Your questions, answered.
Beyond the "Standard" Tummy Tuck
In traditional plastic surgery, a tummy tuck focuses only on the front: removing skin and tightening the muscle. While this flattens the stomach, it often leaves the patient with a "boxy" or square torso and thick flanks.
Dr. Bravo believes that flattening the front is useless if we don't define the waist.
His signature Hourglass Abdominoplasty is a modern evolution of the procedure (technically known as Lipo-Abdominoplasty). It integrates aggressive 360-degree contouring with surgical precision to ensure you leave the operating room with a defined, feminine silhouette—not just a flat board.
The 3-Step "Hourglass" Technique
1. 360° Liposuction (The Contour) Before making any incisions, Dr. Bravo performs high-definition liposuction on the flanks, waist, and lower back.
The Goal: To narrow the waistline and create a deep curve above the hips.
The Result: This ensures that when the skin is pulled tight, it drapes over a sculpted, curvy foundation rather than a blocky one.
2. Muscle Repair (The Internal Corset) For many women, especially after pregnancy, the "pooch" is caused by Diastasis Recti (separated abdominal muscles).
The Repair: Dr. Bravo sutures the abdominal muscles back together from the pubic bone all the way to the ribcage.
The Result: This acts like an internal corset, physically narrowing the waist diameter and creating a rock-solid abdominal wall.
3. The "High-Def" Belly Button & Skin Removal The aesthetic success of a tummy tuck often comes down to the belly button.
Umbilicoplasty: Dr. Bravo avoids the obvious "surgical circle" scar. Instead, he sculpts a small, hooded "innie" that mimics a natural, youthful navel.
The Scar: The excess skin is removed, and the incision is placed extremely low—just above the pubic area—allowing it to be completely hidden by standard bikini bottoms or underwear.
Is This Right For You?
The Hourglass Abdominoplasty is the gold standard for:
Post-Partum Moms: Repairing the muscle gap and removing the "apron" of skin.
Weight Loss Patients: removing loose tissue while defining the waist.
Aesthetic Seekers: Any patient who wants to maximize their waist-to-hip ratio while flattening their profile.
Recovery
Posture: You will walk slightly bent over ("beach chair position") for the first 5–7 days to protect the muscle repair.
Drains: Surgical drains are typically used for a few days to prevent fluid buildup.
Movement: Walking is encouraged immediately to promote circulation.
Results: While swelling takes months to fully resolve, the dramatic change in your silhouette is visible immediately.
