Tummy tuck, clinically called abdominoplasty, is a major cosmetic surgery procedure involving a considerable recovery period. Patients should follow the surgeon’s post-op care instructions in a committed manner in order to have a safe and predictable recovery.

The surgeon will explain about all aspects related to tummy tuck, including its estimated recovery, at the time of initial consultation. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai provides tummy tuck surgery to patients in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding locations.

Estimated Recovery Period

In case of a partial or mini tummy tuck plastic surgery procedure, only the area below the navel will be treated for the removal of excess fat and skin. In this procedure, the patient is likely to go through five to seven days of reduced physical activity before they can resume a more vigorous routine. In case of a full traditional tummy tuck surgery, the treatment will include the area above the navel.

Therefore, a full tummy tuck procedure may involve a period of about two weeks of reduced activity. Drainage tubes will usually be placed in these techniques to prevent fluid build-up at the incision site. These tubes may be removed around the end of first week. The patient will also be required to wear a special compression garment in the first few weeks to expedite healing.

Staying Active during Recovery

Patients are not expected to remain immobilized during the recovery period. In fact, the surgeon will encourage them to perform short walks and mild activities at home during the first week. Maintaining a basic activity level will help reduce the risk of blood clot formation.

However, the patient must not lift heavy weights or perform activities that involve too much bending. They must refrain from doing any activities that could put strain on the incision site. Strenuous exercises should be avoided for at least four weeks to give sufficient time for the healing of incisions.

Patients with sedentary jobs may go back to work after a week or 10 days, while others may require at least two weeks before returning to the workplace. Follow-up visits during the recovery phase should be attended so that the surgeon can monitor the healing progress.

Mitigating Scar Appearance

Some degree of scarring is unavoidable in a tummy tuck, but it is possible to minimize the visibility of scars with careful incision placement in discreet locations. The patient should protect the incision areas against sun exposure during recovery. Silicone sheets or a cream, or petroleum based jelly may be applied to mitigate the scar tissue appearance.

Avoiding Tobacco

If the patient is a smoker, they will be required to refrain from smoking for a few weeks before and after tummy tuck surgery. Nicotine in tobacco smoke can restrict blood flow and interfere with the healing process. Infection risks, scarring and other complications can arise if the patient continues to indulge in smoking in the days following the tummy tuck surgery.

Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai receives patients from West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and other cities and suburbs in this part of SoCal for tummy tuck surgery.

For more information on cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and treatments by Beverly Hills board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Roger Tsai, MD please click here or call us at 310.276.1190.Taking patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and other surrounding cities.

Tummy tuck is a major body contouring cosmetic surgery procedure designed to create a flatter and firmer abdomen in proportion to the rest of the body. The surgeon will explain various aspects of the procedure during the initial consultation with an aim to help the patient make an informed decision.

Some surgeons may also present tummy tuck before and after photographs during the first appointment. This will help the patient to understand the potential effectiveness of a tummy tuck procedure in a better way. Stellar, dignified, and board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai provides tummy tuck surgery to patients in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and other cities and communities in this region of America.

What are Tummy Tuck Before and After Images?

Before and after images in case of tummy tuck plastic surgery refer to a pair or group of pictures pertaining to an earlier patient who has received the same procedure with a satisfactory outcome. The pictures include images taken prior to the procedure and after the procedure at a stage when the post-operative swelling and bruising is resolved and full effects of the surgery have been established.

The surgeon will take care to ensure that the pictures are obtained with the proper consent of the patient and presented before new patients in an appropriate way. The patient’s identity may be kept confidential as required. The only goal of the provider in this exercise is to educate new patients about the aesthetic benefits of tummy tuck surgery and help them make the right decision.

The incredible topic here that should not go overlooked is digital technology. There has not been one industry in the world that has not been effected by this amazing development. Now with this technology amazing pictures can be seen from anywhere because of the proliferation of the Internet. More on this below.

Advantages

Tummy tuck is a fairly invasive and complex procedure. It is natural for a new patient to be apprehensive about the surgery. Most patients would like to know how their figure will improve after tummy tuck and whether the results will meet their personal aesthetic goals. Some patients may need a full traditional tummy tuck, while some others may require a mini tummy tuck, or a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction.

In all such situations, the surgeon can use tummy tuck before and after photos as a visual aid to address the patient’s concerns, and help them make the best decisions. The patient will be in a better position to make the right choices when they have access to tummy tuck before and after photos.

Now to harken back on a topic that was already briefly mentioned which was about digital technology. Because of this technology and the widespread use of digital devices, any patient can see these profound pictures from anywhere. It could be on a park bench or sitting down on a chair in a supermarket coffee shop. This means that a patient can make a pivotal decision with no one else being the wiser.

Having Reasonable Expectations

The best satisfaction levels in any cosmetic procedure can be achieved when the patient has a positive outlook, clear aesthetic priorities and reasonable expectations. Therefore, a surgeon may prefer to present tummy tuck before and after photos at the very first appointment which Dr. Tsai does on his salient and beneficial website.

They will encourage the patient to review as many photos as possible in order to form a clear understanding of what the procedure can or cannot do for them. This simple effort ensures that the risk of any disappointment for the patient is mitigated. Patients are able to appreciate the final results in a better way and they have a better understanding on what they are signing up for if they choose to go this route.

This means they can make a critical decision with vivid information rather than rely on someone’s word of mouth or some ambiguous picture in a brochure, for instance.  

