Tummy Tuck Newport Beach

Achieve a Scorching Summer Body
with Toned and Contoured Abs

Tummy Tuck Newport Beach
Tummy Tuck Newport Beach
Tummy Tuck Newport Beach
Tummy Tuck Newport Beach
Tummy Tuck Newport Beach
Tummy Tuck Newport Beach

Want a surefire way to make the sizzling summer months much hotter? Simply flaunt your flat tummy with well-defined and chiseled abs!

And frankly, who doesn’t want such abs? After all, the presence of those beautiful abdominal muscles is a testament to how much you care for your body.

Just imagine the envious and sultry glances people will throw your way as you parade your sexy summer bod on the beach with nothing on but your skimpy bikini. You’re sure to raise the temperature by a few degrees!

But the harsh reality is that not everyone has the luxury of a tight, firm, flat, and well-contoured core. If you’ve ever been pregnant, you might have experienced a lot of changes that pregnancy did to your body, including the development of excess flab and skin in your abdomen.

And sometimes, no amount of strict diet or vigorous exercise can reveal the contoured and defined abs hidden underneath a layer of excess skin and fat — especially if you’ve already given birth multiple times or lost a massive amount of weight.

That doesn’t have to be your reality, though. A high-definition tummy tuck™ can do what no exercise could: get rid of skin and muscle looseness so you can finally show off that bikini-ready body and wear those form-fitting clothes that have been stuck in your closet forever.

Pioneered and trademarked by Dr. Siamak Agha, the high-definition tummy tuck™ is considered to be the Ferrari of tummy tucks. It sports a low-cut incision, waist concavity, beautifully sculpted abdominal tone, and definitions that exude well-being and beauty.

And just like his countless patients who now have the confidence to show off their summer silhouette, you can also achieve flat, toned, and contoured abs (plus the bonus of having a smaller waist!) with the help of Dr. Agha.

Discover how a tummy tuck can help you attain enviable sculpted abs and a slimmer waistline as you go through the rest of this article.

What Makes a Beautiful Abdomen?

Before deciding on the best plastic surgery for your abdomen, it’s essential to better understand your abdominal anatomy and what criteria Dr. Agha follows in pursuing a beautiful core.

Check out this blog post to learn more about the characteristics of a beautiful abdomen.

Tummy Tuck Newport Beach

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Despite working out and eating healthy, it may still be impossible to achieve those perfectly toned and flat abs due to skin and abdominal muscle looseness.

This is where a tummy tuck comes in. Also known as abdominoplasty, this procedure removes the extra abdominal tissue and skin between the navel and pubic area while tightening the abdominal muscles to reveal the bikini-ready body that you’ve worked hard for.

To understand how a tummy tuck works, let’s first examine the primary sources of abdominal looseness: the loss of skin elasticity and abdominal muscle separation after pregnancy or significant weight gain. These two contribute to the stubborn bulge that you just can’t get rid of with exercise.

At the same time, these expand your abdominal muscles way beyond what the connecting tissues can endure, causing your abdominal muscles to separate in a condition known as diastasis recti.

You may lose skin elasticity after pregnancy or rapid weight loss, so the skin cannot bounce back to its original form.

And to transform the abdominal area from bulgy to flat and toned, your surgeon may need to do one or several of the following:

  • Removing excess skin on the lower abdomen
  • Removing fat cells on the waist area by having liposuction as an additional procedure
  • Tightening separated abdominal muscles
  • Reshaping and repositioning the belly button

Results usually are permanent if you avoid anything that can worsen skin laxity and abdominal muscle separation, such as weight fluctuations and pregnancies.

You may also combine the tummy tuck with other procedures to achieve a 360-degree body contouring, such as a high-definition mommy makeover™.

Orange County Tummy Tuck Patient 1 Front Newport Beach, CA
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Do You Need a Tummy Tuck?


If you’re not sure if a tummy tuck will benefit you, try to answer the following questions:

  • Do you have excess skin or tissue in the abdominal area?
  • Do your abs look or feel loose?
  • Is your current weight near your ideal weight?
  • Do you want to feel more confident showing off your body?

If you said YES to any of these questions, you might be a good candidate for a tummy tuck.

… But Can You Get a Tummy Tuck?

These factors may affect your satisfaction with the procedure:

Having good health and no significant pre-existing conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and blood clotting disorders are prerequisites to getting a tummy tuck.

This procedure is no substitute for liposuction. Although you can get liposuction with your tummy tuck, you should not expect drastic fat removal results from tummy tuck alone.

