Tummy Tuck San Diego, CA
- What is a tummy tuck?
- Am I a Candidate?
- Benefits
- Types of Tummy tucks
- Procedure
- Risks
- Recovery
- Results
- Cost
- FAQs
If stubborn abdominal fat or loose skin keeps you from feeling confident, tummy tuck surgery may be the right solution for you. Dr. Brian Reagan offers an advanced drain-less tummy tuck technique called the Better Tuck Tummy Tuck that includes liposuction for enhanced body contouring and eliminates the need for post-surgical drains, simplifying your recovery.
At True Beauty San Diego Aesthetic Surgery & Medicine, our focus is on delivering personalized care and natural-looking results. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Reagan has helped hundreds of patients achieve a slimmer, more toned abdomen.
QUICK SUMMARY
TUMMY TUCK
Purpose:
Improve the shape and appearance of the abdomen
Procedure Length:
1-3 hours (depending upon extent of procedure)
Anesthesia:
General
In/Outpatient:
Outpatient
Recovery Time
Back to work 2-3 weeks. Strenuous activities 6-8 weeks.
Final Appearance:
6 to 8 weeks with continued improvement over next several months
Duration of Results:
Long lasting unless significant weight gain
Average Cost
$5,000 -$8,000
*Individual patient results may vary. Examples presented are not to be interpreted as a promise or guarantee.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure designed to eliminate loose skin and fat that are resistant to weight loss efforts. During a tummy tuck, loose, sagging skin tissue is excised and the underlying abdominal muscles, which may have been stretched out due to pregnancy or weight gain, are tightened. Stubborn pockets of fat may also be removed for a firmer, flatter contour. If you have stretch marks in the lower abdomen, these will likely be removed with the excess skin tissue.
About Dr. Reagan’s “BetterTuck” Tummy Tuck
Dr. Reagan’s Bettertuck tummy tuck combines the benefits of a traditional tummy tuck with liposuction and a specialized multi-layered suture technique. This approach reduces post-surgical complications and provides a smoother recovery.
Unlike traditional tummy tucks that require surgical drains to prevent fluid buildup, Dr. Reagan uses advanced suturing to minimize trauma and rely on the body’s natural healing processes. This technique results in:
- Shorter recovery time
- Reduced risk of infection
- Improved comfort with no need for post-surgical drain care
- Smoother scars and enhanced contouring
Are You a Candidate?
You may be an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck if you have one or more of the following:
- Excess, loose skin in the abdomen due to genetics, weight fluctuations, pregnancy or the natural aging process
- Stubborn deposits of fat on the abdomen
- Weakened or separated abdominal muscles
A tummy tuck is a highly individualized procedure. Dr. Reagan will tailor your procedure to meet your specific needs and goals. For instance, for loose skin and fat on the lower abdomen, Dr. Reagan may recommend a mini-tummy tuck instead of a full tummy tuck. Or, he may recommend combining tummy tuck with another body contouring procedure such as body lift, to enhance your overall shape and proportions.
Brian Reagan, MD, FACS
Dr. Brian Reagan is a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of True Beauty San Diego Aesthetic Surgery & Medicine. Dr. Reagan is renowned for his surgical skills and commitment to patient satisfaction. Dr. Reagan has been featured on local media outlets, including ABC 10, and recognized as one of the “Best Plastic Surgeons in San Diego” by San Diego Magazine, and “Best Plastic Surgeons in La Jolla” by La Jolla Light Newspaper.
Benefits of Tummy Tucks
Tummy tuck is the ideal solution for loose, hanging skin and internal muscles that have separated or weakened, creating a stubborn “pouch” in the abdomen area.
The procedure can help boost confidence, making fitted clothing easier to wear comfortably. Many women report feeling as good as they look.
Additional benefits may include improvements in stress urinary incontinence and ventral or umbilical hernias. Some studies also suggest better posture and sustained weight as possible outcomes.
Research published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery indicates that fat removal may influence appetite-regulating hormones, contributing to long-term weight management.
Types of Tummy Tucks
Dr. Reagan offers full and mini-tummy tucks.
Full
The traditional full tummy tuck addresses loose skin in the upper and lower abdomen and weakened abdominal muscles. The full tummy tuck creates an incision from hip to hip that may be concealed beneath underwear or swimsuit bottoms. Dr. Reagan tightens the muscles, pulls the skin down to remove the excess tissue, and re-positions the belly button. Stretch marks in the lower abdomen are gone and stretch marks in the upper abdomen will now sit lower.
Mini
The mini-tummy tuck is often a better option for slender people with good skin quality and minimal muscle weakness but a stubborn pooch in their lower stomach. The mini tummy tuck is a less invasive and complex version of the procedure and only uses one incision to modify the lower abdomen. The incision is located below the bikini and underwear line and is typically shorter than the incision used for a full tummy tuck. Mini tummy tuck often involves a faster recovery than a full tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
Tummy tuck surgery is an outpatient procedure, performed under general anesthesia. To begin, a horizontal incision is made from hipbone to hipbone. The incision will be located below the navel and low enough so it can be concealed by most underwear and bikini bottoms. Through this incision, our plastic surgeon will remove loose, excess skin and tighten the underlying muscles (if necessary).
If there are fatty deposits present, they will be removed with liposuction techniques for a slimmer and firmer contour. An additional incision will be made around the navel so it can be raised to a more natural-looking position on the abdomen.
Safety Information
Normal and temporary side effects of tummy tuck include swelling, soreness and bruising. Over time, these side effects should subside and any discomfort can be managed with prescription oral pain medication.
