Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in Los Angeles, CA
The tummy tuck procedure, also known as an abdominoplasty, is one of the most transformative procedures that Dr. Bresnick performs. His results are exceptional and his patients are very pleased with the dramatic improvement they experience. Tummy tuck/abdominoplasty plastic surgery can give a woman back her body after having children or significant weight loss. Tummy tuck surgery can also enable male patients to enjoy a fit, masculine aesthetic after significant weight loss or other factors.
A tummy tuck performed by a skilled plastic surgeon such as Dr. Bresnick, who has performed more than 1,000 successful procedures over his 25 years in plastic surgery, is considered very safe. Discover how the best tummy tuck in Los Angeles tummy tuck can help you feel confident and carefree again about your appearance.
Discover how the best tummy tuck in Los Angeles tummy tuck can help you feel confident and carefree again about your appearance.
A Published Leader in Tummy Tuck Surgery
Striving to be the best tummy tuck surgeon in Los Angeles, Dr. Bresnick is a leader and expert in tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery, having lectured to hundreds of other plastic surgeons on the topic. He was one of the first plastic surgeons to describe the use of a pain reduction pump in the muscle region of the tummy tuck procedure and he has published his results in the worldwide leading journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Tummy Tuck Before and After
All tummy tuck procedures performed by Stephen Bresnick, M.D.
View GalleryWhat is a Tummy Tuck?
When a woman has children, or a person loses a significant amount of weight, the abdominal area undergoes a dramatic change. The abdominal muscles usually weaken and separate. When this occurs, it is not possible to restore a flat, fit appearance with diet and exercise alone. Tummy tuck surgery can make major improvements to the appearance of the mid-section while restoring and strengthening the abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck gives you the gift of a rejuvenated abdomen after pregnancy, significant weight fluctuations, or aging.
Abdominal muscle alterations are just one of the many changes the body experiences after weight loss or pregnancy. The abdomen’s expansion during pregnancy or weight gain can also stretch out the skin, leading to loose, excess tissue. When a person is young, much of that extra skin contracts, and the tummy regains an attractive look. But after multiple pregnancies, or with loss of skin elasticity, extra skin accumulates and it does not go away with traditional weight loss methods.
Even young patients losing over 50 pounds may have excess skin on the abdomen that does not tighten on its own after weight loss. Dr. Bresnick assists patients of all ages who have turned their lives around by losing weight, and want the rewards of looking and feeling better.
A tummy tuck procedure can eliminate that extra skin and give you a sculpted, trim waistline. To ensure an aesthetically pleasing result, Dr. Bresnick takes care to conceal the incision beneath the panty line.
The purpose of the tummy tuck is two-fold:
- Tighten the muscle layer of the abdomen and correct abdominal muscle separation.
- Remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen
Dr. Bresnick’s Los Angeles Tummy Tuck Technique
Dr. Bresnick performs tummy tucks quite differently than many plastic surgeons. He believes that the quality of the result after surgery primarily relates to the surgeon’s skill and ability. He uses several different approaches to maximize his tummy tuck results:
Layered Muscle Tightening
Individualized Incisions
Scar-Shortening Techniques
Pain Pump
Layered Muscle Tightening
Dr. Bresnick applies several layers of muscle-tightening sutures to tighten the abdominal muscles. Most plastic surgeons apply only one layer. The additional muscle tightening that Dr. Bresnick performs gives a narrower waist and flatter stomach compared to what other surgeons may achieve.
Individualized Incisions
Dr. Bresnick does not plan the length of the tummy tuck incision until he sees what the shortest possible incision will be during the procedure. Most plastic surgeons commit to a longer scar than necessary to save time in surgery. Dr. Bresnick does not mind spending a bit more time on his patients to shorten their scars. This approach ultimately produces superior results with the best aesthetic outcome.
Scar-Shortening Techniques
Dr. Bresnick uses scar-shortening approaches in his planning of your surgery. He modifies the angle and direction of tightening to give the shortest scar possible while maintaining the best tummy shape and abdominal flattening. This attention to detail allows patients to show off their newly sculpted shape without worrying about extensive scarring.
