Understanding the Potential of Tummy Tucks

Women and men often come to our practice after spending countless hours in the gym and trying what seems like every diet available, yet they are still unsatisfied with the overall shape of their bodies. A tummy tuck in Los Angeles is extremely effective in creating a flat and toned abdomen, but the key to successfully using this popular procedure is understanding what it can and cannot achieve.

Tummy tuck procedures begin with a horizontal incision along the pubic line that is often easily covered by a person’s bathing suit. Once the incisions are made, a number of steps are utilized:

• Sutures bring the underlying muscles together to tighten the abdominal wall.
• Abdominal skin is pulled downward, and the navel is repositioned through a small incision.
• Remove excess skin to reveal a tighter abdomen and eliminate stretch marks.
• Liposuction may be used to improve the contour of the waist, flanks, and abdomen.

Tummy tucks often serve as a valuable component of many Mommy Makeovers, which combine the procedure with breast enhancement. This relatively simple procedure can help mothers regain their toned abdomens and bounce back after having children.

Tags: tummy tuck los angeles
Posted in Tummy Tuck,Body Contouring

Will a Tummy Tuck Remove Stretch Marks?

For many people, stretch marks are a part of life. They occur when the dermis is stretched and torn, which can occur as we grow during puberty or as we experience fluctuations in weight. Particularly after pregnancy, many women experience these stretch marks. Unfortunately, there is no proven treatment that will completely remove these marks without excision. Other stretch mark removal methods usually just help improve the appearance of scarring, and do not actually remove the scar.

For women who experience stretch marks from pregnancy, a tummy tuck in Los Angeles can remove stretch marks below the belly button my removing excess or loose skin. But stretch mark removal certainly is not the only benefit of a tummy tuck. In addition, the procedure tightens loose abdominal muscles and can be combined with liposuction to remove unwanted fat in the midsection.

I’ve seen many women who feel self-conscious about their stretch marks and are looking for a solution that actually works. For now, stretch marks on the belly can be removed successfully with a tummy tuck, and I hope that sometime soon a less-invasive approach to stretch mark removal is developed.

Tags: tummy tuck los angeles
Posted in Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck: Not a Weight Loss Method

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that can help remove excess fat and skin around the midsection. This procedure is helpful for contouring the body as well as tightening the underlying muscles of the abdomen. Tummy tucks are particularly popular among mothers who experience sagging or excess skin around the midsection following pregnancy. But while a tummy tuck can help Los Angeles women and men improve the shape of their bodies, it is not meant to be a substitute for eating a proper, healthy diet or exercising regularly. In fact, it is helpful for those considering the procedure to be close to their ideal body weight beforehand.

Some common benefits of a tummy tuck include:

• Removal of excess skin and fat
• Tightening of the underlying muscles
• Improvement in overall body contour

A tummy tuck can also be combined with liposuction for optimal results. Combining liposuction with a tummy tuck is particularly helpful for those who have lost a significant amount of weight and experience loose, sagging skin. A tummy tuck also can be combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures after weight loss for more complete sculpting of the body.

Tags: tummy tuck los angeles
Posted in Tummy Tuck,Body Contouring

Mini vs. Full Tummy Tuck

When they’re considering a tummy tuck, many people may have heard about the option of a “mini” tummy tuck and wondered how it was different from a full tummy tuck. I explain to my patients that it’s important to realize that choosing between the two can actually be quite simple because they are appropriate for two distinctly different sets of patients.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck patient will be someone who has a great deal of excess skin and fat in the abdominal area, as well as weakened abdominal muscles. The full tummy tuck procedure will address these concerns –both above and below the belly button. The procedure may require two incisions instead of one and generally repositions the belly button. Recovery takes several weeks.

