Tummy Tuck

Many people have excess abdominal fat and skin that cannot be corrected through diet and exercise. These concerns are especially common for women who have had multiple pregnancies or people who have experienced significant weight fluctuations. Stretched, lax skin can also occur as part of the aging process.

With abdominoplasty, often called a tummy tuck, people from San Jose, Palo Alto, and Los Gatos, CA, can attain the firm, flat midsections they desire. At Reveal Plastic Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Benjamin Maser and Dr. Steven J. Bates, can rejuvenate your abdominal area to renew your comfort and confidence.

Request a free consultation with Dr. Bates or Dr. Maser at Reveal Plastic Surgery or call (408) 356-4241 to schedule your appointment today.

Tummy Tuck
 Before & After Photos

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How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in San Jose, CA?

The cost of a tummy tuck in the Bay Area, as with all cosmetic plastic surgery, depends on a range of factors, including the extent of the procedure itself and whether you want to combine it with other treatments. Dr. Maser and Dr. Bates are committed to making cosmetic surgery accessible to as many patients as possible and offer financing plans for qualified individuals.

Who Can Benefit From Tummy Tuck Surgery?

No matter how hard you work to maintain a healthy lifestyle and fit appearance, you may not be able to tighten up your stomach area the way you’d like. Pregnancy, aging, weight fluctuations, heredity, or other factors can cause you to:

  • Lose muscle tone
  • Form stubborn fat deposits
  • Develop loose and sagging skin

Dr. Bates and Dr. Maser personalize abdominoplasty to the unique needs of each patient.

How Do I Know if I Need a Tummy Tuck or Lipo?

Liposuction is another body contouring procedure that many people consider when they want to reduce excess fat. While liposuction is highly effective in removing unwanted fat in common problem areas, it cannot:

  • Remove sagging skin or stretch marks
  • Repair stretched abdominal muscles that cause a belly bulge
  • Reshape an enlarged bellybutton
  • Improve the appearance of a C-section scar

If you’re concerned about small pockets of fat and your skin retains most of its elasticity, liposuction alone may produce your desired results. Dr. Maser and Dr. Bates often use liposuction during tummy tuck surgery to sculpt a contoured abdominal area and ensure smooth results. They can help you determine whether liposuction, a tummy tuck, or both would best suit your goals.

What Is the Difference Between a Mini Tummy Tuck and a Full Tummy Tuck?

A mini tummy tuck is an abbreviated version of a full tummy tuck that is appropriate for a limited group of patients. Review the table for a comparison.

Full Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

ConsiderationFull Tummy TuckMini Tummy Tuck
Treatment AreaBelow the ribs to above the pubic areaBelow the bellybutton to above the pubic area
IncisionHorizontal incision between the hip bones just above the pubic area. A second incision around the bellybutton.Shorter horizontal incision above the pubic area.
Bellybutton ReshapedYesNo
Abdominal Muscles RepairedYesNo
Recovery Period*Return to work: 2 to 4 weeks Resume exercise: 6 weeksReturn to work: 2 weeks Resume exercise: 4 weeks
ConsiderationFull Tummy Tuck
Treatment AreaBelow the ribs to above the pubic area
IncisionHorizontal incision between the hip bones just above the pubic area. A second incision around the bellybutton.
Bellybutton ReshapedYes
Abdominal Muscles RepairedYes
Recovery Period*Return to work: 2 to 4 weeks
Resume exercise: 6 weeks
ConsiderationMini Tummy Tuck
Treatment AreaBelow the bellybutton to above the pubic area
IncisionShorter horizontal incision above the pubic area.
Bellybutton ReshapedNo
Abdominal Muscles RepairedNo
Recovery Period*Return to work: 2 weeks
Resume exercise: 4 weeks

*Time frames are approximate; patient experiences vary.

Can I Combine My Tummy Tuck With Other Procedures?

Often, women who choose abdominoplasty to address physical changes caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding combine the tummy tuck with other procedures as part of a mommy makeover. The most common choices include cosmetic breast surgeries such as a breast lift or breast augmentation , along with liposuction. Fat transfer is also possible, using liposuction to harvest fat from an unwanted area, such as the hips or thighs, and injecting it into areas that need more volume, such as the breasts. For healthy patients, combining multiple procedures is safe and effective, especially following significant weight loss or pregnancy.

Some people who want to transform their figures ask if combining a tummy tuck with a Brazilian butt lift is possible. It is possible, but it’s important to understand the unique challenges posed by recovering from those 2 procedures at the same time. You’ll need to sleep on your side in a fetal position to avoid putting pressure on the buttocks.

Dr. Bates or Dr. Maser will thoroughly discuss all these options during your consultation and carefully plan the surgery to incorporate the various procedures. Combining procedures doesn’t necessarily result in a longer recovery period.

Your Tummy Tuck Surgery

Your surgeon will create a surgical plan based on your physical exam, medical history, and personal cosmetic goals. Abdominoplasty may be performed using a local anesthetic combined with sedation or using general anesthesia, depending on your specific needs.

