Tummy Tuck Surgery: Complete Guide to Abdominoplasty Recovery and Results

Tummy Tuck Surgery in Upland, CA: Your Complete Guide to Abdominoplasty Recovery and Results

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening the underlying muscles. It's one of the most requested body contouring procedures because it addresses concerns that often resist nonsurgical solutions, including:

• Loose skin removal after pregnancy or weight loss
• Separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti repair)
• Stretched, weakened core structure
• Excess fat deposits in the lower abdomen
• Stretch marks below the navel (in some cases)

The result is a smoother, firmer abdomen with improved core support. Results vary by patient, but many people describe abdominoplasty as a confidence-restoring step toward feeling at home in their body again.

Why Patients Across the Inland Empire Choose Dr. Tyler Frew

• Natural-looking proportions that complement your frame
• Strategic incision placement designed to be concealed by underwear or swimwear
• Muscle plication techniques that restore core integrity
• Comprehensive aftercare to support optimal healing

Are You a Good Candidate for Abdominoplasty?

A great outcome starts with great candidacy. You may be a strong candidate for a tummy tuck if you:

• Are in good overall health and a nonsmoker
• Have stable weight (typically within 10–15 pounds of your goal)
• Have loose abdominal skin, weakened muscles, or both
• Have finished having children (or are not planning future pregnancies soon)

Women considering a mommy makeover tummy tuck often combine abdominoplasty with breast surgery to address multiple pregnancy-related changes in one recovery period. Dr. Frew will evaluate your medical history, skin quality, and goals during your consultation to recommend the most appropriate plan.

Full Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

Not every patient needs the same procedure. The two most common variations include:

Full (Traditional) Abdominoplasty

A full abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdomen, from the upper abdomen down through the pubic area. It typically includes muscle plication above and below the navel, removal of excess skin along the full length of the abdomen, and often a belly button repositioning — making it the right choice for patients with significant skin laxity or muscle separation.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck is a more limited procedure focused on the area below the navel, using a shorter incision and typically addressing muscle laxity in the lower abdomen only. It's often a good fit for patients with more localized concerns who don't need the more extensive muscle repair a full abdominoplasty provides.

Extended Tummy Tuck

For patients with significant skin laxity extending around the flanks — common after major weight loss — an extended abdominoplasty may be appropriate.

What Happens During Surgery

Tummy tuck surgery is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 2–4 hours, depending on the technique. During the procedure, Dr. Frew may:

1. Make a horizontal incision low on the abdomen

2. Repair separated abdominal muscles with internal sutures (muscle plication)

3. Remove excess skin and fat

5. Place small drains to manage post-surgical fluid

6. Close incisions with layered sutures for refined scar care

Liposuction is often combined with abdominoplasty for enhanced body sculpting along the waist and flanks.

The Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline

Understanding the tummy tuck recovery timeline helps you plan time off work, arrange support at home, and set realistic expectations.

Week 1: Rest and Protect

You'll wear a compression garment around the clock, manage drain placement at home (if used), and walk gently to support circulation. Most patients take prescription pain medication for the first several days. Plan for someone to assist you with daily tasks during this stage.

Weeks 2–3: Gradual Return to Light Activity

Many patients return to desk-based work around 2 weeks post-op, depending on healing. Swelling remains noticeable, and you'll continue wearing your compression garment. Drains are typically removed within 1–2 weeks.

Weeks 4–6: Increasing Mobility

Light walking and gentle daily activities become more comfortable. Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and core engagement. Scars begin maturing, and Dr. Frew may introduce silicone-based scar care products.

Weeks 6–12: Return to Exercise

Most patients can resume cardiovascular exercise around 6 weeks and gradually reintroduce core strengthening as cleared. Final contour continues to refine as residual swelling resolves.

Months 6–12: Final Results Emerge

Scars continue to fade and flatten throughout the first year. Many patients see their final abdominal contour around the 6–12 month mark, though results vary by patient.

Scarring, Scar Care, and Long-Term Results

Every tummy tuck leaves a scar, but Dr. Frew places incisions strategically so they're typically concealed by undergarments. Quality scar care can often improve appearance over time:

• Sun protection on the incision for at least 12 months
• Avoiding tension on healing tissue
• Staying hydrated and maintaining good nutrition

Long-term, abdominoplasty results may be durable when paired with stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. Future pregnancies or significant weight fluctuation can affect the contour.

Tummy Tuck Cost in California

Tummy tuck cost varies based on the extent of the procedure — full, mini, or extended — along with anesthesia, facility fees, and whether liposuction or other procedures are combined. Because every surgical plan is customized, Dr. Frew provides transparent, personalized pricing during your consultation, along with financing options through providers like CareCredit and PatientFi to help make your procedure more accessible.

Viewing Abdominoplasty Before and After Results

Seeing real results is one of the best ways to set expectations for your own procedure. Our before-and-after gallery features actual Opus Plastic Surgery patients who have undergone tummy tuck surgery with Dr. Frew, showcasing a range of starting points and goals. Results vary by patient, and viewing a variety of outcomes can help you have a more informed conversation during your consultation.

