Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck | San Jose, Mountain View, San Mateo

Abdominoplasty, also known as a “tummy tuck,” flattens and contours the abdomen and waist. Excess skin and fat are removed and the muscles are tightened. The best candidates have pockets of fat or loose skin that hasn’t responded to diet and exercise. Also, women with stretch marks and stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy may also benefit from a “tummy tuck.” Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss – rather, it complements a balanced diet and exercise program.

Abdominoplasty Procedure

The procedure takes approximately two to four hours, depending on the patient. It can be performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation with local anesthetic. Although the scar stretches between the hips, it is meticulously closed in three layers to produce the best scar possible. The scar is usually inconspicuous and positioned low enough to be concealed by a bikini.

Mini-abdominoplasty

Some patients may be a candidate for a mini-abdominoplasty. A “mini” utilizes a shorter scar. The best candidates for a “mini” have only a slight amount of excess skin confined to the lower abdomen (below the belly button). A mini-abdominoplasty can be combined with liposuction or muscle tightening if necessary to optimally contour the abdomen.

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 6 weeks if the abdominal muscles are tightened. Combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, the results of an abdominoplasty or mini-abdominoplasty are long lasting.