Gabbay Plastic Surgery - Beverly Hills

A: The cost of liposculpture can vary significantly based on what needs to be done, your geography and so many other factors. Different options, including traditional liposuction, more advanced liposculpture techniques and energy-based skin tightening modalities such as J plasma / renuvion, bodytight, vaser, etc. may be needed to give you the best results.

What is the single most important factor, though, is the experience of your surgeon. Liposculpture is important to do right the first time and can cause serious complications or poor results if not done properly. In inexperienced hands, I have had to fix patients treated by other doctors who had significant contour problems, lumpy bumpy appearances, scarring and even total tissue loss. These are very difficult to fix and can be very visible.

It is so incredibly important that you seek a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has significant experience in this procedure. I did not forget to answer the question! Cost certainly is a concern, but really must come as a secondary consideration after finding the right surgeon. I can't emphasize it enough!

I wish you the best,

Dr. Gabbay

A: Bottom line: pretty much the same thing! But there are many details that should be considered.

At the end of the day, there are many procedures with different names that are ultimately represent same thing: a thin metal tube goes under your skin and sucks out the fat.  Titles like liposuction, liposculpture and a whole host of other customized names can be a purely marketing driven decision to distinguish one doctor from others. There are some nuances, though. Some treatments will utilize other additional treatments as well as the pure liposuction aspect. Many will use energy devices to help tighten the skin.

 You are going to hear this over and over again, though: at the end of the day, it is the skill of the surgeon who is performing the procedure. The devices they use are secondary to their experience and ability to deliver great results. The most important thing you should seek is proof of a surgeons great work. Look at photos, look at reviews, ask them questions!

Important in that verification process is ensuring that their certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

I wish you the best,

Dr. Gabbay

A: The cost of liposculpture to the arms can vary significantly based on what needs to be done, your geography and so many other factors. Different options, including traditional liposuction, more advanced liposculpture techniques and energy-based skin tightening modalities such as J plasma / renuvion, bodytight, vaser, etc. may be needed to give you the best results.

What is the single most important factor, though, is the experience of your surgeon. The arms are a very tricky area and can suffer serious complications or poor results if not done properly. In inexperienced hands, I have seen significant contour problems, lumpy bumpy appearances, scarring and even total tissue loss. These are very difficult to fix and very, very visible on the arms.

It is so incredibly important that you seek a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has significant experience in this procedure. I did not forget to answer the question! Cost certainly is a concern, but really must come as a secondary consideration after finding the right surgeon. I can't emphasize it enough!

I wish you the best,

Dr. Gabbay

A: Swelling is normal after any surgical procedure, and certainly after a tummy tuck. There are many factors that cause the swelling: natural response to the tissue after surgery, a change in how the body manages its fluids, bloating from medication, etc. The good thing is, it is all temporary!

Swelling typically lasts for a few weeks to months. I tell my patients that about 90% of the swelling is gone after three months, but it could take a full year to fully get back to your new normal.

Different factors like having had liposuction with the procedure or other procedures at the same time may affect how your swelling progresses. The good news is, there are several things that can be done to help swelling after a tummy tuck: a short course of steroids, using Arnica, special massages and many, many more little tricks.

 It is very important to choose a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of plastic surgery and has extensive experience with tummy tucks to ensure that you get the best results.

I wish you the best,

Dr. Gabbay.

A: One of the most exciting things about the the many surgical advances over the last 10 – 20 years is how the recovery from a tummy tuck has improved!

Traditionally, it was a difficult and long recovery. Now with such techniques as the drainless tummy tuck and use of long-acting pain medications, the recovery is much, much quicker and more comfortable. My patients typically have a recovery that allows them to get back to work in as little as  1 to 2 weeks after their operation. With the use of the drainless tummy tuck, their pain is less, they are able to stand fully upright almost immediately after the operation and the results are simply much, much better. We use a medication called Exparel that gives about three days of pain relief immediately after the operation. Traditionally, that was the toughest time, but now it is a non-issue!

Certainly, the most important factor to consider in choosing a surgeon for your tummy tuck is that they are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and have significant experience with this procedure.

I wish you the best,


Dr. Gabbay.