Q1: Do I Need a Tummy Tuck or Liposculpture?

Hello, I had my 2nd son 6 months ago and am thinking about doing some cosmetic enhancements. I'm 130 lbs and 5'4". I'm not at my target weight of 110 yet. I exercise vigorously 5-6 days a week. I'm thinking about doing some consultations, but it's hard for me right now as I would have to take my 2 year old and 6 month old along with me since I'm currently alone and my hubby wont be back until a month from now. I would love to hear some input! Thanks!

A: Tummy Tuck or Liposuction After Pregnancy

Should you do tummy tuck or liposuction? This is a question that most plastic surgeons get asked when consulting with women after pregnancy. From your pictures it seems that you do have significant loose skin and stretch marks of your lower abdomen. Liposuction Los Angeles will remove excess fat but will most likely leave your abdomen looking wrinklier! Therefore, you are a better candidate for an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, when the time is right for you. Tummy tuck is a serious surgery and requires assistance during the early recovery phase.

Q2: Tummy Tuck for Diastasis Recti, What Risks are there with thie Surgery?
Procedure?

I have 2 children the youngest being 5 months, both were long babies for what was a small frame. I was told that I have a small hernia and Diastasis Recti. What are the risk if I do not have surgery to repair these issues being that the surgeon made it seem like it wasn't necesary. I was told that doing the abodemonplasti is the best thing but I am scared my insurance will not cover it. This has given me severe back problems and I constantly hold my belly feeling like things are loose inside.

A: Repair of Umbilical and Ventral Hernia with a Tummy Tuck

It is very common to have diastase's recti or even a ventral or umbilical hernia if you are a woman who has had several pregnancies in the past. Ventral or umbilical hernias can be repaired without any significant risk by a board certified plastic surgeon who has had experience in this area. Diastase's recti is routinely repaired by me in almost all tummy tucks that I perform in Los Angeles.

Q3: How Do Surgeons Address The Upper Pubic Area With A Tummy Tuck

I see alot of pictures online were women have tummy tucks after weight loss but they are left with all the fat/lose skin that bulges above and around the vagina, making it look alot like part of a mans privates. To change that, Is there a different surgery? or is it something that is supposed to be included in the TT? Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=411KyrgSYCU

A: Addressing pubic area fullness with tummy tuck

Many women are concerned with pubic area fullness, excess fat and redunant skin, especially after massive weight loss, weight gain, or after multiple pregnancies. This problem becomes even more embarrassing with a standard tummy tuck, because it makes the mons pubis bunch-up and looks full in a bikini!

High tension abdominoplasty Los Angeles, lifts, tightens, and debulks the mons pubis to make it flat, so it will look nromal in a bikini.

Q4: How Long Should I Wait for a Tummy Tuck After Having a C Section?

Im having a C section in one week, and I wanted to know how long do I have to wait for a full tummy tuck, or if it's even possible to have one?

A: Tummy Tuck after c-section in Los Angeles

Many women who have been pregnant want to get their old body back as soon after they deliver. I recommend that you wait at least 2-3 months after your delivery in order to make sure that the size of uterus returns to normal and your abdominal inflammation subsides. You also need to wait until after you are done with breast feeding since you cannot get anesthetics if you are breast feeding.

Q5: Am I a Good Candidate for a Full Tummy Tuck?

I am 20 years old and have one 5.5 year old son. I know not to have this procedure until I'm finished having kids, and I think we are going to have another in the next few years, but I just wanted to see if I was a good candidate with where I am now. I also want to know what all I would need to have done. My measurements are 36-28-38, I am 5'9 and weigh 167lbs. I want a little bit of hips but not a whole lot left.

A: Difference between a full and mini-tummy tuck in Los Angeles

Most women who have had children are left with many abdominal stretch marks as well as loose abdominal skin. These women would be a good candidate for a full tummy tuck Los Angeles or abdominoplasty which removes excess skin, and tightens abdominal muscle. Women who don't have stretch marks and/or loose hanging abdominal skin might be able to get away with a mini-tummy tuck which does not tighten the muscles.

