Tummy Tuck Sacramento | Full & Mini Abdominoplasty
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is designed to create a firmer, smoother abdominal contour by removing excess skin and addressing changes that diet and exercise cannot correct. Donald W. Hause, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon offering full and mini tummy tuck surgery in Sacramento for patients seeking a more proportionate abdominal contour.
Pregnancy, significant weight changes, aging, and genetics can leave behind loose abdominal skin or weakened and separated abdominal muscles even after a patient reaches a healthy, stable weight. Depending on your anatomy and goals, Dr. Hause can determine whether a full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, liposuction, or a combination of techniques is most appropriate.
Because every abdomen is different, tummy tuck surgery is customized rather than performed with a one-size-fits-all approach. During your consultation, Dr. Hause will evaluate your skin, abdominal muscles, areas of unwanted fat, medical history, and cosmetic goals before recommending a treatment plan.
Why Patients Trust Dr. Hause
Donald W. Hause, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in aesthetic surgery and decades of experience performing cosmetic procedures. His approach to tummy tuck surgery focuses on creating a balanced abdominal contour while tailoring the procedure to each patient’s anatomy, goals, and overall treatment plan.
Dr. Hause is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and maintains professional affiliations with organizations including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. You can learn more about Dr. Hause’s training, credentials, and surgical philosophy.
Patients considering abdominoplasty can also review examples of Dr. Hause’s work in the tummy tuck before-and-after gallery to better understand the range of results that may be possible.
“I’m glad I picked Dr. Hause to do my breast lift and tummy tuck. I had an amazing experience from the day I talked to Tona to make an appointment. Everyone in his clinic were wonderful and professional. Dr Hause is an excellent surgeon as far as I’m concern[ed].” — RealSelf.com, Tummy Tuck Patient Review
Tummy Tuck Candidates
A tummy tuck may be appropriate for adults who are bothered by loose abdominal skin, weakened or separated abdominal muscles, or localized fat that does not improve adequately with diet and exercise. The best way to determine candidacy is through an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Hause.
In general, good tummy tuck candidates:
- Are in good overall health
- Are at or near a stable, healthy weight
- Do not smoke or are willing to stop as directed before and after surgery
- Have realistic expectations about what tummy tuck surgery can achieve
- Understand the potential benefits, limitations, and risks of surgery
- Are bothered by excess abdominal skin, muscle separation, or stubborn fat deposits
- Are pursuing surgery for their own personal goals
Timing also matters. Patients who are planning future pregnancies are often advised to postpone tummy tuck surgery because pregnancy can stretch the abdominal tissues and affect the results. Dr. Hause can help determine whether it makes sense to proceed now or wait based on your goals and future plans.
The Consultation
Your tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Hause is an opportunity to discuss what you would like to change about your abdomen and determine which approach may best address your concerns. He will evaluate factors such as excess skin, abdominal muscle separation, localized fat, previous surgeries, overall health, and your goals for treatment.
Dr. Hause will also review your medical history and discuss whether a full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, liposuction, or a combination of techniques may be appropriate. If you decide to move forward with surgery, he will develop an individualized surgical plan and provide instructions to help you prepare for your procedure and recovery.
Your consultation is also the time to ask questions about incisions and scarring, anesthesia, recovery, potential risks, expected results, and the cost of surgery. Dr. Hause will explain what you can realistically expect so you can make an informed decision about whether tummy tuck surgery is right for you.
What Happens During Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Tummy tuck surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia. The specific surgical plan depends on the amount and location of excess skin, the condition of the abdominal muscles, areas of unwanted fat, and whether Dr. Hause is performing a full or mini tummy tuck.
For a full tummy tuck, Dr. Hause makes a horizontal incision low on the abdomen, generally positioned so the resulting scar can be concealed beneath underwear or many swimsuit styles. The length of the incision varies depending on how much excess skin needs to be removed.
When needed, weakened or separated abdominal muscles can be tightened, and excess abdominal skin is removed. The remaining skin is repositioned to create a smoother abdominal contour. Liposuction may also be incorporated when appropriate to address localized fat and further refine the surrounding contour.
Dr. Hause will explain the specific techniques planned for your surgery during your consultation, including the expected location and length of incisions and whether muscle repair or liposuction will be part of your procedure.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Full Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck
Both full and mini tummy tuck surgery can improve the appearance of the abdomen, but they are designed to address different concerns. The appropriate approach depends primarily on where excess skin is located, the condition of the abdominal muscles, and how much correction is needed.
Full Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck addresses a larger portion of the abdomen and is generally appropriate when loose or excess skin extends above and below the belly button. The procedure may also include tightening weakened or separated abdominal muscles when needed. Because more tissue is addressed, a full tummy tuck involves a longer incision and a more extensive recovery than a mini tummy tuck.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck focuses primarily on the lower abdomen below the belly button. It may be appropriate for patients with a smaller amount of excess skin or localized contour concerns that do not require the more extensive correction of a full abdominoplasty. The incision is generally shorter, although its length and the exact surgical technique vary from patient to patient.