Why Opus Plastic Surgery?

Patients across San Bernardino County and the wider Inland Empire choose Opus Plastic Surgery because of the practice's commitment to:

• Board-certified surgical expertise with Dr. Tyler Frew (American Board of Plastic Surgery)
• Customized treatment plans rather than one-size-fits-all approaches
• Comprehensive support from consultation through long-term follow-up

FAQ

How long is recovery after a tummy tuck?

Most patients return to desk work around 2 weeks post-op and resume light exercise around 6 weeks. Full recovery — including final contour and scar maturation — typically takes 6 to 12 months. Healing timelines vary by patient and surgical extent.

Am I a good candidate for abdominoplasty?

Ideal candidates are nonsmokers in good health, at a stable weight, with loose abdominal skin or weakened muscles. Women who have completed childbearing and patients who have experienced significant weight loss often benefit most. A consultation with Dr. Frew can help determine if surgery is appropriate for you.

Will a tummy tuck repair my diastasis recti?

Yes — diastasis recti repair is a standard part of most full abdominoplasty procedures. Dr. Frew uses internal sutures to bring separated abdominal muscles back together, which can often improve core strength and create a flatter contour. Results vary based on the degree of separation and individual healing.

How much does a tummy tuck cost in Upland, CA?

Pricing depends on whether the procedure is a full, mini, or extended abdominoplasty, as well as whether liposuction or other procedures are combined. You'll receive a personalized quote during your consultation, along with financing options to support your decision.

When can I return to exercise after surgery?

Light walking is encouraged within days of surgery to support circulation. Most patients can resume cardiovascular activity around 6 weeks post-op and gradually reintroduce core strengthening as cleared by Dr. Frew. Returning too quickly may compromise healing and final results.

What is the difference between a mini and full tummy tuck?

A full (traditional) tummy tuck addresses the entire abdomen — tightening muscles above and below the navel, removing excess skin along the full length of the abdomen, and often relocating the belly button. A mini tummy tuck is more limited: it targets loose skin and muscle laxity below the navel only, using a shorter incision. Dr. Frew recommends the right approach based on your skin laxity, muscle separation, and goals.

Risks & Considerations

Major Complications

CosmetAssure database data on 25,478 abdominoplasties found a major complication rate of 4.0% — nearly three times the rate of other aesthetic procedures (1.4%). Among major complications, hematoma accounted for 31.5%, infection 27.2%, and venous thromboembolism 20.2%.

Overall Complications

NSQIP data on 2,946 patients found a 19.5% general complication rate, including wound complications (9.5%), pulmonary complications (2.3%), and thromboembolic events (1.2%).

Venous Thromboembolism — the Leading Serious Risk

VTE is the most dangerous complication of abdominoplasty. A pooled analysis of 1,596 patients found VTE incidence of 0.56%. Fascial plication (muscle repair) is an independent risk factor for VTE (odds ratio 16.76) in a separate 1,370-patient series. Cosmetic abdominoplasty carries more than four times the pulmonary embolism risk of functional panniculectomy, and most PE events occur after hospital discharge.

Chemoprophylaxis Is Not a Settled Question

Systematic reviews have found chemoprophylaxis is not associated with a significant reduction in VTE, while hematoma risk increases substantially (4.7% vs 0.6% in one 24-study, 9,502-patient review).

Reoperation

The 30-day NSQIP reoperation rate is 5.0%. Longer-term aesthetic revision rates run considerably higher — one 278-patient series found 24% — though these are mostly minor refinements rather than major complications.

Risk Factors

Obesity/higher BMI, smoking, male sex, older age, diabetes, combining additional procedures, and longer operative time all increase risk.

References

• Winocour J, Gupta V, Ramirez JR, Shack RB, Grotting JC, Higdon KK. "Abdominoplasty: Risk Factors, Complication Rates, and Safety of Combined Procedures." Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2015.
• Massenburg BB, Sanati-Mehrizy P, Jablonka EM, Taub PJ. "Risk Factors for Readmission and Adverse Outcomes in Abdominoplasty." Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2015.
• Perzia BM, Marquez J, Mellia JA, Jou C, Othman S, Basta MN, Fischer JP, Labropoulos N, Khan S. "Venous Thromboembolism and Bleeding Events With Chemoprophylaxis in Abdominoplasty: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of 1596 Patients." Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2021.
• Restifo RJ. "An In-Depth Analysis of 1370 Consecutive Abdominoplasties: Fascial Plication Increases Risk of Venous Thromboembolism, and Scoring for Plication Improves the Caprini Risk Assessment Model." Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2024.
• Kalmar CL, Thayer WP, Kassis S, Higdon KK, Perdikis G. "Pulmonary Embolism Risk After Cosmetic Abdominoplasty and Functional Panniculectomy." Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2022.
• Swanson E. "A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Venous Thromboembolism Prevention Protocols in Abdominoplasty Patients and the Risk of Bleeding." Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2026.
• Stewart KJ, Stewart DA, Coghlan B, Harrison DH, Jones BM, Waterhouse N. "Complications of 278 Consecutive Abdominoplasties." Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 2006.