Q6: Can Smart Lipo Be Carried Out After a Tummy Tuck and Mesh Hernia Repair?

I had a tummy tuck and incisional hernia repair in 2003 after losing 130 pounds from weight loss surgery in 2002. I regained about 30 pounds and have maintained my weight for the last 6 years. My weight gain is in my upper abdomen above my belly button, I have virtually no waist. Can Smartlipo be done on this area and would it help?

A:liposuction after tummy tuck

Liposuction can be performed after tummy tuck or abdominoplasty in Los Angeles to help maintain shape and form. When considering liposuction after abdominal hernia repair you should be careful to choose a Board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in both hernia repair and liposuction.

Q7: When Looking Tummy Tuck PS, Which Board Should They Be Certified By?

A: Qualifications for performing a tummy tuck in California

The only recognized board for plastic surgery is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Unfortunately, in the USA any physical can take a short course and get a certificate with calls them board certified, but these are not real and fully trained plastic surgeons.

Q8: Travel 5 Weeks After Abdominoplasty?

Can I have a full tummy tuck and travel (for a month) 5 weeks after the surgery? Would I be able to wear a bathing suit 5 weeks post surgery? If I will still be swollen and uncomfortable I may opt to have the surgery at another time.

A: Recovery and Travel after Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty

You can travel as early as two weeks after a tummy tuck Los Angeles but you are not allowed to lift anything more than 20 lbs for the first 6-8 weeks. You will continue to have swelling for 2 months after surgery depending on your activity level. You can jog about 3 weeks after surgery.

Q9: Does High Superior Tension Abdominoplasty Reduce Risk of Necrosis?

In regards to High Superior tension abdominoplasty, from a leyman's perspective, it seems that this is the preferable technique for abdominoplasty to avoid complications like seromas, necrosis etc and potentially eliminates need for the drains as the technique focuses on closing the dead spaces. Do most plastic surgeons employ this technique when performing a standard abdominplasty and if not,why? I like the idea of the tension being transferred to the umbilicus level as opposed to the suprapubic area as the first is more well vascularized. My biggest concern is necrosis and that technique seems to diminish the risk substantially.

A: High Tension Abdominoplasty is Superior

High tension abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a superior technique of tummy tuck Los Angeles. It lifts the thighs, tightens the abdominal muscles, and narrows the waist line. It can have a higher risk of skin necrosis if patient does not follow instructions well after surgery or smokes.

Q10: High Tension Tummy Tuck Vs. Regular Tummy Tuck

What's the difference between a high tension tummy tuck and a regular one?

A: High Tension Abdominoplasty vs Regular Tummy Tuck in Los Angeles

High Tension Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty as is performed in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills combines several procedures to deliver amazing results. It lifts up and tightens the thighs and buttocks, while narrowing the waist line, and tightening the abdominal wall. A regular tummy tuck does not usually lift up the thighs and does not give a curvaceous figure.

Q11: Full or Mini?

Hi there, after 1 c-section, I am left with a deflated abdomen and as can be seen in the photographs, red stretch marks from my belly button down. I have a consultation on May 6, but I am seeking other opinions as to whether or not a mini or full tummy tuck would be most beneficial to the appearance of my stomach. Thanks so much.

A: Full vs. mini-tummy tuck?

Mini-tummy tuck, as is performed by most plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills, involves removing excess skin of the lower abdomen and maybe some tightening of the lower abdominal muscles. This is usually reserved for those women who have very little excess skin and very limited stretch marks. Most women with multiple pregnancies and stretch marks that extend to the mid-abdomen with weakness of the upper and lower abdomen, are better served by a full tummy tuck Los Angeles.

Q12: How Long After a Tummy Tuck Do You Have to Wait to Get Your Belly Button Pierced?

How long after a tummy tuck do you have to wait to get your belly button pierced?

