Tummy Tuck in Tijuana, Mexico
If you have recently lost a major amount of weight — whether following pregnancy, bariatric surgery, or efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle — congratulations!
Unfortunately, however, you may be disappointed to discover that losing a substantial amount of weight has not helped you achieve the ideal, svelte abdominal profile you desire. If this sounds familiar, you might be a good candidate for abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery.
What we’ll cover
What we’ll cover- Tummy Tuck Surgery Benefits
- How Tummy Tuck Surgery is Performed
- Is Tummy Tuck Surgery Safe?
- Tummy Tuck Scars
- Mini Tummy Tuck Benefits
- Mini Tummy Tuck Recovery
- Mini Tummy Tuck Scar
- Mini Tummy Tuck Prices
- Male Tummy Tuck
- Male Tummy Tuck Recovery
- Tummy Tuck Recovery
- How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Tijuana?
- Tone Your Tummy Today
Tummy Tuck Surgery Benefits
Often, extreme fluctuations in weight can cause the skin to lose its elasticity. When this happens, sagging skin can appear to off the body even after you’ve lost the excess fat. Sagging skin can develop in any area of the body, but it is a common occurrence throughout the abdominal area.
In addition, pregnancy and other factors can greatly damage the abdominal wall, sometimes causing the abdominal muscles to separate. Excessively damaged or separated abdominal muscles cannot be firmed up or toned, no matter how many sit-ups you do.
This is where tummy tuck surgery comes in.
By undergoing a tummy tuck in Tijuana with VIDA Wellness and Beauty, you can achieve the tighter, toned abdominal contour you worked so hard to attain. We offer a team approach to aesthetic improvement and overall wellness that will help you improve both your figure and your quality of life overall.
How Tummy Tuck Surgery is Performed
Tummy tuck surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and we offer a recovery boutique for individuals or out-of-town aesthetic plastic surgery patients who wish to recuperate in style at our comfortable facility. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so patients do not feel a thing during surgery.
Often a tummy tuck is performed in conjunction with other surgeries, such as a breast lift, breast augmentation, or mommy makeover as part of one of our plastic surgery packages. You can learn more about our plastic surgery packages here.
The surgeon first performs liposuction, if needed, to remove any residual excess fat from the abdomen. He then makes an incision that runs lengthwise across the lower abdomen, in the pubic area.
Although the incision is significant, it is strategically placed in a location that can be easily concealed by the underwear or bathing suit line.
Repairing the Abdominal Muscles
The board-certified plastic surgeon excises the excess abdominal skin before repairing the underlying musculature and other supporting tissues. To this end, he places permanent internal sutures throughout the abdominal wall, in a crisscross pattern.
The corset-like pattern of the internal sutures in the abdominal wall holds the restored abdominal muscles in place, for a firmer contour overall.
Once the surgeon is satisfied with the new abdominal profile, he closes the incision with dissolvable stitches. Finally, he moves the belly button so it is in line with the tauter, flatter abdominal contour, using a second incision inconspicuously placed in the navel.
The surgeon dresses the treatment area in soft bandages and an overlying compression garment that provides added tissue support and helps minimize swelling while the area heals.
Also, a drain is often placed in the treatment area, allowing for a faster recovery period. It will be removed during a follow-up appointment a few days after the procedure.
Is Tummy Tuck Surgery Safe?
You may be wondering about how safe tummy tuck surgery is. In the hands of an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon, getting an abdominoplasty is very safe.
That said, a tummy tuck is still a surgery performed under general anesthesia, and as such, there are risks and potential complications you should be aware of.
Apart from the risks that every surgery carries, such as anesthesia risks, bleeding, hematoma, and infection; there are some tummy tuck-specific complications you need to consider, including:
- Poor wound healing in your abdomen
- Keloid and raised scars (tummy tucks often require a thin incision in your lower abdomen)
- Fluid accumulation during recovery
- Asymmetry in your abdomen
You can decrease the possible risks associated with a tummy tuck if you:
- Go to a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in body contouring procedures. A surgeon that meets these qualifications will know how to approach the surgery, plan the incision sites and be up to date with the safest plastic surgery techniques. Also, a qualified surgeon will work with an experienced anesthesiologist, who will keep you comfortable and safe during the entire operation.
- Follow your surgeon’s instructions. Your surgeon will provide a comprehensive list of the do’s and don’ts. These will include not smoking before the surgery, not taking blood thinners, and avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Tummy Tuck Scars
Many plastic surgery patients wonder about tummy tuck scars. Given the nature of tummy tucks, you can expect to have a thin scar on your abdomen.
