Tummy Tucks Archives

July 5, 2021

5 Myths About Tummy Tucks Dispelled

You work hard in the gym to get a flat, toned tummy. But what if you can’t lose those last few pounds? What if your belly still shows a bit of fat, despite a grueling diet and vigorous exercise program? Should you starve yourself? Or should do what millions of men and women have already done, which is to undergo a tummy tuck procedure?

Tummy tuck surgery (otherwise known by its medical term abdominoplasty) is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures. During the procedure, the cosmetic surgeon helps you attain a flat and tight tummy by removing excess fat and skin from the midsection while simultaneously making the abdominal muscles tighter and stronger. The results leave you with a toned and sculpted tummy that can last for years with proper maintenance on your part.

Before you sign up for this cosmetic surgery procedure, make sure you are well informed. You can do that by doing away with several myths that still persist about this amazing aesthetic surgery. Here are the ones that permeate most often.

Five Common Myths About Tummy Tucks

Myth #1: The Tummy Tuck is for Everyone

Truth: The first myth we’ll dispel is that the tummy tuck is right for everyone. In fact, abdominoplasty is best performed on individuals who are close to their ideal weight for their physique and who are otherwise healthy and active. The best candidates also have sagging or loose skin on their stomachs and they want it gone for good.

Myth #2: Tummy Tucks Help You Lose Weight

Truth: Many people believe that a tummy tuck is meant to help you lose a substantial amount of fat from your midsection. While it is true that liposuction is used in many tummy tuck procedures, the aim of surgery is to give you a tighter tummy, not help you lose weight.

If you are significantly overweight, your cosmetic surgeon may recommend that you get closer to your ideal weight before considering tummy tuck surgery.

Myth #3: Tummy Tuck Results Can Be Obtained Through Diet and Exercise Alone

Truth: Diet and exercise are the best ways to attain a slim physique and flat tummy naturally, but diet and exercise may not work for everyone. What if you have stubborn pockets of fat on your midsection? No matter how much you deprive yourself and how hard you work out, those fat pockets may not budge.

A tummy tuck can remove those last few pounds off your belly to reveal a flatter, firmer midsection.

After surgery, the surgeon encourages you to diet and exercise to maintain your results. Keep in mind that weight gain after a tummy tuck can skew your results in the years to come.

Myth #4: Tummy Tucks Are for Women Only

Truth: It is true that tummy tuck surgery is the fourth most popular cosmetic surgery for women. This is due to the procedure’s ability to reverse many of the changes that occur due to pregnancy and childbirth. These changes include stretched skin and weakened abdominal muscles.

As such, you will often find tummy tucks included with the mommy makeover procedure, which is an entire suite of cosmetic surgeries aimed at helping women restore their pre-pregnancy bodies.

So, while women did make up 96.8% of tummy tuck procedures performed in 2018, many men have since then realized that they too can enjoy the amazing benefits of abdominoplasty. In fact, the tummy tuck is the fifth most popular surgery for men. While men don’t have to worry about pregnancy and childbirth, men are not immune from developing a dad bod.

Significant weight loss, heredity, and age can leave men with stubborn belly fat. It will also cause loose skin just like women after childbirth. That means, whether you are a man or a woman, a tummy tuck could be just what you need for a tighter abdomen and greater self-esteem.

Myth #5: Tummy Tucks Are Better for the Young

Truth: You should never let your age deter you from wanting to improve your physique. Studies show that abdominoplasty is safe, even for older adults.

This should fill you with relief if you have been wanting to achieve a flatter tummy but feared you were too old to seek it out.

As long as you are physically healthy, don’t smoke, and are able to achieve and maintain a healthy, stable weight, you might be an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck procedure.

You should also have realistic expectations. The best way to understand the level of results you can expect is to schedule a consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon.

If you live in Los Angeles and wish to speak with an experienced cosmetic surgeon who has an excellent track record with the tummy tuck procedure, call Moein Surgical Arts, the home of esteemed cosmetic surgeon Dr. Babak Moein.

During the consultation, you will meet with Dr. Moein via telehealth communication or a sit-down meeting. This allows the doctor to answer your questions. It will also alleviate your concerns and inform you about the realistic results you can expect by undergoing abdominoplasty.

If your tummy leaves a bit to be desired, and you have loose, saggy skin, and weakened abs, you only have to take the next step. Call us today to choose a time for your consultation that is best for you.

May 17, 2018July 8, 2021

Tummy Tuck Essentials

If you are considering getting a tummy tuck to restore the shape of your abdomen whether after significant weight loss or after child birth, there are some additional benefits you may not have even thought of.

