Sometimes, even a healthy diet and exercise are not enough to achieve a flat tummy and a contoured physique. For that reason, many men and women choose to get a tummy tuck, a surgical procedure that helps to shape the belly, thighs, and flanks, leading to a more contoured physical appearance. Dr. Nashir is dedicated to helping tummy tuck patients look and feel their very best.
Tummy Tuck Overview
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is designed to help reshape and slim down the abdominal region, thighs and flanks. Dr. Nashir is a peerless plastic surgeon who has helped numerous tummy tuck patients achieve a flatter tummy. By tightening their abdominal wall muscles and removing excess skin, he is able to create beautiful silhouettes and improved patients’ self-image. In the paragraph below, he explains the tummy tuck procedure. Dr. Nashir is also proud to offer his patients the drainless tummy tuck procedure. Please visit the respective page for more information.
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
Many patients look for different alternatives to achieve a flatter and core contoured abdomen and increase their confidence. A tummy tuck can provide these patients with many more benefits.
Flatter and Firmer Abdomen
For those who wish they could get rid of their “love handles” or “spare tire,” a tummy tuck may be the perfect solution. Through a tummy tuck, patients can streamline the midsection of their body, achieving a more trim and athletic appearance.
Improved Posture
Weak abdominal walls, combined with excess fat around the gut, can often lead to a slouching posture. For men and women who are ready to stand straight and proud, a tummy tuck can fortify the muscles in the abdominal wall, leading to an improved posture and a more flattering silhouette.
Repaired Abdominal Muscles
There are many reasons why the abdominal wall muscles can weaken and even separate; one of the most common is pregnancy, which can deplete the connective tissue within the abdomen. A tummy tuck can repair the abdominal wall, leaving you feeling much stronger in the midsection of your body.
Natural Results
A tummy tuck can offer completely natural-looking results, allowing patients to achieve a flatter midsection without completely losing natural abdominal contours. This procedure represents a straightforward way to slim down if nutrition and exercise prove to be insufficient. Dr. Nashir patients are pleased by the natural-looking results they attain through the tummy tuck procedure.
Good Candidates for a Tummy Tuck
A good candidate for a tummy tuck procedure is generally someone who:
- Is in overall good health
- Has a BMI less than 33
- Has saggy and/or loose skin on their abdomen
- Has weak, loose or stretched abdominal muscles
Dr. Nashir on Tummy Tuck Surgery
Dr. Nashir discusses tummy tuck surgery for patients. Get answers to common abdominoplasty questions and concerns.
We all desire a flat tummy, but age, child bearing and weight gain or loss can cause a protruding stomach or loose skin. To correct these aesthetic problems, Dr. Nashir performs tummy tuck surgery.
This procedure, also known as abdominoplasty, helps remove excess skin and fat, as well as unsightly stretch marks, from the abdominal area. As part of a tummy tuck, he can also tighten the abdominal muscles if necessary by pulling them together and stitching them into position for a more toned appearance.
The entire procedure usually takes about three hours, depending on the amount of fat removed and muscle tightening (if any) being performed. The surgery is performed with the patient under sedation, and the incision is kept as short as possible and positioned so that it can be hidden within clothing lines. Dr. Nashir surgical technique results in an extremely natural-looking belly button, which is brought out through the skin at its original position. The procedure is usually done without the use of drain tubes, and pain pumps are usually used during recovery to minimize any discomfort that the patient might experience.
Tummy Tuck Techniques
Each tummy tuck technique has its own set of benefits and downsides. During your consultation, Dr. Nashir will make sure to take into account your needs and expectations before recommending the approach for you. Keep reading to learn more about each type.
Mini Tummy Tuck
The mini tummy tuck is the least invasive of these procedures and offers the most minimal scarring; it is a good option for those who need a smaller amount of excess fat and tissue removed below their belly button. Mini tummy tucks can be performed with tiny incisions just above the pubic area and without any need to reposition the belly button.
Standard Tummy Tuck
A standard tummy tuck focused on toning and contouring the lower abdominal area. As with a mini tummy tuck, an incision is made just above the pubic area, but this incision may be larger, spanning from hip to hip. The standard tummy tuck involves reshaping and strengthening the underlying abdominal wall. Note: Dr. Nashir is pleased to offer patients a drainless tummy tuck option.
Extended Tummy Tuck
For patients who want to have a significant amount of fat and tissue removed, the extended tummy tuck may be the right option. Specifically, an extended tummy tuck can address the lower abdominal region, the lower back, and the “love handles” area. An incision is made just above the pubic area and usually extends to the back of each hip.
