A: Ideal Orange County tummy tuck patients are physically healthy and at or near their desired weight. Candidates should have maintained a stable weight for several months prior to the procedure. They should also be in good health or any medical condition should be well controlled.

A: Tummy tuck surgery will remove stretch marks from the lower abdomen if they are located on the skin that is removed during surgery.

A: The recovery for a mini tummy tuck is faster than the other methods because it is less invasive and does not require general anesthesia. With the standard and extended tummy tuck, drains are placed under the skin to help remove any excess fluid and are removed about 7 to 10 days after surgery. Patients should avoid physical activity and exercise for six weeks, after which point they may gradually resume exercise. However, exercises involving the abdominal muscles are not encouraged until the muscles have fully healed.

The results of tummy tuck surgery are generally permanent and can be maintained by following a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Significant weight gain or subsequent pregnancy will negatively affect the results.

A: The total cost of tummy tuck surgery will depend on a variety of factors, including the technique used, anesthesia fees, facility fees, prescriptions, and the surgeon’s fee. According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average surgeon fee for tummy tuck surgery was $5,493 in 2014.