Tummy Tuck

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Diego and La Jolla

A tummy tuck or Abdominoplasty is one of the most popularly performed cosmetic surgical procedures to remove excess skin from the abdomen areas.

In time, the tissue supporting the abdominal muscles begin to weaken and loosen (or “sag”) with aging, weight gain, and certainly with pregnancy. This weakening is even more apparent when visible skin loosening and folds develop, creating that typically unsatisfying appearance of the abdomen.

A Tummy Tuck with Dr. Sadi Erfani will restore your abdominal muscles and skin to a tight, flattering contour. If you are interested in achieving a flat, healthy abdominal appearance with a Tummy Tuck, Dr. Erfani’s helpful staff will be happy to help you schedule your private consultation today!

About Tummy Tucks

During a Tummy Tuck, excess skin and tissue will be removed. The skin will be placed in a smooth, tight position on the abdomen. Dr. Erfani will also repair and tighten damaged or stretched abdominal muscles. These repaired muscles will support the tight, flat abdominal appearance achieved during the procedure. Liposuction may be performed to remove stubborn fat deposits and achieve the patient’s preferred abdominal contour.

Tummy Tucks are performed with an incision placed low on the abdomen. This incision will be placed in a discreet location easily concealed by underwear or a swimsuit.

Patients will be able to return to their daily activities within two weeks. Full recovery from a tummy tuck will be completed at six weeks, depending on the patient’s rate of healing. Patients will be asked to wear a compression garment during their recovery to improve their healing and achieve smooth, tight results.

A Tummy Tuck procedure with Dr. Erfani will transform a sagging, loose, or bulging abdominal appearance into a flat, appealing stomach. Every tummy tuck will be tailored to the needs of the individual patient. Dr. Erfani artfully performs tummy tucks to achieve preferred outcomes for both his male and female patients. His male patients are often interested in restoring a toned, structured appearance, while female patients often request a more smooth, contoured abdomen.

Before & After Photos

Abdominoplasty and Liposuction

Liposuction is sometimes confused with abdominoplasty. Liposuction contours away unwanted fat deposits from desired areas of the body without directly addressing the sagging of tissues and muscle. Plastic surgeon, Dr. Sadi Erfani helps to provide additional information regarding the differences between a tummy tuck and liposuction.

Benefits

A tummy tuck addresses all these issues by excising this skin from the lower and/or middle part of the abdomen while directly tightening the supporting muscle tissue called the fascia. A tummy tuck will dramatically:

  • Shrink the waistline
  • Tighten the abdominal muscles
  • Tone the abdomen
  • Create a more sculpted area around the stomach areas
  • Remove lower abdominal skin with stretch marks

The abdominal muscle repair accomplished during a Tummy Tuck will not only help to hold the stomach in a tight, flat position, it will also enable patients to engage their abdominal muscles once more! Once their recovery is complete, patients will be able to bend, stand, and walk with improved ease.

Candidates for Tummy Tucks

If you have torn or stretched abdominal muscles or loose or sagging abdominal skin on your abdomen, you are a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck. Pregnancy and weight loss frequently stretch the abdominal skin and muscles, making these individuals good candidates for an abdominoplasty. Candidates for Tummy Tucks are those who are at a stable weight and are in overall good health. Due to the fact that large degrees of weight loss or weight gain will affect the results achieved with an abdominoplasty, best candidates are those who are dedicated to regular exercise and a balanced diet.

Patients should be free of health conditions which could interfere with their body’s ability to recover from surgery. Patients will need to discontinue smoking at least three weeks before their abdominoplasty procedure date. Smoking will slow down the patient’s healing times.

Ideal candidates for tummy tucks are those who have realistic expectations for the outcomes possible with any cosmetic procedure. If you are ready to receive the benefits of a Tummy Tuck, or have questions about your candidacy, Dr. Erfani’s helpful staff will be happy to help you schedule a private consultation.

