Dr. Mele discusses Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tucks, Mini Tummy Tucks and Liposuction) on the Bay Area's News Station, KRON4.
On a recent television appearance on the Bay Area’s News Station, KRON4, I discussed what’s new in body contouring. Broadcast topics included: Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck surgery), Mini Abdominoplasty (Mini Tummy Tucks) and Liposuction. On Body Beautiful, San Francisco Bay Area Tummy Tuck patients learned about the latest plastic surgery techniques used to smooth the belly, and a lucky few were able to phone in and have their questions answered.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Video
Below is the first of four video segments about abdominal rejuvenation. It includes a comparison of liposuction and tummy tuck procedures. The (415) phone number in the video was for the live broadcast only. If you have questions about abdominoplasty, feel free to call my office directly at (925) 943-6353, or use the contact form at the bottom of the column to the left.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Video
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Information
This Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Video includes:
What is a Tummy Tuck? What is Abdominoplasty?
What is included in a Tummy Tuck, or Abdominoplasty?
Can a Tummy Tuck substitute for weight loss?
Can weight loss accomplish the same thing as Abdominoplasty?
What is the partnership between weight loss and Tummy Tuck?
How do Liposuction and Abdominoplasty differ?
Can Liposuction and Tummy Tuck be combined?
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) before and after pictures are in part 2
Finding the Right Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Surgeon
If you are considering cosmetic plastic surgery to improve the appearance of your tummy, or any body part, be certain to review the benefits, and the risks, with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon like myself, as part of your personalized consultation appointment.
Additional Information on Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
This is part 1 of 4 in a video series on Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Additional segments can be found here:
Abdominoplasty San Francisco Bay Area (Tummy Tuck) – Part 4 of 4 (Coming Soon)
Additional information on Abdominoplasty, Tummy Tucks, Mini Abdominoplasty, Mini Tummy Tucks, Liposuction and many other procedures is available on my main Walnut Creek Plastic Surgery website and information on breast implants and breast augmentation is available on my specialty breast site: San Francisco Breast.
The Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) remains one of the most frequently performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. After blogging about the extreme tummy tuck last week, the fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, I received a lot of questions about when I would use that technique instead of a traditional abdominoplasty. Bay Area residents want to know, so let me start small and work my way through the time-tested techniques for tucking your tummy — from liposuction to the fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty.
Abdominoplasty - Left (before): Multiple rolls of redundant skin are seen after massive weight loss. Right (after): The loose abdominal skin is removed and the muscle wall is tightened, making finding clothes that fit much easier.
Tumescent Liposuction (Liposculpture, Suction Assisted Lipectomy or SAL)
Diet and exercise are always the first line of defense. No plastic surgery can eliminate the need for a proper diet and exercise plan. However, there are some problems that diet and exercise cannot fix. Localized accumulations of fat, which are disproportionate, are discussed in the previous post about Tumescent Liposuction. For bellies with small amounts of excess fat, that have good muscle and skin tone, tumescent liposuction provides a simpler and faster alternative to tummy tucks. Liposuction (SAL) cannot tighten loose skin. Even laser liposuction (LAL) and ultrasonic liposuction (UAL) cannot tighten skin that has lost its tone. If fact, liposuction can make loose skin look worse by further deflating the skin. By removing the fat, the support for the skin is removed, and the skin will fold over itself. The tummy tuck was designed specifically to address this problem.
Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini-Abdominoplasty)
When the abdominal skin and muscle laxity is isolated to the area below the belly-button (umbilicus), a mini tummy tuck may be the best option. For a mini tummy tuck, liposuction is often used in the upper abdomen and the sides to reduce unwanted fat, and a low abdominal incision is used to tighten the skin and muscles of the lower abdomen.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) With a “Floating” Belly-Button
In situations where the abdominal skin and muscle laxity is isolated to the area below the belly-button, but there is a small amount of loose skin just above the belly-button a “floating” belly-button technique is used. This is not the normal way to do a tummy tuck, and patients for this technique need to be carefully selected by an experienced, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. If you are a candidate, however, it usually means more improvement with the same scar as a mini tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck - Top (before): Excess skin, muscle laxity and disproportionate lower abdominal fat contribute to a flabby appearance. Bottom (after): Excess skin and fat have been removed, and the abdominal muscles tightened. The sides of the rectus abdominus muscle are closer to the midline after the repair.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
The tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is the work horse of abdominal rejuvenation, and the gold standard to which every other abdominal tightening procedure is compared. It requires and incision low on the abdomen, and one around the umbilicus. The procedure allows not only for tightening the abdominal skin, but the removal of excess fat and tightening of the muscles of the abdominal wall. This muscle tightening provides a tighter foundation on which to build your new tummy.
The fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is used when the amount and laxity of the abdominal skin is massive. This is most often seen after bariatric surgery or weight loss of greater then 75 pounds. The fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty incorporates all the features of a tummy-tuck with an additional incision running down the middle of the abdomen to remove excess skin from the midline. It is the biggest operation available, designed to reduce the most extreme amounts of excess abdominal skin.
The Lower Body Lift (Belt Lipectomy)
The lower body lift is a tummy tuck that extends all the way around to body. It is almost exclusively performed in post-bariatric surgery patients. The combination of extreme weight gain stretching out the skin, followed by loss of this weight, leaves a skirt of loose skin that can extend all the way around the back. In these cases, additional weight loss will not improve the appearance. The lower body lift is also called a belt lipectomy because a belt of excess skin and fat is removed. The abdominal muscles can also be tightened to enhance the abdominal contours, like in a traditional tummy tuck.
Body Beautiful on KRON4
Next Monday, March 14th, at 11:00 AM, I will be on KRON4′s Body Beautiful discussing Tummy Tucks. Feel free to call in and have your questions answered live, on the air. For a less public response, use the contact form on the left. While I do my best to provide you with accurate general information about all aspects of cosmetic plastic surgery on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog, the only way to get information specific to your needs is with a personalized consultation appointment. Give me a call at (925) 943-6353 to schedule your consultation today.
Variety is the spice of life, and it is the single most important aspect of plastic surgery that makes my job both rewarding and challenging. Abdominal rejuvenation provides a simple example of what I mean.
From tight bodied bikini models looking to remove that last little area of disproportionate fat, to patients who have lost massive amounts of weight and who are left with rolls of redundant skin, patients looking to smooth out their abdomen come in all shapes an sizes. While a little liposuction may be the perfect fix for small areas of disproportionate fat, it will not remove excess skin. Larger problems usually require larger solutions.
When skin is loose and redundant, liposuction, even laser liposuction and ultrasonic liposuction, will not significantly tighten the skin. Small amounts of skin excess, isolated to below the belly button, can be removed with a mini tummy tuck. However, as the skin laxity becomes a problem above the belly button, the full tummy tuck takes over as the procedure of choice. A full tummy tuck allows for removal of excess skin and fat, and also allows for tightening of the abdominal muscles beneath the skin, all along the midline, from the ribs to the pubis.
Left - Before Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck after massive weight loss. Notice the abdominal skin is wider than the thighs. The excess skin makes is very difficult to find clothes that fit well. Right - After Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck with removal of lower and mid abdominal skin excesses, reveals a smooth, well proportioned abdomen after massive weight loss. The decision to use a Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck was simplified by a preexisting vertical scar.
For the most redundant abdominal skin, even a full tummy tuck may not be enough. Enter the Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck. The Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck is more than the full tummy tuck. Like a full tummy tuck, the Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck incorporates removal of skin and fat from the lower abdomen, and tightening of the abdominal muscles. In addition, the Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck allows for removal of excess skin from the center of the abdominal wall from the ribs to the pubic region.
A Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck is reserved for patients with massive amounts of abdominal wall skin. Most commonly this is seen in patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, like that seen after bariatric surgery or after remarkable changes in diet and exercise. If you have seen NBC’s the Biggest Loser, you have seen what happens when massive weight is lost, and the excess skin remains. The Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck’s additional removal of the excess skin centrally, allows for horizontal tightening, and an overall firmer result.
If you are a San Francisco Bay Area Plastic Surgery patient, looking for abdominal rejuvenation from a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon offering the entire range of treatment options, call today, (925) 943-6353, to arrange your private personalized consultation.
Liposuction is a very safe and reliable procedure. Like any medical procedure, it works best when used properly. For the removal of disproportionate fat, it can’t be beat, but liposuction should not be used as a method of weight loss, and liposuction should not be expected to tighten loose skin.
The Ideal Liposuction Candidate
The ideal liposuction patient is near their ideal body weight and has sufficient intrinsic skin elasticity, so that after the fat is removed, the skin will follow the new and improved contours. Pockets of fat, which form localized and disproportionate bulges, respond best. While some newer modalities of liposuction are claiming to reliably tighten loose skin, the jury is still out.
Skin Tightening Procedures
So how do plastic surgeons reliably tighten loose skin? The most common method is through surgical removal of the redundant skin. Abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck), for example, removes loose skin for the abdomen. A brachioplasty (an arm lift) removes loose skin from the arm. This liposuction video compares what liposuction can do for the abdomen and arms compared to what surgery can do. The recovery and indications for each are also discussed.