Experienced and noteworthy cosmetic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai receives patients from West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

For more information on cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and treatments by Beverly Hills board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Roger Tsai, MD please click here or call us at 310.276.1190.Taking patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and other surrounding cities.

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck cosmetic surgery may involve combinations of different techniques. It will usually include excess skin removal, tightening of underlying abdominal muscles and even liposuction in some cases. On the other hand, a few patients may only require a mini tummy tuck. With different needs of each patient and various other factors involved, the cost can vary between two patients.

In exceptional cases, tummy tuck may provide medical benefits, particularly if the patient has gone through bariatric surgery with massive weight loss.

In such circumstances, health insurance coverage may apply. The surgeon will discuss all aspects of tummy tuck costs during the initial consultation. Outstanding, dedicated and board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai provides tummy tuck to patients in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA and surrounding locations across the horizon.

Factors Impacting the Price Tag

The sticker price of tummy tuck can vary from one practice to another and even from one patient to another at the same practice in some cases. The following factors may influence the actual cost of procedure:

Geographical Factor

Location of the practice plays a key role in determining the costs of a cosmetic procedure such as tummy tuck plastic surgery. Major urban centers will typically have higher real estate costs and the overall living costs may also be higher. Therefore, practices located in such areas will usually have slightly higher costs of procedures than the ones located in smaller towns or remote areas.

Fee Charged by the Surgeon

The surgeon may charge a fee for tummy tuck surgery according to their skills, experience and recognition in the field of body contouring procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, patients should choose the best surgeon for their needs, and focus on getting the procedure done right rather than allow their decision to be governed by secondary issues such as the surgeon’s fee.

Anesthesia and Surgical Room Costs

While a mini tummy tuck may be performed using local anesthesia and IV sedation, a full tummy tuck will require general anesthesia. This will involve the fee of the anesthesiologist or the registered anesthetist nurse who will be present throughout the surgery to monitor the patient’s condition. The procedure may be performed at a hospital, an accredited surgical center or a private surgical suite. The costs and benefits in each case will vary.

Extent of Surgery

If the patient chooses only a mini tummy tuck, the cost will be lower than that of a full traditional tummy tuck surgery. If additional procedures such as liposuction or lower body lift are combined with tummy tuck, the overall costs will increase.

Aftercare Financial Considerations

Some of the post-operative expenses in tummy tuck surgery may be covered in the overall cost quoted by the surgeon, while other expenses will be additional. These could include the costs of compression garments, prescription medications, post-op appointments and medical tests. The surgeon’s office may be able to offer guidance about financing options for tummy tuck surgery.

Remarkable and judicious cosmetic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai receives patients from West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and other communities and neighborhoods in The Golden State for tummy tuck surgery.

For more information on cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and treatments by Beverly Hills board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Roger Tsai, MD please click here or call us at 310.276.1190.Taking patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and other surrounding cities.

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck cosmetic surgery, is a popular body contouring procedure to create a flatter and more youthful abdomen. The procedure will also strengthen the muscles of the abdominal walls, which get typically stretched and weakened due to weight gain or pregnancy.

At the time of pre-op consultation, the surgeon will educate the patient about all aspects of tummy tuck procedure and help them make an informed decision. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai provides tummy tuck and other cosmetic procedures to patients in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and other cities and towns in this part of the state.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty may be more appropriate for candidates who have moderate amount of excess tissue and skin below the navel area, or if they only want to get rid of the overhanging portion of the abdominal tissue. The procedure involves lifting the abdominal tissue above the rectus muscle up to the navel’s position.

To create a flatter abdominal contour, the surgeon will pull down the excess tissue and trim it away. A mini tuck will not involve manipulation of the belly button. The procedure may be performed using general or local anesthesia with mild sedation, and can be completed in one to two hours.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck or traditional abdominoplasty may be recommended if the patient has excess skin and tissue above the navel region, or if the abdominal wall muscles are weak or sagging. The procedure will involve lifting of the abdominal tissue above the rectus muscle up to the level of the breastbone.

This technique allows correction of the excess tissue in the entire anterior abdomen. The surgeon will also reposition to the belly button to a new raised level to make it appear nature. To create a flat contour, the excess tissue will be pulled down and removed. The surgeon will also tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall in case of laxity.

Dr. Tsai performs full tummy tuck surgery in a surgical center adjacent to his office. Patients can return home the same day after the surgery. The procedure is performed using general anesthesia. Temporary drains will be placed under the skin in the incision areas to prevent excess fluid collection.

Recovery and Scarring

Just like any other body contouring procedure, the tummy tuck surgery will result in some scarring. While the scar will travel from hip bone to hip bone, the reliable and cordial Dr. Tsai will create the incisions discreetly in a way that the scar remains hidden in the underwear line. This will make the scar inconspicuous even in minimal clothing.

At the time of initial consultation, Dr. Tsai will closely engage with the patient to understand their cosmetic needs and their abdominal anatomy. Based on the patient’s feedback, he will create a customized abdominoplasty surgery plan.

Drain tubes will be removed in about one to two weeks, and the patient can return to their normal routine in less than two weeks. Profound, perspicacious, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai receives patients from West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and other neighborhoods and suburbs in this part of the southwest for tummy tuck surgery.

For more information on cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and treatments by Beverly Hills board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Roger Tsai, MD please click here or call us at 310.276.1190.Taking patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and other surrounding cities.