Pain Pump
Dr. Bresnick offers a pain pump to greatly increase comfort after the tummy tuck procedure. The device known as an “On-Q” pain pump, provides more than two days of local anesthetic into the treated area to provide pain relief. Dr. Bresnick is an expert in the use of the pain pump and has published his technique in the prestigious journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Bresnick’s unique approach to tummy tuck surgery ensures patients have a successful outcome and a safe, comfortable recovery. His exceptional sense of artistry and impeccable surgical skill attracts patients from all over the greater Los Angeles area.
What to Expect From a Tummy Tuck
For the utmost in safety and convenience, Dr. Bresnick performs tummy tuck surgery in his fully accredited surgical center, the Encino Surgicenter. It is conveniently right next door to our plastic surgery offices. The Encino Surgicenter is both Medicare certified and accredited through the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities. More than 30,000 patients have received safe and successful procedures in our surgical facility.
A tummy tuck typically takes place while you are under anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure. Dr. Bresnick will meet with you before the procedure to plan the incision location, taking your concerns and planned bathing suit type into account. In the procedure, Dr. Bresnick repairs the lining of the abdominal muscles in multiple layers and removes excess skin and fat.
Dr. Bresnick often performs Liposuction of the hip areas and mons region as well. If needed, he repositions the belly button to look completely natural. He inserts the pain pump before concluding the procedure and treats the muscles with local anesthesia to aid in comfort. Patients do very well and have dramatic improvements!
Recovery After a Tummy Tuck in Encino, CA
Following abdominoplasty plastic surgery, patients will rest in the recovery room for a short period. From the recovery room, a nurse who specializes in tummy-tuck care will look after you. This extra layer of precaution ensures that you receive top-quality care and trained assistance as you start the healing process. Dr. Bresnick will check your healing the day after abdominoplasty surgery. You can expect to have sutures removed about a week after surgery. Most patients can return to work within a few weeks and may exercise in about four weeks after abdominoplasty surgery.
To ensure patient comfort after a tummy tuck, Dr. Bresnick uses a pain pump. This pump provides local anesthetic to your incisions for up to two days. Our patients find that this additional pain control greatly enhances the tummy tuck recovery experience, helping them to rest comfortably in the first few days after surgery. We also provide pain medication as needed. Dr. Bresnick is an expert in the use of a pain pump after surgery and this helps patients have a more comfortable recovery!a
Other Abdominal Contouring Procedures We Offer
Limited or Skin-Only Tummy Tuck
Mini-Tummy Tuck
Lower Body Lift
Limited or Skin-Only Tummy Tuck
This surgery is a popular procedure in which Dr. Bresnick doesn’t perform abdominal muscle repair, but removes excess skin and fat. This procedure provides many of the benefits of full tummy tuck, including creating tighter skin and a younger, shapelier abdomen. Advantages include a faster recovery with less discomfort. Ideal candidates have loose skin but firm, flat muscles.
Mini-Tummy Tuck
This procedure tightens only the lower portion of the abdomen, between the belly button and pubic region. It is ideal for patients with a tight, flat upper abdomen, but a looser and more distended lower abdomen. The incision is generally shorter and the recovery is easier than a full-tummy tuck; however, the results are only in the lower abdominal area.
Lower Body Lift
Dr. Bresnick performs this impressive procedure when patients present after massive or major weight loss and have excess skin of the abdomen, love handles, and low back. Typical patients have lost over 100 pounds and desire a tightening of their entire midsection. The operation is a more significant procedure than a tummy tuck and can take place in one or two stages.
Tips for Maintaining Tummy Tuck Results
A tighter, flatter tummy awaits. Our tummy tuck can restore the appearance of the abdominal area after pregnancy or weight loss. Results can last for many years or even a lifetime! Following a tummy tuck procedure, we recommend our patients maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can expect your results to last for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tuck Surgery
Yes. Many women combine a tummy tuck/abdominoplasty with liposuction, a breast lift, breast augmentation, or other rejuvenating procedures in a more comprehensive mommy makeover. In your consultation with Dr. Bresnick, he can recommend which procedures you might safely pair with a tummy tuck to achieve your beauty goals, and which might be planned as follow-on procedures.
