Tummy Tuck, Mini-Tummy Tuck
In this section of our website I will discuss one of the
most common and most rewarding cosmetic surgery procedures done in
the world. I will try to answer the most common questions I
hear from patients and offer my opinion of how to combine a
tummy tuck with other procedures to get the most out of your
surgery.
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes loose
skin and fat from the lower abdomen. I usually try to make
the incision 5 cm above the clitoris so that it is concealed
with most bathing suits. Sometimes I will make the incision
along a naturally occurring skin fold for better cosmetic
results. The incision goes down to the fascia but does not
enter the abdominal cavity,making this a very safe
procedure. The skin is then carefully lifted off the abdomen
up to the rib cage. I then place sutures to tighten the
rectus muscles to give a tighter hourglass look. Once I wash
the area with antibiotic solution, I pull the skin down and
remove the excess skin. Care is taken to make the incision
long enough to remove all redundant skin so there are no
folds or "dog ears" on the sides of the abdomen. I than
reshape the bellybutton and close the skin in layers for
maximum support and for minimizing the scar. The incision is
covered with a sterile bandage
and after about one hour, the patient is sent home with family to
begin the recovery process. Patients can start eating right
away and are encouraged to walk and stay hydrated. I see
patients the next day to check the incision and make sure
they understand post op care instructions. Patients are
given our cell phone numbers to call 24 hours a day. We
encourage our patients from Phoenix, California, Mexico or other
areas to stay in one of the many hotels in the area for at
least one night. Out of town patients having a tummy tuck receive a complimentary two night stay in a nearby hotel.
What kind of anesthesia is used?
We offer an epidural for pain control or intravenous
sedation with a local pain block that works very well.
Patients can listen to music during the surgery and ask
questions if they want or can be sedated and sleep through
the procedure. The fact that patients are awake reduces deep
vein thrombosis risk and aspiration risks. Patients are sent
home with pain pills, nausea pills and antibiotics.
Is this procedure safe?
I consider the tummy tuck procedure to be very safe. I personally prescreen all patients for health issues such as tobacco use, heart and hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, asthma and bleeding disorders. We only operate on healthy patients and for this reason have never had problems with any surgeries performed in our center. During the surgery all patients are on a EKG monitor, oxygen/C02 and pulse monitor and all patients have leg compression devises to reduce clot risk. All patients are started on an antibiotic before surgery. All patients are seen the next day to asses their recovery.
How much does the procedure cost?
A tummy tuck can cost from $3500.00 for a mini tummy tuck to
over $10,000.00 on heavier patients with the most common price
being $5500-7800 dollars. The price can very if other
procedures are planned at the same time and payment plans are
offered on an individual bases. Click here to view all of our prices.
What other procedures are usually combined with the tummy tuck?
I usually will perform some level of lipo sculpture before
the tummy tuck. The flanks or "love handles" are the most
common area because this gives a much better waste line and
allows me to pull the skin down more for a flatter result.
Love handle lipo also makes the buttocks look better by
reducing the hip fat. We often can use this fat for other
areas of the body. I will often perform back lipo as well to
give a more feminine thinner back instead of the broad back
associated with upper back fat.
Breast augmentation can also be combined with a tummy tuck
for the "mommy makeover" package.
Where can you put fat from a liposuction?
The Brazilian Butt Lift is the process of taking fat and
putting it in your gluteus area to give a more aesthetically
pleasing butt. Each patient is analyzed and I determine the
best way to achieve what he/she wants. Fat that is
transferred has a very high live rate. Patients are
sore for a few days but can return to work in a week. This is
one of my favorite procedures because the results are
immediate.
I can also place fat in the breast for a natural breast
augmentation. This is ideal for patients that want a modest
increase in size or have areas that need to be filled in.
Placing fat in the hands can rejuvenate the hands by
covering veins and tendons that show as we age. One of the
first areas people see when you shake hands is the back of
your hands, this is a very rewarding procedure for those
that are self conscious of aged hands.
Fat transfer to the face is also popular because we place
fat along the cheek bones for a more youthful look as well
as in the lips. Fat transfer to the face raises the
cheekbones and reduces lines, very popular.
