Tummy Tuck San Diego

Home > Tummy Tuck

• Why Dr. Reagan
• Planning Your Tummy Tuck
• What Does a Tummy Tuck Correct?
• What is the Better Tuck?
• Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy
• Types of Tummy Tucks
• How Better Tuck is Performed
• Belly Button Considerations
• Tummy Tuck Scars
• Tummy Tuck Safety
• Results and Expectations
• Cost of Tummy Tuck
• FAQs

Reviewed by Brian Reagan, MD, FACS

Tummy Tuck Surgery with the Better Tuck®

Dr. Brian Reagan has been performing plastic surgery for more than 25 years and has refined his tummy tuck approach around two things patients care about most: a natural-looking abdominal contour and a recovery that is as manageable as possible.

At True Beauty, Dr. Reagan performs his Better Tuck®, a customized, drainless approach to abdominoplasty that uses progressive tension sutures to eliminate the need for external drains in appropriate patients. Depending on the patient’s anatomy, he may also repair separated abdominal muscles and incorporate liposuction to improve the transition between the abdomen, waist and hips.

No two tummy tucks are planned exactly the same. Dr. Reagan considers skin laxity, muscle separation, fat distribution, previous scars, body proportions and the patient’s goals when determining the right approach.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Brian Reagan

Tummy tuck surgery brings together several areas that have been central to Dr. Reagan’s career: body contouring, tissue handling, wound healing, scar management and creating natural proportions.

• 25+ Years of Plastic Surgery Experience with tummy tuck and body contouring surgery following pregnancy, weight changes and aging.
• Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Creator of the Better Tuck®: Dr. Reagan uses progressive tension sutures to perform drainless tummy tuck surgery in appropriate patients.
• Advanced Plastic Surgery Training at Cornell and UT Southwestern.
• Wound Healing & Tissue Biology Expertise: NIH-supported research relevant to incision planning, tissue management and scar healing.
• Professional Affiliations: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, California Society of Plastic Surgeons and San Diego Plastic Surgery Society.
• National & Local Recognition: Castle Connolly Top Doctor, Newsweek America’s Best Plastic Surgeons and San Diego Magazine recognition.
• Natural-Looking Approach focused on creating an abdomen and waistline that fit the patient’s overall proportions.

You can learn more about Dr. Reagan’s background by reviewing his bio page, reading patient reviews, and viewing tummy tuck before and after photos.

*Individual patient results may vary. Examples presented are not to be interpreted as a promise or guarantee.

How Dr. Reagan Plans Your Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck isn’t simply a matter of removing loose skin. During your consultation, Dr. Reagan evaluates the abdomen as a whole, including the skin, abdominal muscles, fat distribution, existing scars, and overall body proportions, to determine the surgical approach best suited to your anatomy and goals.

1. Skin Laxity

Where is the loose skin?

Dr. Reagan looks at both the amount and location of excess skin. Is it concentrated primarily below the belly button, or does it extend across the entire abdomen and toward the hips? This helps determine whether a mini, full, or extended tummy tuck may be most appropriate.

2. Abdominal Muscles

Is there muscle separation?

Pregnancy and significant changes in weight can contribute to separation of the abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti. Dr. Reagan evaluates the abdominal wall to determine whether muscle repair should be incorporated into the procedure.

3. Fat Distribution

Would liposuction improve the overall contour?

Dr. Reagan doesn’t evaluate the abdomen in isolation. He also looks at the waist and flanks to determine whether strategically placed liposuction could create a smoother transition and more balanced contour.

4. Existing Scars

Are there previous C-section or abdominal surgery scars?

Existing scars can influence incision placement and surgical planning. Dr. Reagan takes previous C-sections and other abdominal surgeries into account when determining how to approach the procedure.

5. Body Proportions

How will the abdomen fit the rest of your figure?

The objective isn’t simply to create the flattest stomach possible. Dr. Reagan considers how the abdomen transitions into the waist and hips, with the goal of creating a natural contour that fits the patient’s overall proportions.

6. Your Goals

What are you hoping to change?

Every patient comes in with different concerns. Some may need relatively limited correction, while others are looking for more comprehensive abdominal or body contouring. Your goals help Dr. Reagan determine whether the best approach is a mini tummy tuck, full tummy tuck, extended tummy tuck, mommy makeover, or another customized surgical plan.

“Every patient is different. Some need muscle repair and liposuction; others don’t. The procedure has to make sense for that person’s anatomy,” says Dr. Reagan..