Drainless Tummy Tuck
Dr. Nashir performs most of his tummy tucks without the use of drains in a drainless tummy tuck procedure. During the drainless procedure, the doctor stitches the stomach skin to the underlying layer of muscle, eliminating the gap between skin and muscle that is left in a traditional tummy tuck. This minimizes fluid buildup after surgery and eliminates the need for drainage tubes. These tubes, sometimes used in traditional tummy tuck surgery, are painful, unsightly and inconvenient, as they hang off the body and need to be emptied several times a day for the first week after surgery. The drainless tummy tuck procedure allows for more freedom of movement and less discomfort while healing, as well as a faster recovery time.
Tummy Tuck FAQ
The price of tummy tuck surgery varies based on the needs of the patient and the type of tummy tuck surgery performed. During your consultation with Dr. Nashir, he will provide you with a price estimate that is based on your individual needs. At that time, you may also wish to ask Dr. Nashir about the financing options that he offers, which create an affordable monthly payment method with low to zero interest.
No. Most tummy tuck procedures are considered elective and are therefore ineligible for insurance coverage. Unless the tummy tuck is going to resolve a medical issue, it’s considered an elective cosmetic procedure.
A small number of cases that involve repairing hernias, or if there is irritation of the skin in the pubic area from overhanging abdominal skin can lead to partial coverage by health insurance.
Yes, tummy tuck surgery typically requires a long, thin horizontal incision at the lower abdomen. Fortunately, the tummy tuck incision is strategically placed low enough on the abdomen that any scarring is concealed by most underwear or bathing suits.
No. The operation itself is not painful (anesthesia is administered prior to starting surgery). Most tummy tuck patients experience some mild and temporary discomfort, tenderness and swelling after surgery. Dr. Nashir prescribes medicine to help soothe discomfort during the recovery process. He also uses a pain pump for the first three days after surgery that minimizes the need for oral pain medication.
Yes, you can have a baby after tummy tuck surgery, but it will likely undo the improvements from your tummy tuck. Medically speaking it’s safe to become pregnant after tummy tuck, but for aesthetic reasons, it is not advised. Pregnancy stretches out the abdominal skin and muscles, reversing some of the effects of tummy tuck. Pregnancy can also lead to weight gain and the accumulation of stubborn fat pockets on and around the abdomen.
For these reasons, Dr. Nashir advises tummy tuck patients to postpone abdominoplasty until they are finished having biological children.
It depends. If the stretch marks are located on the lower abdomen, where excess skin is removed, a tummy tuck can improve their appearance. However, stretch marks on the upper abdomen are usually not removed by tummy tuck (although they may improve in appearance).
Unfortunately, there’s no way around it — all patients will have scars from their tummy tuck procedure. With that said, Dr. Sanders will do everything in his power to minimize the appearance of these scars. The first step in accomplishing this is making the incision low enough on the belly that it will be covered by underwear or a bathing suit. The main incision will go horizontally across the lower abdomen, and the length of the incision depends on how much excess skin the patient is going to have removed. If patients also need to have skin removed in the upper abdomen, they may require a second vertical incision higher up on the tummy.
While the main benefit of a tummy tuck is improved appearance, there are also medical benefits they will experience after this procedure. These include:
Reducing stress urinary incontinence. After giving birth, some San Fernando Valley women have problems holding their water. A tummy tuck can remove excess skin that is putting pressure on the bladder to alleviate symptoms.
Improving posture. After giving birth or losing a lot of weight, women might have distended stomach muscles, which can lead to poor posture. A tummy tuck helps the abdomen revert back to its normal shape, improving posture.
Correcting ventral hernias. This happens when there is an opening in the abdominal wall, and a tummy tuck allows the surgeon a chance to repair the hernia.
Less neck, back, and shoulder pain
Yes, it’s entirely possible to get a tummy tuck after having a C-section. In fact, many women use a tummy tuck to correct problems they are having with distended stomach muscles that may have been divided during a C-section. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not every woman who has had a C-section is a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Interested patients need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nashir. He will be able to evaluate her case to ensure she is a good candidate for surgery. He will remove the woman’s existing C-section scar with the tummy tuck procedure so that the woman does not develop additional scars from the surgery.
Recovering from Tummy Tuck
Recovery generally takes about two weeks before you are driving and getting back to work. By the fourth week, most patients are back to aerobic exercise, and after six weeks, patients are getting back to all forms of activity. During the first two weeks, patients are encouraged to minimize their activities.
If you are interested in learning more about Tummy Tuck surgery, please contact our office to schedule a one-on-one consultation.