A: piercing belly button after tummy tuck

Piercing of the belly button has become very popular in Los Angeles, especially since women can wear open clothes. Tummy tuck is also very common procedure in Southern California. If you are considering a belly button ring after a tummy tuck Los Angeles you need to wait until your umbilicus has completely healed. This usually takes at least 6-8 weeks

Q13: Can Muscle Repair Be Done if I Don't Have Separation?

I am worried my tummy won't be flat. When I do the "sit-up" test it feels like my muscles are together...I don't feel any seperation. I had my baby young (20 years ago) when I was 19. I work out regularly but lost about 80 lbs 5 years ago after lap-band. My biggest issue is the extra skin but my stomach sticks out when I am not holding it in, too. Can the doc do MR if you have no seperation??? If I let it out I look 4-6 mos prego.

A: Tightening of the abdominal muscles with a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty

Almost all women do develop abdominal wall weakness and/or muscle separation with pregnancy. In you are in shape and still have abdominal bulging then you do have muscle wall weakness which can be tightened during a tummy tuck Los Angeles or a High Tension Abdominoplasty

Q14: Love Handles - Lipo of the Flanks or Extend the Tummy Tuck Incision?

Is it possible to eliminate, or greatly reduce, "love handles" during a tummy tuck by extending the incision or is lipo still necessary?

A: Liposuction can enhance tummy tuck results

I routinely combine liposuction of the flanks and the lower back with a high tension abdominoplasty or tummy tuck in Los Angeles in order to create a more curvaceous look and to eliminate the "love handles".

Q15: Will Gaining Weight Be Problematic After Tummy Tuck?

Im 5'2 and weigh 88lb. I had twins 9 months ago and then under went a full tummy tuck (no lipo) and muscle repair/tightening 4 weeks ago. My friends and family are constantly telling me i look too thin and need to gain about 10-12lb. I have always been quite slim but now im scared that if i gain this weight i will undo the benefits of my surgery and my final result will not be as good. Am i correct in thinking this? Please advise.

A: Will Gaining Weight Be Problematic After Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck is designed to remove excess abdominal skin and tighten the abdominal muscles. Usually, if you gain 5-12 lbs. after your tummy tuck you should not see any significant difference, but if you gain much weight you can accumulate the fat in your hips and breasts which can make you look un-proportionate. To lessen the risk of this I usually perform liposuction of the flanks and the lower back along with tummy tuck Los Angeles.

Q16: How Soon After a Tummy Tuck Can I Wear High Heels?

A: Recovery After Tummy Tuck in Los Angeles

You would be able to wear high heals within 10-14 days after a tummy tuck Los Angeles as long as you feel steady and comfortable walking in them. You can also start light exercising within two to three weeks but no heavy lifting or sit ups for 2 months.

Q17: How Can a Physician Tell the Difference Between Fat and Loose Skin for a Tummy Tuck?

I am going for my consult on Friday and was wanting to schedule my surgery in 2-3 months in order for me to lose the last 10lbs of baby weight. Is it possible to lose the belly fat or is it just skin? How can you tell the difference?

A: difference of excess fat and loose tummy skin

One of the first things that I check when evaluating a patient for a tummy tuck is to assess how much abdominal subcutaneous fat they have. I also, determine how much loose and hanging abdominal skin they have. When the predominant issue with the abdomen is excess skin folds then the correct procedure is a tummy tuck Los Angeles. On the other hand if there is mostly excess fat over the abdomen, then liposuction would be preferable.

Q18: How Do I Get Rid of my Baby Belly Pouch After a C-section?

I am 24 years old a mother of 1 and he is now 16 months old. I had my son by c-section; I used to have a great slim body and now I am very depressed over my baby belly pouch. I work out 5 times a weeks a eat very healthy. I would like to know how do I get rid of the pouch? I am also numb from the belly button to the top of my vagina and it's not getting any better. What do I do? Every piece of advice is very much appreciated.

