Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in Santa Barbara, CA
The abdomen is often considered a problem area for both men and women who are striving to obtain their ideal bodies. It can often be the first area to expand after weight gain, and the last to slim down when weight is lost.
In some cases, the midsection seems resistant to all diet and exercise efforts. If you are near your ideal weight and still unsatisfied with the profile of your abdomen, a tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, may be the right option for you.
Dr. Sara Yegiyants can help reshape your abdomen. She is a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon with an early academic career in art before her study of medicine and surgery.
Alone or as part of a mommy makeover, your tummy tuck surgery can restore the firmness and shape you want. Dr. Yegiyants’ has helped hundreds of patients feel great about their bodies through abdominoplasty.
Schedule your Santa Barbara tummy tuck consultation today by calling Dr. Yegiyants and her team at 805-682-1731.
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to take the next steps towards booking a procedure? Schedule your consultation today to begin your aesthetic journey with Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure designed to flatten and reshape the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and, when needed, repairing abdominal muscles that have separated or weakened. Depending on your anatomy and goals, Dr. Yegiyants may also incorporate liposuction to refine the surrounding contour. Unlike spot treatments aimed only at fat, abdominoplasty addresses skin laxity and muscle separation together, which is why it remains one of the most requested body contouring procedures for patients who have not achieved the results they want through diet and exercise alone.
Why Do Patients Choose Abdominoplasty?
Patients consider a tummy tuck for a range of reasons, including:
- A flatter, firmer abdominal profile that has not responded to diet or exercise
- Repair of abdominal muscles that separated during pregnancy
- Removal of loose or sagging skin left after significant weight loss
- Improvement in the appearance of stretch marks located on the lower abdomen
Many patients choose to combine a tummy tuck with other procedures, such as a breast lift or liposuction, as part of a mommy makeover to more fully restore their pre-pregnancy shape.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
There are several reasons you may have sagging skin, excess fat, and a bulge around your abdomen.
Some people naturally store fat in this location. For patients who have had children, pregnancy often causes a separation of underlying abdominal muscles, which makes it challenging to regain your waistline and flat stomach. Others have experienced significant weight loss, which can result in loose skin and poor tone around the abdomen.
The best approach depends on your anatomy. For those with excess fat but relatively firm skin tone, liposuction alone may produce the results you desire. For those with excess fat and moderate skin tone, liposuction can be combined with a skin-tightening device, such as BodyTite, to promote increased tightening of the skin. A full tummy tuck is typically recommended when excess skin and separated abdominal muscles need to be addressed directly, which liposuction alone cannot correct.
Patients who plan to become pregnant should postpone a tummy tuck until after they are done having children, as future pregnancies may cause damage to the abdominal wall. If you are not near your desired weight and anticipate significant future weight loss, it may be best to postpone body contouring surgery.
A tummy tuck is not an alternative to weight loss. In general, you should be at a relatively stable weight when you have your tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck will not affect your ability to become pregnant in the future, but pregnancy after surgery can stretch the skin and muscle again, which may undo some of your results. If you are still planning your family, it is worth discussing this timing with Dr. Yegiyants during your consultation.
What Happens During Your Abdominoplasty Consultation?
Before your first in-office meeting, it’s a good idea to gather your questions and concerns, so Dr. Yegiyants can ensure your complete confidence. Dr. Yegiyants will review your medical records extensively and discuss ultimate goals.
Dr. Yegiyants has advanced training in arts and aesthetics, and she will draw upon this background to study the natural shape of your body and make recommendations for the contouring of your abdomen.
She will also take the time necessary to make sure she fully understands what you want for yourself and that you know what to expect throughout the process.
How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?
Dr. Yegiyants can perform several different techniques, based on your anatomy, desired results, and what can give you the best possible outcome.
The techniques vary, depending on how much skin and fat must be removed and whether you are having accompanying procedures, such as a butt lift or additional skin and fat removal planned.
Should I Have a Mini or Partial Tummy Tuck?
A mini tummy tuck is most appropriate for patients who have a lower belly “pooch,” or whose problem area is located mostly below the navel. The surgical incision is smaller than for the one Dr. Yegiyants uses for a full tummy tuck, usually only a few inches long and easily hidden by most underwear and bikini bottoms.
This approach allows Dr. Yegiyants to re-contour your lower abdomen through fat and skin removal while repairing lower stomach muscles that may have separated. A partial tummy tuck can be very impactuful in improving the tone of your lower abdomen, but mini tummy tucks do not usually address the upper part of the abdomen.
Should I Choose the Classic Tummy Tuck?
During a full tummy tuck, Dr. Yegiyants reshapes both the upper and lower areas of the abdomen, making an incision in the lower abdomen, usually in a U-shape spanning from hip to hip. It is placed low enough to be hidden by most underwear.
Another incision is made around the navel. The abdominal muscles are repaired, and excess fat and skin removed. The remaining skin is stretched over the belly, and the navel may be repositioned as necessary.
What About an Extended Tummy Tuck?
An extended tummy tuck can allow for the treatment of not only the belly but the flanks and back as well. Especially for patients who have had significant weight loss, there may be excess sagging skin in the belly and around the sides and back.
A longer incision than the classic tummy tuck allows Dr. Yegiyants to remove excess fat and skin from the sides and back as well, significantly enhancing your contour. Though the scar is more significant and may not be hidden by all clothing, many patients consider the changes in their silhouette to be well worth it.
What Should You Expect During Tummy Tuck Recovery?
After surgery, you will have bandages to protect and support your abdomen and minimize post-surgical swelling, and you may also have surgical drains in place. You may or may not be able to leave the surgical center on the same day as your procedure, depending on which surgeries were completed during your appointment.
