Tummy Tuck: What To Expect

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in San Diego and Carlsbad

midsection-tummy-tuck The midsection is a very difficult part of the body to sculpt, no matter how healthy of a lifestyle you live. Tummy tuck surgery is specially designed to address just this, creating a defined midsection, better contoured figure, and in turn improved self-esteem. If you are interested in this procedure, feel free to contact us today; we look forward to hearing from you.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes loose abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal muscles to create a slim, defined midsection. It is specially designed to improve the appearance of a slack or bulging abdomen that working out and eating well just cannot counter. In cases where localized fat deposits are contributing to a protruding abdomen, a specialized technique created by Dr. Seare called Around the World Lipo can be performed. Tummy tuck procedures usually take between three to four hours depending on the technique and are performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. If this procedure is something that interests you, please feel free to contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Seare.


Before & After Photos

Tummy Tuck

* RESULTS MAY VARY


Why Get A Tummy Tuck?

With increasing age, smoking, poor nutrition (like cyclical diet and overeating) and other risk factors, the elasticity of the skin decreases, resulting in permanent stretching or enlargement of the skin.

Most people considering a surgical correction to remove fat and loose skin have tried many ways to get this area under control, and failed. Diet and exercise just don’t work to reverse the medical changes that occur in these patients. This is because there are changes that occur in the body, and specifically in the fat and the skin when one has become overweight, pregnant, or has very stretchable skin.

Unfortunately, skin that has been overstretched for a period of time or with repetitive stretching cycles, with or without the production of stretch marks, rarely contracts back to the pre-stretched condition. The reason for this is the collagen within the skin becomes permanently stretched, and additional skin is actually manufactured.

Lipodystrophy fat, on the other hand, is fat that is genetically triggered by many factors such as increasing age, stress with its secretion of cortisol, overeating followed by dieting repeatedly, and with triggers we still don’t understand.

With lipodystrophy fat, diet and exercise just doesn’t work. A person tends to turn into one of his ancestors, and this fat was a huge selective advantage to them providing for food storage during famines, thermal insulation during cold periods, and internal armor protection. Today we have few famines in our society, but we definitely have stress. So the fat can sometimes be held in check, but with the slightest assault such as an injury with no exercise, or a divorce with incredible stress, it will continue to grow out of proportion with the general body fat.


Techniques We Use

Techniques we use Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck is not generally performed at Clinique Sculpture, but is used for those who have lax abdominal skin and muscles on their upper and lower abdomen, but do not suffer from large amounts of localized fat deposits. In those cases, Dr. Seare likes to use the Around the World technique.

A fully tummy tuck is performed by creating an incision near the bikini line and around the bellybutton. The skin is pulled down tight and excess is removed. Upper and lower abdominal muscles are sutured together to reduce protrusion and create a flatter, defined midsection. The bellybutton is not relocated in this process, but since the original bellybutton incision will be removed in the skin excision, a new opening is created for the bellybutton. The bikini line incision is then closed to create a flatter abdomen.

Extended Tummy Tuck

Patients with a larger amount of loose skin from massive weight loss or pregnancy can undergo an extended tummy tuck. This technique follows the method of a full tummy tuck, but the bikini line incision is lengthened to extend to the flanks, or love handles. More skin excision can be accomplished with this technique.

Mini Tummy Tuck

Patients who only have an issue with their lower abdomen, or a “pooch”, can benefit greatly from a mini tummy tuck. This technique is designed for men and women who are in good shape, but despite a healthy lifestyle, they are unsuccessful at slimming their lower abdomen. A shorter incision by the bikini line is used to achieve lower abdomen skin and muscle tightening; a bellybutton incision is not necessary.

Around the World

Dr. Seare is very excited about a new combination of procedures he has developed, resulting in amazing transformations with very low risks because of Awake Anesthesia and quick recoveries.

