Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck

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Most of Dr. Cat’s patients seeking tummy tucks are moms with excess skin or loosening of the abdominal wall after pregnancy and want a flat tummy again. Many women post-pregnancy have abdominal wall separation – diastasis recti – so the surgery repairs the split abdominal muscles and tightens the abdominal wall. Many are also patients who have lost a lot of weight or have had yo-yo weight fluctuations resulting in skin laxity and hanging skin over the belly button or their pants. Other patients have had previous liposuction surgery resulting in excess sagging skin. Many patients also want to remove stretch marks and minimize their appearance. There are several different types of tummy tucks and other procedures combined with – this will be discussed below.  Every patient has different anatomy and aesthetic goals, so each surgery is custom designed and tailored to each patient.

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Full Tummy Tuck With Muscle Repair

This is also known as a traditional tummy tuck. It is the most common tummy tuck performed.  A full tummy tuck is for patients with excess hanging skin above and below the belly button and split muscles, loose muscles, or muscle separation –  diastasis recti.  The majority of these patients are post-pregnancy. An incision is made hip to hip as well as around the belly button.  The skin is elevated all the way up to the ribs. The abdominal muscles are repaired, and the abdominal wall is tightened like an internal corset to create a flat and fit tummy. The excess skin is removed, and the abdominal skin is artistically and meticulously closed and tightened.  The new Dr. Cat Signature belly button is created.

Full Tummy Tuck Without Muscle Repair

This is very similar to the full tummy tuck but does not place sutures to tighten the muscle or abdominal wall.  It is usually performed on patients who have not had children but, due to weight fluctuations, have excess skin above and below the belly button. They otherwise have a flat tummy and good muscles.  An incision is made from hip to hip and around the belly button. The skin is elevated up as it is in the full tummy tuck. The extra skin is removed, and the incision is closed to tighten the abdominal skin. The new Dr. Cat Signature belly button is created

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck focuses predominantly on the lower abdomen. It is for patients who have excess skin of the lower abdomen only, a pouch over a c-section or abdominal scar, or stretch marks they want to remove. The incision is generally shorter and usually does not involve cutting around the belly button. The tissues of the lower abdomen are elevated and then excised, removing the extra skin of the lower abdomen.

Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck is similar to a full tummy tuck except that the incision is much longer, extending to the back and tightening the skin of the abdomen as well as the sides. It is for patients with a lot of excess sagging skin, not only on their abdomen but also on their sides.  Most of Dr. Cat’s extended tummy tuck patients have lost significant weight or had previous weight loss surgery. It also includes tightening the muscles and abdominal wall since most patients, after significant weight gain and loss, have loosening or laxity of their abdominal wall muscles.

Revision Tummy Tuck

A revision tummy tuck is where Dr. Cat revises, redos, or performs a tummy tuck on a patient that has had previous surgery or procedure. Often times this is a patient who had a previous tummy tuck performed by another surgeon where the abdominal muscle tightening is not complete or fell apart, the scar is too high, too wide, or irregular, or there is residual excess skin of the abdomen or pubic area. Many times, the belly button was improperly positioned, or it looks unnatural. As a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. Cat also performs revision tummy tucks on patients who had a tummy tuck in the past but then gained and lost a lot of weight or had pregnancies, and their tummy tuck did not hold. Some of the most challenging tummy tuck revisions Dr. Cat has performed are on patients who previously had liposuction resulting in thin, sagging skin, irregularities or bumpiness of their abdomen, or liposuction complications. Dr. Cat specializes in these challenging revision tummy tucks where there is often a lot of scar tissue or complex anatomic changes that require meticulous pre-operative planning and extensive experience.

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Patients need to be in good physical health as well as emotional and mental health.   Patients should have a BMI of around 30 or less, and their weight should be stable and within 10-15 pounds of their goal weight. Dr. Cat spends a significant amount of time in consultation, doing a detailed physical examination, reviewing all surgical and medical history, as well as going above and beyond to understand your aesthetic goals and expectations from the surgery.

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Dr. Cat’s tummy tuck incision is always low and easily hidden under any underwear or bikini bottom. Designing the perfect incision is one of the most important parts of the surgery. The most natural shape is a gentle curve where most patients already have a crease. Dr. Cat takes a lot of time discussing with her patients exactly where they want the incision to sit and even having them bring a bikini bottom or underwear they want to precisely hide the incision under. If patients have pre-existing c-sections scars or other abdominal scars, Dr. Cat places the tummy tuck scar under it, removing the old scar with the surgery. Depending on the type of tummy tuck as well as how much excess hanging skin there is, the length can vary. Dr. Cat always tries to keep the incision as short as possible.

