Liposuction and Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in La Jolla, San Diego
With so many people adopting outdoor lifestyles, there has been increasing interest in procedures that can improve the figure. However, it is important to remember that these procedures are not for weight reduction, which is a dietary problem. For contouring areas of the body that do not respond well to diet and exercise, procedures such as liposuction and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) are available at the La Jolla, San Diego practice of Dr. Robert Singer. He has the skill and artistic eye to create a balanced body contour for his patients.
Liposuction
Liposuction, also called liposculpture or lipocontouring, is one of the most exciting developments in aesthetic plastic surgery. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that successfully removes localized excess fat from around the face, neck, waist, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles. The procedure removes these fat bulges, thereby improving flaws in the figure and creating a smoother, slimmer, and better-proportioned body contour.
The method was popularized in France in the 1970s and has been used on hundreds of thousands of patients in the U.S. with excellent results and a low incidence of complications in the hands of appropriately trained surgeons. Over the years, the procedure and the technology have continually been improved and refined, and today there are several techniques liposuction available. Dr. Singer will discuss your options with you during your first meeting, and develop a treatment plan to best suit your needs.
Liposuction is most appropriate for those with localized fat bulges that are inherited, and remain despite weight reduction and exercise. However, it is important to understand that liposuction is not a cure for obesity. It is also ideal for removing accumulations of excess fat in the male breast. This condition, called gynecomastia, can be embarrassing to men with excessive mammary development.
Liposuction Procedure
Liposuction is usually performed on an outpatient basis in the surgical suite at our center. If extensive correction is necessary, Dr. Singer may wish to have you transferred after surgery to the adjacent hospital for a planned overnight stay. He may also elect to perform the procedure in the hospital. The quality of your skin is vital in determining the aesthetic outcome of liposuction. Youthful elastic skin will contract easily, usually leaving a smooth surface. Older persons, or those with very poor skin tone, are poor candidates for liposuction alone. They may require surgical removal of excess skin (a facelift, abdominoplasty, or buttock lift, for example) done in conjunction with liposuction.
The results of liposuction are permanent. Fat cells that are removed do not return. Weight may be gained in the area treated, but usually in the same proportion as in the rest of the body. If there is an excess weight gain following surgery, it is possible to have some increase in the area treated.
[ Back to top ]
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Sagging abdominal skin, fat, and muscle can be the result of pregnancy, substantial weight loss, or an inherited tendency. Regardless of the cause, it is a source of unhappiness for many men and women. For some, the weight of the excess skin and fat can cause back or posture problems. The surgical procedure to reshape the abdomen is called an abdominoplasty, also commonly known as a tummy tuck.
Abdominoplasty Procedure
The abdominoplasty procedure leaves a scar at the bikini line, which fades in time. Excess fat can be removed, supportive stomach muscles tightened and repaired, and excess skin trimmed and re-draped. Minimal abdominoplasty procedures (also known as "mini" or "modified" abdominoplasty) involve shorter incision abdominal corrections, which may be all that is necessary.
In patients with greater skin laxity, an additional small incision around the navel may be necessary. The position and length of the incisions depends on the amount of excess skin to be removed and your individual anatomy. The scar is usually preferable to the appearance of a sagging abdomen.
Often, the tummy tuck can be performed as an outpatient procedure in the operating room at our center. Dr. Singer may wish to have you transferred after surgery to the adjacent hospital for a planned overnight stay. If extensive correction is necessary, the operation may be performed in the hospital.
Abdominoplasty is frequently performed in conjunction with liposuction (fat removal by suction), resulting in an abdomen that is tighter, flatter, and firmer.
[ Back to top ]
Thigh-Buttock Lifting
Drooping of the thighs, buttocks, and hips may occur for many reasons. The sagging tissue can be repositioned and lifted into a more youthful position. New developments and understanding of the anatomical changes responsible for aging of thigh, buttock, hip, and abdomen tissue have resulted in the development of improved procedures utilizing incisions that can be hidden by bathing suits. These procedures can tighten loose fat and skin in the thigh, buttock, and hip areas, resulting in more youthful skin tone and improved contours.
[ Back to top ]
Contact Dr. Singer for Body Contouring Cosmetic Surgery
If you would like to learn more about the body contouring options, including liposuction and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), at Dr. Singer's La Jolla San Diego, practice, contact Singer Surgical Centre today. Dr. Singer can help you decide which methods are right for you.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Singer in La Jolla, San Diego, for liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), or another body contouring procedure.
Robert Singer, M.D., F.A.C.S.
9834 Genesee Ave., Suite 100
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 866.660.0206
Download Map & Directions
View Interactive Map
- Listed in “Best Doctors in America”
- Included in Town & Country, “Best Cosmetic Surgeons in the Country”
- Chosen by peers - San Diego Magazine and San Diego County Medical Society, “Best Doctors” and “Best Plastic Surgeons”.
- Selected by La Jolla Light Newspaper, “Best Plastic Surgeon”
- Former President of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Interested in learning more? Click here.