Tummy Tuck

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Riverside County and Corona, CA

A tummy tuck is a surgical body-contouring procedure that restores a more defined waistline and stomach area. If loose abdominal skin has been keeping you from feeling confident in your own body, you are not alone. Many patients struggle to reclaim their figure after pregnancy, aging, significant weight loss, and other changes.

At The Plastics Doc, Dr. Samuel Salcedo can perform a tummy tuck to help you redefine your appearance. Dr. Salcedo is a distinguished board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has helped thousands of patients across Corona, Riverside, and the Inland Empire.

If you are ready to start working with Dr. Salcedo, please submit our online contact form or call (951) 268-6168. We also offer virtual consultations if you are unable to meet with us in person.

Before and After Photos

About Tummy Tucks

A tummy tuck is a surgical body-contouring procedure that restores a smoother and flatter look and feel to your midsection. This procedure can tighten separated or weakened muscles (diastasis recti), remove excess skin and tissue, and reposition or reshape the navel. (1) Tummy tucks are one of the most frequently performed aesthetic procedures worldwide, with techniques continuing to evolve. (2)

Types of Tummy Tucks

Dr. Salcedo can perform several different types of tummy tucks to address a wide range of concerns. These include the full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, and extended tummy tuck. During your consultation, Dr. Salcedo will evaluate your concerns and anatomy to determine which variation will best suit your case.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full or traditional tummy tuck is the most popular type of tummy tuck and can address concerns in both the upper and lower abdomen. Dr. Salcedo can perform this variation to address both muscle weakness and loose skin. It utilizes an incision that extends from hip to hip and can also feature belly button rejuvenation.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck is a variation of the traditional tummy tuck that only addresses loose skin below the navel. This variation is much less frequently performed, as most patients need some kind of belly button rejuvenation after weight loss.

Extended Tummy Tuck

Dr. Salcedo can perform an extended tummy tuck for patients who require more advanced corrections. This variation addresses the upper abdomen, lower abdomen, hips, and upper thighs and can produce transformational results. It requires a longer, differently shaped incision but yields amazing results.

Benefits

Tummy tucks provide several notable benefits, including:

  • Flatter Stomach: A tummy tuck can remove excess skin and tissue to create a more slender and toned stomach.
  • Repaired Muscles: Dr. Salcedo can perform this procedure to tighten separated muscles, a condition also known as diastasis recti.
  • Minimal Scarring: Each incision Dr. Salcedo places is thin and discreet, allowing it to easily hide beneath swimwear and underwear.
  • More Defined Figure: A tummy tuck can restore a more contoured and proportionate silhouette.
  • Elevated Confidence: Many patients report improvements in their self-confidence and self-esteem after seeing the results of their procedure.
  • Tailored Treatment Plans: Dr. Salcedo designs treatment plans around the individual’s anatomy and goals.
  • Lasting Results: The results of your tummy tuck can last for years, especially if you exercise regularly and follow a nutritious diet.

Candidates

Candidates for a tummy tuck include most patients with weakened or separated abdominal muscles and excess skin around their midsection. This procedure is highly effective for addressing changes that stem from pregnancy or weight loss.

Women who are considering the procedure should finish planning their families, as pregnancy can alter the long-term effects of the procedure. All patients should reach a stable and maintainable weight as well. (1)

If you are interested in a tummy tuck, you will need to have good general health and realistic expectations regarding the results of your procedure. You should also ideally be a nonsmoker or willing to quit for an extended period of time.

Dr. Salcedo will ultimately determine your eligibility during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

The first step to achieving a flatter, smoother stomach is attending a personal consultation. During this consultation, Dr. Salcedo will meet with you individually to discuss your candidacy for a tummy tuck. He will ask you a series of questions about your medical history, concerns, and desired appearance, as well as perform a physical evaluation to assess your abdomen.