At the outset of the full tummy tuck procedure, Dr. Maser or Dr. Bates makes a horizontal incision stretching between the hip bones just above the pubic area. He makes a second incision around the bellybutton to address the upper abdomen. If necessary, your surgeon repairs abdominal muscles stretched and weakened by pregnancy and childbirth.

Dr. Bates and Dr. Maser may also use liposuction to remove excess fat on the abdomen or flanks and create smooth contours. Your surgeon will then pull the abdominal skin taut, create an opening to reposition the bellybutton, and remove the excess skin before suturing the incision. He may place drainage tubes at the incision locations to help prevent the buildup of fluids.

Financing Made Easy

You have options when it comes to paying for your procedure. Patient financing makes it affordable and stress free.

See Financing Options

Tummy Tuck Recovery

When you return home, you will need to have an adult help you with meals, hygiene, and other basic activities for at least a few days. You will not be able to stand completely upright to avoid strain on the incision and abdominal muscles. You will also have to wear a specialized compression garment for several weeks to help in the recovery and healing process.

Recovery Timeline

Here is a general timeline of recovery milestones for a full tummy tuck:

  • Drains removed: 5 to 7 days
  • Return to work and nonstrenuous activity: 2 to 4 weeks
  • Stand upright: 1 to 2 weeks
  • Resume light, non-impact exercise: 4 weeks
  • Wear compression garment: 3 to 6 weeks
  • Resume strenuous exercise: 6 to 8 weeks
  • See final results: 3+ months
  • Normal sensation returns: 3 to 6 months
  • Incision flattens & fades: About 1 year

Your Tummy Tuck Results

Expect to see your slimmer, firmer shape soon after surgery, although it will take several weeks for swelling to completely go away. To maintain the results of your abdominoplasty, it is important to continue to eat well and exercise regularly.

Our Plastic Surgeons

Our board-certified plastic surgeons have decades of combined experience performing cosmetic procedures for the face, breasts, and body. Their expertise, superior care, and impressive outcomes draw patients from across the San Francisco Bay Area. Their caring, down-to-earth personalities cultivate lasting doctor-patient relationships.

Credentials you can trust

ASPS, ABMS, ASF, and Aesthetic Society logos ASPS, ABMS, ASF, and Aesthetic Society logos

Tummy Tuck FAQ

Can I have more children after a tummy tuck?

It is completely safe to become pregnant and have children after undergoing a tummy tuck, but it may affect your cosmetic results by stretching the abdominal muscles and skin. If you are planning to have a child in the future, you should discuss those plans with your surgeon during your consultation. Dr. Maser or Dr. Bates will work with you to find a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle.

How much weight can I lose with a tummy tuck?

Although a tummy tuck does contour the body and remove small amounts of fat, it is not a weight-loss surgery. A tummy tuck is effective for patients who have already lost a significant amount of weight, either after pregnancy, through lifestyle changes, or after undergoing bariatric surgery. Good candidates for a tummy tuck are at or near the weight they want to maintain and are in good overall health. Our surgeons are happy to meet with patients who are interested in losing weight and finishing off their transformations with a tummy tuck or other procedure.

How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?

The results of a tummy tuck last indefinitely. Patients who exercise and make healthy lifestyle choices can enjoy a flatter midsection for years.

Does a tummy tuck lift the mons pubis?

A tummy tuck involves making an incision just above the pubic area but doesn’t necessarily lift the mons pubis. If there is excess skin and fat in this area, adding a monsplasty to your tummy tuck is the best option. You can learn more about monsplasty in a related blog post.

Do I have to wear a compression garment during recovery?

Wearing a compression garment—a tight-fitting elastic garment much like a girdle—is important both to help you recover after surgery and to get the best possible results. Wearing compression garments accelerates the healing process and reduces the swelling and pain associated with the procedure. They also reduce the risk of complications and help ensure your skin smoothly conforms to your new shape.

When will I be able to stand up straight?

Most patients need to walk slightly hunched over for at least a week after a tummy tuck. This stance avoids putting unnecessary strain on the incisions as they heal.

Will my tummy tuck scars be noticeable?

One of the primary concerns patients have about getting a tummy tuck is the appearance of scars. Dr. Bates and Dr. Maser carefully make tummy tuck incisions as low as possible on the abdomen so that even a skimpy swimsuit will conceal them. Taking care of the incision during the recovery and using scar care products during the first several months can help fade your scar.

Your Next Step

Researching procedures online can be helpful in guiding your decisions about plastic surgery. However, the best way to decide what’s right for you is to meet with one of the board-certified plastic surgeons at Reveal Plastic Surgery. To find out if a tummy tuck is right for you, request a free cosmetic consultation with Dr. Maser or Dr. Bates using the online form or call our office at (408) 356-4241 to discuss surgical options.

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Mons Pubis Reduction: Can Liposuction or Tummy Tuck Help? (Updated Oct. 2023)

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