Body Beautiful
I recently reviewed the current state of liposuction on KRON‘s Body Beautiful with host Vicki Liviakis. The broadcast was a full half hour, so I have divided this liposuction video into four segments. The second lipo video segment is in this post. Links to the other three parts, and the liposuction introduction post can be found below.
Additional liposuction information is available on the Liposuction Page of DrMele.com. If you have questions about liposuction, you are invited to use the contact form to the left.
Please note: The 800 number in the video below was used for viewers to call in and ask questions during the live broadcast. Please do not call it now. For additional information, or to schedule a consultation appointment, please call my Walnut Creek Plastic Surgery office at (925) 943-6353.
This segment on Liposuction covers:
The areas of the body most commonly treated with Liposuction:
Abdominal Liposuction
Back Liposuction (Muffin Top Liposuction)
Flank Liposuction (Love Handle Liposuction)
Thigh Liposuction (Saddle Bag Liposuction & Banana Roll Liposuction)
Arm Liposuction
Neck Liposuction (Below the Chin Liposuction)
Buttocks Liposuction
Favorable Predictors
Stable weight
Near Ideal Weight
Younger Age
Good Skin Elasticity
Disproportionate Fat
Good Health
Healthy Lifestyle
Before and After Pictures: Lipo vs. Surgical
Arm Lipo Before and After Pictures
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Before and After Pictures
Abdominal (Belly) & Flanks (Sides) Muffin Top Lipo Before and After Pictures
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Before and After Pictures
How the location of the fat effects liposuction?
Liposuction Garments
Liposuction Recovery
The other segments of this broadcast can be found here:
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have released their annual statistics on cosmetic plastic surgery for 2009. Surgical and non-surgical procedures are tallied and compared to previous years. Overall the numbers are down 2% from 2008, but still up 147% since 1997, when the statistics were first compiled. Of the almost ten million procedures performed in 2009, 85% were non-surgical and 15% were surgical. He are some quick facts, a link to the full statistics can be found at the end of this article.
Additional information can be found on the ASAPS web site, or downloaded here. It is a large file, and may take a while…
*Dr. Joseph Mele offers these procedures through his Walnut Creek Plastic Surgery Office. Search the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog categories to the left, or click on the links above for more detailed information available on DrMele.com.
You have reached the fourth and final part of Post Bariatric Surgery San Francisco. The segments can be viewed in any order, but if you missed the first three releases, links are included at the bottom of the page.
I have had the opportunity to discuss post weight loss plastic surgery live on KRON4‘s Body Beautiful. The 800 number appearing on the video was only for the live show. To contact my Walnut Creek plastic surgery office for additional information, or to schedule a private consultation appointment, please call (925) 943-6353. Alternatively, a contact form on the lower left side of this web page has also been provided for your convenience, or click on this link for an expanded contact form.
Topics covered in this segment of Body Beautiful include:
Arm Lift Surgery, with Brachioplasty before and after pictures.
How do age and health effect plastic surgery?
How do I get rid of my baby pooch? Exercise, Tummy Tuck, both?
How can lumps left after liposuction be corrected?
What is the difference between liposuction and lipodisolve?
Post Bariatric Procedures
More information about Post Bariatric Plastic Surgery can be found on the Post Bariatrics page of DrMele.com. Here are links to video presentations about the more common Post Bariatric Plastic Surgery Procedures, and links to the first 3 parts of the above video can be found at the bottom of the page.
Sometimes weight loss is not enough. I see many patients who have lost hundreds of pounds, who still are not happy with their shape. If you were overweight, and lost 100 pounds, you should be very proud of yourself. It is not easily done. Whether accomplished with diet and exercise or bariatric surgery, it takes a lot of effort to change one’s lifestyle dramatically. Most patients are very happy with the weight loss. Often, however, more improvement is desired.
Where did all this skin come from?
After weight loss, the problem is no longer excess fat, but excess skin. Rolls of skin that bind at the waist. Redundant skin that drapes on the inner thighs. Flaps of skin that keep moving after the arm has stopped waving. Loose skin that can no longer support the breast and keep it on the chest.
The skin is an amazing organ. It is our greatest barrier to the outside world. It keeps us warm. It cools us down. It protects us from the elements and infection. When we gain weight, it grows, and continues to protect us. When we lose weight, it can shrink too, but there are limits. With weight gain, the skin can be stretched too far, and it cannot shrink back to its original size.
