DR. CARLOS O. CHACON
For many people, the stomach is a difficult area to tighten and tone. Factors such as pregnancy and significant weight fluctuation can make things even more difficult by stretching the skin, weakening the abdominal muscles and leaving behind surplus fat deposits. Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a plastic surgery procedure that targets the abdominal area and produces a slimmer and sleeker profile. Dr. Chacon of Divino Plastic Surgery offers tummy tuck in Chula Vista.
Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck?
You may be a suitable candidate for tummy tuck if your abdomen protrudes and you have loose, saggy abdominal skin, surplus fat and weakened or separated abdominal muscles. As mentioned, pregnancy and weight fluctuation can cause the abdomen to protrude and the skin to look lax and saggy. Others are simply born with a flabby stomach and no amount of diet or exercise will help.
If you are considering tummy tuck, you should be in good health (physically and psychologically) and free of any chronic, uncontrolled medical conditions. You should be in relatively good shape and at, or near, your goal weight.
You will be evaluated as a tummy tuck candidate during a personal consultation with Dr. Chacon. He will inquire about your medical history and any previous surgeries. He will examine your abdomen and note factors like the elasticity of your skin and the amount of excess fat. Dr. Chacon will also ask you about your goals of surgery. This information will be used to help him develop a customized treatment plan for your surgery.
Abdominoplasty Surgery Details
Tummy tuck is performed on an outpatient basis at an accredited surgical facility. Anesthesia is administered for your comfort and safety.
To begin, Dr. Chacon will make a horizontal incision just above the pubic area, from hip to hip. Through the incision, he will remove excess fat deposits (using liposuction techniques), repair weakened/separated abdominal muscles and remove loose skin. He may also reposition the belly button. Dr. Chacon will re-drape the remaining skin more tightly over the abdomen for a smoother and tighter abdominal profile.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Certain tummy tuck candidates do not need extensive correction. Their excess skin and fat may be limited to the area below the belly button. In these cases, Dr. Chacon may recommend a less intensive variation of traditional tummy tuck called mini tummy tuck.
Recovering from Tummy Tuck
The abdomen will be sore, swollen and bruised following surgery; these side effects will subside with time. Wearing an abdominal binder or support garment will put slight compression on the tissues as they heal and help to minimize swelling.
You should plan to take a few days off, depending on the demands of your work, and take it easy during your recovery. During that time, you need to refrain from bending, heavy lifting or any type of strenuous movement, including exercise.
Dr. Chacon will meet with you to check on your healing progress and advise when it is safe to resume exercise, work and your normal routine.
You should see results immediately, and they will improve as the swelling completely resolves.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
Can exercise eliminate the loose skin around my midsection?
Although diet and exercise are successful ways to get rid of excess fat, a healthy lifestyle is unfortunately ineffective at addressing sagging skin. If your skin lacks the elasticity to retract to its previous size, the only effective solution is plastic surgery. One of the main reasons that abdominoplasty is so popular is that patients realize they are unable to get rid of their pooch, no matter how much effort they put in.
How long does tummy tuck last?
By taking care of your body, you can feasibly enjoy your tummy tuck results for the rest of your life —which is not something that can be said of many cosmetic procedures. As long as you maintain a steady weight, you can expect to see your tummy remain flat and firm indefinitely.
How much does tummy tuck cost in San Diego?
The price for abdominoplasty depends on various factors such as the extent to which you need a tummy tuck or the severity of your skin laxity and if complementary procedures such as liposuction are incorporated into your procedure. After devising a surgical plan during a consultation, the team at Divino Plastic Surgery can offer a complete estimation so you know what to expect.
Does tummy tuck help me to lose weight?
While your procedure can remove a significant amount of fat, it is not intended to be (nor is it as effective as) a weight-loss surgery or long-term weight loss. Tummy tuck is primarily concerned with tightening loose skin that does not fit tightly over your contours. If you have stubborn deposits of fat on your belly that has been resistant to diet and exercise, you may speak to your surgeon about bariatric surgery or other weight loss options.
Should I lose weight before having tummy tuck?
Not necessarily. You are encouraged to discuss this with your surgeon to plan for your abdominoplasty. The reason is that you want to achieve your desired results and understand what to expect. Gaining a significant amount of weight after surgery can also stretch the skin again, detracting from your new contours so it’s important to continue to be healthy.
Does tummy tuck get rid of stretch marks?
Yes. When your skin is pulled taut during surgery, any stretch marks you have between your belly button and your bikini line should be eliminated. Stretch marks outside of this region, such as those above the navel will remain. If your primary concern is stretch marks on your belly, mention this during your consultation so our team can recommend an appropriate treatment.
Can I have another child after having abdominoplasty?
Yes. While it is perfectly safe to have another child after having tummy tuck, the reality is that your skin will stretch once again to accommodate your larger, pregnant belly. This means that your results may be partially undone. With that in mind, you may want to consider a revision procedure following another pregnancy so that you may enjoy your results for a long time.
Schedule a Tummy Tuck Consultation
For more information, please schedule a consultation for Tummy Tuck in Bonita, San Diego with Dr. Chacon. Call our office at 858-633-7546 today.