A mini tummy tuck is not simply a smaller version of the same operation, and it is not the best choice solely because a patient prefers a shorter scar or recovery. Dr. Hause will evaluate the entire abdomen during consultation and recommend the approach most likely to achieve the patient’s goals based on their anatomy.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: What’s the Difference?
Tummy tuck and liposuction can both improve abdominal contour, but they address different concerns. Liposuction is designed primarily to remove localized fat deposits, while tummy tuck surgery can address excess skin and, when needed, weakened or separated abdominal muscles.
Patients who have good skin elasticity and are mainly concerned about stubborn abdominal fat may be better candidates for liposuction. Patients with loose skin, muscle separation, or more significant abdominal laxity may benefit more from a tummy tuck.
In some cases, Dr. Hause may recommend combining tummy tuck surgery with liposuction to improve both skin and fat-related contour concerns. The best approach depends on your anatomy and goals and can be determined during consultation.
Recovering from Tummy Tuck
Recovery after tummy tuck surgery varies by patient and by the extent of the procedure. During the first several days, it is common to experience soreness, bruising, tightness, and post-surgical swelling. These effects generally improve as healing progresses.
Dr. Hause will provide specific instructions regarding incision care, activity restrictions, compression garments, medications, and positioning during the early recovery period. Short, gentle walks are often encouraged when appropriate to support circulation, while strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and other demanding activities should be avoided until you are cleared to resume them.
Follow-up visits allow Dr. Hause to monitor healing, evaluate swelling and incision progress, and answer recovery questions. He will also advise you when it is appropriate to return to work, exercise, and your normal daily routine based on how your recovery is progressing.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Sacramento?
The cost of a tummy tuck in Sacramento varies based on the extent of surgery and the treatment plan developed for each patient. Factors may include whether you need a full or mini tummy tuck, the complexity of the procedure, surgeon and facility fees, anesthesia, and whether additional contouring such as liposuction is incorporated into your surgery.
At Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery, a full tummy tuck generally costs between $9,000 and $11,000. Because every procedure is individualized, your consultation with Dr. Hause is the best way to receive an accurate estimate based on your anatomy and surgical goals.
Patients concerned about the cost of surgery can also ask about available financing options and any current plastic surgery specials that may apply.
Tummy Tuck Financing Options
Financing can make it easier to plan for tummy tuck surgery by allowing eligible patients to spread the cost of treatment over time rather than paying the entire amount at once.
Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery offers financing options through providers such as CareCredit, subject to approval and the terms offered by the financing company. Available plans, monthly payment amounts, interest rates, and promotional terms can vary.
For more information about current payment options, visit our plastic surgery financing page or contact the office to discuss the options available for your treatment plan.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
What is the difference between a full and mini tummy tuck?
A full tummy tuck addresses a larger portion of the abdomen and may include removal of excess skin above and below the belly button as well as tightening of weakened or separated abdominal muscles. A mini tummy tuck focuses mainly on the lower abdomen and is generally appropriate when less correction is needed.
How much does a tummy tuck cost in Sacramento?
At Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery, a full tummy tuck generally costs between $9,000 and $11,000. Final pricing depends on the extent of surgery, facility and anesthesia fees, and whether additional procedures such as liposuction are included.
How long is tummy tuck recovery?
Recovery varies by patient and by the extent of surgery. Soreness, tightness, bruising, and swelling are common during the early recovery period. Dr. Hause will provide individualized instructions and let you know when it is appropriate to return to work, exercise, and normal daily activities.
Can tummy tuck surgery remove stretch marks?
A tummy tuck is not specifically a stretch-mark treatment, but stretch marks located on skin that is removed during surgery may also be removed. Stretch marks outside the excised area will generally remain.
Can tummy tuck and liposuction be performed together?
Yes, tummy tuck and liposuction may be combined in some patients when both excess skin and localized fat contribute to abdominal contour concerns. Dr. Hause can determine whether combining the procedures is appropriate during your consultation.
Will I have a scar after a tummy tuck?
Yes. Tummy tuck surgery requires an incision, so a permanent scar should be expected. Dr. Hause generally places the incision low on the abdomen so it can often be concealed beneath underwear or many swimsuit styles. The final length and appearance of the scar vary by patient and by the amount of correction required.
Schedule a Tummy Tuck Consultation
Ready to learn whether tummy tuck surgery is right for you? Schedule a private consultation with Donald W. Hause, MD, FACS at Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery to discuss your concerns, treatment options, expected recovery, and personalized surgical plan. Call (916) 646-6869 or contact our Sacramento office to get started.