If you’re planning to get pregnant soon, any gains you’ll achieve through a tummy tuck may be reversed.

If your BMI is above 40, your plastic surgeon might ask you to lose weight first before getting a tummy tuck.

If you tend to form keloids or hypertrophic scars, you may want to think twice about getting a tummy tuck since it involves a hip to hip incision.

What are the Different Tummy Tuck Procedures Offered by Dr. Agha?

As a body contouring expert, Dr. Agha offers various tummy tuck procedures that other plastic surgeons don’t commonly know or practice.

However, it is the high-definition tummy tuck™ that is Dr. Agha’s trademarked signature treatment. 

Standard Tummy Tuck

The standard or full tummy tuck is the procedure commonly offered by most plastic surgeons.
To do a standard tummy tuck, your plastic surgeon starts with a lower tummy tuck incision located at the junction between the lower abdomen and the mons or pubic region. This incision can sometimes be seen above the underwear or bikini, spanning from hip to hip. 

But in our practice, the incision is placed an inch lower than the standard technique and lies within the pubic area to avoid visible scarring and let your underwear cover it. 
As a result, you’ll lose the upper inch of your pubic hair because that’s how low our tummy tuck incision is placed, just like a C-section incision. Your surgeon then lifts the lower abdominal skin and fat over the abdominal muscle wall. He creates an additional incision around the belly button, then lifts the abdominal skin and fat of the upper abdomen all the way to the rib cage.

At this point, your plastic surgeon assesses abdominal muscle laxity and separation and marks it for correction. He then tightens the abdominal muscles with midline sutures to correct abdominal muscle wall laxity, creating a flatter and tighter abdominal wall. This will also enhance waist concavity in most women.
But sometimes, it’s necessary to do additional abdominal wall tightening horizontally or obliquely on each side. It is also the best time to address abdominal hernias, especially for post-weight loss patients.

Your surgeon then removes the excess abdominal skin and fat. He “tucks” the skin by pulling down the upper abdominoplasty incision to meet the lower incision. Afterward, the navel is brought out and sutured at a new navel opening.

In Dr. Agha’s opinion, the standard tummy tuck creates a flat, unnatural-looking abdomen without definitions. It has the following shortcomings:

  • An incision that is usually too high unless your surgeon places the incision within the pubic area, as in a C-section
  • A navel that does not often resemble a natural-looking navel, unless your surgeon makes a vertically-oriented elliptical navel. Such shape has been described as an aesthetically beautiful navel in studies.
  • A flat abdomen with no definitions
  • No pubic lift

For these reasons, Dr. Agha typically does not perform a standard tummy tuck unless specifically requested.

High-Definition Tummy Tuck™

Pioneered and developed by Dr. Agha, the high-definition tummy tuck™ is his signature one-for-all tummy shaping procedure that eliminates saggy skin and excess fat in your abdomen. It does so while creating a three-dimensional sculpted core that’s in keeping with what is considered an aesthetically beautiful abdomen.

Like the standard tummy tuck, the high-definition tummy tuck™ is suitable for patients with a moderate degree of sagging in the upper and lower abdomen. The majority of mothers and weight loss patients fall into this group.

But unlike the standard tummy tuck, it features a low-cut incision and restores a sculpted three-dimensional contour to your abdomen — something that goes a step further than a traditional tummy tuck.

While a standard tummy tuck has an incision about one inch above the pubic mons, the high-definition tummy tuck™ has an incision that’s two inches lower. It is located within the pubic hair to remove excess pubic skin and lift the mons pubis in a procedure known as monsplasty.

Furthermore, unlike the standard tummy tuck, the high-definition tummy tuck™ does not aim to flatten your abdomen. Conversely, it aims to restore the three-dimensional abdominal contour that many patients already have naturally.  

It goes further by enhancing and showcasing your natural definitions to create a high-definition silhouette. This leads to a six-pack-like fullness over your abdominal muscles, putting depressions in all the right places.

Plus, your abdomen is carefully liposuctioned to sculpt away your fatty areas and trim your waistline.

As a result, it can give you modelesque abs without having to spend hours doing crunches at the gym and adhering to a strict dietary regimen.

Dr. Agha’s high-definition tummy tuck™ has been featured prominently in vastly respected outlets like CNBC, Yahoo!, Reuters, SmartMoney, and over 100 high-authority websites.

