ABDOMINOPLASTY - TUMMY TUCK IN LOS ANGELES, BEVERLY HILLS
An abdominoplasty procedure is also known as a tummy tuck. The surgery is performed in order to tighten the anterior abdominal wall and remove excess skin from the lower abdomen. If you are considering a tummy tuck procedure, please call our office to schedule a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, a board certified plastic surgeon practicing in Santa Monica and Los Angeles, California.
There are many reasons why patients choose to undergo an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedure. The two most common reasons for undergoing a tummy tuck are bulging of the abdominal wall and excess skin above the mons pubis. These two conditions often occur after pregnancy and cause women to avoid wearing low cut jeans or a two-piece bikini.
During a tummy tuck procedure, Dr. Karamanoukian performs surgery to remove the excess skin and tighten the rectus fascia, which becomes loose with age or pregnancy. Although the surgery is commonly performed in women, it has become increasingly common in men after weight loss or lap band surgery. Post-bariatric surgery patients may benefit from a tummy tuck or body lift procedure in order to restore the abdominal wall contour.
A tummy tuck procedure is performed in order to:
1) Tighten Abdominal Muscles
2) Reduce Abdominal Bulging
3) Remove Stretch Marks
4) Reduce Excess Skin on the Abdomen
An abdominoplasty procedure is commonly known as a 'Tummy Tuck.' This plastic surgery procedure is performed to remove excess skin and fat from the anterior abdominal wall.
Weight gain, pregnancy, and advancing age can all contribute to changes in the shape of your abdominal wall. Muscle tone and fat accumulation can increase the size of the abdomen, leading to a bulge in the midline torso and a loss of the hourglass figure. During an abdominoplasty - tummy tuck, the abdominal muscles are tightened and the excess fat removed from the waist. This results in a more shapely profile around the abdomen.
In some cases, a tummy tuck is performed to reduce the appearance of stretch marks below the belly button. During the procedure, the stretch marks are surgically removed and the rest of the abdomen tightened.
Options for surgery include the bikini-abdominoplasty, the mini-abdominoplasty, and a full abdominoplasty. Often these surgeries are needed in addition to proper diet and exercise.
It is advised that you eat healthy and optimize your medical health before undergoing an abdominoplasty. Smoking and excessive dieting are discouraged before surgery.
Your abdominoplasty options will be explained to you by Dr. Karamanoukian, who is a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring procedures. Regardless of your body weight or body mass index, Dr. Karamanoukian will determine the correct abdominoplasty or body lift procedure for your particular case.
ANESTHESIA FOR AN ABDOMINOPLASTY AND TUMMY TUCK SURGERY
Dr. Karamanoukian routinely performs Abdominoplasty procedures using general anesthesia. Surgery is performed on an outpatient basis in our state-of-the-art AAAHC certified operating room suite. The operating room is complete with all of the required monitoring, anesthesia machines, and emergency equipment to ensure a safe outcome. Anesthesia will be provided by a board certified anesthesiologists who is familiar with all aspects of cosmetic surgery anesthesia.
Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck procedure? Both men and women are candidates for a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedure. Women are more likely to undergo a tummy tuck, however, based on the effects of pregnancy on the abdominal muscles. Patients who may benefit from a tummy tuck have excess skin and fat along the abdomen, loose skin, stretch marks, an aged belly button, and laxity of the abdominal muscles with bulging of the anterior abdominal wall.
Can a tummy tuck remove stretch marks on the abdomen? Yes. Stretch marks can be removed and excised with a tummy tuck procedure. In addition, Dr. Karamanoukian will also perform laser treatments to reduce the stretch marks. Both procedures will markedly improve stretch marks on the anterior abdominal wall.
Should I have a full or mini-tummy tuck? A mini tummy tuck only addresses the lower abdomen, below the level of the umbilicus. Tightening of the abdominal wall is performed below the belly button and the excess skin is excised using a shorter, lower incision. The decision between a full tummy tuck or a mini-tummy tuck depends on how much extra skin there is and whether the abdominal bulging occurs above the belly button.
ABDOMINOPLASTY AND MINI-ABDOMINOPLASTY INFORMATION
Abdominoplasty: A surgery performed to remove excess skin from the lower abdomen and tighten the anterior abdominal wall.
Mini-Abdominoplasty: A surgery performed to remove excess skin from the lower abdomen and tighten the infraumbilical abdominal wall. The surgery leaves smaller scars and preserves the belly button, in comparison to a traditional abdominoplasty.