What Does a Tummy Tuck Actually Correct?

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, addresses changes that diet, exercise and liposuction alone cannot always correct. Dr. Reagan generally evaluates three separate components of the abdomen:

• Loose Skin: Stretched or hanging abdominal skin can be removed and the remaining skin redraped more smoothly.
• Muscle Separation: When pregnancy has separated the abdominal muscles, a condition known as diastasis recti, Dr. Reagan can repair the abdominal wall during surgery.
• Excess Fat: A tummy tuck removes some fat along with excess skin, but liposuction may also be incorporated when additional contouring of the abdomen, waist or flanks would improve the overall result.

While often confused with other procedures, a tummy tuck addresses concerns that liposuction and panniculectomy alone cannot:

• Tummy Tuck: Removes excess skin and fat and can repair separated abdominal muscles when needed
• Liposuction: Removes fat only and does not tighten skin or muscles
• Panniculectomy: Removes excess hanging skin for functional purposes but does not focus on contouring

Dr. Reagan will recommend the most appropriate approach based on your anatomy and goals. In many cases, combining a tummy tuck with liposuction provides the most comprehensive and natural-looking result.

What is Dr. Reagan’s Better Tuck?

Traditional tummy tuck surgery often uses temporary drains to remove fluid that can collect beneath the abdominal skin during healing. With the Better Tuck, Dr. Reagan uses progressive tension sutures to secure the tissues internally as the abdominal skin is advanced. This reduces the open space where fluid can accumulate and allows appropriate patients to recover without external drains.

For patients, the biggest difference is that there are no drain tubes or collection bulbs to empty, measure and manage at home. Dr. Reagan can still incorporate muscle repair and liposuction when those are necessary. The drainless technique changes how the tissues are secured, not whether the procedure can be customized.

Why Dr. Reagan Developed the Better Tuck

“One of the things patients disliked most about tummy tuck recovery was dealing with drains. As my technique evolved, I began using progressive tension sutures so that, in the right patient, I could avoid drains altogether. It takes one more thing off their plate during recovery,” says Dr. Reagan.

Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy

Many of Dr. Reagan’s tummy tuck patients are women who are healthy, active and close to their normal weight but still don’t feel like their abdomen returned to its pre-pregnancy shape.

Often, the issue isn’t simply excess fat. Pregnancy can stretch the abdominal skin and separate the underlying muscles. This can leave a persistent lower abdominal “pooch” or rounded appearance that doesn’t necessarily improve with additional exercise or weight loss.

During a consultation, Dr. Reagan evaluates whether the concern is primarily loose skin, muscle separation, localized fat, or, as is often the case after pregnancy, a combination of all three. For many of these patients, the consultation is less about whether they can lose more weight and more about identifying which changes are actually structural and require surgery to correct.

He also looks at previous C-section scars. When possible, the tummy tuck incision can be planned low on the abdomen with the existing C-section scar incorporated into the skin being removed.

For women who have also experienced changes in breast volume, position or shape after pregnancy, Dr. Reagan may discuss combining abdominal surgery with a breast procedure as part of a mommy makeover. He doesn’t recommend combining procedures simply because they can be performed together; the decision depends on the patient’s anatomy, goals, overall health and what can be performed safely.

What Can a Tummy Tuck Improve?

Depending on the patient’s anatomy, tummy tuck surgery may:

• Remove loose or hanging abdominal skin
• Repair separated abdominal muscles
• Flatten a persistent lower abdominal bulge
• Improve waist and abdominal contour
• Remove some stretch marks located within the skin being excised
• Improve the appearance of certain C-section scars
• Be combined with liposuction when additional contouring is needed

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Which Type of Tummy Tuck Does Dr. Reagan Recommend?

There isn’t one tummy tuck that works for every abdomen. Dr. Reagan chooses the extent of surgery based primarily on where the loose skin is located, whether the muscles need repair and how far the laxity extends around the waist.

Mini Tummy Tuck

Dr. Reagan may consider a mini tummy tuck when the problem is limited primarily to loose skin below the belly button and the upper abdomen does not require significant correction. Because less skin is removed, the incision can generally be shorter and the belly button typically does not need to be repositioned.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck is more appropriate when loose skin involves both the upper and lower abdomen or when more extensive muscle repair is necessary. Dr. Reagan removes excess skin, repairs the abdominal wall when needed and keeps the existing belly button attached in its natural position while bringing it through the newly tightened abdominal skin.

