Tummy Tuck

Your surgeon will likely perform your tummy tuck under general anesthesia to maximize your comfort. Typically, tummy tuck surgery takes between two and five hours.

During your tummy tuck, one of our world-class plastic surgeons will carefully make an incision along your lower abdomen, which will be located beneath your bikini line to minimize visible scarring. Next, they will remove excess skin and fat to flatten the appearance of your abdominal area.

Your surgeon may also tighten your underlying abdominal muscles. Depending on your cosmetic needs and desired results, they may also use multiple liposuction techniques during your tummy tuck. There are several different tummy tuck techniques available, and our expert surgeons at Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery can recommend the procedure that is right for you during your consultation. The types of tummy tuck procedures include: 

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck targets the central area between your belly button and pubic area, where excess skin and fat tend to gather in a “pooch.” This procedure is less extensive than a traditional abdominoplasty, so your recovery may be quicker. The incision is made just above your pubic area. 

Standard Tummy Tuck

A traditional or full tummy tuck procedure treats a larger area than the mini. Your surgeon will remove excess tissue and tighten skin and damaged muscles for a slimmer appearance throughout the abdomen. A standard tummy tuck usually requires a longer incision made from hip to hip below the bikini line and sometimes also involves a second incision around the belly button.

Extended Tummy Tuck

For patients that also want to address excess fat around the flanks and “love handles,” an extended tummy tuck may be needed. In this procedure, the incision is similar to that of a standard tummy tuck but extends to the sides of the hips as well.