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Tummy Tuck

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. This procedure can give a woman back her body after having children or significant weight loss. Tummy tuck surgery can also be performed on male patients to produce 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 a 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 utilizing 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 just diet and exercise alone. Tummy tuck surgery can make major improvements to the appearance of the mid-section and can provide restoration to the abdominal muscles. This allows you to fully rejuvenate the appearance of your abdomen after pregnancy, significant weight fluctuations, or aging.

Abdominal muscle changes are just one of the many changes the body experiences after weight loss or pregnancy. The expansion of the abdomen 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 area skin that does not tighten spontaneously 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, the incision is concealed 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 is in large part related to the skill and ability of the plastic surgeon. He uses several different approaches to maximize his tummy tuck results:

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.

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.

Dr. Bresnick utilizes scar-shortening approaches in his planning of your surgery. The angle and direction of tightening is modified 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.

Dr. Bresnick offers a pain pump to greatly increase comfort after the tummy tuck procedure. The pain pump is known as an “On-Q” pain pump, and it 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, tummy tuck surgery is performed in Dr. Bresnick’s fully accredited surgical center, the Encino Surgicenter. It is conveniently located right next to our plastic surgery offices. The Encino Surgicenter is both Medicare certified and AAAASF (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities) accredited. More than 30,000 patients have received safe and successful procedures in our surgical facility.

A tummy tuck is typically performed under anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure. Dr. Bresnick will meet with you prior to the procedure to plan the incision location, taking your concerns and planned bathing suit type into account. In the procedure, the lining of the abdominal muscles is repaired in multiple layers and excess skin and fat are removed. 

Liposuction of the hip areas and mons region is often performed as well. If needed, the belly button is repositioned and made to look completely natural. The pain pump is inserted prior to the end of the procedure and the muscle area is treated 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 of time. From the recovery room, you will be cared for overnight by a nurse who specializes in tummy-tuck care. This 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. Sutures are 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 pain pump utilization and this helps patients have a more comfortable recovery!

Other Abdominal Contouring Procedures We Offer

This is a popular procedure in which the abdominal muscle repair is not performed, but excess skin and fat is removed. 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.

This procedure tightens only the lower portion of the abdomen, between the belly button and pubic region. It is designed 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 limited to just the lower abdominal area.

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 major procedure compared to a tummy tuck and can be performed 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 healthy eating habits and exercise regularly. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can expect your results to last for years to come.

Your Tummy Tuck Virtual Consultation with Dr. Bresnick

Dr. Bresnick now offers virtual consultations for his tummy tuck patients. Virtual consultations allow for 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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