Walnut Creek Abdominoplasty
Is your midsection out of proportion with your otherwise trim figure? If that belly area remains stubbornly in place despite all your efforts to make the right food choices, exercise frequently and keep up with those abdominal crunches, you may be a candidate for an abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck." For a growing number of people in Concord, Danville and Walnut Creek, abdominoplasty is the best way to reclaim their smooth, flat abdomen.
Dr. Eric Mariotti is a highly skilled body contouring specialist and board-certified plastic surgeon. If you'd like to make an appointment to discuss your options for a slimmer and more toned abdomen, simply request a consultation online or call his office at 925-685-4533.
Why Tummy Tucks?
This is a fairly involved surgery and should not be undertaken lightly. The upside? You may lose up to several inches from your waistline and your clothes will fit better. You will probably be a few pounds lighter, depending on how much skin and fat are removed. Any stretch marks and old scars that you had below the level of your belly button may be gone after the operation. Best of all, your tummy will be flat and tight.
Many patients wonder if they will need a tummy tuck, liposuction, or both. To get an idea, take a look at your stomach. If your abdominal skin hangs loose and has numerous stretch marks, liposuction is generally ill-advised because it would only result in more loose skin and would have no impact on those unsightly lines. You are more likely a tummy tuck candidate.
If the excess fat and skin rests below the belly button and you do not need muscle tightening, you may be able to achieve the results you want with a mini tummy tuck or "partial abdominoplasty." A consultation with Dr. Mariotti will give you a definitive answer.
In cases where there is both excess fat and a weakened abdominal wall, a limited amount of liposuction can be performed along the flanks and on the sides of the abdomen prior to your abdominoplasty. When done in conjunction with a tummy tuck, liposuction should not be performed on the middle of the belly, because it could hinder the blood supply to the skin. In order to achieve a complete transformation of their waistline, approximately half of Dr. Mariotti's Concord, Walnut Creek and Danville abdominoplasty patients also have liposuction of their hips or thighs.
Surgery Details
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep the entire time. First, the loose, inelastic skin between the belly button and pubic area is removed. Dr. Mariotti then tightens the muscles that have been stretched due to pregnancies or weight gain. Afterwards, he pulls the skin down tight and crafts a shallower, more youthful looking belly button.
Showing Off Your New Look
Because an abdominoplasty is a more extensive procedure, an overnight stay at the surgery center is usually recommended. If you choose to combine liposuction with your tummy tuck, you will be placed in a supportive compression garment at the end of surgery. You will visit our office after about five days to have your light bandages removed. Light activity should become comfortable in about two weeks; however, sports will not be comfortable for about six weeks. Incisions will be noticeable at first, but will fade with time. Dr. Mariotti strategically plans the incision lines so they are easily hidden within a bikini or underwear. And those low-rise jeans? No problem!
