Tummy Tuck in Oakland, CA

Dr. Gabriel H. Patino offers tummy tucks in Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas of California.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is a procedure in which excess fat and skin is removed from the abdominal area. The fascia or lining covering the abdominal muscles is tightened, and the skin is re-positioned over this new firmer fascia. The bellybutton is usually moved to a more cosmetically appealing location.

A tummy tuck provides the patient with a flat well-toned abdomen that may not otherwise have been possible through exercise or diet changes.

Ideal Candidates

The ideal candidates for a tummy tuck are individuals who have a protruding abdomen with loose or sagging skin. This loose, sagging skin may have been caused by the following:

• pregnancy
• aging
• dramatic weight changes
• hereditary weight problems
• prior surgery in the abdominal area

Individuals who are currently at their healthy weight and who are physically healthy but struggle with extra skin and fat in the abdomen are candidates for this procedure.

How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?

A tummy tuck takes approximately two to three hours. Your surgeon will make an incision across the lower abdomen just below the bikini line. A second incision will be made around the navel so that it will be correctly positioned after the excess abdominal tissue has been removed. Through the lower abdominal incision, skin and fat are separated from the abdominal wall, and excess skin and fatty tissue are removed. The abdominal muscles are tightened if needed.

The tummy tuck procedure may involve any of the following:

• Removal of excess skin and fat in the abdominal area
• Reshaping of the abdominal area and/or a lateral thigh lift

What Can I Expect After a Tummy Tuck?

During your recovery, you will need to wait two to four weeks before getting back to your regular routine. This time is necessary for your body to properly heal and is a relatively short time frame compared to the healthy lifelong benefits you will receive from the procedure. Dr. Patino will instruct you on how to avoid bruising, infection, and swelling.

After a tummy tuck, you will have:
An improved, more healthy appearance
A better defined, more improved waistline with tighter muscle appearance

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Oakland?

The cost for a tummy tuck can be discussed at your initial meeting. The price may vary depending on your cosmetic goals. Our staff will discuss and explain all pricing and financing options that are available to you. More information can be viewed on our patient financing page.

Additional Body Contouring Procedures

• Fat Transfers
• Liposuction
• Mommy Makeover
• SmartLipo™

At The Cosmetic Surgical Center of El Cerrito, we specialize in surgical and non-surgical cosmetic surgery, skin rejuvenation, and hair restoration to achieve youthful and natural results for the residents of Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas of California. Contact us today for a FREE initial consultation.

SmartLipo in Oakland, CA

Dr. Gabriel H. Patino offers SmartLipo™ in Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas of California.

Laser-assisted liposuction, also known as SmartLipo™, is one of the most important recent advances in cosmetic surgery technology. This advanced system offers a safer, less painful alternative to traditional, suction-assisted liposuction, for those stubborn fat deposits that are difficult to eliminate through diet and exercise. At the Cosmetic Surgery Center of El Cerrito, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gabriel Patino performs laser liposuction using the SmartLipo™ system.

What Are the Advantages of SmartLipo™?

SmartLipo™ laser liposuction possesses several key advantages over traditional, suction-assisted liposuction.

While any surgery does have some risk involved, SmartLipo™ uses a very small incision and does far less damage to internal tissues, greatly reducing the risk of bleeding and other complications. SmartLipo™ laser technology also boosts collagen production in the treated area, helping skin tighten after the fat is removed.

The second advantage of SmartLipo™ laser liposuction over traditional liposuction is comfort to the patient. After surgery, traditional liposuction patients can expect swelling to continue for a month or more, accompanied by discomfort and soreness. During this month-long recovery period, patients must avoid exercise and strenuous activity.

The recovery time from SmartLipo™ laser liposuction surgery is much shorter with less discomfort. While there will be some minor discomfort, SmartLipo™ patients can return to work within one or two days and do not experience the swelling of traditional liposuction surgery. The exercise restrictions will be similar but last, on average, about half as long.

How Can SmartLipo™ Help Me?

SmartLipo™ is a cosmetic procedure that can help you finally get rid of fatty deposits that seem impossible to lose through diet and exercise alone.

The most common areas on which our patients choose to have SmartLipo™ performed include the following:

• Face
• Jowls
• Neck
• Arms
• Abdomen
• Back
• Thighs
• Knees

Traditional liposuction may be more appropriate for patients that don’t have excess skin, so be sure to ask your Oakland cosmetic surgeon Dr. Patino which option is best for you in your initial consultation. If you have problem areas or stubborn fat deposits, you know how frustrating it can be when even diet and exercise cannot help you get rid of them. Dr. Patino wants to help you look and feel your best and SmartLipo™ laser liposuction surgery can be one way to get the figure you have always wanted.

How Much Does SmartLipo™ Cost in Oakland?