Dr. Erfani, San Diego’s Premier Tummy Tuck Expert

Your consultation is all about you and making sure you are totally confident and comfortable with your treatment.

Dr. Erfani will answer any questions that you may have about abdominoplasty or any other body contouring procedures.

You will receive a physical exam during your private consultation. In order to determine your candidacy for a tummy tuck, Dr. Sadi Erfani will go over your medical history and medication use with you. He will make sure that he has a clear idea of your goals for your appearance so that he can custom-tailor your abdominoplasty to your individual frame and desired outcomes.

Cosmetic surgery is a life-changing process that we want to experience with comfort and confidence. We invite you to bring in a list of any questions that you may have so that we make sure to address all your concerns.

Tummy Tuck Procedure

This procedure usually takes between two and five hours to complete.  The plastic surgeon may use several techniques to achieve desired results; full tummy tuck, endoscopic and mini. 

A full tummy tuck surgery can be used when the patient has a lot of excess skin. An endoscopic tuck procedure is primarily used when only the abdominal muscle needs to be tightened. A mini tummy tuck is ideal for patients that are within ten percent of their ideal body weight and just need a minimal amount of excess skin removed.  Invariably, many tummy tucks will also require liposuction during the procedure to enhance the results. Tummy tucks are done under general anesthesia

Drains may or may not be necessary, depending on the extent of work done and the particular technique performed. Compression garments should be pre-ordered and ready on the day of surgery as they should be worn immediately following the procedure. You will be extensively educated about the proper aftercare to optimize your recovery after your tummy tuck.

Recovery After Surgery

Full recovery varies from patient to patient depending on the type of procedure performed.

Sometimes a patient might be required to recover promptly after surgery and can generally take five to ten days for a patient resume normal walking activities. One can return to working between 10 to 20 days but not to engage in any strenuous activities for up to 5-6 weeks. The physical condition of the surgical area and the well-being of the patient are of greatest concerns. The risks accompanying surgery can be significant, but usually low as long as the patient is healthy enough to undertake the procedure and the correct precautions are followed as recommended by the Plastic Surgeon. 

The results from a tummy tuck can be very dramatic, especially in the hands of a well-trained and experienced Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, who will very frequently perform subtle details to enhance the result.

Many doctors call themselves “Cosmetic Surgeons”, so buyer beware.  These physicians are “non-core” physicians who have not undergone the rigorous training and mentorship of a Plastic Surgery Residency and have adopted these procedures outside the scope of their actual training in order to enhance their cash-based earning of their practice.

Tummy Tuck Results

Your stomach will be noticeably flatter immediately after your tummy tuck. The results of your tummy tuck will continue to improve as your body accepts the changes and post-procedure swelling subsides. Any scarring will continue to fade over the months following the procedure. Scarring outcomes will be best for patients who follow Dr. Erfani’s recovery instructions.

Patients will be able to enjoy their flat, tight abdominal contour after six weeks. Results will continue to improve for up to six months after the abdominoplasty. Patients will be able to wear swimwear and tight clothing again with confidence!

Cost of Tummy Tuck in San Diego

The cost of the procedure varies and depends on the type of surgery performed.  However, the national average of a tummy tuck costs around $9,000. Prices below this range may be offered for a procedure called “panniculectomy”.  This is not a true abdominoplasty and lacks many of the important maneuvers (including muscle tightening) that are crucial for the best contouring results.

As a potential candidate for any contouring procedure of the body, you should meet with your plastic surgeon in consultation to discuss your unique condition and understand all the available options before proceeding with tummy tuck surgery. After you meet with Dr. Erfani and feel comfortable with the abdominoplasty treatment plan he creates for you, you will receive a cost breakdown that reflects the unique details of your personalized plan.

If you are interested in achieving a tight, toned abdominal appearance, Dr. Erfani is here to help. Call Dr. Erfani’s office to schedule your private consultation today!