The Truth About a Tummy Tuck in Los Angeles

Beverly Hills area residents are image conscious, and cosmetic surgery is naturally on their minds. If you are dissatisfied with your tummy area, then a tummy tuck might be the first thought to occur to you, like it does to many people in the Los Angeles area. If this is the case, we strongly encourage you to call and set up an appointment with Dr. Yoho. He would like to evaluate you as a candidate, and to talk to you about possible alternative procedures. After treating many patients who have come to him to “fix” the effects of abdominoplasties done elsewhere, he has come to the conclusion that more conservative approaches are usually the best way to treat problem spots.

Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, is a very invasive surgery with higher complication risks than many other surgeries. These complications range from unsatisfactory cosmetic effects post surgery to skin death and even to patient death. Dr. Yoho usually prefers to use a special liposuction procedure to shape the abdomen, hips, and thighs. This special “Yoho Method” has many advantages over tummy tuck procedures for many patients:

1. No huge scar. Liposuction only involves making some small incisions for the cannula, or liposuction wand, to be inserted. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, means making a very large incision, all the way across the lower belly. This incision goes in a “smile” shape from hip to hip across the lower belly. The ends can sometimes heal in a “dog ear” flap over the hipbones, which are then difficult to fix.
2. Simpler recovery. As already mentioned, the risks of complications, including serious or even deadly ones, are far higher with tummy tucks than with other cosmetic surgery. Liposuction is a safer procedure with higher satisfaction rates.
3. Figure changes in three dimensions. The versatility of liposuction allows Dr. Yoho to reshape the bodies of his Los Angeles, Pasadena patients, so that their appearance improves from all angles. He views and treats his patients in three dimensions. The tummy tuck can flatten areas with extra skin on the lower abdomen, giving a flatter profile under the clothing. Liposuction can treat the back, front, and sides, sculpting a figure in the abdomen, butt, hips, and thighs. In addition, Dr. Yoho’s surgery coaxes the healing skin to shrink around the new body shape after the procedure.

Many people who initially think, “I want a tummy tuck” can actually benefit from the simpler Yoho method of liposuction. Nonetheless, there is still a small percentage of patients for whom abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is the best option. Some people develop a pouch or sheet of hanging skin that does not shrink back following extreme weight loss or pregnancy, for example. When this skin is excessive, it can become very distressing for the patients, who then are willing to opt for a scar over the extra skin. Dr. Yoho will carefully select only those who are good candidates for this surgery. This is a big decision, so please call right away to discuss your options with Dr. Yoho during your free consultation.