Tummy Tuck in San Francisco

Name: Tummy Tuck
Brand: The MAAS Clinic
Rating: 4.9 (144 reviews)

Some men and women are unable to lose their abdominal “pooch” even after diet and exercise. In addition, those who lose massive amounts of weight may find loose skin around the midsection mars their final weight loss results. A tummy tuck in San Francisco can address both of these concerns.

Sculpting a Leaner Midsection

A tummy tuck in San Francisco, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles to create a smoother, leaner midsection. The procedure can be performed on both men and women who have achieved a healthy weight but are still not happy with their contour around the middle. It can also be used for patients who have lost massive amounts of weight, often due to weight loss surgery, and have excessive folds of loose skin interfering with their results and causing physical discomfort.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and may be done on an outpatient basis for most patients. Some patients may require an overnight stay after their procedure, which necessitates having the surgery performed in a hospital in many cases. The procedure itself takes 2-5 hours to complete, depending on the extent of the correction needed and whether other procedures will be done at the same time.

During the tummy tuck, an incision is made along the bikini line that usually stretches from hipbone to hipbone. Through this incision, the plastic surgeon tightens loose abdominal muscles and removes excess fat and tissue from the abdominal cavity. In some cases, liposuction may be included during the tummy tuck to suction out extra fat cells and create a smoother contour.

Once the necessary corrections are made, the incision is closed using small, even sutures. This process ensures scarring after the tummy tuck in San Francisco will be as minimal as possible. The incision is also carefully placed inside the bikini line where post-operative scarring will be safely hidden under clothing and bathing suits.

woman in swimsuit with arms outstretched

Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

Other individuals who might benefit from a tummy tuck include women who have had multiple pregnancies that affect their appearance. A tummy tuck can restore their pre-pregnancy body, and improve their self-confidence. Tummy tucks can even eliminate some of the stretch marks that commonly appear on the abdomen due to weight fluctuations during pregnancies.

Older patients who have lost significant skin elasticity may also benefit from this procedure, as well as individuals who have isolated bulges of fat around the middle that have not responded to their diet and exercise efforts.

There are a number of excellent surgeons that perform abdominoplasty in the Bay Area. Dr. Maas helps his patients connect with these surgeons while coordinating their care to ensure the best possible results from their procedures.

Post Operative Care

After the tummy tuck, patients may have small drains placed into the incisions to prevent fluid from building up at the surgical site. Patients will experience some discomfort after this procedure and will be given oral pain medication to keep them comfortable during the first week or two. Swelling and bruising are to be expected and will usually subside on their own in the weeks following the procedure. A compression garment may be worn during this time to reduce swelling and promote healing to the midsection. There will be a number of instructions to follow after a tummy tuck. Patients will need to know how to shower without disrupting the healing of the incision. They will also learn how to change the dressings on their incision and when to move about to promote healing and prevent blood clots from forming. Patients will also have a number of follow-up visits with their plastic surgeon to remove drains and sutures and make sure the recovery is progressing smoothly.

The majority of patients return to regular activities within 3-4 weeks after a tummy tuck. Strenuous activity will likely be restricted for up to eight weeks to give the body ample time to heal completely. Patients are usually encouraged to walk within a few days after the procedure since this minor activity offers significant health benefits in the healing process.

Incision care is very important after a tummy tuck since the incision is so extensive. Patients will receive very instructions from their plastic surgeon as to how to keep the incision site clean. Special products may also be recommended by the surgeon that will accelerate wound healing and improve the final appearance of the scar.

It is essential that patients protect the incision from direct sun exposure for many months since UV rays could discolor the scar and make it more prominent. Massage after surgery may also help with the healing of the incision and lessen visible scarring once the incision heals fully.

The results of a tummy tuck will take some time to fully develop, as there will be significant swelling after the procedure that will interfere with your final outcome. Most patients will see their full results within 6-12 months after their tummy tuck surgery. The midsection will look and feel firmer and the contour will be smoother. Once these final results are realized, they should be permanent as long as a healthy weight is maintained after surgery.

Tummy Tuck at the Maas Clinic™

Patients who underwent a tummy tuck in San Francisco after losing a significant amount of weight may see the most dramatic results from their procedure. All of the loose skin will be gone, as well as the skin irritation and rashes that often accompany those deep folds of skin. Clothing will fit more comfortably and the body profile will be much more streamlined overall. As with all surgeries, there is a risk of infection after tummy tuck surgery. All precautions will be taken by the plastic surgeon to avoid this potential complication. When a mild infection does occur, it typically disappears after about two weeks if it is diagnosed and treated promptly. Dr. Maas has an extensive network of plastic surgeons specializing in the tummy tuck procedure in Northern and Southern California. For a referral to a surgeon in your area, please contact us today.

The information about tummy tuck was reviewed by Corey S. Maas MD™. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.