Tummy Tuck Benefits Await You
Tummy tucks aren’t just about the cosmetic appeal. They offer tangible benefits that go beyond surface-level changes. From improved physical comfort to increased self-esteem, the advantages of undergoing this procedure are multifaceted. Here are three key benefits:
Restore Your Pre-Pregnancy Stomach
Wave goodbye to stubborn belly fat! Achieve a flat, pre-pregnancy stomach and feel like yourself again.
Tighten Abdominal Muscles
Straighten up and strut! Tightening weak abdominal muscles significantly improves posture and reduces back pain.
Boost Self-Confidence
Shine inside and out! Enhance self-image, self-esteem, and self-confidence with a lean and toned abdomen.
Persistent Fat Areas
People who eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight may still struggle with a flabby belly and weak or stretched abdominal muscles. Let’s face it, after pregnancy, the abdomen doesn’t necessarily bounce back to its earlier shape (a flat abdomen) or become toned even after months of effort at the gym. After such a massive weight loss, excess skin and “problem areas” may persist. The good news? A tummy tuck can finally tighten those abs and flatten that belly, offering a firmer abdomen and a more toned appearance.
What Is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
Abdominoplasty, otherwise referred to as tummy tuck surgery, is a popular cosmetic procedure that removes pockets of fat and excess skin from the abdominal area. The procedure can also tighten the abdominal muscles, which can sometimes become overstretched. Most of those undergoing an abdominoplasty are women who have given birth, as well as men and women who have lost a significant amount of weight but still struggle with excess skin or heavy belly fat.
During an abdominoplasty at LEA in Newport Beach, the surgeon will remove excess skin, reduce stretch marks, adjust the belly button, tighten the muscles, and eliminate some excess fat with liposuction. The main focus of a tummy tuck is to remove excess skin and contour your body shape, not weight loss. To obtain long-term results from an abdominoplasty, you must maintain an ideal body weight through diet plans and exercise.
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Candidates for Abdominoplasty Procedure
Your provider may recommend an abdominoplasty if you have recently achieved extreme weight loss or if you are a woman who has experienced one or more pregnancies. Ideal candidates have a body mass index of less than 30 and should be at an ideal weight before abdominoplasty surgery.
Dr. Ho Taghva doesn’t recommend abdominoplasty for everyone in Newport Beach who asks. Individuals who plan to lose a substantial amount of weight or are planning future pregnancies should wait before undergoing the surgery to ensure long-lasting results after a tummy tuck.
The doctor may approve the abdominoplasty procedure for healthy men and women, she may recommend waiting, or she may instead propose less invasive procedures like liposuction, depending on the patient’s aesthetic goals.
Your Tummy Tuck Consultation
We encourage you to have a thorough consultation with Dr. Taghva to discuss any questions or concerns. This will help you to make an informed decision about the procedure.
Dr. Ho Taghva offers private abdominoplasty consultations in Orange County at the LEA Plastic Surgery office. During an abdominoplasty consultation, the doctor will complete a physical examination and evaluate your health history before making a recommendation for your ideal treatment.
She will encourage you to ask questions during this consultation, and she will also share before and after photos from previous tummy tuck procedures to help set your expectations for the procedure. Approved candidates will receive a personalized abdominoplasty surgical plan.
Tummy Tuck Cost
The cost of a tummy tuck in Newport Beach, CA, depends on your individual needs and aesthetic goals. Factors that can influence the cost of a tummy tuck include the extent of the procedure, whether liposuction is required, and other associated costs such as hospital or anesthesia fees. Your doctor will give you an accurate quote for your tummy tuck surgery during your consultation visit.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva performs abdominoplasty procedures in Newport Beach at the Medicare-accredited GALEA Center for Advanced Surgery, which holds the highest accreditation level for outpatient ambulatory surgery centers. The surgical facility is 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 can access the abdominal tissues, Dr. Ho Taghva removes extra skin and fat deposits from the abdominal area and tightens the connective tissue (fascia) with sutures.
She will then make a second incision around the belly button, which will be skillfully relocated, and she will reposition the skin and muscles to produce 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
Typically, Dr. Ho Taghva will reduce the appearance of stretch marks and remove excess skin from below the belly button. However, stretch marks outside this area cannot be corrected with abdominoplasty. For mothers who have given birth via a C-section, the doctor will usually incorporate the existing C-section scar into the tummy tuck scar to reduce the final scarring and give exceptional results.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is a modified abdominoplasty that requires a smaller incision. This surgical procedure addresses only issues with loose skin or a protruding lower belly. You will not need a separate incision around your belly button.
This treatment does not address significantly stretched, sagging muscles or skin. The doctor may recommend a full tummy tuck to strengthen the abdominal wall and to treat lax muscles and upper belly fat or sagging skin higher up the abdomen.
Call today to schedule your consultation
Recovery after Abdominoplasty
Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva will provide you with instructions for the post-surgical recovery period to ensure your comfort, minimize complications, and encourage proper healing. During this healing time, you should anticipate some initial swelling, bruising, and soreness, plus changes in sensations.
Most people can return to work and their other daily activities within one to two weeks, depending on the extent of their customized abdominoplasty procedure in Newport Beach. You can wear a fitted compression garment to encourage proper healing, and the doctor may place drains to prevent fluid from building up. The stitches will dissolve over time, and the doctor may use skin glue, tape, or dressings to hold the newly adjusted skin and muscles in place.
For about two weeks after surgery, you should walk slightly hunched over and keep your waist in a somewhat flexed position because your muscles will be tight. You can place a pillow under your knees while in bed to keep the pressure off the tummy tuck incision. Your abdomen will begin to relax over the recovery period as the healing process takes place. You can resume more strenuous activity at around six weeks.
Tummy Tuck Risks and Possible Complications
Tummy tuck surgery, as performed by our highly skilled and board-certified surgeon Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva, is generally considered a very safe and effective procedure. Although all surgical treatments have some inherent risks, Dr. Taghva’s extensive experience and meticulous surgical approach significantly minimize the likelihood of complications. Potential issues such as infection, bleeding, or fluid accumulation are quite rare under her expert care. She employs rigorous protocols to ensure your safety both before and during the procedure.
In some cases, a tummy tuck may include liposuction to optimize the results. Rest assured, Dr. Taghva is well-versed in both procedures and takes extra precautions to reduce any associated risks, such as contour irregularities or scarring. Any concerns regarding anesthesia or medications are addressed comprehensively, as the well-being of her clients is her top priority.
Why Should I Choose Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva?
- Board-certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Received additional post-residency training in Korea for Asian Aesthetic Surgery
- Experienced in a diverse range of surgeries including both Western and Asian rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, breast lift, full facial rejuvenation, facelifts, and endoscopic brow lifts
- Understands both Western and Asian cultural background
- Highly skilled in cosmetic surgery and provides natural-looking changes that match each patient’s goals, add beauty, and bring facial harmony while preserving unique aesthetics
- Keenly attuned to the delicate complexities of the nose and facial features
