People who eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a stable weight may still struggle with a flabby belly and weak or stretched abdominal muscles. Let’s face it, post-pregnancy bellies don’t necessarily bounce back to their earlier shape and tone even after hours of effort at the gym. After major weight loss, excess skin and “problem areas” may persist. The good news? A tummy tuck can finally tighten those abs and flatten that belly.

What is a Tummy Tuck in Newport Beach?

Tummy tuck surgery, known in the medical community as abdominoplasty, is a popular cosmetic surgery that removes pockets of fat and excess skin from the abdominal area. The procedure can also tighten the abdominal muscles, which sometimes become stretched and separated. Most tummy tuck patients are women who have given birth or men and women who have lost a significant amount of weight and still struggle with excess skin and heavy belly fat.

Abdominoplasty at LEA in Newport Beach removes excess skin and reduces stretch marks, adjusts the belly button, tightens the muscles, and removes some excess fat with liposuction. The main focus of a tummy tuck is the removal of excess skin and body contouring, not weight loss. Patients who maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise after surgery are likely to achieve long-lasting tummy tuck results.

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Candidates for Abdominoplasty in Orange County

A tummy tuck is recommended for individuals who have recently achieved significant weight loss and women who have experienced one or more pregnancies. Good abdominoplasty candidates have a body mass index of less than 30 and should be at a stable weight before surgery.

Dr. Ho Taghva doesn’t recommend tummy tucks for every patient in Newport Beach. Individuals who plan to lose a substantial amount of weight or are planning future pregnancies should wait to undergo the surgery to ensure long-lasting results.

The doctor may approve tummy tuck candidacy for healthy men and women, she may recommend waiting, or she may propose minimally-invasive options like liposuction as an alternative, depending on the patient’s goals. Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva determines individual tummy tuck candidacy during a private consultation.

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Abdominoplasty Consultations in Newport Beach

Dr. Ho Taghva offers private tummy tuck consultations in Orange County at the LEA Plastic Surgery office. During an abdominoplasty consultation, the doctor completes a physical examination and evaluates the patient’s health history before making a treatment recommendation.

She will also encourage patients to ask questions and share before and after photos from previous tummy tuck patients to help set expectations for the procedure. Approved candidates will receive a personalized abdominoplasty surgical plan.

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The Tummy Tuck Procedure

Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva performs tummy tuck procedures in Newport Beach at the Medicare-accredited GALEA Center for Advanced Surgery, which holds the highest accreditation level available for outpatient ambulatory surgery centers. The surgical facility is located adjacent to LEA Plastic Surgery.

The doctor conducts abdominoplasty procedures under general anesthesia. First, she makes a long incision extending from hip to hip. Once she has access to the abdominal tissues, Dr. Ho Taghva removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightens the connective tissue (fascia) with sutures.

A second incision is created around the belly button, which is skillfully relocated, and the skin and muscles are repositioned for a toned and smooth appearance. Dr. Ho Taghva may also perform liposuction during a tummy tuck to remove stubborn, excess fat.

Post-Pregnancy Surgical Technique

Dr. Ho Taghva can typically remove stretch marks and excess skin from below the belly button; however, stretch marks outside of this area cannot be corrected with abdominoplasty. For patients who have given birth via C-section, the doctor typically incorporates the existing C-section scar into the tummy tuck scar to reduce final scarring and provide exceptional results.

Mini Tummy Tuck

The mini tummy tuck is a modified abdominoplasty that requires a smaller incision. This surgical procedure only addresses the concerns of loose skin and a protruding lower belly. A separate incision around the belly button is not needed.

This treatment does not address significantly stretched, sagging muscles or skin. A full tummy tuck may be recommended to strengthen the abdominal wall, treat lax muscles and upper belly fat or sagging skin higher up on the abdomen.

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Recovering from Abdominoplasty in Orange County

Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva provides each patient with post-surgical recovery instructions to ensure comfort, minimize complications, and encourage healing. Patients should anticipate some initial swelling, bruising, and soreness, plus changes in sensation during recovery.

Most patients return to work within one to two weeks, depending on the extent of their custom abdominoplasty procedure in Newport Beach. A fitted compression garment is worn to encourage healing, and drains may be placed to prevent fluid buildup. The stitches dissolve over time, and skin glue, tape, and dressings may hold the newly-adjusted skin and muscles in place.

Patients are asked to walk slightly hunched over and remain in a somewhat flexed position at the waist for about two weeks after surgery because the muscles will be tight. A pillow can be placed under the knees while in bed to keep pressure off of the incision. The abdomen will begin to relax as the healing process takes place.

Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva is a highly-recommended plastic and reconstructive surgeon with many years of experience. She specializes in body contouring and plastic surgery like the Mommy Makeover, tummy tuck procedures, and breast augmentation. Dr. Ho Taghva has many positive reviews from previous patients and offers the following credentials:

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Common Questions about Abdominoplasty