Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess, loose abdominal skin, stubborn fatty deposits, and stretch marks. This procedure also treats the midsection by tightening muscles to strengthen the abdominal wall. The end result is a flatter, tighter, contoured abdomen.

Dr. Tim Roham is one of the top Orange County cosmetic Surgeons specializing in abdominoplasty surgery. Patients from all over Southern California come to our office for cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks, breast augmentations, and liposuction. Dr. Roham offers customized treatment plans to ensure you get optimal results.

Schedule a consultation today by calling our office in Santa Ana or San Clemente at (714) 557-0777 and (949) 248-1900 respectively.

Before and After Photos

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What is a Tummy Tuck?

Over time, our abdominal tissue tends to stretch. Diet and exercise can go a long way toward losing weight and improving muscle tone, but once you have achieved your goal weight, you may not have the shape you desire due to excess skin and tissue. Past pregnancies or fluctuations in weight can also cause separation of the abdominal muscles. ⁽¹⁾ Unfortunately, all the healthy lifestyle choices in the world won’t get rid of the extra skin. And no amount of crunches will bring the muscles back together. If this describes your situation, a tummy tuck at Advance Laser and Cosmetic Surgery is the right choice!

Full Abdominoplasty vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

Dr. Roham at Advance Laser and Cosmetic Surgery offers both full and mini tummy tuck procedures. If you have the majority of skin laxity on the lower abdomen, below the belly button, or other minimal conditions, you may be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck. ⁽²⁾ On the contrary, if you have skin laxity throughout your upper and lower abdomen, a full tummy tuck may be the best option for you.

Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty benefits patients by:

This procedure is extremely customizable to adhere to the individual’s anatomy. Dr. Roham frequently works with other surgeons to perform a tummy tuck at the same time as procedures such as hernia repair or hysterectomy. He can help guide you as to what is possible during your consultation to help you reach your goal of a beautiful, flat abdomen.

The Dr. Roham Difference: Tummy Tuck with Liposuction

Our approach to a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedure is very unique at Advance Laser & cosmetic surgery, enabling us to obtain extraordinary results. Most patients inquiring about a tummy tuck procedure also need a liposuction procedure. Liposuction serves to remove the bulging, and unsightly fatty areas while tummy tuck addresses the extra loose skin, and tightens the muscles.

Traditional surgical methods have always separated liposuction and tummy tuck surgery procedures into 2 separate procedures for safety reasons. There are a lot of downsides to this traditional form of addressing the abdomen. One is that it requires two surgeries, 2 anesthesias, and 2 recovery periods making it very inconvenient for a lot of patients.

Additionally, If liposuction is performed first and the patient returns for a tummy tuck procedure at a later date, during the tummy tuck the surgeon will encounter lots of scarring in the abdomen from the previous liposuction and it will be very difficult to pull the loose skin, since the scars tether the skin down. On the other hand, if tummy tuck is done as the first procedure and the patient returns for a liposuction procedure at a later date this will result in the skin becoming loose again following the fat removal required for a mini tummy tuck again. Therefore it is best to combine and do both procedures at the same time.

Here at Advance Laser & Cosmetic Surgery we have developed the expertise to perform a 360 liposuction and tummy tuck safely and efficiently together to get our patients the best results possible with minimal downtime.

Ideal Tummy Tuck Candidates

Patients who have sagging skin in their abdomen or excess fatty deposits are excellent candidates for a tummy tuck. You should be in good overall health with reasonable expectations to qualify for this procedure. If you are planning to lose or gain a significant amount of weight after surgery, the change in your body composition may compromise your results. Dr. Roham may encourage you to postpone your tummy tuck procedure until you can maintain a stable weight for at least 12 months for the most effective results.

Consultation at Advance Laser & Cosmetic Surgery

Dr. Roham will meet with you for a private consultation to discuss tummy tucks and your candidacy. He will evaluate your medical history and conduct a physical examination of your abdomen and the surrounding area. Next, he will create a customized treatment plan that addresses your cosmetic concerns to achieve your goals. Dr. Roham will explain the procedure in great detail and give you more insight into the results you can expect to see from a tummy tuck. At the end of your consultation, a member of our staff will help schedule your tummy tuck procedure and follow-up appointments with us.

Preparation

Before your tummy tuck, Dr. Roham provides detailed preoperative instructions, which may include the following directives:

Tummy Tuck Procedure

Dr. Roham performs each tummy tuck under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day as the surgery. For a full tummy tuck, he makes an incision below the bikini line and extends it to the hip bones. He then makes an additional incision around the belly button, where necessary. He undermines the skin, separating it from the abdominal wall. He brings the muscles together in the middle and tightens them using a specialized suture (plication) to achieve a toned contour and “hourglass-like” figure. Next, Dr. Roham lifts the remaining skin and tissue and pulls it down after removing the excess skin. He often adds liposuction to the procedure to further contour the hips and give a better shape. Finally, he closes the incisions with sutures that dissolve and do not require removal.

There may be small drains in place to remove excess fluid and keep it from collecting. Dr. Roham typically removes these five days after surgery. He finishes the tummy tuck by placing a compression garment around the abdomen to provide pressure and curb swelling.

Recovery & Results

You should plan for at least one week of rest after your tummy tuck before returning to work. You should not return to exercise or strenuous activity for about a month. You may experience some discomfort after abdominoplasty surgery that is usually well controlled with the medication prescribed by Dr. Roham. You will need to wear the abdominal compression binder for several weeks to a month after surgery. Dr. Roham provides detailed before and after-surgery instructions and will be available to answer questions and guide you along the way.

Your results will become visible immediately after the procedure. While swelling should decrease within the first several weeks, your complete results may not be apparent until six months after treatment. Your tummy tuck results are generally long-lasting if your weight is stable and maintained.

Complementary Procedures

Mommy Makeover

During a Mommy Makeover, Dr. Roham performs multiple surgeries at once to improve a patient’s body contour after childbirth or significant weight loss. This combination procedure is completely customizable to the patient and their cosmetic concerns. Mommy Makeovers can contour the abdomen, lift and contour the breasts, and use liposuction to restore a patient’s midsection to its pre-childbirth shape.

Cost of a Tummy Tuck Cost in Santa Ana

Tummy tuck surgery is customized for each patient; therefore, the total price of the procedure can vary from one person to another. A member of our staff will calculate a comprehensive cost estimate for your tummy tuck procedure after Dr. Roham develops your treatment plan.

Several components related to each patient’s plan impact their total cost including the surgery’s complexity, anesthesia fees, and any added procedures. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have about the many convenient payment methods we accept and the several financing options we offer.

Schedule your free consultation today by filling out this form or calling our offices in Santa Ana (714) 557-0777 or San Clemente (949) 248-1900.

FAQ

References

1. Regan JP, Casaubon JT. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). PubMed. Published 2020. Accessed December 5, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431058/
2. Daniel El Israwi, Watfa W. Rectus Muscle Plication in Mini-abdominoplasty with Umbilicus Preservation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2023;11(5):e4998-e4998. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000004998