Tummy Tuck
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Newport Beach, CA
Achieving a flat, youthful abdomen sometimes feels like an elusive dream. At times it seems like despite the workouts at the gym, the endless sit ups and weight training, nothing is happening to that pooch that sits directly above your pubic region. Most likely, that “pooch” is not manageable with diet or exercise. It is excess skin that has lost its elasticity and ability to recoil.. Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck may be the answer if you have excess skin from pregnancy, heredity or weight loss. Diet and exercise can go a long way to improve an unsightly abdomen, but that stubborn roll of fat that hangs over your jeans, or the loose stretched skin may never go away without the help of surgery. Many women turn to Dr. Amy Bandy to help them achieve the flat tummy that they are looking for. Once the excess skin is removed during an abdominoplasty, the results can be life changing, and extraordinarily long lasting. Most women only say that they wish that they had the procedure sooner. Learn more about Abdominoplasty at our Newport Beach, Orange County office.
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Before and After Photos
Who is Tummy Tuck recommended for?
A patient with loose skin directly above their pubic region and extending to their belly button might want to consider an abdominoplasty. A good identifying factor is if stretch marks are present on the lower abdomen. This can signify that the skin in that area has lost a majority of its elasticity and is more than likely unable to recoil back to a smooth, flat surface. If a patient can grab hold of a large amount of skin and it is thin, they might be a good candidate for an abdominoplasty. On the other hand, if skin is thick and does not show signs of looseness, a patient might be a better candidate for liposuction, as the thickness to the skin that they are grabbing could be fat. The easiest way to determine which procedure(s) are appropriate for your individual needs is to meet with Dr. Bandy.
Pre-operation
How can I prepare?
As for any surgery, a patients’ health and well-being is our main priority. We require that patients who are undergoing surgery be healthy with normal lab work (your labs will be performed within 2 weeks of surgery). Furthermore, Dr. Bandy provides patients with a vitamin protocol to being before surgery to aid in the recovery and healing process. During your consultation 2 weeks before surgery, our staff will thoroughly review with you all important information that needs to be completed prior to surgery in order to ensure the best outcome and easiest recovery possible.
Will anesthesia be administered?
Yes, the procedure will be performed under a general anesthetic.
Is Tummy Tuck surgery painful?
Following the procedure patients will be prescribed pain medication in order to minimize discomfort.
What if I am sick before?
If a patient is noted to be sick prior to a procedure, it is advised to contact Dr. Bandy’s office immediately to discuss the best way to move forward.
How long before I see results?
The removal of excess skin can be seen instantly, however it may take 4 weeks or longer for swelling and bruising to resolve.
Post-operation
Is scarring expected?
The incision is similar to that of a C-Section however, depending on the extent of tissue that is removed, the incision can range in size with a hip to hip incision being the longest. Usually for women that have already had a C-Section, the previous c-section marking can be used for the abdominoplasty incision as well to prevent additional scarring. A scar resulting from an abdominoplasty can easily be hidden under a panty or bikini line as well as for men, hidden under briefs or shorts. With proper post-operative care a scar from a previous abdominoplasty incision can be thin, even and unnoticeable in many outfits and swimwear.
Can I drive home after?
If you are having surgery under a general anesthetic, you will need someone to drive you home after surgery. Typically patients are advised to avoid driving for one week following surgery.
Should I try avoiding touching the area after?
A patient will have sutures, staples, and/or surgical tapes covering their incisions and these will remain in place for a few weeks. It is recommended that a patient not touch the incisions until they are healed. Patients may also have a drain in place, which should be kept clean as to minimize the risk of post-operative infection.
What activity should I refrain from after?
Following an abdominoplasty patients are advised to limit going up and down stairs to once a day for 2 weeks. While climbing stairs, you are to do it slowly, one step at a time. Do not drive any vehicle for 3 weeks following surgery unless instructed otherwise by Dr. Bandy. Bend forward when you walk during the first week following surgery and then slowly straighten your posture. You may gradually increase this exercise each week after surgery. DO NOT stay in bed or be sedentary for prolonged periods of time as this increases your risk of blood clots. Do not over exert yourself. Avoid strenuous activity and exertional exercise for at least 3 weeks. No lifting over 5 pounds for 2 weeks.
