Tummy Tuck Serving Oakland & The San Francisco Bay Area

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck is exactly what it sounds like, a less extensive version of the full tummy tuck. The incision is smaller since it only treats the skin and fat below the belly button, leaving a short scar along the bikini line. Abdominal muscle repair is generally not included.

Full Tummy Tuck

During a full tummy tuck, the incision runs horizontally from one hip to the other. After detaching the navel and freeing the skin from the abdominal wall, the surgeon tightens the abdominal muscle and removes the excess skin and fat. This process results in a smoother, flatter, more youthful-looking abdominal contour.

Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck has the longest incision. The incision extends across the abdomen and toward the lower back. In addition to removing excess skin and fat, your surgeon may also suture the abdominal muscle together if necessary.

Complementary Procedure: Liposuction

Liposuction removes excess subcutaneous fat through a hollow instrument via suction. It is ideal for treating fat that has not responded to diet and exercise. As one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures, it often accompanies body contouring treatments such as tummy tucks.

Preparing for Your Tummy Tuck

For the safest surgery possible, follow all pre-operative instructions. Your Oakland tummy tuck surgeon may advise you to discontinue certain medications and supplements. Smokers will need to quit several weeks in advance.

Your anesthesiologist may instruct you to avoid eating or drinking for several hours before your operation. However, you may be able to take small sips of water up until two hours before your surgery.

Tummy Tuck Preparation Checklist

• Arrange a ride to and from the surgical center.
• Make childcare arrangements if you have young children.
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements, as they can increase bleeding.
• Give up smoking, which increases the risk of infection, anesthesia complications, and a slow recovery.
• Stop taking contraceptive pills to reduce the risk of blood clotting (thrombosis), which can be serious. Six weeks before your surgery, switch to an alternative form of contraception.

Intake Appointment

When you arrive at the surgery center, a nurse will check your heart rate and blood pressure and take a urine sample. Dr. Williams will then meet with you to go over any last-minute questions you might have. He will plan the incisions by drawing lines on your abdomen as you stand upright before you head into the operating room.

Step 1: Anesthesia

Most patients receive general anesthesia. Your surgeon may use local anesthesia with sedation if minimal work is required.

Step 2: Incisions And Surgery

Dr. Williams will make an incision from hip to hip right above the pubic area. The length of the incision depends on the degree of correction needed. During a full or extended tummy tuck, he will also make an incision around the navel.

He will dissect the underlying tissues and elevate the skin flap to reveal the abdominal wall. If necessary, he will tighten the rectus abdominis muscle with sutures. Finally, he will measure and trim off the excess skin.

Next, our surgeons will create a new hole for the navel. They then reposition the navel in this hole and suture it in place. For mini tummy tucks, belly button repositioning is not necessary.

Step 3: Closing The Incision

Dr. Williams will pull the remaining skin down as he closes the incision, leaving the abdomen taut. He will place a bandage and compression garment to protect the incision and minimize swelling.

Waking From Surgery

You will wake in a recovery room attended by a nurse. You may receive a small snack and water to alleviate nausea from the anesthesia. An IV drip may be placed in your arm to keep you hydrated.

You may have a catheter (a fine tube) to drain urine from your bladder into a bag during the procedure, and is removed prior to being awakened from anesthesia. After removing the catheter, you may have sudden urges to urinate or difficulty emptying your bladder. This discomfort should subside within 24 hours.

You may also have drains on your tummy for up to 48 hours to allow fluid to exit the treatment area. These will likely be removed at your first clinic visit, depending on the output.

Leaving the Surgery Center

A majority of our patients return home the same day, while others spend one or more nights in the hospital. Either way, someone will need to drive you from the hospital. Once home, a friend or family member should look after you for the first 24 to 48 hours.

Swelling, Bruising, and Numbness

Your abdomen will be swollen and bruised, and you may experience some residual drainage. It is normal to have numbness in your abdomen, which generally resolves in six to twelve months. Don't strain or stretch the healing wound since it may slow your recovery. You will need to wear a special pressure garment to decrease swelling and bruising. Continue wearing your support garment for at least a month or as instructed by your surgeon.

Pain Management

Pain and discomfort are most prominent during the first few days. Exparel is a new medication we use routinely during our tummy tucks. It is a long-term local anesthetic that can last up to 48-72 hours after your procedure, when the pain is the worst, and has dramatically reduced pain and recovery time! Your surgeon may also prescribe medication for pain relief. You may be able to take over-the-counter painkillers such as Tylenol, which will be prescribed to you.

Returning to Work and Exercise

Tummy tuck patients should plan to stay home from work for at least two weeks while they recover. Mini tummy tuck recovery is typically quicker than a full tummy tuck, but patients should still take 14 days off to rest. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity for up to six weeks.

Scar Care

The surgical scar should mature in 12 to 18 months. Your surgeon may recommend topical scar gel, prescription creams, or silicone sheets to help the scar heal nicely. Avoid tanning since sun exposure can worsen scarring.