Tummy Tuck in Sacramento

Ideal Candidates for a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck can be an excellent option for individuals looking to address excess skin, weakened abdominal muscles and stubborn fat that has not responded to diet and exercise. The best candidates are those who are close to their goal weight and want to improve the shape and firmness of their midsection rather than achieve weight loss.

You may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you:

• Have loose or sagging abdominal skin, often due to pregnancy or significant weight loss
• Experience weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
• Are near your ideal weight but struggle with stubborn fat in the abdominal area
• Are in good overall health and able to undergo surgery safely
• Do not plan future pregnancies, as this can affect results
• Have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure

During Your Consultation

During your tummy tuck consultation, Dr. Davis will assess your concerns and examine your abdomen and back to make sure you are a good candidate for abdominoplasty. He will evaluate factors such as skin laxity, fat distribution and muscle integrity to determine the most appropriate approach for your goals.

You'll also have the opportunity to discuss what you would like to improve and what kind of results you're hoping to achieve. Based on your individual goals and starting point, he may recommend combining your tummy tuck with liposuction or with breast surgery as part of a mommy makeover to create more balanced, comprehensive results.

Abdominoplasty Technique

Prior to going into surgery, Dr. Davis will mark your abdomen for the tummy tuck and where the scar will be placed discreetly beneath the bikini line. He will also mark any areas for liposuction which is commonly done in addition to the tummy tuck for the best result.

Often Dr. Davis will begin with liposuction, and this can be part of "lipo 360" if you are also having liposuction of your back. Next, after making the low incision, the skin and fat is elevated off of the abdominal muscles and the excess skin removed. The abdominal muscles are then tightened (this is what repairs the "rectus diastasis" or separation of the muscles), and the skin closed and the belly button positioned with the sutures on the inside of the skin to reduce visible scarring.

Long acting pain medicine called Exparel is injected throughout the abdomen to give you the best pain control after surgery. The surgery takes around 2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

After surgery, you will be placed in a compression garment and will return to the office the next day for us to check on you. We will continue to check on you as you recover and are of course here and available any day if you have any questions or concerns.

Recovery from a tummy tuck takes about 2 weeks. That first week you stay bent at the waist so as not to stress the muscle repair or the skin closure; many patients like to sleep in a recliner or in a recliner position with pillows.

After the first week, you can gradually increase your activity level and stand up straighter. Most patients want a ride to their 1-week appointment but can drive themselves to their 2-week visit. Many patients feel up to returning to a desk job around 10 to 14 days after their tummy tuck, but those with more strenuous work may return closer to 3 to 4 weeks. You can begin strenuous exercise, core muscle training and rigorous activity at 8 weeks.

Tummy Tuck Results

You'll notice an improvement in your abdominal contour immediately after your tummy tuck, with a flatter, smoother appearance right away. However, it's important to keep in mind that swelling and tightness are normal in the early stages and can temporarily obscure your final outcome.

As your body heals over the next several weeks, swelling will gradually decrease and your results will become more defined. Most patients begin to see significant improvement within 4 to 6 weeks, especially as they return to normal daily activities and the midsection starts to feel more natural.

Final results typically develop over the course of 3 to 6 months, once swelling has fully resolved and tissues have settled into their new shape. Incision lines will continue to fade over time and are usually placed low enough to be hidden beneath clothing.

With a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, tummy tuck results are long-lasting, providing a more contoured, toned appearance for years to come.