A tummy tuck is for people with a large amount of excess skin and fat tissue on the abdomen. It is ideal for patients who have all three layers of their abdomen stretched beyond their normal limits. Not only does the tummy tuck surgery help the abdominal skin to return to a flat, youthful look, it also removes the excess skin and fat in the love handles and upper abdomen to restore the desired shape. The full tummy tuck procedure can noticeable change one’s figure, giving one the flat stomach one always wanted. If however lesser amounts of skin and fat are to be removed, then a mini tummy tuck which causes less trauma and scarring would suffice.

The tummy tuck addresses three components: the skin, fat and muscle, so it benefits most patients who want a flat stomach and skin as tight as possible. When a cosmetic tummy tuck is combined with liposuction, the results on the abdomen and flanks are dramatic. A full tummy tuck is almost always performed under general anesthesia, though in some cases, the surgeon might use local anesthesia with tumescent tummy tuck. A full tummy tuck is reserved for patients with more than moderate excess skin and fat tissue. The best candidates are men and women who are otherwise in good health but who have an excess of loose abdominal skin and fat that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise. A full tummy tuck is particularly helpful to women who have had one or more pregnancies.

During the full tummy tuck procedure, surgeons at Tummy Tuck Los Angeles centers make a long incision in the bikini line above the pubic area. The incision starts at the tip of the pelvis, extends down to the bikini line, and comes back to the other pelvic bone. A second incision is made around the belly button to free the naval from surrounding tissue. Next, the Los Angeles Tummy Tuck surgeons lift a flap of skin from the abdominal wall to the ribs in order to access the muscles in the abdomen. The tummy tuck surgeon tightens these muscles by positioning them closer together and suturing them. This procedure firms the abdomen and thins the waist. The skin flap is then stretched down, the excess skin and fat is removed, and a new belly button opening is formed. The incision is then closed and a firm dressing is placed on the abdomen. Liposuction to remove excess fat from the hips and flanks is often performed in conjunction with the full tummy tuck for a better body contour. Full tummy tuck surgery usually takes three to six hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. Hospital stay usually lasts several hours to a few days.