Other Tummy Tuck Types

Aside from the abdominoplasties mentioned above, Dr. Agha also offers the following:

  • Mini tummy tuck and hybrid tummy tuck
  • Liposuction tummy tuck (lipo-abdominoplasty)
  • Extended tummy tuck
  • Circumferential tummy tuck (belt lipectomy)
  • Inverted-T or fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty
  • Panniculectomy
  • Reverse tummy tuck
  • Tummy tuck revision

For more information on these other types of tummy tuck, check out this article.

What Other Procedures Can Be Performed Through a Tummy Tuck Incision?

In addition to your tummy tuck, Dr. Agha also offers several other procedures that can be combined and performed using your tummy tuck incision. These are:

  • Trans-abdominal breast augmentation
  • Monsplasty
  • Anterior thigh lift
  • Abdominal hernia repair

Get to know more about these procedures in this post.

What Should You Expect During Consultation?

After pre-qualifying you for the procedure by asking about your health, Dr. Agha will assess your abdominal area for the following:

  • Presence of excess fat
  • Skin elasticity
  • Separation of abdominal muscles

Dr. Agha’s approach is customized to meet your specific goals and circumstances, helping you achieve the body you want with the least invasive procedure possible.

Based on his assessment and your input, he will provide you with information about different options to get your desired results. 

Other concerns, such as potential risks and complications, expected results, and advantages and disadvantages, will also be discussed so you can make an informed decision.

The liposuction really sculpted my butt, so it looks like I got a Brazilian butt lift. This was probably the best thing I’ve ever done for myself, and I would highly recommend Dr. Agha to anyone looking to for body contouring!

Lara R.

How Does Dr. Agha Do a Tummy Tuck?

Depending on the type of abdominoplasty and the amount of abdominal contour correction involved, a tummy tuck surgery can take anywhere from two to five hours. 

For instance, a mini-abdominoplasty can be as short as one to two hours, while a full abdominoplasty and high-definition tummy tuck™ can take two to three hours.

Here’s how you can expect your tummy tuck surgery to happen.

Preparation

After starting your intravenous line, Dr. Agha will mark specific landmarks on your abdomen and flanks in the pre-operative area. Your incisions’ length, location, and direction will be determined by the type of abdominoplasty you’re getting.

Dr. Agha will also review with you the entire operative plan and potential complications for full disclosure.

Before the operation starts, you’ll be given a dose of intravenous antibiotics as a precautionary measure.

Anesthesia

As a major procedure, a tummy tuck is performed under general anesthesia.

After you are put to sleep, Dr. Agha injects a tumescent solution of local anesthetics at the intended incision, surgical, and liposuction sites.

The solution consists of a low concentration of lidocaine, which numbs the surgical site, and epinephrine, which constricts blood vessels to reduce your chances of bleeding and bruising.

Incision

Dr. Agha creates incisions to remove your excess skin and fat. He is known for placing very low incisions so that they are well-hidden in a two-piece bathing suit.

For the full tummy tuck or high-definition tummy tuck™, your incision may extend from hip to hip. The exact length of the incision depends on the degree of correction.

Dr. Agha then cuts around the navel to free it from the surrounding tissue.

Excess Skin Removal and Muscle Tightening

Once an incision is made, Dr. Agha elevates the skin and fat off the abdominal wall’s underlying muscles. The skin elevation for the high-definition tummy tuck™ is performed in a particular fashion, different from the standard tummy tuck technique.

He then tightens the rectus abdominis muscles by pulling them close together with stitches in a seam down the abdomen’s center. Doing so provides a firmer abdominal wall and a narrower waistline.

Dr. Agha removes excess fat, tissue, and skin, then redrapes the remaining abdominal tissue over the underlying muscles.

As for your belly button, Dr. Agha creates a new opening in a vertically-oriented manner to conform to the navel aesthetics. He pulls through your belly button and sutures it in its correct position.

Post-Surgery

Dr. Agha carefully closes your incisions in three layers to minimize scarring. He ensures that all his sutures are placed beneath the skin so that your body can gradually absorb them. As a result, you don’t have to undergo suture removal.

Drains may be placed beneath the incision to drain any fluid that may accumulate and delay your healing.

How Long Is Recovery From a Tummy Tuck?

Your recovery time will depend on how quickly your body heals and how extensive the procedure is.

You can go home with a friend or family member after spending an hour or two in the recovery room. We can also provide a private duty nurse to care for you at home.

General Instructions

  • Expect soreness during the first few days. You can control the pain by taking the prescribed painkillers or using a postoperative pain pump.
  • Have a friend or a family member accompany you to the surgery site and back to your home.
  • Do not subject your surgical incisions to excessive force, abrasion, or motion while it’s healing.