You will be able to get up and walk some during the first few days, but you should plan to rest. For at least the first couple of days, you will need someone with you.
It is common to experience significant soreness for several days following the procedure. Dr. Yegiyants will prescribe pain medication to enhance your comfort. Dr. Yegiyants performs an abdominal nerve block with long-lasting medications during the tummy tuck to ensure comfort for 72 hours after surgery, after which any pain normally subsides.
It is important that you follow all post-operative instructions to maximize your healing and promote the best possible outcome. Any surgical drains will likely be removed within a week.
For select patients, drainless abdominoplasty is offered. Before surgery, you will be given instructions on how to care for your incisions and surgical drains. Your ultimate recovery time will depend on which abdominoplasty procedure you undergo.
You may be able to drive and return to work after a couple of weeks if you have an office-type job and are no longer needing prescription pain medication. Your activity will still be limited, and you should not plan on doing any exercise other than walking for 4 to 6 weeks while your body is healing.
You will notice some immediate results from your surgery, but it may take months for your swelling to subside and your belly to fully heal. Over time, the appearance of surgical scars will also fade.
When Can You Return to Work and Exercise?
Most patients take at least two weeks off from work, with additional time needed for physically demanding jobs. Gentle walking can begin shortly after surgery, and many patients are ready for light stretching around four weeks. Strenuous activity, including abdominal exercises and heavy weightlifting, should wait until Dr. Yegiyants clears you, typically around three months, since resuming too soon can affect your final result.
What Effects Should You Expect After Tummy Tuck Surgery?
It is common for the abdomen to feel tight after a tummy tuck as a result of pulling the muscles and redraping the skin. This sensation typically resolves on its own within a few months. Gentle movement and stretching can help, but exercise should never be painful. If it hurts, it may be too soon or too much.
What Results Can You Expect After a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck can create a lasting improvement in the firmness and profile of the abdomen by addressing loose skin and separated muscle that diet and exercise cannot correct on their own. While the natural effects of aging will still occur over time, most patients find these changes minimal compared to their overall results. Significant weight fluctuations or future pregnancy can affect your outcome, which is why maintaining a stable weight and finishing your family planning beforehand are both worth discussing with Dr. Yegiyants during your consultation.
Why Choose Dr. Yegiyants for Your Tummy Tuck?
Dr. Sara Yegiyants is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with an early academic career in art before her study of medicine and surgery. Her combination of surgical training and formal artistic study shapes how she approaches abdominal contouring, aiming for a result that looks natural for your body rather than a one-size-fits-all outcome. She has helped hundreds of patients through abdominoplasty, whether performed on its own or as part of a mommy makeover.
Learn more about Dr. Yegiyants’s background and training or read about our boutique practice.
Santa Barbara Tummy Tuck FAQs
What is the cost of a tummy tuck in Santa Barbara, CA?
The cost of your tummy tuck in Santa Barbara, CA depends upon a variety of factors, such as the type of tummy tuck you need and whether you’ve chosen to combine your tummy tuck with other procedures. After a personalized consultation, Dr. Yegiyants and our team will provide you with a detailed estimate of your tummy tuck costs. At this time, we can assist you with financing options.
What is the recovery time after a tummy tuck?
After your tummy tuck, you may need to rest at home for at least one to two weeks before resuming most of your daily activities. Typically, you can return to strenuous activities such as exercise four to six weeks after your abdominoplasty. However, recovery varies from person to person. To make sure that you have an ideal recovery from tummy tuck, Dr. Yegiyants schedules follow-up appointments after your surgery and gives you personalized advice on continuing your day-to-day activities.
How long do tummy tuck results last?
A tummy tuck can permanently resolve the look of sagging skin or a bulging abdomen to help you retain a firmer and stronger abdominal profile. While the natural effects of aging may affect these results, these side effects remain minimal for most patients, making tummy tuck results long lasting.
However, significant physical changes after your tummy tuck, such as weight fluctuations or pregnancy, may negatively impact your results. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle after your tummy tuck, while also considering your plan to expand your family before undergoing abdominoplasty.
Can you get a tummy tuck after giving birth?
While a tummy tuck does not affect your ability to get pregnant, it’s important to note that pregnancy can cause significant changes in the appearance of your abdomen, affecting your results. It is recommended that you have abdominoplasty after considering your future pregnancy plans.
Can you get a tummy tuck at any age?
As long as you are in good health and have no underlying conditions that may affect your healing, you can get a tummy tuck at any age. You can discuss your concerns with Dr. Yegiyants to determine if a tummy tuck is the right approach for you.
How painful is a tummy tuck?
Similar to other surgical procedures, tummy tuck can cause you to feel sore and tender around the treatment area for a few weeks following surgery. Anesthesia administered during your surgery ensures that you feel no pain during the procedure itself. To manage post-surgical pain, Dr. Yegiyants will prescribe pain medications.
Is a tummy tuck safe?
Tummy tuck is an incredibly safe procedure with a high success rate and little to no complications for most patients. When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, such as triple board-certified Dr. Yegiyants, your tummy tuck can deliver a positive outcome while keeping a focus on your health and wellbeing.
Schedule a Consultation
Experience the outstanding cosmetic and health benefits of a tummy tuck in our recently remodeled spa-like Santa Barbara, CA, office.
Schedule here or call us at 805-682-1731 today.
Meet Dr. Yegiyants
Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in surgical and non-invasive procedures. Learn more about Dr. Yegiyants and why you should choose her for your next procedure.
