Dr. Kouros Azar has cultivated a reputation for his skill with abdominoplasty, often called a tummy tuck, in the Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, and beyond.
He performs tummy tuck surgery to tighten lax abdominal muscles and reduce excess fat and skin around the midsection to provide a flatter stomach, trimmer waistline and sleeker, more-defined abs*. If you are considering a tummy tuck or other cosmetic procedure, request a consultation with Dr. Azar to discuss the possibilities. Or you can call our office at (805) 373-7073 and one of our knowledgeable, friendly staff members will schedule your appointment. *Results May Vary
The tummy tuck is a procedure that often benefits women who have been unable to get their tummy back to the way it was before having children, as well as individuals who have lost a great deal of weight*. The tummy tuck procedure:
Tummy tuck procedures begin with an incision from one hip to the other to create a flap of skin. This skin is then separated from the abdominal muscles. Next, Thousand Oaks tummy tuck provider, Dr. Azar tightens the vertical rectus abdominis muscle of the abdomen to flatten the stomach and re-contour the waistline. The skin flap is then folded down and excess skin is removed. Finally, the flap is replaced and the incision closed. Abdominoplasty procedures typically take 2 to 3 hours, depending on how much excess skin needs to be removed to achieve the desired shape*.
Most Westlake Village tummy tuck patients may go home, however, some patients may choose to stay in one of our hotel options with a professional aftercare provider or nurse.
The caring, skilled staff will help you care for and monitor your surgical drains, and keep you comfortable during this important period*. Recovery after abdominoplasty varies between patients. In general, patients visit our office for regular follow-up visits and to have the drains removed after two weeks. You can plan to return to work and normal daily activities within 2 to 3 weeks, but swelling may persist for up to 6 months*. You will not be able to lift young children or anything over 10 pounds for about 3 to 4 weeks*. Strenuous exercise can be resumed after about 6 weeks*.
*Results May Vary. Some patients may benefit from a drainless tummy tuck technique
When you choose Dr. Azar for your abdominoplasty, you are choosing an exceptional level of safety, care and results. Surgeries are performed only at major hospitals and surgery centers, using the services of board-certified M.D. anesthesiologists.
For many patients, Thousand Oaks tummy tuck provider, Dr. Azar often incorporates liposuction into a tummy tuck procedure to sculpt the flank area of the lower back, the sides of the waist, and the center of the abdomen above the belly button*. Dr. Azar assesses each patient individually and determines precisely which surgical approach will most benefit him or her. This technique typically contours the abdomen nicely and creates a well-defined waist*.
In other cases, Thousand Oaks abdominoplasty Dr. Azar adjusts the procedure for those with minimal skin excess, shortening the scar and the recovery time*. This is sometimes referred to as a “Mini-Tummy Tuck”. Not every woman is a candidate for this but Dr. Azar will determine the best procedure at the time of your consultation.
For many women, the addition of a breast lift or breast augmentation for a “Mommy Makeover” is a safe and convenient option that produces comprehensive results*. For more information about this procedure, read Dr. Azar’s article from Westlake Malibu Lifestyle Magazine’s June issue. During your consultation, Dr. Azar will go over your surgical options and help you determine which approach is best for you.
A board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Azar develops innovative surgical techniques and is dedicated to providing exceptional outcomes.
Dr. Kouros Azar has compiled a list of questions he is frequently asked about abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck. Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Simi Valley area patients appreciate his unsurpassed surgical abilities and his devoted attention to their safety and comfort.
Diet and exercise can only go so far in improving your shape after pregnancy. For many women, the abdominal skin and muscles have been stretched to the point where they are unable to retract and flatten out. In addition, there can be pockets of stubborn fat that remain. A tummy tuck can flatten your stomach, sculpt your waistline and even define your ab muscles well beyond what is possible with exercise alone*.
If there are stretch marks on the loose skin that is removed, they will be removed as well. There may be additional stretch marks outside of this area that will remain*. Often stretch marks below the belly button are removed during traditional tummy tuck surgery; stretch marks above the belly button are usually moved down when the skin is tightened*. Typically the appearance of any remaining stretch marks can be improved with Laser Genesis treatments, but just the tightening of the tummy tuck alone does make them appear improved and less noticeable*.
Removing excess skin from the abdomen requires one or more incisions, which will result in a scar*. The length of the incision depends on the amount of correction you require. A complete tummy tuck usually requires the longest incision because it provides correction to the upper and lower abdomen, as well as the abdominal muscles*. A mini tummy tuck requires a shorter incision*. Regardless of the length of the incision, it can be placed discreetly where it will be concealed by clothing and bathing suits*. It’s important to review your preferences during your consultation to determine the best scar placement for you.
This depends on a few considerations. Above all, it is not advisable to return to work while you require narcotic pain medication*. If your job is strenuous or involves significant physical activity, you will need more time off than if you have an office job*. Another consideration is the type of correction you require. If you have a complete tummy tuck, you will likely need to take more time off than if you have a mini tummy tuck*. Typically, patients who have a non-strenuous job and a complete tummy tuck can return to work and normal daily activities in 2-3 weeks, although individual experiences vary. Strenuous work and recreational activities should be delayed for about 6 weeks*.
If your skin is not significantly loose and your abdominal muscles have not been stretched or separated, you may be a candidate for truSculptâ„¢*. This new, non-invasive body contouring procedure can reduce inches from your middle with no pain, no incisions and no downtime*. Some patients can get the improvements they want from liposuction, which requires only tiny incisions and less recovery time than a tummy tuck*.
If you are healthy and both procedures are appropriate for you, you don’t need to choose*. I often combine a tummy tuck with other procedures such as breast augmentation and liposuction for a Mommy Makeover. This customized combination of plastic surgery procedures provides multiple improvements with a single surgery and a single recovery period*. For most patients, there is no significant increase in risk associated with combining these procedures*.
Radiant Results
Dr. Kouros Azar, founder and medical director of Azar Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, is an attentive listener, a devoted surgeon and doctor, and a highly-skilled biomedical engineer. He matches his patients with the best possible treatments by drawing on his extensive expertise, compassion, and research skills. Make an appointment with Dr. Azar now to discuss your rejuvenation options.