Extended Tummy Tuck

When loose skin continues beyond the abdomen toward the hips and flanks, stopping the operation at the front of the abdomen can leave excess tissue at the sides. An extended tummy tuck uses a longer incision so Dr. Reagan can address the transition between the abdomen and outer waist.

Circumferential Tummy Tuck / Body Lift

Patients who have experienced major weight loss can have loose skin extending around the entire torso rather than just the abdomen. In these cases, Dr. Reagan may recommend a body lift rather than a conventional tummy tuck.

Not Everyone Needs a Tummy Tuck

Part of Dr. Reagan’s consultation is determining whether tummy tuck surgery is actually the right operation.

Someone with good skin elasticity and localized abdominal fat may get the result they want with liposuction alone. A patient planning another pregnancy may be better served by waiting. Someone who is actively losing a significant amount of weight may achieve a more predictable result once their weight has stabilized.

Tummy tuck surgery also isn’t intended as a weight-loss procedure. Dr. Reagan generally looks for patients who are reasonably close to a stable weight and have specific concerns, such as loose skin or muscle separation, that won’t improve through additional weight loss.

“Sometimes I tell people they don’t need a tummy tuck. If their skin is good and liposuction will give them the result they want, that’s what I’ll recommend. The goal is to choose the right procedure based on each patients goals and anatomy,” says Dr. Reagan.

How Dr. Reagan Performs a Tummy Tuck

Every operation is customized, but tummy tuck surgery generally begins with an incision positioned low on the abdomen so the resulting scar can be concealed beneath most underwear and swimwear.

Once the incision is made, Dr. Reagan can assess the abdominal wall and repair separated muscles when necessary. Excess skin is then removed and the remaining abdominal skin is repositioned to create a smoother contour.

With his Better Tuck technique, Dr. Reagan uses progressive tension sutures to secure the abdominal tissue internally as the skin is advanced. This reduces the open space beneath the skin where fluid can accumulate and allows appropriate patients to recover without external drains.

When excess fat around the abdomen, waist or flanks would interfere with a smooth contour, Dr. Reagan may incorporate liposuction into the procedure.

In a full tummy tuck, the patient’s existing belly button remains attached in its original anatomical position while the surrounding skin is repositioned. Dr. Reagan then creates an opening for the belly button through the newly tightened abdominal skin.

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Why the Belly Button Matters

One of the details Dr. Reagan pays particular attention to during a full tummy tuck is the belly button. Because the abdominal skin is being repositioned around it, the shape and placement of the new opening can have a significant effect on how natural the abdomen looks afterward.

Dr. Reagan’s goal is for the belly button to look like it belongs on the patient’s abdomen, not like an obvious sign that a tummy tuck was performed. Its position, shape, surrounding skin tension and relationship to the rest of the abdomen are considered as part of the overall contour.

Patients may not think much about the belly button before surgery, but it is one of the details that can make a tummy tuck look natural—or make it look operated on.

Dr. Reagan’s Approach to Tummy Tuck Scars

A tummy tuck requires an incision, so scar placement is part of Dr. Reagan’s surgical planning from the beginning.

Whenever anatomy allows, he plans the incision low on the abdomen so it can be concealed beneath underwear and most swimwear. Previous C-section or abdominal scars are also taken into consideration when planning the incision.

Dr. Reagan’s background in wound healing and tissue biology also influences how he thinks about tissue handling, tension and closure. The scar will initially be more noticeable and typically changes considerably as it matures, gradually softening and fading over the months following surgery.

Patients receive postoperative instructions for incision and scar care, and Dr. Reagan follows the healing process during postoperative visits.

Your Safety is Dr. Reagan’s #1 Priority

For Dr. Reagan, tummy tuck safety begins before the day of surgery. Patient selection is an important part of the consultation, including reviewing medical history, medications, previous operations, weight stability and other factors that could affect surgery or healing.

Tummy tuck surgery is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited outpatient surgical facility. Before surgery, patients receive specific instructions regarding medications, activity and preparation for recovery.

Dr. Reagan also encourages patients to begin walking early in the recovery process. Follow-up appointments allow him to monitor the incision, swelling, abdominal contour and overall healing as activity gradually increases.

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What Does Dr. Reagan Consider a Good Result?