Like all surgical procedures, tummy tucks carry some degree of risk. Potential risks include bleeding, infection, prolonged numbness, poor wound healing and unfavorable scarring. Fortunately, these risks decrease dramatically when working with a qualified plastic surgeon. Prior to your procedure, Dr. Reagan and his team will discuss side effects and risks in detail with you.
Recovery Time
Depending on the extent of your procedure and personal healing progress, you will need to take one to two weeks off from work and other normal activities. While your abdomen will appear slimmer soon after tummy tuck, it may take up to a year for the final results to become visible.
The effects of tummy tuck can last for many years, so long as you follow a healthy lifestyle (i.e., exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, not smoke). True Beauty can provide you with more tips on how to prolong your slimmer and toned figure for years to come.
TUMMY TUCK RECOVERY
Immediately After:
Patients are sent home with post operative instructions.
One to Two Weeks After Surgery:
Patients should expect to wear a compression garment to help manage swelling and expedite the healing process. Most people are able to return to work during this time.
Three to Four Weeks After Surgery:
Patients start to notice gradual improvements in body contours and can usually engage in light exercise. However, more strenuous activities should be avoided.
One to Two Months after Surgery
It’s recommended that patients continue to wear a compression garment. Final results are starting to become noticeable.
Final Results:
On average, visible results are seen in 6-8 weeks, but may continue improve and heal over next several months.
*Individual patient results may vary. Examples presented are not to be interpreted as a promise or guarantee.
Tummy Tuck Results
Dr. Reagan is a board-certified plastic surgeon with an excellent reputation thanks to his meticulous, patient-based approach to the tummy tuck. He’s developed advanced surgical techniques based on his years of training and experience.
Dr. Reagan will customize your tummy tuck results to your body type and cosmetic goals to provide a beautiful figure that balances your overall frame.
Your needs, personal preferences and goals are carefully weighed by Dr. Reagan when he designs your surgical plan and performs your tummy tuck procedure. View our before and after gallery to see real results from our tummy tuck patients.
When will I see my results?
You may notice a slimmer contour right away, but compression garments, swelling and other aspects of recovery will obscure your figure while you heal. By the end of the first or second week, you should see a firmer, flatter abdominal shape, with your full results settling in around eight weeks after your tummy tuck. However, some patients take longer to heal than others, and someone who has a mini tummy tuck will recover quicker than someone who undergoes a full abdominoplasty.
How long will my results last?
The slimming results of tummy tuck can last many years so long as you maintain a healthy and stable weight. Because future weight gain can cause fat to reappear, the skin to stretch and the abdominal muscles to separate again, Dr. Reagan recommends you wait to have tummy tuck until after you are sure you are done having children. Doing so can help prolong the cosmetic effects of tummy tuck.
Cost of Tummy Tuck Surgery
The cost of tummy tuck varies depending on several factors, including whether the procedure is being performed on its own or in conjunction with another procedure (e.g., liposuction, body lift). The True Beauty team can provide you with a price estimate after meeting with you in person and discussing the details of your aesthetic needs and goals.
Five-Star Service
See What Our Patients Have to Say!
“I had a body lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck and arm lift. Post opp day 3 I was able to sit up on my own and be alone at my house with my 3 year old and no assistance. I went to 5 consults Dr Reagan was my fifth. I knew he was the right doctor then I saw his quote and was sold. Not only did I like what he had to say his prices beat everyone else by thousands. I am extremely pleased with my body and recovery I am no on day 18 with almost zero discomfort.”
Tummy Tuck FAQs
How much weight can I lose with a tummy tuck?
While a tummy tuck can help you slim and tone the abdomen, do not expect to lose a lot of weight. If you wish to lose a substantial amount of weight, we recommend you do so via bariatric surgery or diet and exercise, instead of or before tummy tuck.
Can tummy tucks treat stretch marks?
Tummy tucks cannot treat stretch marks. However, it can remove stretch marks located on the excess skin that will be excised. Because tummy tuck involves tightening the skin, the majority of the remaining stretch marks will be located on the lower abdominal skin, improving the overall appearance of the midsection.
Will tummy tuck scars go away?
As with all other surgical procedures, tummy tucks involve scarring. The good news is that the incision for the procedure is placed low enough that scarring can be concealed under most bathing suits and underwear. In addition, the scar will gradually fade up to the point that it is virtually indistinguishable. The True Beauty team will give you a list of guidelines to follow when caring for your healing scars.
Will a pregnancy reverse the results of a tummy tuck?
A new pregnancy has the potential to undo the taut, fit look you achieved with the procedure. Muscles may again weaken or separate, and skin will be stretched to accommodate the enlarging abdomen.
Dr. Reagan advises women to wait until their family is complete, with no additional pregnancies anticipated, before undergoing a tummy tuck.
How soon after a C-section can I have tummy tuck?
Dr. Reagan advises waiting about six months after a C-section, or until the end of breastfeeding.
This is sufficient time for the uterus and other internal structures to heal and regain their usual shape. Your body is also in better condition to accommodate a surgical procedure at that time.
Will I retain my natural belly button?
This is a surprisingly common question, with a very reassuring answer: Yes. It may be temporarily re-positioned, depending on the extent of the abdominoplasty.
Typically, the belly button is surgically removed, then reattached at the end of the procedure and adjusted to harmonize with the tighter, firmer stomach. The belly button is not re-positioned at all with a mini tummy tuck.
Will I have visible scars after the procedure?
While an incision is required, Dr. Reagan places it strategically to be as discreet as possible. Over time, scars fade significantly, especially with proper care and scar management.
Schedule a Consultation with True Beauty
To learn more about tummy tuck surgery schedule a consultation. Contact True Beauty by calling (858) 454-SKIN (7546) or emailing our La Jolla practice today.
