Body Procedures in the La Jolla Area of San Diego - Contouring Through Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) and Liposuction

Dramatic weight loss, weight gain, and pregnancy can result in drooping skin and stubborn pockets of fat that do not respond to dieting and exercise. Body contouring procedures offered through our La Jolla practice in San Diego, including tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and liposuction, can help tighten areas of loose skin, sculpt areas with excess fat, smooth the figure, and create more ideal body proportions. Read on to learn more about the body contouring procedures performed by Dr. Scott Barttelbort:

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Some people do dozens of abdominal exercises each day, yet still find it impossible to achieve the tight, slender midsection they desire. If you want to improve the appearance of your abdomen and live near La Jolla, in the San Diego area, an abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck," performed by Dr. Scott Barttelbort can help you achieve a smoother, sleeker torso.

Abdominoplasty begins with an incision made along the lower torso, which is hidden below the belt line. Next, Dr. Barttelbort separates the skin from the underlying abdominal muscles, which he then tightens with carefully placed sutures to narrow the waistline and flatten the abdomen. At this point, Dr. Barttelbort may utilize liposuction techniques for removal of additional fat and further skin tightening. During the final stage of tummy tuck, the skin is redraped over the muscles, excess skin is removed, and the incision is stitched closed.

Dr. Barttelbort often performs abdominoplasty in conjunction with a procedure known as circumferential belt lipectomy, which offers additional contouring through the removal of fat and excess skin from the flanks and back. This procedure is ideal for patients who have recently lost a significant amount of weight through gastric bypass surgery or changes in diet and exercise. Many plastic surgeons do not include this procedure as a part of tummy tuck, but Dr. Barttelbort feels that in some cases it is necessary for achieving the best all-around body contour. For your comfort during healing after tummy tuck, Dr. Barttelbort uses advanced pain control methods to control post-operative discomfort. We invite you to view before and after pictures of our San Diego abdominoplasty patients by visiting our cosmetic surgery gallery.

Contact our cosmetic surgery practice located in La Jolla, north of San Diego, for more information about tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or to schedule your body contouring consultation with Dr. Barttelbort.

Liposuction

At our San Diego practice, Dr. Barttelbort performs liposuction for the removal of stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to dieting and exercise. Although not a substitute for weight loss, liposuction is an effective method for reshaping, smoothing and tightening specific areas of the body, including the abdomen, upper thighs, buttocks, arms, neck, and, in men, the upper chest.

The Traditional Liposuction and Power Assisted Liposuction Procedure

Traditional liposuction uses a slender surgical tube, which is inserted through small incisions around the target area to effectively break down fat and remove the cells from the body with suction. In addition to traditional liposuction, Dr. Barttelbort also performs power assisted liposuction. This advanced liposuction method is less potentially harmful than traditional liposuction techniques when used in hard-to-reach areas and areas dense with connective tissue. Power assisted liposuction uses a specialized cannula with a vibrating tip to quickly and safely liquefy fat cells and gently remove them from the body. The power assisted liposuction procedure requires less time than traditional liposuction procedures and results in less post-operative discomfort and a more rapid recovery time. Before and after photos of our San Diego liposuction patients are available for viewing in our plastic surgery gallery.

Contact us at our La Jolla practice serving all of San Diego county for more liposuction and power assisted liposuction information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Barttelbort in La Jolla. He can help you decide whether tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction, or a combination of both will provide you with the best surgical outcome.

Body Lift Procedures

For individuals concerned with a disproportionate figure or drooping skin resulting from pregnancy, dramatic weight loss, or a decline in skin elasticity, Dr. Barttelbort offers a comprehensive range of body lift procedures for achieving a smooth, well-proportioned figure. Read on to learn more about the body lift options we offer at our practice:

Full Body Lift

The full body lift procedure is ideal for individuals who have lost a dramatic amount of weight either through dieting or weight loss surgery. Full body lift involves contouring of the upper and lower body, including the midsection, back, lower-abdomen, buttocks and thighs. During the procedure, Dr. Barttelbort lifts the lower body and tightens the upper abdomen and back, by smoothing skin flaps and removing excess skin and fat. Dr. Barttelbort then uses liposuction techniques to refine contours and provide further skin tightening. Full body lift is an intensive procedure that may not be right for every individual; some patients may be better served through a combination of localized body contouring procedures.

Lower Body Lift

Whereas full-body lift addresses the entire body, lower body lift is focused on enhancing the appearance of the lower abdomen, buttocks, hips and thighs. During the procedure, Dr. Barttelbort lifts the lower body, like a pair of loose fitting pants, and snips away residual skin and fat from the lower abdomen and back. He may then use liposuction techniques to refine the new contours and achieve a more balanced overall figure.

Thigh and Buttocks Lift – Thighplasty

Thighplasty can be performed successfully on individuals of ideal weight and those with larger quantities of excess fat. To accomplish thighplasty, Dr. Barttelbort carefully repositions the buttocks, hips and thighs, creating a tighter, more lifted appearance. Compared to lower body lift, thighplasty targets the buttocks, hips, and thighs, disregarding the lower abdomen and back areas. During thighplasty, more time is dedicated to lifting and refining the buttocks and thighs through liposuction for firm, smooth results.

Arm Lift – Brachioplasty

For patients with drooping underarm skin and fat, Dr. Barttelbort offers arm lift to tighten the upper arm area. Through a discreet incision along the inner portion of the upper arm, Dr. Barttelbort removes fat deposits and excess skin, creating a more slender and toned appearance.

For additional information about any of our body lift and contouring procedures, please contact the office of Dr. Scott Barttelbort today. We would be happy to schedule your consultation or answer any questions that you may have.

Learn more about the cosmetic procedures Dr. Barttelbort offers at his cosmetic surgery practice in San Diego, including facelift, breast lift , breast enlargement and eyelid surgery.

“I would recommend Dr. Barttelbort to any individual that is seeking to have a procedure done...”

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“...Also, not to brag too much, but the results were fabulous!”

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“ Dr. Barttelbort understood exactly what results I was looking for. I couldn’t be more pleased... ”

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