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Dr. Cat believes that creating the thinnest and most invisible tummy tuck scar is one of the most important parts of the surgery, and she takes pride in creating the best tummy tuck scars for our patients. She takes her time with the closure with meticulous attention to detail to make it as thin as possible.
What else defines the Dr. Cat Signature incision;

• A natural curved shape is usually hidden in an existing crease – not wavy or irregular
• Meticulously layered closure, so the abdomen blends seamlessly into the pubic area and hips – no shelves or bumps
• Thin and barely visible
• No dog ears or abnormal bunching or pleating
• She keeps the incision as short and low as possible
• See for yourself – on our before, and after photos, patient’s incisions are easily hidden by tiny strings of underwear, and also Dr. Cat has many examples on the highlights button of her Instagram labeled Incisions

Dr. Cat believes the belly button is one of the most important parts of a tummy tuck surgery in Beverly Hills.  She takes pride in creating the most natural-looking tummy tuck belly buttons.

These are the details that she meticulously adheres to, creating the perfect belly button;

• It must be centered and where the patient’s natural belly button lies
• She does not believe in the umbilical float technique, which cuts off and pulls the belly button abnormally down too close to the pubic area
• It should be an oval that is proportional to the height and size of the patient – not too small or too large
• Details matter – she creates a dimple in the middle of the belly button with a second slightly depressed circle
• If there is a hernia, this is repaired at the same time as surgery, so it does not distort the final belly button shape in any way or create functional problems in the future
• Invisible incision – she insets the belly button, so the incision is deep at the base of the belly button, not at the surface and visible
• No train tracks – she closes the belly button with a special suturing technique, so no sutures cross the line. This avoids train track scarring

The tummy tuck consultation in Beverly Hills will be focused on understanding your goals, doing a detailed analysis of your anatomy, thoroughly reviewing your medical and surgical history, and developing a customized plan for you. Dr. Cat takes the time to understand what you are hoping to achieve and also to know you as a person. She is extremely honest and will help guide you, so you know exactly what to expect with surgery. Although independent research can give you general information about tummy tuck surgery, in the consultation, we tailor the visit to your specific needs and concerns. We will explain the details of the surgical procedure, the recovery, and what to expect with each step of the surgery, as well as answer all of your questions. Also, Dr. Cat and our staff are always available to you for any follow-up questions. We are here for you every step of the way.

Many patients inquire about combining a tummy tuck with other procedures;

Tummy Tuck with pubic lift

For patients with hanging skin of the mons pubis, in addition to hanging skin of the abdomen, Dr. Cat also performs a pubic lift. That way, all of the skin is uniformly tightened from the top of the abdomen all the way down. The last thing you would want is a tight tummy and drooping mons at the bottom. The tissues of the pubic area are lifted and then carefully pulled upward. Dr. Cat makes sure not to over-pull the pubic area or make the pubic hairline too high. Just the abdomen, the pubic skin is carefully tailored to look flat and tight, and natural. This must be done artistically and is an important part of the surgery.

Tummy Tuck with liposuction

Conservative liposuction can be performed with a tummy tuck.  Examples of this would be liposuction of the mons pubis or the love handles. However, Dr. Cat does not perform aggressive or 360-degree liposuction (liposuction of the abdomen, back, and love handles) at the same time as a tummy tuck. This is because the blood supply to the abdominal skin is from blood vessels traveling through the fat, and performing aggressive liposuction can result in tummy tuck complications like skin necrosis or fat necrosis. She also does not perform BBL, Brazillian Butt Lift with Tummy Tuck, or Fat transfer to the buttocks with a tummy tuck.  For that surgery, patients postoperatively must sleep on their stomachs and cannot sit or put pressure on their butt.  Putting pressure on the fat grafted to the butt can result in fat necrosis or fat absorption. For a tummy tuck, where surgery is performed on the abdomen, the opposite side of the body, pressure cannot be placed on the abdomen.  Therefore, to prevent tummy tuck complications and Brazilian butt lift complications and for patients to have the best results, Dr. Cat does not combine these two surgeries.

Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeover is a term used to describe combining multiple surgeries to restore changes post-pregnancy.  Usually, this is a combination of a tummy tuck with breast augmentation or a tummy tuck with a breast lift (mastopexy).  For many of our patients, a mommy makeover means a tummy tuck with labiaplasty. We do not perform mommy makeover surgeries on the same surgical day.  Dr. Cat does not want to extend the time patients are under general anesthesia and also performing combination surgeries at the same time greatly extends the recovery and makes it difficult for patients to heal as well.

For tummy tuck surgery, since patients cannot use their abdominal muscles, they must use their arms a lot to get out of bed and also perform general tasks. However, for breast surgery, patients cannot use their arms in the immediate recovery period so they must use their core a lot.  Combining breast and tummy tuck surgery makes the recovery process extremely difficult for patients.  It is important for patients to walk every other hour after surgery to avoid the complication of getting a blood clot or DVT.  That is why it is important not to combine too many different surgeries simultaneously, making it more difficult for patients to walk after surgery.

Detailed patient analysis, medical optimization, meticulous surgical technique, and pre and post-operative care and support are critical to preventing tummy tuck complications. Before surgery, Dr. Cat carefully reviews every patient’s anatomy and surgical and medical history and makes sure all patients are physically and mentally healthy to have surgery.  Patients get medical clearance, lab work, and in some cases, additional analysis with imaging or evaluation by specialists.

