Tummy Tuck Surgery in San Francisco
Want to get abdominoplasty in SF? Patients wishing to have a firm, tight midsection may be ideal candidates for a tummy tuck at our Kenneth Bermudez, MD practice. Our talented plastic surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Bermudez, can eliminate stubborn fat and excess skin in the stomach region and provide patients with a slender, flat abdomen.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
A tummy tuck, medically referred to as abdominoplasty, is performed not only to remove excess fat and sagging skin from the midsection, but also to tighten the area and pull the remaining skin taut, giving the appearance of a fit and sculpted abdomen. Stubborn fat that is resistant to diet and exercise can be caused by a number of factors, such as:
Genetic disposition
Pregnancy
Recent weight loss
A tummy tuck is more invasive than liposuction and is considered more effective because of its ability to reshape and recontour the midsection. The best tummy tuck candidates are patients who are in relatively good shape but have large fat deposits in the abdominal area. Women who have gone through childbirth are often interested in this procedure. In what is known as mommy makeover surgery, Dr. Bermudez may perform tummy tuck and other body contouring procedures such as liposuction or breast augmentation.
Contact Dr. Kenneth Bermudez more information on candidacy requirements, or to set up a tummy tuck consultation.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Patients should plan at least one to two weeks of recovery at home after a tummy tuck. It can take several weeks to feel completely back to normal after the surgery. Some bruising and swelling will accompany the healing process; any residual pain can be alleviated with medication. While patients should avoid strenuous exercise or strain to the midsection for at least six weeks after a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), our San Francisco tummy tuck surgeon will recommend short walks as soon after surgery as possible in order to prevent blood clots. Scarring from the procedure will be noticeable. The scars should fade after several months, but they will never disappear completely.
Risks
All surgical procedures involve risks, and abdominoplasty is no exception. Dr. Kenneth Bermudez is a qualified plastic surgeon who makes your safety his top priority. He is also firmly dedicated to making sure you are fully informed on all aspects of your operation. Risks of tummy tuck include:
Blood clots
Asymmetry of scars
Reaction to anesthesia
Infection
Slow healing
There are a number of ways patients can minimize the potential risks of abdominoplasty. Our surgeon will discuss risks and possible complications of the procedure at your initial tummy tuck consultation.
Benefits
Abdominoplasty is a proven, effective cosmetic surgery procedure, and our patients have achieved highly satisfactory results. Some of the benefits of a tummy tuck include:
Flatter, firmer abdomen
Decreased waistline
Reduced appearance of stretch marks
Tighter abdominal muscles
Increased self-confidence
A tummy tuck can often be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, arm lift and thigh lift to provide a more complete body contouring effect.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
Should I lose weight before getting a tummy tuck?
Since tummy tuck surgery is not weight loss surgery, Dr. Bermudez recommends that you be at or near a healthy weight (and maintain this weight for several months) prior to the procedure. Any excess and/or sagging fat due to weight loss will be removed during surgery.
What can I expect while recovering from tummy tuck surgery?
Immediately after surgery, you can expect to have some bruising and swelling in the abdomen area. Tummy tuck surgery patients also often experience some mild to moderate discomfort during this time, which can be mitigated with doctor-prescribed pain medication. It’s important to walk around as soon as possible after surgery, even going on short walks around the neighborhood; this will help with circulation and healing and prevent blood clots from forming.
Dr. Bermudez recommends that you take one to two weeks off work the first two weeks following your surgery. If you have a job that requires a lot of physical demands, you may wish to take a month or more off work. Patients should also avoid exercise for at least six weeks after tummy tuck surgery. Dr. Bermudez will determine when you are ready to go back to work and exercise during your post-op evaluation, where he will check that you are healing properly.
Dr. Bermudez will discuss post-operative instructions with you in more detail during your pre-surgery consultation.
How soon will I see my tummy tuck results?
You will notice an improved stomach appearance—no more excess, sagging skin or extra fat—immediately after surgery. Your new, flatter, leaner-looking stomach will appear gradually over time. Keep in mind, though, that it may take six months to a year to see the final results of your surgery.
Are tummy tuck results permanent?
Though tummy tuck results are permanent, dramatic weight gain and pregnancy will undo them as they will stretch out the abdominal skin and muscles once again.
Will I have scars after tummy tuck surgery?
Like any surgery that involves incisions, tummy tuck surgery will leave scars. Though tummy tuck scars will never completely go away, they will fade significantly after several months. Dr. Bermudez will also ensure that the incisions are made in places that are covered up by most underwear and bikini bottoms. He will also provide you with post-operative care instructions that includes scar management information for minimizing the appearance of scars.
How much does tummy tuck surgery cost?
Though prices can vary, tummy tuck surgery typically costs between $14,000 to $15,000.
Can tummy tuck surgery be combined with other procedures?
Though tummy tuck surgery can be performed as a standalone procedure, it is also often combined with other body contouring procedures. In mommy makeover surgery, a tummy tuck is often combined with one or more procedures that include breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, and thigh lift surgery. Dr. Bermudez may also perform tummy tuck surgery as part of post-bariatric body contouring after dramatic weight loss.
What should I keep in mind when looking for a tummy tuck surgeon near me?
A tummy tuck surgeon should have specialized training and education in plastic surgery, and also should be known for their superior patient care and safety. To ensure that you get this quality of care, it’s important to look for a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your procedure. A cosmetic surgeon is not the same as a board-certified plastic surgeon; the former is a medical doctor with supplemental plastic surgery training, while the latter has several years of specialized education and hands-on training in plastic surgery. Board-certified plastic surgeons are also certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which one of the highest standards in patient care and safety.
Do you have tummy tuck before and after photos?
Browse our tummy tuck patient photo gallery to see the natural-looking results Dr. Bermudez is known for.
Contact Our Practice Today
Dr. Kenneth Bermudez is highly trained and skilled in abdominoplasty procedures. Our practice welcomes those who are looking to finally eliminate excess fat in the midsection and achieve a tight and toned-looking stomach. In addition to performing abdominoplasty as a stand-alone procedure, Dr. Bermudez also performs it as part of comprehensive post-bariatric body contouring and lower body lift treatments. To learn more about these procedures, please contact Dr. Bermudez’s offices to schedule a personal consultation.
© 2024 PLASTICSURGERY.SF.COM
All Rights Reserved
Accessibility Statement
Sitemap
Powered by:
For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.