For more information about undergoing a tummy tuck, contact Moein Surgical Arts today.

What Is It?

A tummy tuck will tighten and reshape your abdominal area and giving you a flatter and firmer midsection. During this procedure, doctors will tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess or sagging skin. Both men and women are electing to get tummy tucks, especially after major weight loss.

If you are planning to have more children, you should postpone the procedure until you are done having kids. The reason is that during surgery, muscles are tightened, and future pregnancies could separate those muscles. A tummy tuck is also not a solution to weight loss. Healthy living is the key to losing weight and a tummy tuck is only done to firm up the midsection after weight loss has been achieved.

What to Expect After Surgery

Most tummy tucks are performed as outpatient procedures and patients return home a few hours later. It is not uncommon though in some cases for surgeons to require an overnight stay, especially after an extensive tummy tuck. Because abdominal muscles are involved, recovery time can be extensive. Patients should expect to be very sore and uncomfortable for at least the first week or so.

Patients are advised to get up and walk around but should anticipate spending the first few days resting at home. If necessary, drains could be temporarily placed at the incision site to help with fluid removal. These drains are usually removed just a few days after surgery and patients are given specific instructions for how to clean the are to avoid infection.

Depending on how physically demanding your job is, most people return to work within two to four weeks. However, if you have a physically strenuous job, expect to be away for up to a month. Tummy tuck results can last for years, assuming you don’t regain significant amounts of weight. Diet and exercise can also help you to maintain your results.

The Right Medical Team

If you are considering a tummy tuck, the professionals at Moein Surgical Arts can provide you with all the information you need to make the right choice for your situation and body type. Dr. Babak Moein, MD, FACS, is one of the very few surgeons in the country that is dual fellowship trained in minimally invasive surgery, as well as cosmetic aesthetic and body contouring surgery. He is the only surgeon in Southern California with such qualifications.

This combination of training offers significant advantages to his patients during their assessment and surgical planning and makes Dr. Moein uniquely qualified among his colleagues to meet the cosmetic needs of his patients. The ability to achieve a patient’s cosmetic goals using minimally invasive techniques allows for better decision making on both short-term cosmetic goals and long-term preservation of such changes.

If you are considering a tummy tuck, visit Moein Surgical Arts today to see a photo gallery, schedule a consultation, see patient testimonials and live chat with a member of the team.

May 1, 2015June 26, 2021

Tummy Tuck Surgery Can Erase Your Pesky Belly Fat

Hanging skin and stubborn fat can appear on our midsections for a number of reasons. For some of us, age causes our skin to lose its elasticity, causing it to hang. Smoking and other bad habits, including too much sun, can further lead to a belly that droops.

Women who have gone through pregnancy and childbirth can also experience a droopy belly. For others, both men and women, there is just a bit too much belly fat. The problem is that the adipose tissue that stubbornly clings to your body beneath the skin fails to respond to traditional diet and exercise.
When your belly droops or your stomach bulges, tummy tuck surgery can help.

Do You Have Weakened Abs? A Tummy Tuck May Be Right for You!

Many people with excess fat and loose skin on their abdomens also experience a weakened abdominal wall. This condition is known as diastasis recti and childbearing women are particularly at risk. Tummy tuck surgery can not only erase the excess skin and fat, but the surgery simultaneously tightens your abdominal muscles. The results leave you with a firmer abdomen and a more contoured physique.

Should You Have Liposuction, a Tummy Tuck, or Both?

You may wonder if liposuction might be the better choice when it comes to eradicating your belly fat. Liposuction can help to remove stubborn pockets of fat from the belly region. Lipo is designed for the eradication of fat cells, particularly the ones that don’t readily respond to diet and exercise. And it is true that having lipo along the stomach region is a popular choice.

However, there are a couple of reasons why you would choose a tummy tuck over liposuction. For example, liposuction alone will not tighten your abdominal wall. The tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that can remove excess fat cells and strengthen and tighten the weakened abdominal wall. This can help to support your belly in a much more contoured way, which is appealing to the eye.
When you have excess belly fat as well as hanging skin, only a surgical procedure like a tummy tuck can help you achieve a flatter, firmer midsection. Tummy tucks can even help to get rid of stretch marks in some cases.

How is a Tummy Tuck Performed?

Tummy tuck surgery is performed after your cosmetic surgeon has had a chance to examine the treatment area during a short consultation. This examination involves an analysis of your fat deposits and an assessment of the condition of your abdominal wall. If the doctor confirms that you are a good candidate for the surgery, your surgery date will be scheduled.

