Tummy Tuck Candidates Los Angeles

There are a number of important variables that determine whether a patient is a candidate for Southern California tummy tucks. For abdominoplasty to be a complete success, medical and psychological fitness for surgery is prerequisite. The ideal patient is a non-smoker who is close to their ideal weight. Anatomic features that may be improved with a tummy tuck include loose skin, excess fat and lax muscles of the abdomen.

While fat may be reduced through diet, the problems of loose skin or relaxed muscles are typically not improved with diet and exercise alone. For patients in Pasadena, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, tummy tucks are designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen. Many patients will also benefit from a simultaneous tightening of the abdominal muscles.

The distribution of fat is one determinant of the improvement a patient will have from a tummy tuck. Fat in the superficial tissues is the type that it is possible to pinch. This superficial fat may be removed through excision (tummy tuck) or aspiration (liposuction). If skin laxity is significant, the skin and fat should be removed with a tummy tuck. The result is a tighter and flatter abdomen. If the skin elasticity is adequate, however, the superficial fat may be removed through liposuction alone. Liposuction may flatten the abdomen, but it will not tighten the skin.

In addition to the superficial layers, fat is also distributed in the deep layers surrounding the internal organs. This fat may be reduced only through diet and exercise. Patients who have firm, distended abdomens typically have significant amounts of deep fat. Excess deep fat makes it difficult to tighten the abdominal muscles during a tummy tuck. Patients who have soft, distended abdomens (as opposed to firm, distended abdomens) frequently have lax muscles. This is common after multiple pregnancies making it a great procedure for Mommy Makeovers or significant weight loss. Loose muscles respond well to tightening as part of a tummy tuck.

Dr. Stevens has performed tummy tucks for Long Beach, Pasadena, and Santa Monica residents. If you are still wondering if you are a candidate for a Southern California tummy tuck, why not contact Charlie, our patient coordinator? She can provide you with discreet and thoughtful answers to your tummy tuck questions. Or, you may want to get our free eBook to learn more about preparing and recovering from surgery, choosing your Los Angeles plastic surgeon and more.

When you’re ready to take the next step toward a tummy tuck, you can save up to $150 on your appointment when you request online and schedule during one of the convenient times our board-certified plastic surgeons have set aside exclusively for Web visitors.