Tummy Tuck
As a leading body plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Dr. Gabbay specializes in procedures that revitalize your bodily aesthetic. From stubborn fat to excess skin, each procedure aims to sculpt a contour that leaves patients looking and feeling at their best. One of Dr. Gabbay’s signature procedures, a fully tailored tummy tuck in Beverly Hills is offered to patients from across the nation.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
Also called abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a plastic surgery procedure that sculpts the lower part of the torso. Using a combination of liposuction, muscle tightening, and removal of excess skin, it can tighten and firm up the abdominal area. It is ideal for patients who have experienced weight fluctuations or pregnancy and who want to finally achieve their ideal body. It is one of several plastic surgery that Dr. Gabbay offers as part of his suite of body procedures.
What Can a Tummy Tuck Do?
Many patients may spend months to years trying to achieve their ideal body through diet and exercise. However, the reality can be frustrating. Skin may remain loose and stretched, and some pockets of fat may refuse to go away regardless of lifestyle. A tummy tuck allows patients to push past their natural limits and improve their lower body appearance with a professionally executed surgery. Some of the key changes a tummy tuck can produce include:
- Removal of excess skin
- Removal of pockets of stubborn fat
- Tightening of loose skin and reduction of stretch marks
- Tightening of weakened or stretched stomach muscles
- Overall flattening of the stomach area
- Improvement of abdominal contours
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Different Types of Abdominoplasty
Each patient’s body and their needs are unique. Accordingly, Dr. Gabbay provides several versions of the tummy tuck, further customizing each element of the procedure to match your goals. Many patients will have a procedure that is a blend of the different types. Dr. Gabbay always uses an approach that take full account of the patients individual needs.
Full Tummy Tuck
Best For: Patients who want the most impressive improvements
The full tummy tuck produces the most transformative results. Its comprehensive results include greater elimination of fat and improved tightening of the muscles. It uses a longer horizontal incision to allow for removal of more skin and better adjustment of the abdominal tissues. Since it is more thorough, it is particularly suitable for patients who have experienced pregnancy or undergone significant weight loss. Due to being a more complex procedure, it typically has a longer duration. Patients can expect a procedure that takes between 2 and 5 hours.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Best For: Patients with milder concerns who want less scarring
Also called a partial abdominoplasty, the mini tummy tuck still provides lower body contouring but through a more restrained approach. By limiting adjustments to just the lower abdomen, the procedure requires smaller incisions for reduced visible scarring. It still creates a sculpted contour, but it removes less skin and fat. It is ideal for patients who have experienced less weight fluctuation yet still have some skin laxity or stubborn fat.
Endoscopic Abdominoplasty
Best For: Patients who want muscle tightening with less excess skin
Endoscopic techniques allow a surgeon to create greater adjustments but with smaller incisions. For an endoscopic tummy tuck, Dr. Gabby uses an endoscopic camera to obtain a better view of the tissues to be adjusted. While it cannot create the same degree of changes as a full tummy tuck, it can still deliver impressive results with less scarring. However, the procedure is more limited for removing excess skin.
Standard Tuck Vs. Mini Tummy Tuck
A standard tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal regions below the belly button. A partial (mini) abdominoplasty tightens only the skin in the lower abdominal area (below the belly button).
The doctor typically performs abdominoplasty under general anesthesia. However, patients receiving an abbreviated abdominoplasty may elect to have only local anesthetic and (IV) sedation.
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Recovery and Downtime
Each type of abdominoplasty will require a certain amount of time spent off from work and focusing on recovering. The extent of this period will depend on your individual procedure, but some common elements include:
- Avoiding strenuous activity (lifting, exercising)
- Caring for the surgical sites according to your post-op instructions
- Staying home from work
- Attending all your follow-up visits with Dr. Gabbay
- Swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which gradually improve
- Managing side effects with medication
- Using a cold compress to reduce swelling and improve discomfort
The exact timeline for recovery varies on individual factors, but a breakdown of the averages is below. Dr. Gabbay will provide individualized instructions for each patient before their procedure.
