Restore a firmer, smoother abdominal contour with a tummy tuck tailored to your anatomy. Dr. David Morwood, our board-certified plastic surgeon, uses a custom-designed approach to treat loose skin, extra fat, and stretched muscular fascia. During your consultation, you learn which abdominal contouring method best fits your goals.
Before & After Tummy Tuck
*Actual Patient Disclaimer: there is no guarantee of specific results and the results can vary.
In Dr. Morwood's Words:
Abdominoplasties or “tummy tucks” come in all different varieties. The open approach involves making a long incision to remove large blocks of skin and fat…. The closed approach essentially is liposuction which requires only a very small incision.
David T. Morwood, MD, FACS
The Truth About Plastic Surgery: An Educational Guide for the Consumer
This Procedure Treats:
- Loose, excess abdominal skin following pregnancy or significant weight loss
- Rectus abdominis muscle separation (diastasis recti) causing abdominal bulging
- Stubborn lower abdominal fat unresponsive to diet and exercise
- Stretch marks located on the lower abdominal skin panel
- Lack of abdominal definition and a protruding lower abdomen
Restore a Tighter, Flatter Abdominal Profile
A tummy tuck, medically known as abdominoplasty, is an open approach to abdominal contouring that improves the contour of your abdomen. Dr. Morwood removes large blocks of excess skin and fat, then tightens the underlying muscular fascia when needed. The abdominal flap is undermined, re-draped, advanced, and secured to create a smoother, firmer contour. In many cases, liposuction is also performed at the same time to further mold and tailor the results. Every abdominoplasty is custom-designed based on your anatomy, skin quality, and specific aesthetic goals.
Tummy Tuck Treats:
- Excess or loose abdominal skin that does not retract
- Redundant skin and fat forming a pannus (“abdominal apron”)
- Stretched or weakened muscular fascia (rectus diastasis)
- Abdominal protrusion due to fascial laxity
- Residual fat deposits of the abdomen and flanks (with liposuction)
- Loss of abdominal contour following pregnancy or weight changes
- Skin laxity with decreased elasticity and resilience
- Irregular abdominal contour and lack of waist definition
- Stretch-related changes that cannot be corrected with exercise
- Contour concerns after multiple abdominal procedures or scarring
Types of Tummy Tuck Offered by Dr. Morwood
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck involves a short horizontal incision just above the suprapubic area. With this limited approach, Dr. Morwood removes a smaller elliptical area of skin and fat, advances the lower abdominal tissue, and performs layered closure. When indicated, the muscular fascia below the umbilicus may be tightened to improve contour with a shorter scar.
Short Scar Tummy Tuck
A short scar tummy tuck uses a limited incision to access the lower abdomen while avoiding a full-length hip-to-hip incision. This approach allows removal of modest excess skin and fat and may include selective tightening of the muscular fascia. It is performed for patients with less skin redundancy, resulting in a firmer contour and reduced scar length.
Standard Tummy Tuck
A standard tummy tuck involves an incision extending from one anterior iliac crest (front part of your hip bones) to the other, along with a circular incision around the umbilicus (belly button). The abdominal flap is undermined up to the ribs, then re-draped, advanced, and tightened. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the muscular fascia is often repaired.
360° Tummy Tuck
A 360° tummy tuck, or belt lipectomy, involves a circumferential incision around the trunk. This technique allows elevation and recontouring of the abdomen, waist, flanks, and buttocks. Large amounts of excess skin and fat can be removed, and the silhouette is reshaped globally, often following massive weight loss or significant skin laxity.
What to Expect From a Tummy Tuck With Dr. Morwood
During your consultation with Dr. Morwood, a complete medical and surgical history is obtained, followed by a detailed physical examination of your abdomen. You describe, in your own words, what you want to change while looking in a mirror. Dr. Morwood evaluates the three key layers (skin, fat, and muscular fascia) and considers factors like prior pregnancies, weight changes, and skin resilience. Based on this, he develops a custom-designed plan.
During tummy tuck, the procedure begins with a carefully placed incision across the lower abdomen, often from hip to hip, and an incision around the umbilicus. The abdominal flap is surgically undermined, separating the skin and fat from the underlying muscular fascia. The fascia is then tightened using strong sutures when stretched. The flap is re-draped, excess skin and fat are excised, and the umbilicus is brought through a new opening. In some cases, liposuction (closed technique) is performed to suction excess fat and refine contours.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
How Do I Know if I Need a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?
This depends on whether your concern is excess fat, loose skin, or stretched muscular fascia. Liposuction, the closed approach, removes excess fat through small incisions but does not remove skin or tighten fascia. If you have loose skin or a protruding abdomen due to rectus diastasis, an open approach (abdominoplasty) is often required.
Can Exercise Fix My Abdominal Contour After Pregnancy?
Exercise can strengthen your abdominal muscles, but it cannot repair your stretched skin or loosened muscular fascia. Once the collagen bonds are broken, as seen with stretch marks or rectus diastasis, they do not return to their original integrity. In these cases, surgical repair of the fascia and removal of excess skin may be necessary.
Will I Have a Visible Scar After a Tummy Tuck?
Yes, the open approach requires an incision, and the length of the scar depends on how much skin must be removed. A mini tummy tuck results in a shorter scar, while a standard or extended abdominoplasty requires a longer incision. These scars are permanent but gradually fade over time, and they are typically placed low on the abdomen, where they can be easily concealed.
Can Liposuction Be Combined With a Tummy Tuck?
Yes, many patients undergo a hybrid approach that combines the open and closed techniques. Liposuction may be used to remove additional fat and refine contour in areas such as the flanks or upper abdomen, while the open approach addresses loose skin and muscular fascia.
Have More Questions?
Learn More About Tummy Tuck In The Truth About Plastic Surgery: An Educational Guide for the Consumer
If you want a deeper understanding of abdominal contouring, Dr. Morwood explains tummy tuck in clear, detailed terms in his book The Truth About Plastic Surgery: An Educational Guide for the Consumer. You learn about the open and closed approaches, the role of skin, fat, and muscular fascia, and how a custom-designed approach is developed based on your unique anatomy and goals.
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Refine Your Silhouette With a Tummy Tuck in Monterey
Dr. David Morwood is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over three decades of experience and fellowship training in microsurgery. During your consultation, he takes a complete medical history, performs a detailed examination of your abdomen, and listens carefully as you describe your goals. He evaluates your skin, fat, and muscular fascia to recommend the most appropriate plan. Schedule your private consultation today for a tummy tuck in Monterey.
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