Mini Tummy Tuck

On the other hand, a mini tummy tuck patient will be someone with small fat deposits and very minimal excess skin located primarily below the belly button. For these patients, only a single small incision is made where it will be easily concealed by clothing or a bathing suit. While the improvement that can be achieved with a mini tummy tuck is not as comprehensive, it requires less time during surgery and less recovery time.

Your surgeon should be able to advise you as to which procedure can best accomplish your goals.

Tags: tummy tuck los angeles
Posted in Abdominoplasty

Addressing the Abdomen after Weight Loss

After massive weight loss, many people are left with excess skin on their arms, legs, breasts, abdomen, and face. This loose, sagging skin can distort newly slimmed body contours and cause substantial frustration. There are a variety of plastic surgery procedures that may be used to get rid of that unsightly excess skin and refine weight loss results. Today, I’m going to focus on procedures to address just one area of the body: the abdomen.

To get your slimmer midsection looking trim, there are several procedures to consider:

• Abdominoplasty—also called a tummy tuck, is one of the most popular Los Angeles body contouring procedures after weight loss. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and tightens weakened muscles in the lower abdomen and, in combination with liposuction, can help weight loss patients reveal their new figure.
• Panniculectomy—similar to a tummy tuck, a panniculectomy will remove excess skin and fat, but it does not tighten the abdominal muscles or reshape the area around the navel. This is ideal for patients left with a “pannus,” or the extra skin and fat that hangs down on the lower abdomen that’s sometimes called an “apron.”
• Lower Body Lift—also called a belt lipectomy, this procedure addresses the front and back of your midsection and can have a lifting effect on your outer thighs and butt as well. During the procedure, a “belt” of skin around your abdomen is removed and the skin and muscles are tightened. This procedure is more extensive than an abdominoplasty or panniculectomy, but it is more effective for those who have moderate to severe excess skin on the back as well as on their front.

Your plastic surgeon can advise you about which procedure will best achieve you goals. Even after you’ve selected a procedure, your surgeon should further customize the procedure to treat your specific concerns.

Tags: tummy tuck los angeles
Posted in Abdominoplasty

Thermage® and Fraxel® illumiNATION Tour

The Thermage® and Fraxel® illumiNATION Tour wrapped up in Marina Del Rey this November and my practice was privileged to be the grand finale. Picture this: a retro Airstream filled with the latest Thermage and Fraxel technology. For a Los Angeles plastic surgeon like me who specializes in advanced skin rejuvenation treatments, a feature presentation of these devices is an exciting prospect.

The tour was a creative way for Thermage and Fraxel to introduce their newest technology. At the same time, doctors, patients and the general public were encouraged to have some fun. Traveling in the Airstream, the tour visited 20 major cities and allowed people to try out these cosmetic treatments. The new Thermage CPT™ System that was rolled-out on this tour is even better than the original system. Treatment with Thermage CPT is completely painless, whereas the old technology wasn’t quite as comfortable.

Thermage is a non-invasive procedure to tighten and contour the skin. It uses radiofrequencies to heat the deep layers and cool the surface of your skin. Thermage can be used on the face to achieve a non-surgical face lift result, but I’ve also had success treating areas such as the hands, legs and abdominal area. I’ve been performing Thermage treatments at my practice for many years and even receive them myself because the cosmetic benefits are so significant.

Thermage is often a good choice for women interested in Mommy Makeovers – combined procedures that often include a breast lift, a face lift, and a tummy tuck in Los Angeles. The general goal of the total makeover is to help women look younger and slimmer, the way they did before their pregnancies. Skin tightening can play an important role in turning back the clock and providing that “pre-baby” appearance.

I’ve spent a lot of time discussing Thermage but I should also point out that my practice offers Fraxel skin resurfacing as well. Both of these laser therapies are delivering satisfying results for my patients and it is encouraging that the company making these devices is taking the time to spread the word and educate people about professional, laser-based skin care.

Tags: los angeles plastic surgeon, tummy tuck los angeles
Posted in Facial Cosmetic Surgery,Mommy Makeover