Is a Tummy Tuck painful?

During surgery, you will be pain-free due to the anesthesia. However, the first few weeks following can involve some medium-level discomfort, but medications and compression garments will help minimize pain.

How many appointments will I need?

Dr. Li will want to see you regularly after surgery and remove your drains when they are ready. He will monitor your recovery closely. Most patients will have between three and six follow-up appointments after their abdominoplasty procedure. Dr. Li will let you know at every appointment when he wants to see you next.

How long until I see results?

There will be immediate flattening of your abdomen, but with swelling and inflammation, final results usually take two to three months. It’s important during your recovery process to maintain a healthy lifestyle and partake in lymphatic massages to maintain results and expedite healing.

What will the scarring look like?

In a tummy tuck, the scar typically is kept low in the pubic area and extends from hip to hip on the sides but varies depending on your degree of skin excess. There is also a scar around the navel. If there is more skin excess, then longer scars will be necessary to properly contour the abdomen to avoid leaving folds of extra skin post-surgery. In a mini-tummy, scars are not necessarily shorter in length but may be kept lower. Regardless of the technique, Dr. Li meticulously sutures all your wounds to ensure that you have fine-line scars. Scars are often red in the beginning but more skin-colored over time. It is highly advised to wear scar tape, and compression garments, and follow post-operative instructions to minimize scarring.

When can I exercise again after my Tummy Tuck?

You should generally abstain from significant exercise for at least 6 weeks or until cleared by Dr Li.

Can I combine a Tummy Tuck with other procedures?

Absolutely! Many of our patients who have a Tummy Tuck in San Jose combine it with other body contouring procedures such as Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Liposuction, and/or Renuvion. We highly recommend you share any such plans with Dr. Li at your initial consultation so that he can offer his expert advice on the best combined procedures for your individual medical profile.

What are the risks associated with a Tummy Tuck?

A Tummy Tuck is a very popular surgery and has many advantages. However, being a surgical procedure, it comes with certain risks. Some of them are the following: Anesthesia risks Asymmetries Bleeding Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications Fat necrosis Fluid accumulation Infection Numbness or other changes in skin sensation Persistent pain Poor wound healing Possibility of revisional surgery Recurrent loose skin Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling Skin loss Suboptimal aesthetic result Unfavorable scarring If you begin to experience concerning reactions or have long-lasting side effects, please contact our office immediately.

How do I find the best San Jose and Bay Area Tummy Tuck plastic surgeon near me?

When looking for the best Tummy Tuck plastic surgeon for you, it should be a decision made with deliberation and research. You will first want to find a surgeon with board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, such as Dr. Eric Li. Certification means your surgeon has undergone a rigorous process that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. It is also important to find a surgeon with years of experience and a successful track record of performing the surgery that you’re interested in. Having the ability to review before-and-after photos and read positive patient feedback is also important to keep in mind when selecting your surgeon. Finally, while it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor, a good bedside manner and a positive personality always help! Remember, this procedure is for YOU and it is important that you are comfortable with whomever you choose.

Tummy Tuck

In San Jose, CA

Tummy Tuck Introduction

Our abdomen is one of the toughest areas of the body to keep toned with age, childbirth, stress, and the onslaught of life’s challenges. Despite diet and exercise, the abdomen can sometimes retain sagging and loose skin and the muscle may not recover the same tone or strength over time. Dual Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eric Li of CA Aesthetics in Los Gatos can help you address these concerns with a Tummy Tuck procedure. To learn more about this procedure and what it can do for you, please continue reading the information below.

Tummy Tuck Results

Tummy Tuck B&A

Enter Gallery

woman kneeling on bed with black tank top and black undies | CA Aesthetics by Dr. Li

What is a tummy tuck?

A Tummy Tuck or an Abdominoplasty targets the removal of excess fat and skin from the abdominal area, in addition to repairing loose abdominal muscles known as diastasis recti. Diastasis recti is what happens when abdominal muscles separate due to the pressures on the muscle wall during pregnancy. Through an incision around the navel and the hip area, this procedure sculpts loose skin around the midsection, restoring your abdominal anatomy to a more youthful and athletic state. Thus, a tummy tuck results in an overall tightening of the abdomen and the appearance of a “flatter” tummy.

What is a Mini-Tummy Tuck?

A Mini-Tummy Tuck is a variant of the Tummy Tuck procedure which only involves a lower incision in the pubic area and only targets the lower abdomen compared to a full tummy tuck which addresses both the upper and lower abdomen. As such, only select patients are ideal candidates for this procedure. An incision is not placed in the navel but instead “floated”, meaning it is detached from the muscle wall and later re-attached. Often, muscle repair is still performed to repair any diastasis recti.

Who are the best candidates for a Tummy Tuck?

At CA Aesthetics, we believe you could be a good candidate for a San Jose and Bay Area Tummy Tuck if you have some of the following characteristics:

Sagging or loose abdominal skin
Stubborn and excess abdominal fat
Abdominal wall laxity and prominence
Good health without underlying medical conditions
Realistic expectations
A stable and healthy weight
Non-smoker

What are the benefits of a tummy Tuck?

Our patients who have received a Tummy Tuck in Los Gatos, San Jose, and the greater Bay Area have reported the following benefits:

Boost in self-esteem
More comfort in formfitting clothes
Ability to wear pre-pregnancy clothes and swimwear
Ability to return to a more active lifestyle
Strengthening of core muscles
Improved posture

woman leaning back in bed with lingerie | CA Aesthetics by Dr. Li

Tummy Tuck First Step

What’s the first step?