Dr. Seare is a pioneer of a procedure called the circumferential Micro Liposuction surgeries that we call “Around-the-World” of the arms, torso, or thighs, We have found we can get amazing skin tightening of up to 25 percent when we are able to go all or most of the way around. This procedure means no scars around the belly button and removal of up to 90 percent of the fat around the torso.

A narrow scar is placed very low and is easily hidden in the bikini line. In his practice, Dr. Seare has found that the need for a “full” tummy tuck is rarely needed. This new procedure is much safer, less costly, has a quicker recovery and produces a superior aesthetic figure with a lower complication rate than traditional tummy tuck procedures.


Recovery Process

An abdominal compression garment will be placed after surgery; this is to remain on 24 hours a day until otherwise instructed. Majority of patients are free to return home the same day as their surgery, but it is advised to take at least four to six days off work.

Recovery Process

It is normal to experience initial swelling and bruising of the abdomen; this will diminish on its own, but medication can be provided to alleviate any pain or discomfort. Drains are used in most cases to capture excess fluids; if so, Dr. Seare will provide special care instructions until they are removed (typically in two to four days.)

During the first couple weeks of recovery, please make sure to sleep with your back slightly elevated. This position eases the pressure on the incision sites and helps reduce swelling. Additionally, walking slightly bent at the waist will accomplish the aforementioned, as well as help prevent blood clotting. Please wait four to six weeks before resuming strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or exercise.

Patients can notice daily improvement of their midsection, and full recovery will reveal a flatter, tighter abdomen.


Other Body Contouring Procedures

Dr. Seare and his team at Clinique Liposculpture in Carlsbad and San Diego are proud to offer the following body contouring procedures:

Brazilian Butt Lift

A Brazilian Butt Lift is an advanced buttocks enhancing procedure that does not require the use of implants. The procedure is performed by taking fat from the patient’s own body with liposuction, purifying the fat, and then injecting it into the posterior for a lifted, round behind. The fat is usually taken from the lower back, love handles, thighs, and/or abdomen since this too will create enhanced projection of the buttocks.

Body Lift

A body lift is similar to an extended tummy tuck, but the incision is made around the entire body circumference. With this elongated incision, the abdomen, back, buttocks, and thighs are all enhanced in the same surgery session. Lax skin is removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened. An arm lift can be performed in addition for proportionate results, as well as liposuction to create an even more defined appearance.

Liposuction

Traditional liposuction is the basis of fat removal procedures. It is performed by creating a very small incision in the desired fat reduction location and a thin cannula, or tube, is then inserted. Fat is manually broken up with the cannula and then suctioned.

SmartLipo

SmartLipo is an advanced liposuction technique that initially melts fat with laser energy before suctioning. But SmartLipo not only removes localized fat deposits, it tightens the skin as well with the promotion of collagen production.

VASER Lipo

VASER Lipo is also an advanced liposuction technique but uses ultrasound waves to break up the fat prior to suctioning. This technique too tightens skin for a better contoured figure.


To discover which skin tightening procedure is the best option for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Seare at Clinique Liposculpture.


Your Consultation

During a consultation with Dr. William Seare at either his Carlsbad or San Diego office, patients have the opportunity to share their dislikes with their abdominal area and their desired aesthetic outcome. He performs a full examination to determine the technique most ideal for your individual case, and whether you could benefit from any additional body sculpting procedures such as liposuction. A personalized surgical plan will be created for your specific case to optimize individual results. Please mention all medical history and any allergies; these will have impact on the surgical plan. Questions including preoperative or postoperative instructions, pricing, and additional procedures will gladly be answered. We at Clinique Sculpture want to make sure you are fully informed so you are comfortable with your decision to undergo tummy tuck surgery.

If you would like to request a tummy tuck consultation, please feel free to give us a call or fill out a quick online form and we will gladly get you scheduled.

*RESULTS MAY VARY


Are you considering a tummy tuck? Learn more by calling Clinique Sculpture in Carlsbad & San Diego, CA today at (760) 603-8340!

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