Abdominoplasty, also known as a “tummy tuck,” flattens and contours the abdomen and waist. The number of tummy tucks performed in the United States has increased dramatically in the last 20 years.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were approximately 160,000 tummy tucks performed in 2020 compared to 60,000 operations in 2000. A tummy tuck can be performed by itself or combined with other procedures as part of a “Mommy Makeover.” Common procedures combined with abdominoplasty include breast augmentation, breast lift, and liposuction.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
The goal of the abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is to treat excess skin and fat by tightening and flattening the abdomen. In addition, liposuction is often combined with abdominoplasty to improve the sculpting and contouring of the figure. The end result is a more aesthetic abdomen with regards to tone, shape, and figure. All this is performed using the shortest scar possible to achieve the desired goal. The scar can be carefully placed to be easily concealed with fashionable clothing or swim wear. Patients with only mild concerns may be a candidate for a mini-abdominoplasty. A “mini” procedure utilizes a shorter scar, often only slightly longer than an existing caesarian section scar.
A mini tummy tuck is most appropriate for patients with excess skin and fat confined to the lower abdomen (below the belly button). A mini-abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction or muscle tightening, if necessary, to optimally contour the abdomen. Stretch marks that are low on the abdomen can also be treated during a tummy tuck.
Because stretch marks represent fractures or breaks in the deep layer of the skin, there is no other treatment besides removal. During your consultation, one of our fellowship-trained plastic surgeons — Dr. Jerome Liu or Dr. Tom Liu — will review all of these aspects of abdominoplasty with you.
Before & After
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Is a Tummy Tuck Right for Me?
If you’re bothered by any of the concerns listed above and would like to have a flatter or slimmer abdomen, a tummy tuck can be very transformative. The procedure is usually most successful for women and men who are:
- At a stable weight
- Non-smokers
- Healthy enough to undergo surgery and recovery
- Able to maintain realistic expectations for the potential results
By perusing our tummy tuck before-and-after photos, you can gain an idea of whether the results in our patient gallery align with what you hope to achieve for the outcome. If your desires are consistent with the results depicted, you may benefit greatly from a tummy tuck. A consultation with a plastic surgeon is always necessary to confirm your candidacy for a tummy tuck, as well as to learn about alternative or complementary treatment options that may help you reach your cosmetic goals.
How is the Abdominoplasty Procedure Performed?
The procedure takes approximately two to three hours, depending on the patient, and is performed under general anesthesia by an anesthesiologist. Having an anesthesiologist present allows Dr. Liu to concentrate on attaining the best cosmetic result possible instead of dividing his attention between the operation and monitoring the vital signs of the patient.
The incision for an abdominoplasty is placed very low on the tummy. If there is a caesarian section scar, this is addressed during the operation. The incision is placed low enough to be concealed by fashionable clothing or swim wear. We ask that you bring your favorite clothing to your appointment so that we can demonstrate the anticipated scar placement. All incisions are closed meticulously with multiple layers to achieve the best possible result.
What is Recovery From a Tummy Tuck Like?
Patients are encouraged to walk the evening of surgery to prevent blood clots. The recovery period lasts 1 – 2 weeks to resume normal daily activity. Strenuous activity or heavy lifting is to be avoided for 3-4 weeks if the abdominal muscles are tightened with gradual increase thereafter. Combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, the results of an abdominoplasty or mini-abdominoplasty are long lasting.
Get the RNR® You Deserve
At the Silicon Valley Institute for Aesthetics Los Gatos, we make every effort to ensure you’re up and moving around almost immediately after your surgery. We’ve pioneered an approach that foregoes the need for narcotics pain medications, thanks to our signature RNR® Procedures. You get the RNR® you deserve when paired with our Drainless Tummy Tuck method.
A drainless tummy tuck uses a specific layered suturing technique to eliminate the need for post-surgical drains, so the recovery process is generally much less complicated. You’ll avoid measuring a fluid output or emptying a drain while you recover, reducing the time you’ll need to heal before returning to your regular activities.
During an RNR® Tummy Tuck procedure in Los Gatos, we use traditional anesthesia with an epidural injection and sedation. While breathing independently, you won’t feel any pain because of a long-acting local injection that keeps you comfortable during the procedure.
Additionally, as we prepare for your operation, we administer a specially formulated cocktail of medications to optimize pain control and avoid severe nausea once your tummy tuck is complete.
To learn more about the various RNR® Procedures we offer, simply reach out and set up your consultation with a member of our team today.
Are There Alternatives to a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck can be a great option to contour the abdomen, but other procedures at Silicon Valley Institute for Aesthetics may be able to address your concerns more effectively. Our plastic surgeons also offer a comprehensive body lift, which is performed after weight loss surgery, to eliminate excess skin around the upper arms, thighs, and buttocks. Abdominoplasty can be incorporated into an all-encompassing lower body lift, or performed alone depending on your areas of concern. These post-bariatric body contouring procedures can get rid of loose skin and tissue left behind after massive weight loss. Similar to a Mommy Makeover, your treatment plan can be personalized according to which regions exhibit loose, hanging skin.