Day of Surgery- When you wake up from your tummy tuck procedure, you will be in the recovery room and will be wearing an abdominal binder. You should plan to wear the abdominal binder or compression garment for four weeks following surgery.

Caregiver- When tummy tuck patients leave the surgery facility to go home, they are usually groggy for about 12 hours or overnight. It is very important to have someone who can assist you with getting around and taking your medications for at least the first 24 hours.

Nausea- Most people are nauseated during the first 24-48 hours. To reduce this, we suggest that you take your nausea pill one hour before taking your pain medication or antibiotics.

Sleep- During the first week after abdominoplasty, attempt to sleep on several pillows on your back. Also, keep your legs slightly bent at the hips. This ensures that the tension on your incision is minimized, reducing pain and resulting in a thinner scar.

Painkillers- You’re likely to feel sore for a few days, but you should be up and around in 24 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by the prescribed painkillers.

Q-Pain Pump- Alternatively, you may also be a candidate for a revolutionary new product for the management of post-operative pain called the On-Q Post-Operative Pain Pump. Be sure to ask Orange County plastic surgeon Dr. Agha about this during your consultation if you think you might be a good candidate for this system.

Shower- Remove your dressing, sponges, and gauze pads on the third post-operative day. You may now take a shower. After showering, simply pat your incisions dry and replace your abdominal binder.

First Post-operative Visit- Dr. Agha prefers to see you on Day 5 for your first post-operative visit. At this time, he will remove the drainage tubes.

Swelling- Any swelling in your abdomen and flanks may take three to five weeks to subside.

Driving- It is not safe to drive a car within twenty-four hours of taking pain medication, as your reflexes and alertness may be altered. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Walking- You will probably be unable to stand fully upright for 7 to 10 days after a full or Abdominoplasty™. Even if you can’t stand straight, it is still important to start walking as soon as possible, usually the evening of surgery. This is the best way to reduce the chance of blood clotting in the legs.

Light Exercise- Dr. Agha recommends light exercise to reduce swelling and prevent clotting. Light exercise includes walking, stretching, as well as moving your arms and legs while sitting. If you should feel pain or pulling at the incision site, cease the movement.

Activities- During the first week after surgery, avoid activities that raise your blood pressure. This could cause bleeding at the operative site, which could result in a hematoma (collection of blood). Walking is the safest exercise, especially during the first week. Avoid exercises which directly stress the area of your surgery for a full four weeks. After this period, cardiovascular activities, such as riding a stationary bicycle or brisk walking, can be initiated. Running at this point may be premature.Avoid heavy lifting, contact sports, and jogging for up to six weeks. Six weeks after surgery, you will be nearing your pre-operative state. Avoid pulling at the surgical area to maximize healing and minimize scarring. During the early phase of healing, one must avoid irritation around the operative site as this can worsen swelling and fluid accumulation. This could cause development of a seroma (fluid collection) or cause problems with the wound (dehiscence or opening of the suture line or widening of the scar). Even though the skin is closed, there are many activities taking place beneath the skin.

Healing- You will need a few weeks to recover and heal from a tummy tuck procedure. The typical healing time is at least one to two weeks before returning to work.

Scarring- Every person’s body is different, and many factors contribute to scar healing. Your scars will be firm and pink for about six weeks. Non-smokers and those who follow the Enhanced Recovery Nutritional Supplements routine have a better chance of rapid healing and thinner scarring. Expect to wait at least nine months before your scars lighten in color and become as flat as the rest of your skin. Although they will never disappear completely, abdominal scars will not show under most clothing, even bathing suits.

Follow-ups- Regular check-ups protect against complications.

Emergencies- Some discomfort is expected following surgery.

Be sure to tell us if:

  • There is an increase in swelling, pain, redness, drainage, or bleeding in the surgical area.
  • You develop fever, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, or a general ill feeling.
  • If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heartbeats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

Recovery Timeline

TimelineActivity
24 hoursHave someone assist you because you’ll feel groggy due to anesthesia.
Sleep with several pillows behind your back and one below your knees.
24 hours-48 hoursTake a nausea pill an hour before your pain meds or antibiotics to manage nausea.
Walk every few hours to prevent deep venous clots in your calves.
Day 5Follow-up with Dr. Agha.
Driving is not allowed due to impaired reflexes from pain medication.
1 weekOnly light exercises like stretching and walking are allowed. Stop any movement if it causes pain in the incision area.
2 weeksYou may be able to stand straight.
You may start working from home only if it doesn’t involve physical activity.
Showering is only allowed after getting permission from Dr. Agha and when your drains are out.
3 weeksSwelling on the abdomen and flanks will start to lessen but will take another six weeks to subside entirely.
6 weeksThe abdominal binder or compression garment may be removed.
You may start cardiovascular exercises such as stationary biking.
12 weeksYou may start heavy lifting, contact sports, and jogging.
Scars are firm and pink.
Avoid irritation around the operative site.
9 monthsScars flatten and lighten in color.