In some cases, yes. It depends on your stretch marks’ location. If your stretch marks are in your lower abdomen, below your belly button, a full tummy tuck may be able to remove them as part of the procedure to trim excess, sagging skin. If your stretch marks are in your upper abdomen, a tummy tuck won’t have much effect on them.
The incisions for your tummy tuck will be low on your abdomen, where most clothes will conceal the resulting scars. In your consultation with Dr. Bresnick, he will discuss incision placement with you and consider your clothing preferences when planning the surgery. Scars from a tummy tuck, as with any plastic surgery, are most noticeable in the first few months after surgery. They gradually fade to become less visible by about a year after your procedure.
You can, but we generally advise our patients to wait until they are no longer planning to have children before having a tummy tuck. There are no significant risks in becoming pregnant after a tummy tuck, but the changes in your body may undo the skin-tightening and muscle-firming improvements resulting from the procedure. If that happens, you might end up needing a second tummy tuck.
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the specifics of your procedure and the plastic surgeon you choose. The most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that the average cost for a tummy tuck nationwide is between $6,000 and $7,000. But this doesn’t include the costs of anesthesia, surgical facility fees, or other expenses such as post-surgical garments and prescription medications. Regional variations affect the cost, too. Plastic surgery generally costs a bit more in major metropolitan areas with higher overall costs of living, such as Los Angeles. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for the specific procedure you need is to schedule a consultation with a top-quality, board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Bresnick, and get an informed estimate of all your expenses. To put the costs of surgery within reach for more patients, Dr. Bresnick offers financing options to help you pay for the procedure.
Ideal candidates are non-smokers in good health and near their target weight who struggle with loose abdominal skin or weakened muscles due to pregnancy or significant weight loss.
Most patients feel well enough to return to work after about two weeks and resume their full daily schedule after four weeks. Please avoid strenuous exercise until Dr. Bresnick clears you.
A tummy tuck can minimize stretch marks located below your belly button by removing excess skin.
A mini tummy tuck only addresses the area below your navel and involves a smaller incision. It’s ideal for patients with minor skin laxity and no need for muscle tightening.
A tummy tuck is generally safe when performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Bresnick. Complications are rare but can include infection or scarring.
The goal of a tummy tuck is to re-contour your body after weight loss or pregnancy by removing excess skin and fat. This procedure can provide excellent results for patients who are already at or near their target weight. Though the number you see on the scale may not change dramatically after this surgery, you may discover renewed motivation to maintain your new shape with diet and exercise.
While this surgery will not prevent you from developing additional skin laxity with age, you can enjoy long-lasting results by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and stable weight. Targeted core exercises like planks and crunches will keep your surgically repaired muscles strong and resilient.
Tummy tuck surgery typically takes about two to three hours, depending on whether your custom surgical plan involves additional treatments like liposuction.
Dr. Bresnick will have an anesthesiologist administer general anesthesia before your tummy tuck, putting you asleep to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
A tummy tuck will not interfere with your ability to become pregnant and carry a healthy child to term. However, pregnancy may reverse the improvements made with this surgery, so we suggest waiting until you no longer plan to add to your family.
Dr. Bresnick uses a pain pump to ensure your comfort after a tummy tuck, allowing you to rest more comfortably in the first few days of your recovery. This pump provides local anesthetic to your incisions for up to two days. Our patients report that this additional pain control significantly eases their healing experience and provides more peace of mind.
You will notice an improvement within weeks, but swelling may take several months to subside. You can expect to see your ultimate outcome after six months to a year.
Contact our office today at (818) 981-3333 to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Bresnick.
Your Tummy Tuck Consultation With Dr. Bresnick
Dr. Bresnick now offers virtual consultations for his tummy tuck/abdominoplasty patients. These allow you to schedule appointments with Dr. Bresnick remotely, whether you’re in the Los Angeles area or somewhere else. This innovation allows Dr. Bresnick to meet with you face to face in the virtual space, where you can learn more about tummy tucks, ask questions surrounding any aspect your surgical journey, and help Dr. Bresnick develop the unique plan that is right for you. If you would like to learn more, please schedule your virtual consultation with Dr. Bresnick today!