A: Mommy Makeover or tummy tuck after pregnancy

Most women who have had several babies are usually good candidates for a tummy tuck Los Angeles. abdominoplasty removes loose excess abdominal skin while tightening the muscles. When a tummy tuck is combined with a breast augmentation surgery, it is called a mommy makeover

Q19: Tummy Tuck through C-section Incision

I am 41 mom of four and would like to get rid of excess fat and stretch marks on my abdomen; can it be done through my C-section scar in bikini area to avoid the long vertical scar?

A: location of a tummy tuck scar

A full tummy tuck scar is usually placed low, at the level of the c-section scar and extends outwards towards the hips. a mini-tummy tuck scar is much shorter and only extends within the pubic area.

Q20: Pregnancy Stretch Marksm

When I was 8 months along in my pregnancy, I got PUPPP which created very severe stretch marks. I have these stretch marks little over a inch above my belly button, all over my lower tummy, and a little on my hips. I am 22 yrs old, 5'4", 148 lbs, and in the process of losing 38 lbs. I have one child but not planning on having any more. Will it get rid of the stretch marks? I have a C-section scar from geting an ovarian cyst removed when I was 16. Will the incision start from this scar?

A: Stretch mark removal with tummy tuck

Most tummy tucks remove a considerable amount of lower abdominal skin. Considering that this is where most of the stretch marks reside, then you can say that most of the stretch marks get removed with a tummy tuck Los Angeles.

Q21: Can Working out Too Soon After Tummy Tuck Ruin Results?

I started exercising at 10 weeks after Tummy Tuck, and I am extremely swollen. Should I stop exercising or will that not help at this point?

A: recovery after tummy tuck- When can I start exercising

Considering that abdominal muscles are tightened after a tummy tuck it is not a good idea to start exercising your torso for the first six weeks. You can walk, and do light lifting but no heavy abdominal exercises for at least 6-10 weeks after a tummy tuck Los Angeles.

Q22: Is Pouched-look After Tummy Tuck Swelling?

Is the pouched look 4 weeks after tummy tuck just swelling? I had a full Tummy Tuck 4 weeks ago and now I'm nervous because I still look like I have a pouch. Will it go away?

A: Tummy tuck recovery- swelling after abdominoplasty

it is very common to develop a pouch in the lower abdomen several weeks after a tummy tuck Los Angeles. The reason for this is that swelling or edema gathers with gravity in the lower part of the abdomen. Wearing abdominal girdles help, but most of all it just takes time.

Q23: Tummy Tuck Scar Made Too High?

Is my Tummy Tuck scar placed too high if it's 3 inches below new belly button, and 1 inch higher than top of pubic line? Are most tummy tuck scars suppose to be straight, or is it more common to have some sort of curve in the line? Mine is shaped and goes up and down like a small upside down V in the center.

A: Tummy tuck scars in Los Angeles

Most tummy tuck scars in Southern California including Los Angeles are placed very low, just about where a c-section scar would be. I usually ask my patients to decide where they want their scars to be.

Q24: How Soon After Surgery Can I Start Scar Treatment?

I'm 17 days post op from. TT and BA. I Want to start using silicone sheeting I'm my.TT scar. How soon can I start? I did not have steri strips. My PS used stitches. I'm not doing anything with the scar except cleaning and putting ointment on it.

A: tummy tuck scar treatment options

All wounds go through several stages of healing. There is no benefit of applying any "scar treatments" until after scars start to contract which is about 4 weeks after tummy tuck Los Angeles. Until then it is best to keep the skin well hydrated and moisturized.

Q25: Full Tummy Tuck w/o Muscle Tightening - Normal?

My ps said he could put just his thumb between the wall of muscle so he seen no need to tighten them. is this normal?

A: Muscle tightening with tummy tuck

Obviously I have not seen your pictures and have not examined you. But in general almost all women who have had childbirth at lease have some extent of abdominal wall laxity, and would benefit from muscle tightening. You can see the difference in some of the tummy tuck Los Angeles before and after pictures.

Q26: Tummy Tuck Scars

I imagine that you can have tummy tuck scars hidden below your underpants but is this true? Can i wear a bikini 1 year after tummy tuck?