Post-Bariatric Plastic Surgery
Post-Bariatric Plastic Surgery can help. As a member of The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, I am able to assist my patients in their transition to a happier, healthier lifestyle. By removing excess skin, an tailoring what remains, I can help complete the transformation in ways that weight loss alone cannot.
Below is part two of a discussion about post weight loss plastic surgery that originally aired on KRON4‘s Body Beautiful.
This segment shows before and after pictures for liposuction, mini-tummy-tuck and tummy tuck. While most tummy tuck have only a horizontal scar that runs below the bikini line, I have included a fleur-de-leis tummy tuck. This type of tummy tuck is most often used after massive weight loss. A fleur-de-leis tummy tuck has a vertical incision in the midline in addition to the lower incision, which is used to further reduce the excess skin left after massive weight loss.
Please note, the 800 number appearing on the video is only for the live show. For more information, or to schedule a consultation appointment, please call me at (925) 943-6353, or contact me via the form on the lower left side of this web page.
Massive weight loss can lead to massive skin excess. Whether from diet and exercise, or after weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery), excess skin can mask your hard work, and still make it difficult to find clothes that fit. Post bariatric surgery can help remove and tighten excess skin and reveal your true shape after weight loss.
What is Post-Bariatric Surgery?
Post bariatric plastic surgery is a collection of modified cosmetic plastic surgery procedures designed to remove and tailor the excess skin that weight loss leaves behind. While removing extra skin also means removing extra weight, the real strength of these procedures tightening the skin to reveal your new shape.
In my San Francisco post-bariatric plastic surgery practice, I use modified cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and specialized procedures to achieve optimal results. All post-bariatric plastic surgery requires careful, in-office, consultations and planning. Safety and predictability are paramount.
Video presentations for most post-bariatric procedures can be viewed by clicking on the list below. The back and buttock lifts have many variations, and are best discussed on an individual basis. More video presentations on cosmetic plastic surgery after massive weight loss, can be viewed on the post-bariatric page of DrMele.com.
I have had the opportunity to discuss post weight loss surgery on KRON4‘s Body Beautiful. Since the show is broadcast live, it allows you to call in with your questions during the show, and get them answered. Below is part 1 of 4 videos. You can find more videos on post-bariatric surgery (plastic surgery after massive weight loss) posted on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog, or they may be viewed on my YouTube channel.
The 800 number appearing on the video was only for the live show. To contact my office for additional information, or to schedule a private consultation appointment, please call (925) 943-6353, or use the contact form on the lower left side of this web page.
After bariatric surgery, it is best to wait a year to allow your weight loss to stabilize. The body has time to adjust to its new physiological state, and the skin can tighten to the best of its ability. Post bariatric plastic surgery can then be tailored to the areas where the excess skin remains.
This video describes:
The differences between post-bariatric and other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures.
Why it is important to wait a year after bariatric surgery before having cosmetic plastic surgery.
Where stretch marks can be removed on the body.
How many pounds can be removed with liposuction.
Post-Bariatric Surgery (Plastic Surgery after Massive Weight Loss) Links:
This is the third installment of three videos about tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) San Francisco. The original post is here just click: Common Questions About Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty). This video is from my recent appearance on KRON‘s Body Beautiful, with host Vicki Liviakis.
The 800 number on the video was for the live show, to contact my office for a consultation appointment, call (925) 943-6353.
This segment answers questions about:
How long is the recovery after a tummy tuck?
When can I lift my child?
What are the limitations on lifting after abdominoplasty?
When may I return to work after a tummy tuck?
Will a tummy tuck help low back pain?
Can a mini tummy tuck or liposuction substitute for a tummy tuck?
Do I need to wear special garments after surgery, and if so for how long?
More tummy tuck videos and general information on the abdominal rejuvination can be found 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.
If you are considering a tummy tuck, or any cosmetic plastic surgery, be certain your surgeon is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I am certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. You can check my, or any other physicians certification here: The American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Here is the second installment of three videos about tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) San Francisco. In the previous post, Common Questions About Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty), I promised to post my recent appearance on KRON‘s Body Beautiful, with host Vicki Liviakis. Below is the second of three videos with information on tummy tucks, and viewer questions and answers.
The 800 number on the video was for the live show, to contact my office for a consultation appointment, call (925) 943-6353.
This segment includes viewer questions about:
How long to wait after childbirth and bariatric surgery before having a tummy tuck?
How old is too old for a tummy tuck?
How long does a tummy tuck take?
Can other procedures be done at the same time?
Can a tummy tuck substitute for weight loss?
Does liposuction effect health?
More abdominoplasty videos and general information on the tummy tuck can be found 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.
