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(818) 981-3333

Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty 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. This procedure 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.

This procedure is very safe when 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. 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

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 world-wide leading journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

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Before and After

All tummy tuck procedures performed by Stephen Bresnick, M.D.

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What is a Tummy Tuck?

When a woman has children, or a person loses a significant amount of weight, the abdominal area undergoes 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 abdominal skin 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 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:

  1. Tighten the muscle layer of the abdomen and correct abdominal muscle separation.
  2. Remove extra skin and fat from the abdomen.

Dr. Bresnick’s 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:

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

Following the procedure, 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 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 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!

Other Abdominal Contouring Procedures We Offer

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 healthy eating habits 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

  • Can I combine a tummy tuck with other procedures?

    Yes. Many women combine a tummy tuck 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.

  • Can a tummy tuck eliminate stretch marks?

    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.

  • Will scars from my tummy tuck be noticeable?

    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.

  • Can I get a tummy tuck before having children?

    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.

  • How much does a tummy tuck cost in Los Angeles and Encino?

    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.

     

  • What Is Capsular Contracture, and How Can Breast Revision Surgery Correct This?

    Capsular contracture is the thickening and hardening of the capsule that your body forms around the implant. Capsule formation is natural and occurs with any implant, including knee and hip implants. Capsular contracture is a relatively rare problem that puts pressure on the implant and may cause discomfort. When performing breast revision surgery to correct capsular contracture, Dr. Bresnick removes the capsule with the implant. When possible, he removes the capsule and implant in one contained piece (en bloc capsulectomy). He may place Strattice Acellular Dermal Matrix around the implant to hold it in place and minimize the risk of capsular contracture recurrence.

Yes. Many women combine a tummy tuck 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.

 

Capsular contracture is the thickening and hardening of the capsule that your body forms around the implant. Capsule formation is natural and occurs with any implant, including knee and hip implants. Capsular contracture is a relatively rare problem that puts pressure on the implant and may cause discomfort. When performing breast revision surgery to correct capsular contracture, Dr. Bresnick removes the capsule with the implant. When possible, he removes the capsule and implant in one contained piece (en bloc capsulectomy). He may place Strattice Acellular Dermal Matrix around the implant to hold it in place and minimize the risk of capsular contracture recurrence.

Contact our office today at (818) 981-3333 to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Bresnick.

Your Tummy Tuck Virtual Consultation With Dr. Bresnick

Dr. Bresnick now offers virtual consultations for his tummy tuck patients. These allow you to schedule appointments with Dr. Bresnick remotely. 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!

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