Pricing and financing for SmartLipo™ in Berkeley will vary depending on the areas of the body chosen for surgery. Our staff will discuss all of your pricing and financing options at your initial consultation. View our patient financing page for further details.
Additional Body Contouring Procedures

• Fat Transfers
• Liposuction
• Mommy Makeover
• Tummy Tuck

At The Cosmetic Surgical Center of El Cerrito, we specialize in surgical and non-surgical cosmetic surgery, skin rejuvenation, and hair restoration to achieve youthful and natural results for the residents of Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas of California. Contact us today for a FREE initial consultation.

Mommy Makeover in Oakland, CA

Dr. Patino offers the mommy makeover procedure in Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas of California.

Children bring immense joy into the life of their mothers. This emotionally profound experience can, however, result in a body you no longer recognize or feel comfortable in. Diet and exercise alone are often inadequate to restore your body to its pre-pregnancy state, and the accompanying feelings of unattractiveness and undesirability can make the months following the birth of your child trying on a very personal level.

The feelings of joy alongside diminished self-esteem after childbirth can be overwhelming and confusing for many women. At The Cosmetic Surgical Center of El Cerrito, Dr. Patino is able to work with new mothers to help them regain their figure and look as beautiful outside as their child makes them feel inside.

How Is the Mommy Makeover Procedure Performed?

Pregnancy affects each woman differently. Dr. Patino will listen closely to your concerns and focus on the areas of your body that you are most concerned about. He will create a mommy makeover that is ideally suited to your needs and restore your body to its most beautiful form.

Your customized mommy makeover procedure will include a combination of cosmetic procedures. The most common procedures used for a mommy makeover include the following:

• Breast lift
• Breast augmentation
• Liposuction

Note: If you have another child after your mommy makeover, breast augmentation will not hinder your ability to breast feed.

How Much Does the Mommy Makeover Cost in Oakland?

The cost for a mommy makeover will depend on the procedures chosen for your cosmetic needs. Our staff will discuss all of your pricing and financing information at your initial consultation. View our patient financing page for further details.

Additional Body Contouring Procedures

• Fat Transfers
• Liposuction
• SmartLipo™
• Tummy Tuck

At The Cosmetic Surgical Center of El Cerrito, we specialize in surgical and non-surgical cosmetic surgery, skin rejuvenation, and hair restoration to achieve youthful and natural results for the residents of Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas of California. Contact us today for a FREE initial consultation.

Male Breast Reduction in Oakland, CA

Dr. Gabriel H. Patino offers male Breast Reduction Surgery for men with gynecomastia in Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas of California.

Gynecomastia is the medical term for the fatty tissue that can give rise to the appearance of breasts in males. This embarrassing condition can be brought about by age, genetics, and lifestyle choices, leading to diminished feelings of masculinity and a lack of self-confidence.
Regardless of the cause of your gynecomastia, Dr. Patino can help restore your self-confidence and overall sense of physical attractiveness through a simple male breast reduction procedure.

How Is a Male Breast Reduction Performed?

Male breast reduction is most commonly done through liposuction and other body contouring techniques. Making a small, inconspicuous incision, Dr. Patino can remove excess fatty tissue and skin from your chest, allowing him to tighten the remaining skin to fit snugly over your muscles. When glandular tissue is responsible for the appearance of male breasts, Dr. Patino will also remove excess glandular tissue.

This process will not interfere with muscle development. In fact, as your skin tightens, many patients notice substantially more definition. This simple procedure alone is often enough to restore an appealing male physique, but it will not maintain itself. Diet and exercise are also very important in maintaining your appearance.

What Can I Expect After Male Breast Reduction Surgery?

Recovery from male breast reduction depends on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed. For smaller amounts of fatty tissue, you may fully recover within two to four weeks. If glandular tissue needs to be removed or if you have a large amount of fatty tissue, the recovery process may take up to six months to fully heal. During this time, you may experience some mild discomfort around the surgical area. Dr. Patino will be able to prescribe pain medications to help you deal with this during your recovery.

Some scarring is inevitable but will fade over time. Additional risks include excessive bleeding during your surgery and infections along the incisions in the weeks that follow. Dr. Patino takes great care in performing this surgery to reduce instances of complications, and following his advice after surgery will help keep your incisions clean and free of infection while you recover.

How Much Does a Male Breast Reduction Cost in Oakland?

The cost for male breast reduction will depend on the patient’s cosmetic needs. At your initial consultation, our staff will review all of your pricing and financing information. For further detail, view our patient financing page.

At The Cosmetic Surgical Center of El Cerrito, we specialize in surgical and non-surgical cosmetic surgery, skin rejuvenation, and hair restoration to achieve youthful and natural results for the residents of Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas of California. Contact us today for a FREE initial consultation.