Do you have saggy, loose skin on your tummy after losing weight? Are you a mom who has the infamous mommy pouch? After weight loss or pregnancy, your abdomen may no longer have the flat, tight appearance that it once did. This is usually because of excess skin, weakened abdominal wall muscles, or a combination of both.
No matter how much you exercise or diet or how many skin tightening products you use, it’s impossible to make your belly firmer and flatter. This is where tummy tuck surgery can help. A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, can restore the look of your stomach, which will restore your confidence and self-esteem at the same time.
Dr. Peter Grossman is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has completed hundreds of tummy tuck procedures on both men and women in Los Angeles, so you can feel confident that you’re making the best choice to get the results that you want.
Tummy Tuck Benefits
A tummy tuck is designed to contour the abdomen, creating a flat tummy, as well as a more accentuated waistline. For effective body contouring, the procedure not only removes excess skin but excess fat as well.
With tummy tuck surgery, you can see the fruits of your labor better than ever before. Losing a lot of weight is a huge life accomplishment. Not only are you healthier, but you feel better about your body. However, it can be hard to see the real impact of your weight loss while having to deal with the excess skin and stretch marks that are left over.
Excess skin and stretch marks are also a reality for most moms. Pregnancy can take a toll on your body, especially your midsection. Just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean that you have to live with a tummy pouch and stretch marks forever. With the right cosmetic procedures, it’s possible to get a body that you love again!
Whether you’ve lost a lot of weight or are a proud mother living in West Hills, CA, a tummy tuck is a worthwhile cosmetic procedure if you’re ready to restore the look of your midsection.
Tummy Tuck Options
As with most cosmetic procedures, tummy tuck surgery isn’t one-size-fits-all. In fact, there are many options to choose from when undergoing this procedure to ensure that you get the best results possible. The ideal tummy tuck procedure for you depends on the amount of excess skin that you have, as well as your desired outcome.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is the least invasive option. This tummy tuck procedure is best for patients who have weakened abdominal muscles but only have sagging skin below the belly button. This procedure removes skin below the belly button and tightens the abdominal muscles for a slim, flat look.
The benefits of a mini tummy tuck include an extremely small and easily hidden incision on the belly, as well as no incision around the belly button. This makes for a quicker and easier recovery. Most patients opt for liposuction with a tummy tuck to achieve the best contour possible.
Full Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck is the most commonly performed. This tummy tuck procedure tightens the abdominal muscles while also removing excess, saggy skin above and below the belly button. This technique is ideal for patients who have had massive weight loss as well as post-pregnancy women.
With a full tummy tuck, there are two incisions made. One goes from hip to hip near the pubic line, and another is made around the belly button. This is because the original belly button opening will be removed, so a new one is created during this procedure.
A full tummy tuck is designed to remove a larger amount of excess skin, which creates a flat stomach that is toned and tight.
Extended Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck only addresses loose skin on the stomach, but if you also have loose skin on your flanks (AKA love handles), an extended tummy tuck may be the ideal procedure for you.
An extended tummy tuck uses the same technique that’s used in a full tummy tuck, but the hip to hip incision is extended. This way, the lax skin on your flanks can be properly removed.
Extended tummy tucks are most commonly used for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight.
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
The fleur-de-lis tummy tuck procedure is often reserved for patients who have lost an extreme amount of body weight. In this instance, patients generally have an extreme amount of excess skin that must be addressed using two incisions.
The fleur-de-lis procedure is designed to remove excess skin that cannot be adequately removed by a horizontal incision alone. This procedure uses a vertical incision that runs down the abdominal wall, as well as a hip-to-hip incision, to remove as much excess skin as possible.
To choose the best tummy tuck procedure for you, it’s best to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon will be able to determine which procedure will give you the best results.
Tummy Tuck Process
Before deciding that a tummy tuck is right for you, the first thing to do is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Grossman. He will listen to your goals and expectations while also understanding your journey, to determine if a tummy tuck is the proper cosmetic surgery procedure for you.
Because there are many different tummy tuck options, your experience will be different from other patients. For instance, a patient who undergoes a mini tummy tuck will have a very different recovery when compared to a patient who requires a fleur-de-lis incision.
Dr. Grossman will work with you to develop a customized surgical plan, including pre- and post-surgery instructions, to optimize your recovery and results.
Generally, each patient will have very similar pre-surgery instructions, including:
- Quitting smoking two weeks before surgery
- Making dietary changes
- Not taking aspirin or herbal supplements
Depending on the procedure used, as well as any other cosmetic procedures that are performed during your tummy tuck, your recovery plan will differ. Some patients will require someone to help them after surgery while others can recuperate without assistance.
Why Us?
There are many plastic surgeons who perform tummy tucks in the Woodland Hills and Calabasas areas, so why should you choose Dr. Grossman? If you’re looking for a doctor who is experienced and board-certified and who offers top-notch bedside care, Dr. Grossman is the best option for you.
Not only is he talented, he sees patients from all over the country to provide professional-grade sculpting that creates the body you’ve always dreamed of having.
It’s also worth noting that Dr. Grossman has served as a reconstructive surgeon for more than 20 years. With an extensive surgical background, you can have peace of mind that you’ll get beautiful, natural-looking results that surpass expectations.
FAQs
What exactly is a tummy tuck?
Also known as an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tissue in the abdominal area. When necessary, Dr. Grossman uses liposuction during the procedure to achieve optimal results. An abdominoplasty flattens the appearance of the belly and allows Dr. Grossman to repair weakened or damaged abdominal muscles that seem to defy any amount of ab-focused exercises.
Why isn’t my tummy getting flatter with diet and exercise?
Diet and exercise are great ways to lose weight and to improve your overall health, but pregnancy, significant weight loss, aging, and even heredity can leave you with sagging abdominal muscles. This loss of muscle tone along with pockets of fat can’t be addressed with exercise and diet alone. For the best results, a tummy tuck procedure is recommended.
Is a tummy tuck permanent?
A tummy tuck is designed to be permanent, but it’s important to note that weight fluctuations due to a lack of exercise or a poor diet can erase the results. Just because you’ve undergone a tummy tuck doesn’t mean that you won’t gain weight in your midsection in the future.
This is why most plastic surgeons recommend waiting until you’re at your goal weight before undergoing a tummy tuck. Many will also recommend considering any future pregnancies before committing to the procedure.
Should I get liposuction as well?
Whether or not you require liposuction to achieve the best results all depends on your body and how much excess fat you have. Many patients choose to undergo a full tummy tuck and will have liposuction on their flanks to avoid having a longer incision.
For optimal contouring, Dr. Grossman typically recommends patients also have liposuction to remove stubborn pockets of fat on the flanks, lower back, thighs, and other areas of the body.
What is the procedure like?
Dr. Grossman will discuss the surgery in detail before you decide to commit to a tummy tuck. In general, abdominoplasty requires a horizontal incision between the pubic hairline and belly button. You may need a second incision at the level of the belly button if you have excessive upper abdominal area. After the incision is made, the skin can be lifted from the area and the abdominal muscles are repaired. The excess skin is then pulled down and trimmed away and the “new” edges are sutured together. Dr. Grossman will create a new hole for your belly button and suture it in place.
What is recovery like?
A tummy tuck is an outpatient procedure. In general, the surgery takes around three to four hours to complete. Patients are sent home the same day, and it’s recommended to have someone stay with you for the next few days to ensure you’re recovering, eating, and taking medications to minimize pain and discomfort.
Most patients are fully recovered from the procedure in four to six weeks.
