How Can I Get Rid of My Belly Pooch?

Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or simply the effects of aging can leave behind a “pooch” of excess skin and fatty tissue in the abdomen. Despite living a healthy, active lifestyle, many patients find that this shelf of excess tissue is resistant to exercise, dieting, and other efforts to tone and tighten the belly. This aesthetic concern is not uncommon, but Santa Barbara plastic surgeon Wesley Schooler, MD understands how unflattering contours in the abdomen can negatively impact a patient’s confidence, self-esteem, and body image. Fortunately, stubborn regions of fat buildup and skin laxity don’t have to last forever. 

After having children and/or weight loss, a tummy tuck is often considered the most effective, long-lasting solution to improve the tone and texture of the abdomen. Often called abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck addresses excess skin, fat accumulation, and separated internal musculature to achieve a leaner, slimmer, and more sculpted look — effectively smoothing a belly pooch. Before-and-after photos of previous patients’ tummy tuck results can help highlight the transformative power of the procedure. 

While a tummy tuck is by far the most beneficial treatment to reduce a belly pooch, other non-surgical services may still be able to provide improvement. If you’d rather avoid surgery, Dr. Schooler also offers BodyTite^®, a minimally invasive skin tightening technology, to recontour the abdomen via radiofrequency (RF) energy-assisted fat removal. Through a process known as Radio-Frequency Assisted Lipolysis (RFAL), BodyTite^® can help remove excess fat while simultaneously tightening loose skin. Following a discussion of your overall goals, Dr. Schooler can recommend an ideal treatment plan to resculpt your abdomen. 

Dr. Wesley Schooler offers a range of body contouring solutions tailored for your unique needs at Santa Barbara Plastic Surgery. Don’t hesitate to contact our team today for more information about a tummy tuck, or to book a consultation.