This is because during a tummy tuck, your surgeon will make an incision in your abdomen. One incision means one scar, however, the incision can be a couple of inches long or can go across your lower abdomen from one hip bone to the other, depending on your individual needs.
Tummy tuck scars can take up to 12 months to fully heal. If you follow your surgeon’s instructions, it’s possible for the scar to fade until almost imperceptible.
The good news is that the incision, which is where you’ll develop a thin scar, is on your lower abdomen, an area of your body that can be easily concealed.
Furthermore, for women who have a c-section scar, the tummy tuck incision can be placed at the same site, eliminating the possibility of a second scar. Scars after an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck are rarely bad, unsightly, or raised.
You can take some simple steps to help your body heal, and minimize the appearance of the plastic surgery scar:
- Quit smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery
- Stay hydrated
- Do not scratch, pick or exfoliate the scar
- Protect the scar from the sun
- Do not wear tight clothes while the scar is healing
- Follow all of your surgeon’s post-op instructions
Mini Tummy Tuck vs Full Tummy Tuck
Patients whose excess skin is restricted to the area below the belly button (but who still have damaged abdominal muscles and poor skin tone) may be appropriate candidates for a modified abdominoplasty procedure often called “mini tummy tuck.”
This approach focuses on removing excess skin from the lower abdomen as well as repairing the underlying tissue structures. The modified tummy tuck procedure typically yields a shorter incision and allows for a quicker recovery period.
Benefits for Mini Tummy Tuck Patients
Between these two tummy tuck options, a mini tummy tuck is a great alternative for patients who:
- Have saggy skin or excess skin below the belly button
- Their excess fat is concentrated in their lower abdominal area
- Their belly button and upper abdomen are in good shape
Since the mini tummy tuck treats a smaller area of the body, the recovery period is shorter and a slightly smaller incision is required.
During the mini tummy tuck, your surgeon will make a small incision just above your pubic hairline, release the skin attachments, remove excess skin, and restore a flat abdomen.
No work will be done to your belly button or above it. Since the treated area is smaller, you’ll have a smaller abdominal binder and fewer drains and bandages.
For some patients, local anesthesia may be an option, but this will be determined by the plastic surgeon.
Mini Tummy Tuck Recovery
A mini tummy tuck recovery time is shorter than for a full tummy tuck, but this will vary from patient to patient. If you are getting a mini tummy tuck, you should still plan to take 1 to 2 weeks off from work.
However, you can expect the recovery time to feel quicker and more comfortable. When healing from tummy tucks, an abdominal binder is required for at least 4 weeks. This will help the body heal faster, protect the area and avoid fluid accumulation.
A mini tummy tuck is still a cosmetic surgery, and as such, you must remember to take care of yourself by resting and avoiding strenuous activities.
Patients can expect to take 4 to 6 weeks before going back to exercising and other physical activities.
Mini Tummy Tuck Scar
Cosmetic surgery patients often wonder how big will a mini tummy tuck scar be in comparison to a full tummy tuck. The incision, and consequently, the scar is smaller for a mini tummy tuck.
During a tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck, your surgeon will make a lengthwise incision in your lower abdomen, right above the pubic hairline.
For both plastic surgery procedures, the scar is thin and easily concealed, and can actually be incorporated into your c-section scar. The main difference is that the mini tummy tuck scar is shorter.
Mini Tummy Tuck Prices
If you’re looking for an affordable tummy tuck, Tijuana is a great place to start.
The average price of a mini tummy tuck is $3,800 USD. This cost can vary depending on your individual needs as a plastic surgery patient.
The final price for your mini tummy tuck procedure will always include:
- Surgeon fees
- Anesthesia and anesthesiologist fees
- Pre-op consultation
- Facility fee
- Nursing care while you’re at the clinic
- Transfer between San Diego International Airport and the clinic
Schedule your free plastic surgery virtual consultation to determine if you are a candidate for a mini tummy tuck in Tijuana and obtain a personalized estimate from our plastic surgeons!
Male Tummy Tuck in Tijuana, Mexico
Male patients interested in having an abdominoplasty will be pleased to know that this procedure can be tailored to their aesthetic needs.
Tummy tucks have become increasingly popular for men with loose skin and are no longer thought of as a ‘women-specific’ surgery. For men, a tummy tuck can help restore a flat stomach that cannot be achieved through diet and exercise alone, especially after massive weight loss such as that which occurs after weight loss surgery.
