Abdominoplasty in Santa Monica by Dr. Karamanoukian
Tummy Tuck
An abdominoplasty refers to a cosmetic surgery procedure that is used to tighten excess skin on the abdomen after weight loss or pregnancy. There are different techniques used in abdominoplasty surgery and these are distinguished as either a tummy tuck or a mini-tummy tuck. To determine which procedure is right for you, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian can evaluate your abdomen to determine the amount of skin redundancy, muscle laxity, abdominal diastasis, presence of stretch marks, and umbilical laxity. Once these aspects of your torso are evaluated, a decision can be made as to whether you require a full abdominoplasty or a mini-abdominoplasty.
A full abdominoplasty is ideal for patients who have excess skin, stretch marks, looseness of the umbilical skin, and laxity of the abdominal muscle fascia. During the procedure, excess skin is removed from the lower abdomen, the umbilicus is repositioned, and the abdominal muscle wall is strengthened with sutures. In most cases, a drain is placed within the incision line in order to evacuate any excess fluid accumulation after surgery. Recovery after a full abdominoplasty may take several weeks.
A mini-abdominoplasty is ideal for patients who have a small amount of excess skin below the belly button. It is an excellent procedure for women who have had a C-section and have extra skin immediately above the incision line. During a mini-abdominoplasty, excess skin is removed and the lower abdominal muscle wall is tightened to recontour the waistline. A drain is often required after a mini-tummy tuck, but recovery is significantly shorter than a full tummy tuck.
Mini Tummy Tuck
There are many different variations of mini tummy tucks that are performed by Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian in his Los Angeles plastic surgery practice. A mini tummy tuck is a smaller version of a full tummy tuck and is used primarily for those women who have excessive skin and stretch marks below the belly button after childbirth. Unlike a traditional tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck has a much smaller incision and significantly less downtime. Variations include correction of a C-section scar, umbilicoplasty, umbilical hernia repair, diastasis repair, and laser stretch mark removal.
Choosing between a traditional tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck is based on a biometric algorithm that addresses the severity of the stretch marks, loose skin, and excessive fat in the lower part of the abdomen. Rest assured that Dr. Karamanoukian will carefully evaluate the biometric elements of your torso to determine if you are a candidate for a traditional tummy tuck or a shorter mini tummy tuck during your consultation.
Our plastic surgery office is dedicated to the highest level of expertise and professionalism and can help guide you through the pre-surgical, surgical, and post surgical phases of plastic surgery. Contact our office to schedule a consultation for tummy tuck surgery in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica.
Panniculectomy
After significant weight loss, many individuals are left with excess, hanging skin around the lower abdomen known as a pannus. A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure designed to remove this overhanging skin and tissue, helping patients improve comfort, hygiene, and mobility. Unlike a tummy tuck, a panniculectomy focuses on removing excess skin rather than tightening abdominal muscles or reshaping the waistline.
Massive weight loss from bariatric surgery or lifestyle changes can leave skin that no longer retracts due to reduced elasticity. This excess tissue may cause skin irritation, rashes, infections, back pain, and difficulty with physical activity. By removing the pannus, a panniculectomy can significantly improve daily function and overall quality of life.
The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, and recovery times vary depending on the amount of tissue removed and individual healing factors. Ideal candidates are those at a stable weight and in good overall health. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can help determine whether panniculectomy is the right next step after weight loss.
Umbilical Hernia Repair with Small-Incision in Santa Monica
Umbilical hernia repair can restore comfort and abdominal strength while preserving a natural appearance. In Santa Monica, Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian emphasizes minimal-scar surgical techniques designed to discreetly correct hernias with exceptional cosmetic care. Whenever possible, he utilizes existing C-section scars or carefully concealed belly button incisions to avoid creating new visible marks. This refined approach not only repairs the hernia securely but also maintains the aesthetic integrity of the abdomen. By combining surgical precision with an artistic eye, Dr. Karamanoukian delivers safe, effective umbilical hernia repair results that prioritize both function and appearance.
Diastasis Recti and Ventral Hernia Repair in Santa Monica
Diastasis recti repair and ventral hernia surgery require both structural precision and aesthetic expertise. In Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian offers advanced treatment focused on small-incision techniques and meticulous 3-D multilayered plication. This comprehensive approach restores core strength by carefully repairing and reinforcing separated abdominal muscles while securely addressing hernia defects. By tightening the abdominal wall in multiple layers, Dr. Karamanoukian enhances durability, contour, and long-term stability. Whenever possible, incisions are minimized and strategically placed to reduce visible scarring. The result is improved abdominal function, a flatter contour, and natural-looking outcomes that reflect both surgical excellence and refined aesthetic judgment.
Body Sculpting Options
There are many surgical procedures that are commonly performed in patients requesting a tummy tuck, including a Brazilian Butt Lift, liposuction, mini-tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and breast lift. Non-surgical procedures performed with a tummy tuck include the Brazilian Cellulite Treatment, stretch mark removal, skin tightening, Ultherapy, and Coolsculpting.
Stretch Marks Laser
Women of childbearing age may have excessive stretch marks in the lower abdomen and around the belly button. Although tummy tucks can remove some of the stretch marks, the procedure can do very little for stretch marks that are visible above the belly button. At Kare Plastic Surgery + Skin Health Center in Los Angeles, we offer two distinct fractional laser treatments to help improve stretch marks.
The Clear + Brilliant laser and Fractional CO2 laser are both effective in eliminating stretch mark visibility by stimulating collagen contraction and growth. Dermal integrity is an important defining characteristic that will dictate the type of laser used for stretch marks and the number of sessions required.
According to medical literature presented by the Mayo Clinic, retinoids are an essential component of stretch mark treatments.