Through this combination of discussion and evaluation, Dr. Salcedo will create your tailored surgical plan, recommending the most effective techniques.

If you are ready to schedule your consultation, please submit our online contact form or call our Corona office directly at (951) 268-6168.

We also offer virtual consultations if you are unable to meet with us in person.

Preparation

After you decide to proceed with your tummy tuck, Dr. Salcedo will give you a set of detailed pre-operative instructions to help you prepare.

He may direct you to:

  • Discontinue certain medications and supplements with blood-thinning properties
  • Stop smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Prepare to take time away from your career and commitments
  • Arrange transportation to and from your procedure
  • Fill any medications in advance

Procedure

On the day of your procedure, a member of our team will lead you to a private treatment room where they will cleanse your skin and administer general anesthesia. The exact details of your procedure can vary depending on the type of tummy tuck, as certain techniques are more extensive than others.

Dr. Salcedo will first make the incision. The exact length and shape of the incision will vary depending on the extent of your corrections, with extended tummy tucks using longer incisions compared to full or mini tummy tucks.

After making the incision, he will excise loose skin and tissue, tighten separated or weakened muscles, and reshape the belly button, depending on your aesthetic goals and surgical needs.

Dr. Salcedo may also perform liposuction before skin removal if there is stubborn fat in the treatment area that you would like to address.

When the corrections have been made, Dr. Salcedo will carefully close the incision to minimize scarring and create optimal support.

Recovery

Dr. Salcedo performs tummy tucks on an outpatient basis, which means that he will release you home to continue resting on the same day as your procedure.

As you heal, you may experience swelling and bruising around the treated areas. These effects are temporary and will gradually dissipate on their own, but plenty of rest will also help them fade more quickly.

Most patients can return to their careers after approximately one to two weeks, but they will need to continue to avoid high-impact or strenuous activities until Dr. Salcedo clears them to return.

Dr. Salcedo will provide you with a full set of detailed post-operative instructions to guide you through your recovery. These instructions will include details on how to care for your incisions, return to certain activities, when you can stop wearing your compression bra, and more. By following these instructions, you can ensure the smoothest possible recovery and the most optimal results.

Cost of Tummy Tucks in Corona and Riverside, CA

Dr. Salcedo customizes each tummy tuck according to your personal goals and anatomy, which means the cost of the procedure can vary. During your consultation, he will evaluate your medical history and anatomy to create your personalized surgical plan. After discussing the details with you, he will provide a cost estimate. The Plastics Doc also offers financing for those who qualify.

To learn more about the cost of your personalized tummy tuck procedure, please submit our online contact form or call (951) 268-6168.

FAQ

How do I know what type of tummy tuck I should get?

The type of tummy tuck that will be best for you depends on your unique anatomy, your desired appearance, and the extent of your corrections. During your consultation, Dr. Salcedo will perform a full evaluation to determine the most effective tummy tuck variation for you.

Can I still have children after a tummy tuck?

Yes, you can still have children after a tummy tuck, but pregnancy will affect your results. We recommend waiting until you are done planning your family before considering a tummy tuck.

Will there be a lot of visible scarring after my tummy tuck?

Dr. Salcedo is an incredibly experienced surgeon who makes the tummy tuck incision extremely low on the abdomen whenever possible. This allows patients to feel confident when wearing swimwear and revealing clothing.

What is the best way to prepare for a tummy tuck?

Once you schedule your procedure, Dr. Salcedo will give you a set of detailed pre-operative instructions to help guide you through the process. Considerations often include adjusting medication and supplement regimens, making arrangements for the recovery period, planning transportation, completing required tests and forms, and more.

References

  1. Regan JP, Casaubon JT. Abdominoplasty. Nih.gov. Published July 24, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431058/#article-17029.s4
  2. Ramirez AE, Hsieh TY, Cardenas JP, Lao WW. Abdominoplasty: My Preferred Techniques. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2021;86(3S):S229. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0000000000002639