My patients also have a detailed pre-operative appointment with Dr. Cat and our staff to go over instructions and things like medications and things to avoid to prevent bleeding, infections, and any anesthesia complications. In the surgery, every single detail of the surgery, but even little things like proper patient positioning, padding, and temperature, are carefully and systematically performed for the surgery to go smoothly without any complications. Dr. Cat performs the surgery with technical expertise, so her patients have little to no bleeding, little to no bruising, no infections, and little to no pain. She is careful when she tightens the muscles to bring them together precisely so that it is tight but not overly pulled or tight. She measures to the millimeter the exact amount of skin that can be removed and where the incision and belly button is placed.  Every detail matters to prevent tummy tuck complications.

Immediately After Surgery

You will wake up peacefully and calmly in the recovery room. Dr. Cat helps her patients gently fall asleep under anesthesia calmly so they wake up with the same peaceful energy.  Our patients have little to no pain. After you are fully conscious, which takes about an hour, you will be transported to the plastic surgery aftercare recovery center. The nurses there will give you your post-op medication, monitor your vitals and drains, and help you walk. Yes, you will be walking already the first night after surgery.

One Day After Surgery

The recovery center will transport you to our office for your first post-op visit.  Dr. Cat and our staff will check your surgery site and review all instructions with you and your caretaker.  Most of our patients have little to no pain. They require no prescription pain medication and have just taken a few Tylenol. Most of our patients also have little to no bruising, just mild swelling, so you will be wearing a comfortable compression garment. You will be walking slightly bent over, so we recommend you use a front wheel walker to take pressure off your back.  Because this is the early recovery stage, you will need assistance getting out of bed to not use your abdominal muscles, doing gentle walks, eating light but healthy meals, and staying hydrated.

One week after surgery

After a week, you will be regaining your energy, your incisions and surgery sites will be healing, and you will be able to stand almost straight. Dr. Cat will see you for your one-week post-op visit and show you how much you can stand. Also, after one week, she will remove all or almost all your drains. Dr. Cat removes the drains in a gentle and nonpainful way.  Although most patients feel pretty much back to normal, it is still important to take it easy and do only gentle walks.

Two weeks after surgery

At two weeks, you are almost healed. You will be able to stand up straight, and we will remove all your drains.  For our patients who have traveled from out of town or out of the country, you are able to safely fly back.  There is some residual swelling, but your new tight and flat tummy is taking shape, and it is exciting! The incision is healing and thin, and you will start your scar treatments.

One month after surgery

After one month, you will be feeling strong and you can resume all daily activities, go to any social functions, and do light exercises like walking.  You will have to wait until six weeks after surgery to resume full exercise.  If you had a hernia repair, you would need to wait three months to do a sit-up, plank, or crunch.  At one month,  the incision is thin and healed, and your tummy will be flat and tight. Some patients have some residual swelling, especially if they are very active. Dr. Cat will see you for your one-month post-operative visit and review your continued scar treatment. You will be using special silicone strips for six weeks.

Three months after surgery

Three months after surgery, you will be enjoying the results of your flat and tight tummy – there is no longer a bulge. Clothes will fit better; your waist will be smaller,  you will feel more confident, and also you will feel stronger.  Our patients tell us they feel great in a bathing suit, can exercise better, no longer have back pain, and have a much stronger core. The incision will be thin and fading. We will see you for your 3-month post-operative visit and review your before and after photos so you can see your dramatic transformation.  You will continue scar treatment with silicone gel.

Six months after surgery

At six months, the dramatic results of your surgery will be fully visible. Your shape will be greatly improved with no more bulging, hanging skin and instead a fit and flat contoured abdomen. The incision will be thin and fading, making you feel confident and strong.

One year after surgery

At one year, your incision will be faded and have a thin white line.  You will be truly enjoying your new tight and fit figure.

Multiple factors impact the cost of tummy tuck surgery. Please don’t fall for cheap or fast plastic surgery. When you trust my surgical expertise, rest assured that you will have an entire team of highly skilled professionals dedicated to you. I’m personally involved from beginning to end, every single step of the way, and I don’t allow associates or anyone else to handle any critical part of the process. There is a board-certified anesthesiologist, physician assistant, nurses, scrub techs, and medical assistants. An entire team dedicated to you, your safety, and your results.

Also, to maintain the right focus, I do not schedule any other surgical procedures on days I perform tummy tucks. One tummy tuck per surgical day, one procedure, that’s it. We are committed to the highest standards of quality, ethics, and integrity. We simply don’t want to do anything without it being the absolute highest quality.  We value our ability to serve the patient and to create an amazing patient experience throughout all touchpoints. We believe in competence – doing an exceptional job. We simply don’t want to do anything without high quality and attention to detail. We always seek superiority and excellence in everything we undertake. If you don’t have the budget for a high-quality tummy tuck, please save money and wait instead of risking your health, aesthetics, and so much more for cheap and unsafe plastic surgery.