Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Dr. Rady Rahban performs abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) in Beverly Hills to address loose abdominal skin, excess fat, and diastasis recti (separation of the rectus muscles) that commonly follow pregnancy, major weight loss, or aging. The procedure removes redundant skin and fat below the navel, tightens the abdominal wall musculature, and repositions the umbilicus. Mini tummy tuck is available for patients with concerns limited to the lower abdomen. Tummy tuck is frequently performed as part of a mommy makeover combined with breast procedures.

Abdominoplasty performed by Dr. Rady Rahban at his Beverly Hills plastic surgery practice addresses the structural and aesthetic changes to the abdominal wall that cannot be corrected by exercise or non-surgical interventions: primarily the skin redundancy, subcutaneous fat accumulation, and rectus abdominis diastasis (midline muscle separation) that develop following pregnancy, bariatric weight loss, or age-related changes in skin elasticity. The standard full abdominoplasty involves a horizontal incision placed low across the lower abdomen — typically positioned to fall within a bikini line or trouser waistline — extending from hip to hip, through which the redundant infraumbilical skin and fat envelope is excised. The abdominal flap is elevated from the underlying rectus fascia; the fascial midline is then plicated with permanent sutures from xiphoid process to pubis, restoring the pre-pregnancy or pre-weight-loss width of the linea alba and flattening the central abdominal profile. The umbilicus is preserved on its vascular pedicle and transposed through a new aperture in the repositioned skin flap, maintaining a natural-looking navel position and avoiding the telltale sign of an elevated or distorted belly button. Excess skin is excised and the flap is sutured under low tension, producing a smooth, flat lower abdominal contour. Liposuction of the flanks and lateral abdomen is routinely incorporated to improve waist definition and address areas that cannot be reached by skin excision alone. For patients whose concerns are confined to below the navel with minimal muscle laxity, a mini abdominoplasty using a shorter incision and limited dissection can achieve meaningful improvement with faster recovery. Dr. Rahban also performs the extended abdominoplasty — using a longer incision that wraps toward the flanks — for patients who have experienced significant circumferential weight loss and carry excess skin laterally as well as anteriorly. Tummy tuck is commonly included in a mommy makeover combination with breast lift and/or breast augmentation, allowing both the breast and abdominal changes of pregnancy to be addressed in a single anesthetic episode at the on-site AAAASF-accredited surgery center. Recovery following abdominoplasty involves same-day discharge, wearing a compression garment, a period of flexed posture to reduce tension on the closure, return to desk work in two to three weeks, and resumption of exercise at six weeks.