Does the tummy tuck help other areas look better?
Definitely!! A proper tummy tuck should tighten all the
front abdomen and reduce the loose skin on the upper thigh.
As mentioned above, when combined with other procedures, the
whole waist, buttocks and back can be completely
re-sculpted. All patients will need a different wardrobe when
healed because of the change in body contour.
Does a tummy tuck reduce stretch marks?
Yes. By removing the skin on the lower abdomen, the
majority if not all of the stretch marks are removed. Most
women have dense marks below the belly button, so this
procedure is very effective. This can be ruined with another
pregnancy because the skin has to stretch so we counsel all
patients about childbearing desires before surgery.
If I just had my last baby, when can I have my tummy tuck?
For my patients I recommend waiting at least two to three
months to let your body recover and to loose a lot of the
fat put on with pregnancy. Also important is to let your
mind recover after those first exhausting sleepless nights
of the first three months so you can think clearly and see
how beautiful you really are so you can approach your
surgery with a positive attitude instead of cloud of post
partum blues or depression.
I have been operating on women and men for over fourteen
years and perform hundreds of procedures each year. I have
an artists eye for aesthetic detail and an excellent safety
record. We believe that an educated patient is a happy
patient. Come in for a consultation and I can give you my opinion
of what I think would look best on you balanced with most
importantly, what you want. Many of our out of town patients send
us a video or text for a general quote. I go to Scottsdale once a
month for post operative visits and consultations. I look
forward to talking with you, and thank you for your time.
Dr. Marco Saucedo,M.D.,F.A.C.O.G.



VASER lipo, Brazilian Butt Lift and tummy tuck.
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34 year old hispanic woman after 4 children, before and after lipo of abdomen flanks, |
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Before and after photos of a 29 year old women from Phoenix, AZ after 5 children, lipo tummy tuck. Challenge was multiple stretch marks and loose skin. |
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6 months after tummy tuck photo. |
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Before and after photos of a 30 year old woman from Tucson, Arizona |
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Before and after photos of a 28 year old woman from Yuma, Arizona. Patient has had 3 children and these images show before and after a minimum abdomen flank lipo and tummy tuck. The lines you see on the patients skin in the after photos are from her compression garment clothing. |
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49 year old Hispanic female, four children, before and after photos of abdomen flank lipo and tummy tuck. |
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Before and after photos of a 28 year old women from Tucson, Arizona after 3 children. Brazilian butt lift, with Tummy Tuck 6 months later. Slight weight gain prior to taking the after photos. |
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Before and after photos of a tummy tuck with vertical extension, abdominal lipo, 90lb weight loss and Brazilian butt lift. The vertical extension allows removal of mid abdomen laxity or access skin after weight loss. This creates more of a waist line curve than can be achieved by traditional tummy tuck. |
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Before and after photos of a 45 year old women from Phoenix, Arizona - abdomen flank vaser lipo, upper gluteal shaping and tummy tuck. Also 375ml Alergan Gel Implants. |
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Before and after photos of a 42 year old women from Scottsdale, AZ - abdomen, love handle VASER lipo, tummy tuck and Brazilian butt lift. |
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Before and after photos of a 56 year old women from Phoenix Arizona |
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Before and after photos of a 48 year old women from Phoenix, AZ after 3 children. Sub fascial 375ml allergen gel breast implants after vaser lipo of love handles and abdomen with fat injections to butt (butt lift) and lipo of side thigh (saddlebags). Challenges were height of 5.5”, 150 lbs, umbilical hernia, slight breast asymmetry. |

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36 year old Phoenix, AZ women after lipo and tummy tuck - 8 months post |
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Before and after photos of a 42 year old women from Nogales, Arizona with abdominal and love handle vaser lipo, tummy tuck and side thigh “saddle bag” vaser lipo. ![]() |
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38 year old Hispanic female |
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35 year old women from Phoenix, AZ post lipo tummy tuck and breast lift. |
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55 year old Phoenix women post lipo tummy tuck. |
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42 year old female from Phoenix massive weight loss over 100lbs and 6 children |