For Dr. Reagan, a successful tummy tuck isn’t simply an abdomen that looks as tight or flat as possible. The result should fit the patient’s body.

That means looking at the abdomen together with the waist and hips, positioning the scar as discreetly as anatomy allows, creating a natural-looking belly button and avoiding an appearance that looks excessively tight or surgically altered.

When liposuction is incorporated, the objective is to improve the transition between the abdomen and surrounding areas rather than treating each area independently.

The result should look balanced with the patient’s frame rather than as though the abdomen was treated in isolation.

*Individual patient results may vary. Examples presented are not to be interpreted as a promise or guarantee.

How long will my results last?

Tummy tuck results are long-lasting, especially when supported by a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. Significant weight changes or pregnancy can impact your results over time, which is why many patients choose to undergo the procedure after they are done having children.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in San Diego?

The cost of tummy tuck surgery in San Diego can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the procedure and the surgical plan recommended for your body and goals. Several factors can influence pricing, including:

• Whether a mini, full, or extended tummy tuck is needed
• The amount of excess skin and muscle separation present
• Whether muscle repair (diastasis recti repair) is required
• Whether liposuction or additional contouring procedures are combined
• Whether the procedure is part of a mommy makeover or post-weight-loss body contouring plan
• Operating room, anesthesia, surgical facility, and post-operative care fees

Because every patient’s anatomy and goals are different, there is no one-size-fits-all price for tummy tuck surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Reagan will perform a detailed evaluation, discuss your goals, and create a personalized treatment plan. Our team will then provide a detailed cost estimate outlining all associated surgical and facility fees so you fully understand what is included before moving forward.

Patient Review

*Individual patient results may vary. Examples presented are not to be interpreted as a promise or guarantee.

Tummy Tuck FAQs

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How much weight can you lose with a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is not considered a weight loss procedure. While some excess skin and fat are removed, the primary goal is to improve abdominal contour and tighten the midsection. Patients who are close to their ideal weight typically achieve the best results.

Can a tummy tuck treat stretch marks?

A tummy tuck does not directly treat stretch marks, but it can remove stretch marks located on the excess skin that is removed during surgery. Because the remaining abdominal skin is tightened, many patients also notice an overall improvement in the appearance of stretch marks after healing.

Will a pregnancy affect tummy tuck results?

Yes. Pregnancy can stretch the abdominal muscles and skin again, potentially affecting your results. For this reason, Dr. Reagan typically recommends waiting until you are done having children before undergoing tummy tuck surgery.

How long should I wait after a C-section before having a tummy tuck?

Dr. Reagan typically recommends waiting at least six months after a C-section, or until after breastfeeding is complete. This gives your body time to fully heal before undergoing surgery.

Can my existing C-section scar be removed during a tummy tuck?

Often, yes. If the C-section scar sits low enough on the abdomen, Dr. Reagan may be able to include it within the skin that is removed during a full tummy tuck. Whether the scar can be completely removed depends on its location, the amount of loose skin present and how the new tummy tuck incision needs to be planned.

Dr. Reagan takes previous C-section and abdominal scars into account during the consultation because they can influence both incision placement and the overall surgical plan.

Why does my stomach still protrude even though I’m at a healthy weight?

A protruding abdomen is not always caused by excess fat. In many of the women Dr. Reagan sees after pregnancy, the abdominal muscles have stretched or separated, a condition known as diastasis recti. This can leave the abdomen looking rounded or pushed forward even when a patient is active and at a healthy weight.

During a tummy tuck consultation, Dr. Reagan evaluates the skin, abdominal wall and fat distribution separately so he can determine whether the problem is loose skin, muscle separation, localized fat or a combination of all three.

Do all tummy tuck patients need muscle repair?

No. Dr. Reagan does not automatically perform muscle repair on every tummy tuck patient. He evaluates the abdominal wall during the consultation and recommends muscle tightening when separation or laxity is contributing to the shape of the abdomen.

Some patients primarily need excess skin removed, while others benefit from skin removal, muscle repair and liposuction together. The procedure is tailored to what Dr. Reagan finds rather than following the same surgical plan for everyone.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re considering tummy tuck surgery in San Diego, the next step is a personalized consultation with Dr. Reagan. During your visit, he can determine whether The Better Tuck, a mini tummy tuck, full tummy tuck, or combination approach is best for your body and goals. Contact True Beauty by calling (858) 454-SKIN (7546) or emailing our San Diego office to schedule your visit.