Restoring the abdomen. Beyond what exercise can do.
Abdominoplasty — the tummy tuck — is a surgical procedure that addresses what diet and exercise cannot: loose skin that will not retract, and separation of the abdominal wall muscles (diastasis recti) that changes the profile of the belly regardless of core strength. For most patients, this is either a post-partum reality or a post-weight-loss one. Neither responds to the gym alone.
At NCSS, six of our affiliated surgeons perform tummy tuck as part of their body-contouring practice. Dr. Hendricks — recognized regionally for refined body work — anchors the category, with Drs. Toohey, Bernett, Nichter, Andre, and Castaldo each offering their own version. For post-partum patients seeking combined body-and-breast restoration, this procedure is the central component of a mommy makeover.
Tummy tuck is one of the categories where NCSS's operating environment matters most. Combined body procedures (tummy tuck plus liposuction, or full mommy makeover) often run four to six hours. Every case at NCSS is under physician anesthesia, and Dr. Denise Scott (board-certified endocrinologist, our medical director's wife) is on call for our surgical patients — particularly relevant for the diabetic and post-weight-loss patients this procedure often serves.
Who this procedure is designed for.
Tummy tuck is appropriate for patients with excess abdominal skin, diastasis recti, or post-partum or post-weight-loss changes that do not respond to diet and exercise.
Loose abdominal skin that will not retract
Whether from post-partum stretching, significant weight loss, or age — the skin has lost its elastic recoil.
Diastasis recti (abdominal wall separation)
The rectus abdominis muscles have separated in the midline. This is common after pregnancy and does not correct with core exercises alone.
Stable weight within 10–15 pounds of your goal
Weight gain after surgery stretches the repaired abdomen; weight loss reduces the aesthetic result. Timing matters.
Complete with childbearing
Future pregnancies will stretch the abdominal repair. Most surgeons recommend completing your family before tummy tuck.
Smoking status matters — and approach varies by surgeon
Every surgeon at NCSS strongly recommends smoking cessation for at least 4–6 weeks pre-operatively. Smoking significantly impairs healing at the tummy tuck incision and substantially increases complication risk. Some of our surgeons, Dr. Nichter among them, will not perform surgery on patients who continue to smoke. Others will proceed with candid discussion of the elevated risks.
Realistic understanding of scope
Tummy tuck is major surgery with weeks of restricted activity. The result is transformative, but the recovery is real.
Every scheduled surgical patient is offered a free Rest-Assure pre-operative consultation with Dr. Rand Scott personally — medical history, medication planning, and discharge coordination before surgery day.
Three stages, one procedure.
Tummy tuck is performed in several variants depending on the specific presentation. The key technical decisions:
Full vs. mini vs. extended
Full addresses the entire abdomen; mini addresses only the area below the navel (limited candidacy); extended continues around the flanks for patients with post-weight-loss skin excess.
Muscle repair (plication)
The separated rectus muscles are surgically re-approximated in the midline — the 'internal corset' that produces the flatter, tighter core.
Umbilical relocation
Because skin is removed, the navel is detached from the skin and re-inset through a new opening at its native anatomic position.
Concurrent liposuction
Very commonly combined for refined contouring of the flanks and hips. The combination is standard in most tummy tuck cases.
Drain use varies by surgeon
Some of our affiliated surgeons place surgical drains routinely; others favor a drainless (progressive tension suture) technique. Neither approach is universally correct — discuss your surgeon's preference during consultation. When drains are used, they remain in place until daily output diminishes below a specific threshold, not on a fixed schedule.
Because tummy tuck combined with liposuction can run four to six hours, this is one of the procedures where physician anesthesia matters most. Every case at NCSS is under physician anesthesia — no CRNAs — with endocrinology on call.
Two sites. One recovery.
Tummy tuck recovery is more significant than most cosmetic procedures. Being honest about this up front is part of the consultation.
Discharged the day of surgery to a caregiver-supervised recovery setting. Compression garment worn continuously. Drains in place. Walking in a slightly-bent posture is expected and normal — do not try to stand straight yet.
If your surgeon uses drains, they remain in place until daily output diminishes to a specific threshold — this may take one to three weeks, patient-dependent. No showering until drains come out. Sponge baths only until then. Most patients need help with basic tasks. Compression garment continues. No lifting anything heavier than a coffee cup.
Progressive return to normal activity. Patients able to stand fully upright. Return to desk work at 2–3 weeks depending on job demands.
Increasing exercise, initially walking and light activity. No core-focused exercise yet.
Return to full exercise, including core work, once your surgeon confirms complete healing.
Final swelling resolves and the incision continues to fade. The abdomen finalizes its shape.
Results are durable with stable weight. Future pregnancy will stretch the repair; significant weight fluctuation will alter the result.
Every Tummy Tuck patient at NCSS is covered by our Rest-Assure program: physician anesthesia on the day of surgery, one nurse from arrival through discharge, and post-operative direct access to your surgeon — not an answering service.
Six surgeons. Body-contouring expertise.
Tummy tuck is performed by six of our affiliated surgeons — a range of training backgrounds, career stages, and perspectives on body contouring.
Dr. Toohey
Mommy Makeover · BodyAll-UC training; three decades of body work; tummy tuck and mommy makeover expertise.
View surgeon →Dr. Hendricks
Body Contouring · Whisper RuleTriple-boarded; recognized regionally for refined body work; Renuvion leader.
View surgeon →Dr. Bernett
Female Surgeon · Full ContinuumUC Irvine trained; female surgeon offering full body-contouring continuum; in our building.
View surgeon →Dr. Nichter
Body · Pacific CenterFour decades in Newport Beach; tummy tuck as part of a full aesthetic practice.
View surgeon →Dr. Andre
New Generation · BodyCoast-to-coast training; modern approach to tummy tuck and mommy makeover.
View surgeon →Dr. Castaldo
Female Surgeon · New GenerationUMASS trained; award-winning research background; body work grounded in surgical safety.
View surgeon →The right starting point is a conversation.
Every consultation at NCSS begins with time — time to understand your goals, your health history, and which of our affiliated surgeons is the right fit for your specific situation.
Call (949) 644-8182Monday–Thursday, 8am–3pm · Friday by appointment only.
Related procedures.
Mommy Makeover
Combined tummy tuck with breast surgery — the comprehensive post-partum restoration.
Learn more →Liposuction
Fat contouring alone — the option when skin quality is good and abdominal wall is intact.
Learn more →Pubic Lift
Refinement of the mons pubis — most often incorporated into the tummy tuck with a seamless combined incision.
Learn more →