Mini Tummy Tuck Downtime
About 7 to 10 days off from work.
Gradual return to full physical routine by about 6 to 8 weeks.
Full Tummy Tuck Downtime
About 14 days off from work.
Gradual return to physical activities over about 2 months
Endoscopic Tummy Tuck Downtime
About 7 to 10 days off from work.
Gradual return to physical activities for about 6 weeks.
What Are the Results Like?
Tummy tuck results come in two stages. Though all the tissue adjustments are complete by the end of the surgery, patients will first need to recover before they can begin enjoying their results. In all cases, optimal results tend to go alongside careful adherence to post-procedure instructions. Rest well, care for your surgical sites, and attend all your follow-up visits with Dr. Gabbay.
Initial Results
First, patients can see their initial results after about 2 to 3 weeks. At this point, most of the swelling and bruising should have diminished enough that you can see your new stomach contours. Scarring will occur, but it should gradually improve over time. Additionally, nonsurgical procedures such as laser resurfacing can further help reduce scarring once you have fully healed. Your results will continue to improve as your body heals further.
Full Results
Residual swelling can take a few months to resolve. While it might not seem visible, it can still impact how the tissues sit. As you continue to focus on recovery, this swelling will resolve, and you can see your full results. Typically, this takes about 6 to 12 months, depending on your individual procedure. For example, a mini tummy tuck may only be a few months. A full tummy tuck may be longer.
If Dr. Gabbay believes you are a good candidate, he will discuss your surgery in more detail. As with any surgical procedure, abdominoplasty does carry with it some degree of risk. Be open and honest when informing us about any past surgical procedures and current medications you are taking to increase the safety of the surgery.
How Long Do Results Last?
A well-performed tummy tuck can produce permanent results. However, patients are encouraged to continue with a healthy lifestyle to avoid future weight changes. Additionally, if patients become pregnant, it can damage the abdominal muscles again. So we encourage patients to have the procedure only once they plan to have no more children. If a patient does not have any weight fluctuations, the improvements from a tummy tuck can last a lifetime.
Will the Procedure Leave a Scar?
Each version of a tummy tuck involves an incision that will heal as a scar. However, Dr. Gabbay makes each incision in a way that minimizes visibility and promotes eventual scar fading. Over time, any scars will naturally lessen. He also provides nonsurgical treatments that can further reduce scarring once your body has fully recovered. These treatments also have the added benefit of improving skin texture and tightness overall, which can also prolong your overall results.
Is Abdominoplasty Right For You?
The first step to learn if a tummy tuck is right for you involves easily scheduling a consultation with Dr Gabbay. At this one-on-one meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon, you can discuss each of the three tummy tuck options. Based on your concerns and the aesthetic goals you have, Dr Gabbay can build a tailored treatment plan. He takes the time to ensure each patient is matched with the procedure that is best for them. Signs you might be a good candidate for abdominoplasty include:
- Being at a stable weight that is about 15–20 pounds of your target weight.
- Being in overall good health with no conditions that would increase any surgical risks.
- Having a healthy outlook on the procedure with realistic expectations.
- Being ready to openly communicate your goals, medical history, and situation.
Can You Combine Abdominoplasty With Other Procedures?
Most body procedures can be combined with a tummy tuck. While a tummy tuck is excellent for addressing skin and fat around the stomach, many patients may want more comprehensive results. Dr. Gabbay can skillfully combine procedures into a single visit so you can: see better results and avoid multiple recovery periods.
Some top combinations include:
- Brazilian Butt Lift: Increase the size and volume of the buttocks through fat transfer. Fat can be taken during the liposuction aspect of the tummy tuck.
- 360 Liposuction: Comprehensive liposuction 360 degrees around the torso, including the flanks and back.
- Breast Lift: Weight fluctuations can also impact breast size and position. A breast lift tightens and raises the breasts to a higher position.
- Thigh Lift or Arm Lift: Addresses loose skin and fat in the limbs for an overall tighter body contour.
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