As mentioned in the previous post, Common Questions About Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty), I recently had the chance to discuss Tummy Tucks, San Francisco, on KRON‘s Body Beautiful, with host Vicki Liviakis. It was a half hour live show, with information on the tummy tuck, before and after pictures, and viewer question and answer.
I have divided the show into three, ten minute segments, the first of which is included here. The 800 number on the video was for the live show, to contact my office for a consultation appointment, call (925) 943-6353.
If you have any questions about tummy tucks, abdominoplasty, mini-abdominoplasty, liposuction or any cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, please call the office or use the contact form on this page. I will respond personally to your email. More common questions will likely appear here, as future blog entries.
This video includes two segments, The first segment covers:
Who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty?
What does a tummy tuck fix?
The second segment discusses:
Overnight stay after a tummy tuck.
Before and after pictures of several abdominoplasty patients after pregnancy and bariatic surgery and massive weight loss
How the muscle and skin are tightened.
More general information on the procedure can be found by on this blog by clicking on the Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) link under Categories (to the left), or click here to get to the abdominoplasty page on my main web site: DrMele.com. Even Wikipedia has an Abdominoplasty page.
Part two of three for the Mommy Makeover segment from NBC Bay Area’s, KNTV, Living Well with host Peggy Pico.
On this show we discussed the Mommy Makeover San Francisco, focussing on breast augmentation, tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck and liposuction. I previously posted an excerpt from the show on Breast Enhancement (Breast Augmentation) on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog. This video discusses Belly Enhancement, tummy tucks and mini tummy tucks. The third segment will discuss liposuction. The full episode is also available on line. To view the Living Well episode in its entirety, just click on the NBC Bay Area logo above.
This video discusses the types of tummy tucks available: the traditional tummy tuck (sometimes called abdominoplasty or panniculectomy) and the mini tummy tuck (a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction). For laxity of the abdominal wall that begins above the belly button. the tummy tuck is still the most effective treatment. If the abdominal laxity is confined to the area below the belly button, a mini tummy tuck may provide a good fix with a shorter recovery.
I will add the final video from Living Well about liposuction shortly, so be sure to bookmark and check back. If you would like more information on Tummy Tuck San Francisco, click here to visit the Abdominoplasty page on DrMele.com.
Dr. Joseph A. Mele, MD, FACS of Walnut Creek, California, will be appearing this Thursday on KNTV, NBC Bay Area in San Jose. Host Peggy Pico will interview Dr. Mele on NBC’s Living Well about the Mommy Makeover – Breast Augmentation and Abdominal Rejuvenation.
Living Well with Dr. Mele premiers this Thursday, September 24, 2009, at noon. Encore broadcasts will air next month, also at noon, on Thursdays, October 1, 8 and 15. Hope you enjoy the show.
If you are the right person, there is nothing mini about the results of a mini tummy tuck (mini abdominoplasty). Part tummy tuck, part liposuction, the procedure combines the skin tightening ability of a tummy tuck with the spot fat removal of liposuction.
Liposuction of the Abdomen - Before (Left) / After (Right)
Liposuction alone is great for the tight belly that has a collection of disproportionate fat. This fat usually collects on the lower abdomen and can be easily pinched. It is also the major cause of “muffin tops”. With good skin tone, liposuction can vacuum away the fatty bulges and return pleasing proportions to the abdomen, flanks and lower back.
Full Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) of the Abdomen - Before (Left) / After (Right)
When skin is loose, however, liposuction may leave the skin with more laxity. Moreover, the risk of causing waviness or ridges in the contour goes up with loose skin. In this situation, a tummy tuck is the most reliable method of skin tightening.
Since tummy tucks tighten the abdominal skin, the looseness is removed and ridging relieved. The tried-and-true tummy tuck is a well established procedure which can provide a dramatic improvement appearance. It can tighten the skin from the ribs to the pubic bone in my Walnut Creek tummy tuck patients. When combined with a back/buttocks lift, a tummy tuck becomes a lower body lift, which can help people who have accomplished massive weight loss, but are left with a skirt of loose skin around the trunk.
Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty) with Liposuction - Before (Left) / After (Right)
For lesser problems with abdominal wall laxity, a full tummy tuck may not be necessary. When the laxity in the skin is isolated to the skin between the umbilicus (belly-button) and the pubis. The lesser skin resection allows for a less involved surgery and faster recovery. It can also be combined with more aggressive liposuction of the upper abdomen for an enhanced result.
Another Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty) with Liposuction - Before (Left) / After (Right)
Patient selection is the key to a good result with a mini tummy tuck. It is important for San Francisco Tummy Tuck patients to seek out a cosmetic plastic surgeon who is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and who is familiar with the unique abilities and the limitations of the mini tummy tucks.
For additional information comparing liposuction and tummy tuck visit www.DrMele.com here. Information on Board Certification is here. You will need to create a free account, but the information is up to date and your information is not shared. Lastly, it is also a good idea to check you prospective plastic surgeon’s license with your state’s medical board. For California check here.
The tummy-tuck, or abdominoplasty is one the procedures I perform most frequently. My San Francisco tummy tuck patients are some of my happiest. The procedure can not only remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen, it can directly tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. However, not everyone who comes into the office for a cosmetic plastic surgery consultation needs a full tummy-tuck.
A “full” tummy-tuck provides improvement to the muscular foundation of the abdomen. This is especially important after pregnancy and weight loss. Both cause stretching of the abdominal wall from the inside out, and can result in laxity and even separation of the muscles that provide support to the abdominal contents.
There are situations when a full tummy tuck may not be necessary. If the problems with fullness, muscle laxity and excess skin are confined to the lower abdomen, a mini-tummy-tuck might provide the appropriate amount of correction. In other words, if the skin above the umbilicus (belly-button) is tight and the contour of the abdomen in this area is acceptable, a mini-tummy-tuck can provide sufficient correction. Laxity below the umbilicus can be corrected with this smaller surgery resulting in a quicker recovery and lower costs.
Liposuction can be used to contour the abdomen also. For liposuction to be successful the muscle and skin must be tight. Disproportionate fat located between the muscle and the skin causes fullness that can be localized. Most commonly this is found in the lower part of the abdomen. Liposuction can selectively remove this excess fat and improve the overall contour of the abdomen.
If you are interested in improving the contour of your abdomen, additional and information on liposuction, the mini-tummy-tuck and the tummy-tuck is available on my website and in the video above. Both provide general information about the procedures; however specific guidance for you can only be made after a thoughtful and thorough consultation appointment. For a recommendation based on your specific needs and goals, call (925) 943-6353. As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon located in San Francisco’s East Bay city of Walnut Creek, I have all the options available and can choose the simplest plan with the greatest probability of getting the best possible results.