Male patients who have recently undergone significant weight loss can particularly benefit from a tummy tuck and repair their abdominal muscles and get rid of excess skin.
During a male tummy tuck, the surgeon will make an incision below the belt line, repair the muscles and remove excess skin.
If the patient wants, this procedure can be combined with male liposuction or abdominal etching, which will not only leave patients with a flat stomach but will also define their six-pack.
In order to better understand how a male tummy tuck can help you achieve a flatter stomach, contact us and schedule your free virtual consultation with our plastic surgeons. A plastic surgeon will go over the procedure and your expectations and explain, in detail, the cost and results you can expect from plastic surgery.
Male Tummy Tuck Recovery
Male tummy tuck recovery time varies, but most patients can expect to take 2 to 6 weeks before feeling 100% recovered. When undergoing a tummy tuck, male patients need to take at least 1 week off from work and consider taking more time off if possible.
If your work requires heavy lifting or other physical activities, ask your surgeon how long to take off or what precautions you need, so as to not compromise your plastic surgery recovery.
During recovery, patients must wear an abdominal compression binder to help decrease swelling and fluid build-up. The binder must be worn for 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how you’re healing.
Male tummy tuck patients also need to take a break from exercising for at least 4 weeks. Your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to do weight lifting and other more strenuous activities.
Abdominal-specific exercises like crunches won’t be allowed for 4 to 6 months after the surgery.
As you plan your Mexico tummy tuck, discuss with your plastic surgeons what you can expect in terms of recovery according to your needs.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Recovery after a tummy tuck may be faster than you think. The most uncomfortable period of recovery is the first week, during which you are likely to be swollen and have drains that need emptying.
Patients will need to wear compression garments, such as an abdominal binder, for 4 to 6 weeks, to help decrease fluid buildup and protect the area.
You will notice that after those first days pass after plastic surgery, your tummy tuck recovery process will get easier week by week. You’ll feel stronger and overall more comfortable.
Patients usually go back to a regular routine, excluding strenuous activity, after 2 weeks. At this point, patients can bathe without restrictions, drive, do household chores, and see most of the swelling disappear.
You’ll need to go to a follow-up consultation with your surgeon where he’ll assess your progress. If at any point you have doubts, feel pain, or feel worse, call your doctor, they will be there to support you during the recovery process.
During your recovery period, the treatment area may be tender, sore, numb, swollen or bruised. As with any major cosmetic procedures, these are normal symptoms that will improve with time. In the meantime, patients can take the prescribed pain medication as directed.
A slimmer abdominal contour will be apparent immediately after surgery, but the full aesthetic benefits take about 12 weeks to become fully realized as this is how long it takes for any residual swelling to subside and for the body to heal.
When recovering, patients need plenty of rest and should avoid strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting. That being said, post-surgical tummy tuck patients must take short walks around the house or recovery boutique every few hours as soon as they feel capable, to help minimize the risk of blood clots developing in the legs.
Read below to learn when you can expect to return to exercising:
Going back to a full exercise routine requires more time, since it’s necessary to allow your body to heal.
- At 2 weeks after tummy tuck surgery, you’ll be cleared to do some more brisk walking, but that’s it.
- At 4 weeks after tummy tuck surgery, your surgeon may clear you to do some other light exercises, such as using the stationary bike and doing light weights.
- At 6 weeks after surgery, your surgeon will let you increase the intensity of your exercises, as long as your incisions are fully healed. Always keep in mind that abdominal exercises (from crunches to planks and anything in between) will be prohibited for 4 to 6 months, or until your surgeon advises.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Tijuana?
The average price of a tummy tuck in Tijuana (also known as abdominoplasty) is $4,500 including operating expenses (surgeon fees, facilities) and anesthesia. As with any plastic and reconstructive surgery situation, the price is subject to change according to each personalized estimate.
You can get a quote by having a free virtual consultation with one of the best tummy tuck surgeons in Tijuana.
Tone Your Tummy Today with a Tijuana Tummy Tuck
You have worked hard to lose the excess weight and maintain a stable weight, and now you deserve to achieve the toned tummy you desire – it’s time for a Mexico tummy tuck!
To schedule a personal consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to learn more about undergoing tummy tuck surgery in the first AAAASF-accredited surgical facility in Mexico, contact VIDA Wellness and Beauty by calling 1 (619)738-2144 (Toll-free) today.