Do I need to take any medication after?
A patient is usually prescribed an antibiotic and a pain medication. If a patient is undergoing a general anesthesia, they may also be prescribed an anti-nausea medication to combat any feelings of nausea that some patients experience after having a general anesthesia. Lastly, patients undergoing abdominoplasty surgery are prescribed a mild blood thinning medication to begin starting after surgery in order to prevent any possible blood clots from forming.
Costs
What is the average cost?
The average cost for a mini tummy tuck is based on several factors. In order to obtain an accurate price for your surgery we advise meeting with Dr. Bandy for a consultation.
Are there financing options?
The patient has multiple financing options. For example, the patient can pay for the surgery on credit card, and make monthly payments back to their credit card. Additionally, CareCredit is a financing company specific for cosmetic surgery; patients can apply for CareCredit, and there are multiple options for CareCredit. Sometimes, patients opt to make payments directly to the office. This is a prepayment plan where a patient would pay until he or she pays the entire balance for the surgery; then, they would have their surgery.
Recovery
What is the recovery time and the healing process?
Prior to closing the incision, Dr. Bandy may insert a drain to allow blood and other liquids to flow out of the wound rather than accumulate under the skin. This drain is kept in place for 1-2 weeks until the amount of fluid that your body expels is at a minimal amount. . Dr. Bandy also offers the option to use TissuGlu Surgical Adhesive, which to can eliminate the need for drains in most abdominoplasty patients . This will ensure that fluid is not built up and collected beneath your skin which could lead to possible post-operative complications. With every patient’s needs differing, each patient will experience different recoveries. Patients that have had a mini or full tummy tuck requiring no abdominal muscle repair will experience some discomfort on the area of incision. Recovery for patients receiving an abdominal repair will be a slightly longer more uncomfortable recovery and will feel a soreness up the middle of their stomachs ending directly underneath the patient’s sternum.
Is there a post-operative recovery facility that you recommend?
We do have a post operative recovery facility that we refer our patients to in Orange County, CA and Los Angeles, CA. In these situations, they will be picked up by the post operative care facility from our recovery room and brought to the recovery center where they are recovered overnight, and then brought back the next day for their follow up appointment.
We are here to listen and address your concerns.Schedule A Consultation
– Dr. Amy Bandy, Over 20 Years of Experience
FAQ
What is an abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty, also referred to as a tummy tuck, is a very popular procedure in both men and women. It is most commonly used for correction of excess skin on the stomach, resulting from weight loss, one or more pregnancies, or natural age-related loss of skin elasticity. Fatty deposits on the lower abdomen that are unresponsive to proper diet and exercise may also be removed during this procedure.
What does an abdominoplasty correct or remove?
During the course of the abdominoplasty, excess skin, as well as fat if needed, is removed. Abdominal muscles may also be tightened during the procedure to correct a protruding abdomen caused by pregnancy or genetic disposition. Due to repairing abdominal muscles that have been stretched from a pregnancy, as well as removing excess skin, it is advised to only proceed with this procedure with no intent on becoming pregnant in the future. Pregnancy would likely stretch the revised abdominal muscles as well as potentially stretch the incision scar and create unwanted stretch marks. An abdominoplasty cannot correct stretch marks, however they may be removed or somewhat improved if located on the areas of excess skin that will be removed during the procedure. It is not unusual for patients to choose to have Dr. Bandy perform liposuction at the same time of their abdominoplasty procedures to contour their new figures for a smooth and sculpted result.
Is this an outpatient procedure?
An abdominoplasty is considered an outpatient procedure, however, Dr. Bandy requires that all patients spend at least one night at a post operative recovery center or a one night stay at a local hospital. Although every surgical procedure carries risks, the abdominoplasty carries the highest risks associated with cosmetic procedures. Because of this, Dr. Bandy requires patients to be monitored by an accredited facility for the first 12 hours of recovery. Facility staff will check a post operative patients health vitals, administer medication if needed, measure levels of fluid collection and keep note of patient’s discomfort level. Transportation to and from the facility are provided at no additional cost to the patient.
