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La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre
9850 Genesee Ave Suite 130
La Jolla, CA 92037
Call: (858) 452-1981 Text: (858) 203-2944
Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Losing weight or having a baby are both exciting life events. Unfortunately, they often leave loose skin and stretch marks on your abdomen. And it can be nearly impossible to get your slim waist back, even with diet and exercise. If this sounds familiar, you might be a candidate for a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in San Diego. After tummy tuck surgery, you’ll see a dramatic change in your body’s shape—and in the way you feel about yourself.
Firm up your tummy with the help of LJCSC’s board-certified plastic surgeons. Since 1988, they’ve helped thousands of people rediscover confidence in their bodies. Now, it’s your time to shine!
There are 4 basic types of tummy tucks that we perform at LJCSC in San Diego: mini tummy tuck, standard tummy tuck, extended tummy tuck, and circumferential tummy tuck. Your surgeon will help you choose the right approach during your consultation.
The most limited and easiest tummy tuck to recover from is the mini tummy tuck.
The next step up from the mini tummy tuck is the standard tummy tuck.
As the name implies, this technique extends the improvements of a standard tummy tuck to include the flanks (love handles).
This procedure, also called belt lipectomy, removes excess skin all the way around the abdomen (360 degrees) from the upper and lower abdominal area around the waist, flanks, lower back, and upper buttocks.
Your belly button should be the cherry on top of a stunning procedure, not a dead giveaway that you’ve had work done. But during tummy tuck consultations, many patients express concerns about how their belly button will look after having extra skin removed.
A meticulously crafted “BellaButton” is the signature technique our surgeons use to perfect your results by creating a natural-looking belly button after a tummy tuck or mommy makeover that includes abdominoplasty.
The BellaButton, which means “beautiful button” in Italian, gives you an upgraded tummy tuck experience with the most natural-looking results possible. Pioneered by LJCSC’s Dr. Hector Salazar, our advanced BellaButton technique involves:
Learn more about our advanced BellaButton tummy tuck approach—and how it boosts your results—by listening to this podcast.
Today there are more options than ever to help you get a flatter tummy. But which is best for you? This largely depends on your personal goals and physical characteristics, and we’re here to help!
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* These are actual patient comments verified by a 3rd party. The claims made represent the opinion of the review author.
Combining other cosmetic procedures with your tummy tuck is not only common but also an ideal way to achieve transformative results. Many patients opt to have the following body contouring treatments to complement their new physique:
For women yearning to regain their pre-baby bodies, this combined surgical approach is often referred to as a mommy makeover. In addition to balancing your body’s frame and contours, it offers the convenience of a single surgery and recovery period with “wow-factor” results.
During your consultation with one of our experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons, you’ll talk to him or her about your specific goals and concerns. You can also expect to:
After scheduling your surgery, you’ll attend an individual pre-op appointment to discuss your health history and make sure you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
Not sure how to get the look you want? Tell us about your goals, and we’ll show you the possibilities.
Try Our Treatment PlannerAs with other body procedures, you’ll be happiest with tummy tuck results if you are not considering the procedure to solve weight issues. Although you don’t have to be at your ideal weight, it’s best to be near your target weight for the most satisfying results. If you are a post-massive weight loss patient, we recommend maintaining your goal weight for at least a year before considering cosmetic procedures.
Your body mass index (BMI) is an important factor in evaluating whether a tummy tuck is a good solution for you. Calculate your BMI here >>
Your board-certified plastic surgeon will perform your tummy tuck while you are under general anesthesia in our QUAD A-accredited surgical suite. (Mini abdominoplasties can be performed under sedation and local anesthesia.) You’ll be under the care of a board-certified anesthesiologist who will make sure you are safe and comfortable from start to finish.
The length of the surgery will depend on the extent of your tummy tuck and whether or not you need liposuction as well. You’ll know approximately how many hours it will take before you head into surgery. With the more extensive tummy tucks—the standard, extended, and circumferential—your surgeon may recommend or require that you have a trained after-care nurse for your first post-surgical night. This ensures that you are receiving proper care and observation.