What Results Can You Expect from a High-Definition Tummy Tuck™?

After your tummy tuck procedure, you will get…

  • Flatter and more contoured abs with a narrow waist
  • A permanently tighter and firmer abdominal area
  • More appealing body proportions
  • A low-cut incision that is covered in a bikini
  • More confidence to wear a bikini and show off your body

Immediately after the procedure, the surgical area may still be swelling, so you may not be able to fully appreciate the results of the tummy tuck right away.

For most patients, the long-term results are outstanding. You can permanently keep your firmer, more contoured, and summer-ready abs if you exercise regularly, eat healthily, and maintain your weight.

What are the Potential Risks and Complications?

Tummy tuck comes with certain risks and complications, such as the following:

  • Anesthesia side effects – The anesthesiologist will orient you on the risks of anesthesia on the day of the procedure.
  • Unfavorable scarring – Your scar can look bigger than usual if it takes too long to heal.
  • Bleeding – This may happen if the stitches did not heal correctly.
  • Infection – The risk of infection is more significant for people who smoke, have diabetes, or are getting multiple procedures.
  • Fluid accumulation – Fluid can accumulate under the skin after removing the drainage tubes.
  • Poor wound healing – Wounds may heal slower than average for smokers and infection-prone patients.
  • Wound dehiscence – Your incisions may open for multiple reasons like excessive movement and suture breakage.
  • Suture granuloma – Deep sutures may sometimes poke through the skin, be visible, or cause irritation.
  • Skin numbness – Your skin sensation may be temporarily reduced after the procedure.
  • Contour irregularities – Your abdominal area may look asymmetrical since no one starts absolutely symmetrical.
  • Asymmetric scar placement – Although not typical, this is associated with most surgical procedures.
  • Persisting pain – Nerves trapped inside a scar may cause chronic pain.
  • Nerve damage – This can result in over or under sensitivity in certain areas.
  • Allergic reactions – If you’re allergic to anything used during or after the procedure, you’ll require additional treatment.
  • Loss of navel – Poor navel placement, scarring, appearance, and even navel loss may happen.
  • Need for revisional surgery – The body may react in an unpredictable way to the procedure, so you’d need additional surgeries.
  • Suboptimal aesthetic result – Despite best efforts, you may be unsatisfied with the results of the surgery.
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary complications – Although rare, blood clots can form in the legs’ deep veins and then travel to the lungs.

Dr. Agha takes all precautions necessary to prevent any of these from happening and helps you address any complications that may occur.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

The quote you get depends on factors like location, body type, age, anesthesiologist costs, and plastic surgeon expertise, among many others.

Below are the average costs of some of the most common types of tummy tuck in Southern California:

  • Full tummy tuck – $7,500 to $9,500
  • Mini tummy tuck – $4,000 to $5,000
  • Liposuction tummy tuck (lipoabdominoplasty) – $8,000 to $9,000
  • Extended tummy tuck – $8,500 to $10,500
  • Circumferential tummy tuck (belt lipectomy) – $11,000 to $13,000

Dr. Agha will discuss the full breakdown of the procedure during your consultation. 

Insurance may pay for a panniculectomy when used to improve abdominal skin disorders or defects on the abdominal wall. 

To get your panniculectomy covered, make sure to complete the following documents that insurance companies may ask from you:

  • Dated photographs that show the skin and abdominal fat in the lower abdominal area hanging over the pubis, and another where it’s elevated to show skin irritation or infection
  • Notes from your primary care physician indicating the presence of skin irritation or infection despite treatment over six months
  • List of medications taken to alleviate the issue and how long they were used

Insurance providers rarely cover tummy tuck costs, so ask Dr. Agha about financing options to make the procedure more affordable for you.

Get Your Tummy Tuck Done in Newport Beach, Orange County

A tummy tuck can make your abdominal area firmer, allowing you to get that bikini-ready body all year round.

For best results, only choose qualified and board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Agha. He can expertly assess your situation and determine the procedure that would work best for you.