal aesthetic. They will also perform a physical evaluation to assess your natural anatomy and skin quality. Using these details, your surgeon will determine your candidacy for a tummy tuck, as well as which tummy tuck is best suited for your needs.
How long will it take for me to recover after my tummy tuck?
You will be able to return to most of your daily activities after resting for approximately one to two weeks. However, you will need to avoid participating in any strenuous or physically demanding activities until your surgeon directs you otherwise.
Will there be any significant scarring after my tummy tuck?
While there may be scarring, our surgical team takes great care in placing each incision discreetly to minimize its visibility. For tummy tucks, you can typically conceal incisions beneath undergarments and bottomwear, as our surgeons place them in the bikini line.
References
- Regan JP, Casaubon JT. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431058/
- Borille GB, Pereira GA, Zancanaro M, Ribeiro VW, Giannini R, Proto R. Surgical Correction of Low-positioned Umbilicus after Mini-abdominoplasty. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2024;12(6):e5873-e5873. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005873
