Los Angeles Tummy Tuck

The medical term for a ‘tummy tuck’ is abdominoplasty. A tummy tuck is a major cosmetic plastic surgery procedure to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall and remove excess skin and fat. Having a tummy tuck in Los Angeles has become a popular procedure for both men and women. Since the year 2000, there has been a 115 percent increase in tummy tuck procedures in the United States.

The best candidate for a tummy tuck is someone who has excess skin and fat in the abdominal area. The person must be in relatively good shape, but with extra skin and fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. Men and women whose abdominal muscles have stretched beyond their ability to get back to normal are good candidates for a tummy tuck. Los Angeles has many plastic surgeons that carry out this procedure.

You should make an appointment with a plastic surgeon to give you a body evaluation if you are considering this procedure. A mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty can be done in cases when there is not excessive abdominal fat and the fat is in the area below the naval. If you choose to go through with a tummy tuck in Los Angeles, the surgeon will prepare you for the surgery by telling you what to expect.

Most tummy tucks are done under general anesthetia. This means that you will be asleep during the procedure. You could, however, choose to have the tummy tuck at a Los Angeles clinic under local anesthetic, but you will experience some discomfit. It can take between two and five hours to complete the surgery.

The surgeon will usually begin by making an incision from one hipbone to the other, across the abdomen. Another incision will be made to remove the naval from the tissue surrounding it. The abdominal muscles are then stitched such that they are tightened and the excess skin is removed. The skin that remains is then redraped and sutured and a new hole is formed for the navel. If you choose to undergo a tummy tuck in Los Angeles, you will have to take some time to recover.

The recovery period is normally a few weeks, but it could take months before you feel like you did before the procedure. Directly after the procedure you will feel pain and discomfort. This can be managed with painkillers. Your abdomen will also feel swollen. You could be discharged from hospital a few hours after the tummy tuck. In Los Angeles some hospitals may require you to stay for up to 3 days if they feel your condition needs monitoring.

Deciding to have a tummy tuck is a big decision as it entails major surgery. Make sure you are properly evaluated before you make the decision, and that your expectations are realistic. Speak to your plastic surgeon about everything the procedure entails. Some plastic surgeons that perform a tummy tuck in Los Angeles can also do so at an office-based facility or on an outpatient basis. Contact our Los Angeles Plastic Surgery Office to schedule a complimentary consultation at 866-372-3288.