The first step in getting a Tummy Tuck is to schedule your consultation with Dr. Eric Li at CA Aesthetics in Los Gatos. He will discuss your medical and surgical history, making sure that any past surgery or conditions do not prevent you from getting a Tummy Tuck. He will then examine your abdomen, determining the target areas, incisions needed, techniques to be used as well as any pros and cons that he might want to share with you.

If you are deemed to be an ideal candidate for the procedure, Dr. Li will create your customized surgical plan, which will be shared with the patient coordinator who will schedule your surgery, help you with pricing options, as well as explain any pre-operative instructions.

What to expect on the day of Tummy Tuck surgery

When you come in for your Tummy Tuck, you will be welcomed by Dr. Li and his friendly staff who will make sure you are comfortable in the operating room. They will go over the surgical plan again with you and the target areas. Then, an anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia to make sure you are comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.

A full tummy tuck most commonly utilizes a U-shaped incision kept low in the pubic area and extends from hip to hip. There is also a separate incision around the belly button. After your abdominal skin is lifted, the underlying abdominal muscles are repaired. The upper abdominal skin is then pulled down and any excess skin and fat are trimmed. All remaining areas are then sutured together and a new opening for the belly button is created. Dr. Li will restore continuity between the belly button and the abdomen to make it look like a natural belly button. Drains may sometimes be placed into your surgical area.

Tummy Tuck recovery

Post-surgery, Dr. Li will monitor you in the recovery room until your sedation wears off. It is imperative that you have a family member or friend drive you home to be safe.

You will have dressings or bandages applied to your incisions and you may also be wrapped in a compression garment to control swelling and for muscle support. You might also have a few drains to remove any fluid build-up post-surgery.

Most patients require at least two to three weeks before they can return to normal tasks so please plan to take time off from work and any strenuous activity for your most optimum recovery.

Tummy Tuck Cost

How much does Tummy Tuck cost in San Jose, CA

The cost of a Tummy Tuck in Los Gatos, San Jose, and the surrounding Bay Area is dependent on several factors, including the complexity of your case, the surgeon’s fees, the facility’s fees, and the anesthesiologist’s fees. We recommend you schedule your consultation with Dr. Li at your earliest convenience so he can provide you with a surgical plan which our Patient Coordinator can then price out for you.

Why Choose Dr. Li?

For your Tummy Tuck in the Bay Area, Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eric Li of CA Aesthetics in Los Gatos should be one of your top choices. Having worked alongside some of the leading plastic and cosmetic surgery experts in Canada, the United States, and Australia, Dr. Li has developed advanced skills and expertise in face, body, and breast surgery. He created CA Aesthetics from the ground up with the encompassing goal of providing patients with a safe, comfortable, and private space for premiere surgery care in San Jose, Los Gatos, and the greater Bay Area. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), and American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Dr. Li’s tummy tuck procedure also combines elements of modern high-definition liposuction and navel reconstruction techniques which are designed to highlight your abdominal wall muscles and create a natural, deep-seated belly button. Often, the belly button scar is the only thing that is visible in regular clothes after a tummy tuck is performed so it is extremely important that the navel be reconstructed properly and artistically. Lastly, you can rest assured that Dr. Li is the only person who performs your entire operation and sutures all your wounds. This ensures that all resultant scars are fine and uniform and handled only by his expert hands.

Tummy Tuck FAQ’S

In a tummy tuck, the scar typically is kept low in the pubic area and extends from hip to hip on the sides but varies depending on your degree of skin excess. There is also a scar around the navel. If there is more skin excess, then longer scars will be necessary to properly contour the abdomen to avoid leaving folds of extra skin post-surgery. In a mini-tummy, scars are not necessarily shorter in length but may be kept lower. Regardless of the technique, Dr. Li meticulously sutures all your wounds to ensure that you have fine-line scars. Scars are often red in the beginning but more skin-colored over time. It is highly advised to wear scar tape, and compression garments, and follow post-operative instructions to minimize scarring.
Absolutely! Many of our patients who have a Tummy Tuck in San Jose combine it with other body contouring procedures such as Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Liposuction, and/or Renuvion. We highly recommend you share any such plans with Dr. Li at your initial consultation so that he can offer his expert advice on the best combined procedures for your individual medical profile.
A Tummy Tuck is a very popular surgery and has many advantages. However, being a surgical procedure, it comes with certain risks. Some of them are the following:
- Anesthesia risks
- Asymmetries
- Bleeding
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Fat necrosis
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
- Persistent pain
- Poor wound healing
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Recurrent loose skin
- Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
- Skin loss
- Suboptimal aesthetic result
- Unfavorable scarring
If you begin to experience concerning reactions or have long-lasting side effects, please contact our office immediately.
When looking for the best Tummy Tuck plastic surgeon for you, it should be a decision made with deliberation and research. You will first want to find a surgeon with board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, such as Dr. Eric Li. Certification means your surgeon has undergone a rigorous process that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

It is also important to find a surgeon with years of experience and a successful track record of performing the surgery that you’re interested in. Having the ability to review before-and-after photos and read positive patient feedback is also important to keep in mind when selecting your surgeon. Finally, while it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor, a good bedside manner and a positive personality always help!

Remember, this procedure is for YOU and it is important that you are comfortable with whomever you choose.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have excess skin and fat in your abdominal region caused by weight fluctuations or pregnancy or have damaged abdominal muscles, a Tummy Tuck helps improve your abdominal contour. Call our office today or use our website to fill out a consultation request form and we will be in touch with you!

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