Many people are unhappy with the appearance of their tummies, or abdomens, for a variety of reasons. Some women develop stretch marks after pregnancy, or skin laxity and wrinkles that do not resolve with time and weight loss. Both men and women who have lost large amounts of weight also experience loose skin or redundant skin. Others complain of bulging fat, or prominent love handles (also known as muffin top). All of these concerns can usually be improved with surgery, often liposuction or a tummy tuck, or a combination of both.

Liposuction is most helpful for removal of fat pockets, or decreasing and smoothing fat bulges. For best results, patients undergoing liposuction should have fairly good skin quality and tightness in the areas that are treated. If you can “pinch an inch” (or more) on your abdomen, and your skin is not too stretched, then liposuction can produce excellent improvement. Love handles also often respond extremely well to liposuction.

If you have loose tummy skin or redundant abdominal skin, then liposuction may not help much, or might need to be combined with a tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty. A tummy tuck excises (cuts out) extra skin, and also tightens the abdominal muscles, resulting in a smoother, flatter tummy. The extra rolls and wrinkles can be removed, as can most of the stretch marks. The results following a tummy tuck can be so dramatic, as to be “life changing,” as many of my patients have told me.

It is absolutely critical to consult a plastic surgeon like myself, Andres Taleisnik, M.D., who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and who is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, for either liposuction or a tummy tuck. As a respected Orange County and Newport Beach area plastic surgeon specializing in body contouring and “mommy makeovers,” I often see patients who received abdominal liposuction from other physicians (usually not plastic surgeons) when they truly required a tummy tuck, mainly because the other physician had nothing to offer besides the liposuction. To schedule a free consultation with me, during which I’ll help you to determine which procedure or procedures will best accomplish your goals, please call my office at 714-835-6500.

Dr. Andres Taleisnik

Tummy tucks eliminate excess abdominal skin and fat, and tighten and flatten the abdominal muscles. Many and sometimes all stretch marks can be removed. A mini tummy tuck is recommended when the extra or loose skin is only  below the belly button, with a tight and flat upper abdomen. This is sometimes the case with fairly thin patients after pregnancies. The scar can be slightly shorter than for a full tummy tuck, but it might also be almost as long. A mini tummy tuck does not involve the belly button, so the belly button continues to look totally natural, without any scarring. Only the lower abdominal muscles are tightened. The surgery is shorter than for a full tummy tuck, and less expensive.

Most patients actually require a full tummy tuck to obtain maximal improvement. The full tummy tuck tightens the entire belly or abdomen, and to a much greater degree. The muscles above and below the belly button are also tightened and flattened. More stretch marks can be removed with a full tummy tuck, including all those from the belly button down. The scar is usually longer than for a mini tuck, but the results are so much more dramatic. For either surgery, I take care to place the scar very low, so that it can be hidden beneath most pants, underwear, and even bikini bottoms. With time, the scar tends to fade in most patients, becoming fairly inconspicuous.

Please call my office to schedule a no charge consultation to meet with me (714-835-6500). During your appointment in my Orange County office,  you will meet only with me, not a nurse or assistant. I will help you to determine whether you’d benefit most from a full or mini tummy tuck, or whether you might do well with liposuction instead of a tuck, or in addition. Please also visit my website at www.ataleisnikmd.com for more information and patient photos.