You will arrive at the surgical center on the day of surgery, where you will be prepped by the surgical staff. To ensure you remain comfortable throughout your cosmetic surgery, medications will be administered to you. The tummy tuck can be performed under intravenous or general anesthesia. Your doctor will determine which type is best for you.

Once fully prepped and anesthetized, the cosmetic surgeon will make a horizontal incision from hip to hip. The incision will fall between the pubic hairline and belly button. This allows any scarring left behind to remain hidden within the natural folds of your body.

The scars left behind will be determined by the shape and length of the incision, which is made according to the amount of skin that must be removed. When the incision is made and the abdominal skin is lifted from the body, the abdominal muscles will be tightened and strengthened.

The next step involves a second incision, which is made around the navel to remove excess skin along the upper abdomen. The skin along the upper abdomen is pulled down and trimmed away before the remaining skin is sutured together.

At this stage, the surgeon cuts a new opening for the belly button. The belly button is fitted through the new hole and sutured into place. Here is where your surgeon’s surgical hands can create a natural effect once the area is healed.
The incisions are then closed using tape, clips, sutures, and/or skin adhesive. After your abdomen has healed from surgery, you will see a flatter, firmer abdomen contour when looking back in the mirror. The effect of a tummy tuck is aimed at making your abs more proportionate with your body type and weight. Speak to a qualified cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Babak Moein of Moein Surgical Arts to understand the realistic results you can expect from tummy tuck surgery.

What is Healing Like After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Tummy tuck recovery can take up to three months, but don’t let that deter you. The results of surgery are well worth it, judging by the 97% customer satisfaction score on RealSelf.

Immediately after surgery, you may experience numbness or a pulling sensation at the surgical site. These sensations can persist for weeks or months. These symptoms are normal and will diminish with time. Swelling and bruising can take up to three months to go down completely. You may be asked to wear a compression garment for a couple of weeks after surgery. This constricting vest is aimed at maintaining your surgical results. The garment also improves your circulation and helps with healing.

Be mindful of the healing process when scheduling vacation plans in preparation for your new, flatter tummy to arrive. You may not see the actual results of surgery for weeks, but you can maintain the natural-looking effect of the tummy tuck for years if you manage to maintain your weight. Keep in mind that it can take longer than the general recovery period for your tummy tuck scar to fade. Ask your surgeon for tips about helping your scar fade, such as avoiding too much sun during the recovery process.

Who is a Good Candidate for the Tummy Tuck?

There’s a persisting myth that says tummy tuck surgery is only for women. Or that it’s an ideal surgery when you want rapid weight loss.

While tummy tuck surgery is the fourth most popular cosmetic surgery for women, it’s the fifth most popular aesthetic procedure for men.

To dispel the other myth, tummy tucks are not for losing excess pounds. That’s what bariatric or weight loss surgery is for. Tummy tucks are aimed at giving you a more contoured midsection.

Both men and women who are in good general health can enjoy the amazing effects of the tummy tuck. Tummy tucks can also be used in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures like breast enlargement, breast lift, and liposuction.

Does Tummy Tuck Surgery Come with Risks?

There are some people who might not be recommended for a tummy tuck for safety reasons. For example, women who plan to give birth in the future may want to hold off on cosmetic surgery. During the abdominoplasty procedure, the vertical muscles are tightened. When you give birth, those same muscles can become separated, completely undoing the desired effects. In the case of childbirth, the tummy tuck is best reserved for women who don’t plan to have any more children. These women are good candidates for the mommy makeover procedure, which is an amalgam of procedures aimed at giving the woman her pre-pregnancy body back. Tummy tucks are commonly included with mommy makeover surgeries.

Other people who shouldn’t have tummy tucks are people with chronic health conditions and smokers, as nicotine consumption can lead to slower healing, thus skewing your results. To be a candidate for surgery, it is recommended that you quit smoking before and after surgery so that you get the desired effects.

Other risks involved with tummy tuck surgery are associated with the act of surgery in general, or the negative effects of anesthesia. Examples include blood clots, infection, and excess bleeding.

You can mitigate negative health effects and reduce your chances of experiencing a complication by choosing the best cosmetic surgeon in your area. For Los Angeles, Encino, and Glendale residents of California, you are encouraged to call on the expertise of Dr. Babak Moein of Moein Surgical Arts.

From the moment you call our office to your experience during the consultation stage, surgery, and beyond, we will make every effort to make you feel confident that you are in the best of hands. Dr. Moein has extensive experience performing tummy tucks on men and women from all walks of life. Have a look at his before and after photographs and read testimonials from satisfied patients.

You can make Dr. Moein your cosmetic surgeon by calling us today. What tummy tuck results do you have in mind? Call (310)694-4486.