As with any surgical procedure, a tummy tuck has risks. Some of the risks specific to tummy tucks are hematomas, seromas, infection, and scarring issues. Your surgeon will discuss the risks with you and provide written information as well.
While every patient is unique, recovery from a tummy tuck typically involves about 2 weeks of downtime and several stages with specific milestones. Here’s a general overview of what to expect throughout the healing process:
Immediately after surgery:
1 to 2 weeks post-op:
3 to 6 weeks post-op:
6 to 8 weeks post-op and beyond:
While many patients prefer to return home immediately after surgery, there are after-surgery assistants and facilities that provide professional help during recovery. We are happy to suggest reputable providers if you desire this level of private care.
Plan on 2 to 3 weeks of recuperation time before you get back to your normal daily activities. This will vary with the type of tummy tuck you have, but it’s a good basic estimate. It’s important that you plan well so that you give your body time to heal as well as possible.
Any tummy tuck procedure involves an incision that will leave a scar on your abdomen. The size of the scar depends on the extent of your tummy tuck. In most cases, your surgeon will be able to make incisions, so the resulting scar is well-hidden by even minimal clothing, like your favorite swimsuit.
Once in a while, your surgeon may need to place a vertical scar in a tummy tuck procedure. This could be necessary if you have so much loose skin that horizontal tightening only is not enough to eliminate all the laxity. Most people happily accept the scar for the result. They consider it a good tradeoff for their new look and newfound confidence.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons also specialize in advanced fat transfer techniques using your body’s own nanofat. This stem cell-rich fat is ideal for tissue repair, improving the appearance of scars for a smoother, more seamless result.
Since 1988, more than 36,000 patients have had safe, successful procedures at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre
While these scars will fade over time, we highly recommend adopting a proactive approach to scar care:
Ditch your muffin top without bottoming out your budget! With our affordable payment plans, you can jumpstart your transformation for as little as $219 per month. Put down $3,000 and qualify with average credit for 60 months. If your credit is above average or you can make a higher initial payment, you’ll achieve even more monthly savings!
The cost may vary depending on whether you need a mini, standard, or extended tummy tuck. Our pricing page has fee ranges and all the information you need.
Applying for plastic surgery financing with us is a snap online, or we’ll guide you through your options during your consultation. Now, there’s nothing stopping you from achieving the physique of your dreams!
A: After a tummy tuck, you are likely to experience some discomfort, which you can manage with prescription pain medication.
A: Consider your specific goals and concerns to determine whether you need liposuction or a tummy tuck. Liposuction is ideal for removing localized fat deposits, while a tummy tuck is typically more suitable if you have excess skin or weakened abdominal muscles (common concerns after pregnancy or significant weight loss). During your personalized consultation, our experienced surgeons will help you decide which option best suits your needs.
A: A tummy tuck typically reduces the waistline by a few pounds and inches, though the exact amount varies by individual. Remember, the procedure primarily removes excess skin and tightens the abdominal muscles rather than resulting in significant fat loss.
A: Yes, a tummy tuck can change your pant size by reducing excess skin and tightening the abdominal area. While this may result in a smaller waistline, the extent of the change varies based on your unique body shape and the amount of skin removed.
A: Absolutely! A tummy tuck significantly flattens and contours your stomach by removing excess skin and tightening the abdominal muscles. But keep in mind that factors such as skin elasticity, your overall health, and how closely you adhere to your post-op protocol impacts your final surgical outcome.
A: A tummy tuck primarily targets the abdominal area, but depending on the surgical technique used, it may also result in some tightening of the pubic area. For more specific concerns about the pubic area, we suggest consulting with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.
It’s time for you to live your most confident and carefree life. Let’s make your dream a reality together. To get started, request your free consultation online or give us a call at (858) 452-1981. This is just the beginning!
Last reviewed by a La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre Editor on May 8th, 2025. Meet Our Medical Editors
![{The BellaButton tummy tuck by Hector Salazar, MD, FACS] before and after photo side by side](https://www.ljcsc.com/content/uploads/2025/01/The-BellaButton-tummy-tuck-1000x545-1.png)
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