While non-surgical procedures will never achieve the same quality of results as a tummy tuck, BodyTite® by InMode offers a minimally invasive option to provide some improvement to the abdomen. Often combined with liposuction, BodyTite® can tighten loose tissue and reduce fat on the abdomen by emitting radiofrequency (RF) energy above and below the skin, thereby destroying fat cells and stimulating collagen production. Although the results will not compare to a surgical tummy tuck, BodyTite® can allow patients to achieve temporary enhancement without surgery, downtime, or anesthesia. The best candidates for BodyTite® are typically near their ideal weight and have relatively good skin tone.
Abdominoplasty FAQ
What’s better for me – a tummy tuck, liposuction, or CoolSculpting®?
Are there different options for anesthesia for a tummy tuck?
What will my scars look like?
When can I return to my daily activities?
Can I still have children after a tummy tuck?
When will I see the final result?
How long do results last?
Can tummy tuck be combined with other procedures?
What’s better for me – a tummy tuck, liposuction, or CoolSculpting®?
Before undergoing a body transformation, it is important to consider all options available. For patients who consider their abdominal area their target area for a body makeover, there are several procedures available to them. For those that don’t want the downtime of surgery, CoolSculpting® can be an excellent non-invasive option. The CoolSculpting® procedure uses controlled cooling to target fat in typical “problem areas” of the body. Because CoolSculpting® is a non-invasive procedure, there is no downtime, no anesthesia, and no incisions or scarring. This type of procedure is great for patients with isolated areas of pinchable fat in areas often stubborn to diet and exercise, such as the abdomen, back rolls, flanks, inner and outer thigh, and under the chin to name a few. Determining which procedure is right for you depends on your anatomy and overall goals. At a consultation appointment, the board-certified plastic surgeons at Silicon Valley Institute for Aesthetics and designated staff can help you decide which procedure is best for you!
Are there different options for anesthesia for a tummy tuck?
When considering a tummy tuck, it is important to understand the type of anesthesia being used and its safety. The board-certified plastic surgeons at Silicon Institute for Aesthetics have perfected their technique of working with the anesthesiologist to perform the surgery under a “twilight” type of light anesthesia. This technique minimizes the risks to the patient while allowing excellent pain control and rapid recovery. We also give patients a pain pump to provide continued local anesthetic after surgery to minimize the need for pain medication. Most patients use very few pain pills and can quickly resume non-strenuous activities. This results in higher safety and a superior surgical experience and recovery.
What will my scars look like?
Tummy tuck scars are placed low on the abdomen, just above the pubic area, similar to where a cesarean section scar would be. Although a traditional tummy tuck scar typically extends from hip to hip, Dr. Jerome Liu and Dr. Tom Liu will use the shortest incision necessary, so the length of your scar depends on your unique treatment plan. Regardless of the technique used for your abdominoplasty, the resulting scar can usually be concealed by most underwear and swimsuit varieties. Immediately after the procedure, your scar may appear red, but the scar will gradually fade over time. To encourage proper healing, aftercare instructions provided by your surgeon should be followed carefully.
When can I return to my daily activities?
All tummy tuck patients are required to walk around immediately after surgery and every day thereafter. Walking is one of the most important components of the healing process and prevents many of the complications of surgery. However, no strenuous activity or chores are allowed during the recovery period. Most patients will need to take a week off of their regular routine in order to heal. Following that time, low-impact activities may be resumed, but vigorous exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for approximately 3-4 weeks. Each patient heals at a different rate, and recommended recovery times can vary based on your individual treatment plan, so personalized aftercare instructions can be provided to you prior to surgery.
Can I still have children after a tummy tuck?
Dr. Jerome Liu and Dr. Tom Liu advise patients to wait until they are done building their family before considering a tummy tuck—however, abdominoplasty should not affect one’s ability to have a successful pregnancy later in life. In the event that you become pregnant after your initial tummy tuck, you may experience some changes that affect the outcome of your surgery. Some women are not bothered by these changes, but a revisional surgery can be performed to restore your original abdominoplasty results, if desired.
When will I see the final result?
Complete healing takes six weeks, although subtle changes can be seen for up to one year. Bruising fades quickly, and the majority of the swelling and inflammation resolves in a few months. If you wish to see results by a specific time, such as a wedding or other major event, we generally advise scheduling your surgery for at least two months prior to the occasion you are preparing for.
How long do results last?
Following surgery, if a healthy lifestyle and stable weight is maintained, the results of your tummy tuck should not be affected and can be long-lasting. However, significant weight change and/or pregnancy can often alter your initial outcome. If you wish to address these changes, a secondary surgery can be scheduled at a later date to reestablish your previous contour.
Can tummy tuck be combined with other procedures?
Yes; abdominoplasty is frequently combined with breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, and/or other procedures for a comprehensive Mommy Makeover, or with other body contouring procedures such as an arm lift for individuals seeking to address loose skin after major weight loss. Depending on your specific concerns, Dr. Jerome Liu or Dr. Tom Liu can create a customized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and aesthetic goals.
Contact Silicon Valley Institute for Aesthetics
Whatever the reason, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) can lead to significant aesthetic and personal benefits for the right candidate by enhancing the waistline and sculpting the shape of the body. To find out if abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is right for you, please make an appointment with Dr. Jerome Liu or Dr. Tom Liu.
