A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical body-contouring procedure that removes excess abdominal skin and can tighten stretched or separated abdominal muscles. A full tummy tuck usually treats both the upper and lower abdomen and may reposition the belly button.

Liposuction removes localized fat but does not remove a large amount of loose skin or repair abdominal muscle separation. A tummy tuck addresses skin laxity and can tighten the abdominal wall. Some patients benefit from both procedures together.

Diastasis recti is a separation or widening of the central abdominal muscles and connective tissue, commonly after pregnancy. During abdominoplasty, the surgeon can tighten the abdominal wall when this separation contributes to the contour concern.

A mini tummy tuck treats a limited amount of lower-abdominal skin laxity below the belly button. A full abdominoplasty addresses both upper and lower abdominal skin, usually involves navel repositioning, and provides broader access for muscle repair when needed.

An extended tummy tuck lengthens the lower abdominal incision toward the flanks so more lateral skin can be removed. It may be considered when tissue excess extends beyond the front of the abdomen, particularly after major weight loss.

A tummy tuck is not a stretch-mark treatment, but stretch marks located on the skin that is physically removed can be removed with that tissue. Marks above the excision area usually remain, although their position may shift as the skin is redraped.

In a full tummy tuck, the belly button remains attached to the abdominal wall while the surrounding skin is moved. The navel is then brought through a new opening. Its final shape and scar placement are important parts of the surgical design.

The main scar runs horizontally across the lower abdomen. Its exact length depends on how much skin must be removed. In a full tummy tuck there is also a scar around the belly button. The surgeon plans the lower incision as low as anatomy safely allows.

Often, a low C-section scar can be incorporated into the skin that is removed or into the new tummy tuck incision. Whether this is possible depends on the scar's location, surrounding tissue, and the amount of skin being excised.

Most patients need meaningful help during the first several days and often return to desk-based work around two weeks. Heavy lifting, core exercise, and strenuous activity are usually restricted for several weeks, and swelling and scar maturation continue for months.

Drains are commonly used after abdominoplasty to remove fluid that can collect beneath the skin flap, although exact technique varies. If drains are part of your procedure, your team will teach you how to manage them and when they are expected to be removed.

Pregnancy after tummy tuck is possible, but a future pregnancy can restretch the skin and abdominal wall and reduce the durability of the result. Patients who expect pregnancy in the near future are often advised to postpone elective abdominoplasty.

A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. Patients generally get the most predictable result when they are near a sustainable weight and not planning major additional weight loss. Your surgeon will evaluate whether your current weight and health make surgery appropriate.

Sometimes. Liposuction may be added to improve contour around the waist, flanks, or other areas while abdominoplasty addresses loose skin and muscle separation. The amount and location of liposuction must be planned carefully around the tummy tuck.

Yes. Abdominoplasty is commonly combined with breast surgery and selected liposuction as part of a mommy makeover when the patient is healthy enough for the planned operative time and recovery.

The skin removed during surgery does not return, and muscle repair can be durable. Significant weight fluctuation, pregnancy, aging, and changes in tissue quality can alter the result over time, so maintaining a stable weight helps preserve the contour.

Potential risks include bleeding, infection, fluid collections such as seroma, delayed wound healing, unfavorable scarring, changes in sensation, asymmetry, blood clots, anesthesia complications, skin or tissue loss, and the possibility of revision.[5][8] Your surgeon reviews the risks that apply to your health and surgical plan before surgery.

Abdominoplasty performed for cosmetic contouring is generally not covered by insurance. Coverage rules can differ when a separate medically necessary procedure is involved, so patients should confirm benefits directly with their insurer rather than assuming coverage.

Adonis currently publishes a $10,000 to $15,000 range for tummy tuck surgery. Final pricing depends on the type of abdominoplasty, muscle repair, liposuction or other combined procedures, anesthesia, facility requirements, and the individualized surgical plan.

Tummy tuck surgery at Adonis is performed by Dr. Joshua Y. Jacobson and Dr. Shana S. Kalaria. Both are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The before-and-after cases featured on this page were performed by Dr. Jacobson.

Every before-and-after image shown on this page is from an Adonis tummy tuck patient treated by Dr. Joshua Jacobson, MD, an American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeon and ASPS member.

Adonis Plastic Surgery is a QUAD A-accredited outpatient surgical facility at 2557 Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance, California 90505. Surgical planning and postoperative follow-up are coordinated through the Torrance practice.

Yes. Adonis Plastic Surgery is in Torrance and serves patients from Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Long Beach, San Pedro, Gardena, Carson, Lomita, and throughout the South Bay and Greater Los Angeles.