Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Before and After

The Procedure

Abdominoplasty, also known as a "tummy tuck," should not be confused with "panniculectomy." In an abdominoplasty, skin and fat are excised from the lower abdomen. The belly button is repositioned and the rectus muscles are tightened. In a panniculectomy, only the excess skin hanging over the pubis is removed without muscle tightening or tightening of the skin of the upper abdomen. There is also no repositioning of the umbilicus (belly button).

So how do you decide if you need a tummy tuck or liposuction? Some individuals who only have increased fatty deposit but good skin tone in the abdomen will do well with fat sculpturing using liposuction. However, if the skin is very loose, hangs down over the pubis and is full of stretch marks, then suctioning only the fat will not suffice. Likewise, if when you relax the muscles of the belly and the abdomen protrudes significantly, then you need an abdominoplasty.

A mini-abdominoplasty only removes some lower belly skin and is often done with those individuals that otherwise have tight abdomens with a little excess skin just at the pubis line.

This surgery can take from two to five hours depending on the size of the patient. This is done as an outpatient procedure, and the patient is usually sent home with assistance or is taken to an after care facility. The patient is ambulatory, but it will take a few days to stand up straight. This procedure usually requires two weeks off work, and it will be six weeks before returning to sports. Postoperatively there are two drains under the skin for one to two weeks. These drains evacuate any fluid collections that form there.

Additional procedures commonly done with abdominoplasty are liposuction of the hips, pubis and/or upper abdomen in order to fully contour the lower torso. Also a pubisplasty can be done when the mons pubis is very loose and drooping.

Mommy Make Over - This refers to treating those areas most commonly affected by pregnancy. Therefore, it is quite common to lift and enlarge the breasts (augmentation mammoplasty and mastopexy) in conjunction with an abdominoplasty and possibly some liposuction to hips, abdomen, pubis and possibly thighs. These procedures may be done in combination or as separate operations depending on the patient's over all medical condition and the surgeon's assessment. Please discuss this with Dr. Aiello at your consultation if you are considering multiple procedures.

Your Consultation

During this visit you will first meet with our consultant, view several "before" and "after" photographs, and have all of your questions answered. You will be introduced to your surgeon, permitting you the opportunity to learn and discuss the technical aspects of the surgery you are interested in. At the time of your visit our staff will provide you with a price quote and scheduling information. We believe the quality of our service is foremost; however, we also recognize that cost is a valid concern to everyone. Upon request we can refer several finance companies to choose from. All you have to do is ask!

For a complimentary preliminary evaluation without having to leave the comforts of your home simply submit any photos of the areas of concern and attach them via e-mail for our surgeons to review. The photos would be most helpful if you can emulate the samples enclosed in our before and after sections. Please make them comparable in composition of the photos you see throughout our site. Email photos to info@oceansplasticsurgery.com and include a phone number and the best time of day for our consultant to contact you.

Have fun! We look forward to helping make your plastic surgery experience a happy and gratifying one!

Click here to contact Dr. '90210' William P. Aiello, experienced plastic surgeon with plastic surgery centers in Los Alamitos and Newport Beach, CA specializing in various plastic & cosmetic surgery procedures.

Plastic surgery in Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Los Angeles, Orange, California.

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