A: Tummy Tuck scars- High tension abdominoplasty in Los Angeles

One of the most import questions that I get asked during a tummy tuck consultation is the length and position of a tummy tuck scar. I usually place the tummy tuck scar very low, just below where a c-section scar is going to be. On the sides this scar extends to the hips but it stays low. Some women want the scars higher, depending on the type of bikini or underwear that they wear. It is definitely possible to wear a nick bikini and hide your tummy tuck scar after an abdominoplasty Los Angeles.

Q27: Full Vs Mini Tummy Tuck with Liposuction for Mother with High Umbilicus?

I am a 33 year old mom with 2 kids and I don't plan to have any more kids. I have a low c-section scar and a high umbilicus or so I´ve been told. I've consulted 2 plastic surgeons and they told me the best option for me was Liposuction and a mini-abdominoplasty, but one other doctor told me I could benefit from a full Abdominoplasty, so now I'm confused. If you could please give me your opinions. Thank you very much!

A: Mini-Tummy Tuck vs. Tummy Tuck

From your pictures it appears that you have significant abdominal wall laxity and weakness. The only thing that is going to tighten your abdominal wall is a full tummy tuck Los Angeles or abdominoplasty. A mini-tummy tuck usually only removes lower abdominal skin and maybe only tightens the lower part of the abdomen. Tummy tuck is possible even in a person with a tall torso or high umbilicus.

Q28: Tummy Tuck for Patient with Hernia After C-section?

I have had 2 C-sections (2004 and 2008). After my last c-section, I developed an ileus. Because I was so bloated, my intestines pushed through the internal incisions, therefore causing a hernia.

After having that repaired, my stomach hangs and it still looks like I'm pregnant 2 years later. The bottom of my stomach is actually almost square like. Would I be a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck. I have Tricare Prime and the likelyhood of them approving it almost slim to none.

A: Repair of Abdominal Hernia with Tummy Tuck

It seems that after repair of your abdominal hernia you are now left with excess skin folds. You are a good candidate for an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck Los Angeles. I usually perform both the repair of the abdominal hernia and tummy tuck at the same time.

Q29: Tummy Tuck Vs Liposuction for Abdomen

I am 112 pounds with thin arms and legs. My abdomen has always been large in proportion to my body, but after 3 C-sections, it is huge. I could pass for being 5-6 months pregnant. I have been told there is not a lot of fat there but the underlying tissues are very weak. Over the years I have done multiple abdominal exercises and nothing works. I am 60 years old and in good health. What do you recommend?

A: Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction

Do the pinch test! Pinch your upper abdominal skin. if you can pinch about 2 inches of tissue or fat that means that the majority of your abdominal fullness is subcutaneous fat. In this case you should first consider liposuction. On the other hand, if you can only pinch one inch of fat in your upper abdomen, and you still have a large protruding abdomen, then it would seem that most of this fullness is due to looseness of the abdominal wall. In this case a tummy tuck Los Angeles would be better

Q30: Combo Tummy Tuck and Breast Augmenation - As Painful As C-Section?

I am 32 year old and have 4 children 6 - 10 month old . I want to do Tammy tuck and breast augmentation in the same time. Can you please give me advice. Is this as painful as ceserian ???

A: Tummy tuck and breast augmentation- Mommy Makeover

Tummy tuck Los Angeles and breast augmentation can be combined. This combination is called a mommy makeover. It usually extends the recovery period from two to three weeks. It is not dangerous to combine these procedures as long as you are healthy and have ample help at home.

Q31: Tummy Tuck Recovery

What is tummy tuck recovery generally like? If I get it done, what can I expect post-op care, checkups, pain? How long does complete recovery from a tummy tuck Los Angeles take?

A: Tummy tuck recovery in Los Angeles

Recovery after a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is usually about 2 weeks, but this can vary depending on the extent and type of tummy tuck as well as the patient's general health and age. Usually thin people who are young experienced the fastest recovery. In the reference below you can find important information about tummy tuck Los Angeles recovery.