Unveil Your Ideal Contours with an Expert

In Honolulu, Hawaii, and in Kuwait, Dr. Shim Ching is a body contouring specialist whose advanced training and experience are essential to providing the attractive tummy tuck in Hawaii that you've been looking for. 

Benefits of a tummy tuck 

The benefits of a tummy tuck in Hawaii procedure include:

  • Provides a restoring boost to the body 
  • Address loose, excess skin that may have resulted from pregnancy or weight loss 
  • Treats a “distended” stomach, which may occur following childbirth
  • Addresses weakening and separation of stomach muscles
  • Gives patients a smoother, firmer abdomen
  • Treats bulges caused by C-section scars 
Close up of woman's abdomen, wearing pajamas

Learn More About Tummy Tuck Surgery

Dr. Shim Ching, Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon based out of Honolulu, Hawaii discusses his approach to Abdominoplasty (also known as the Tummy Tuck).

Expectations for Your Tummy Tuck

However, just like any plastic surgery, the best tummy tuck candidate should: 

  • Have realistic expectations of what can be accomplished.
  • Understand that this is not a substitute for a good diet and/or exercise. 
  • Be looking for a way to help regain some confidence in their body.
  • Know they need to continue to work on their body and health even after the procedure.

This procedure can produce dramatic results for some, but you must go into the initial consultation with the understanding that limitations do exist. Dr. Ching will give you a realistic idea of what can be done for you and your body. His desire is the same as yours — the best possible cosmetic results and protection of your health with his Tummy Tuck in Hawaii.

General Guidelines for Tummy Tuck Candidates

Some benchmarks to keep in mind that make good tummy tuck candidates:

  • You are in good physical health
  • You’re not excessively overweight
  • You have no plans for future pregnancies
  • You’re not currently pregnant

Those considering having children in the future are cautioned against a tummy tuck in Hawaii for good reason. The procedure involves the tightening of muscles that could become separated again during pregnancy. Therefore it is best that you be clear on whether having children – or more children – is in your future when deciding on an abdominoplasty.

Again, this article is not a definitive test on whether you are a good candidate or not. That decision should be reserved for you and Dr. Ching at your consultation in our Honolulu offices. However, these guidelines will give you an idea of what conditions make for the best prospect.

Abdominoplasty Before & After Photos

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

The tummy tuck procedure 

A tummy tuck procedure is designed to address issues in both the upper and lower abdomen simultaneously. Patients who are struggling with weakened abdominal muscles or a layer of excess tissue around their midsection can benefit greatly from an abdominoplasty in Hawaii. It can help patients achieve more definition in their abdominal region. 

The procedure steps include the following:

  • An incision on the umbilical, which gives patients an ‘innie’ belly button
  • A short incision at the waistline that is easily hidden by clothing 
  • Removing excess skin from the area 
  • Tightening the stomach muscles using sutures 

Abdominoplasty Consultation

Your consultation is an opportunity to fully explore your objectives for the procedure. Dr. Ching will present to you a straightforward explanation of the results you can expect. If you decide to go ahead with tummy tuck surgery, he will give you guidelines on how you can contribute to the success of your procedure and explain how to prepare for the surgery to best maintain your health and safety. Dr. Ching will also discuss what to expect right after surgery and in the weeks and months that follow.

A tummy tuck consultation in Honolulu, Hawaii, with Dr. Ching is an opportunity to fully explore your objectives for the procedure. More importantly, it is the time to make an informed decision with Dr. Ching about whether a tummy tuck is right for you. This page describes what to expect when you meet with him for your for your tummy tuck consultation. To learn more about tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) in Honolulu with Dr. Ching, request a consultation using his online form or call our office to schedule an appointment.

Asking Questions

The consultation is the time for all your questions to be answered regarding tummy tuck surgery. You may want to write down all the questions you have beforehand, because it’s easy to forget them once you’re in the office. You should feel free to ask anything that concerns you. It will not only help you make a final decision about getting a tummy tuck, but it will also give you a clear understanding of what can be accomplished.

Dr. Ching will present to you a straightforward explanation of the results you can expect during your consultation.

Making Your Tummy Tuck a Success

If you decide to go ahead with tummy tuck in Hawaii, Dr. Ching will give you guidelines on how you can contribute to the success of your procedure. He will explain how to prepare for the surgery to best maintain your health and safety. Dr. Ching will also discuss what to expect right after surgery and in the weeks and months that follow.

Your preparation for surgery is just as important as the surgery itself. That preparation begins with a successful consultation for your tummy tuck. By preparing for this initial meeting, you’ll be on the right path to a safe, rewarding procedure.

What can I expect during my tummy tuck in Hawaii?

Dr. Ching performs tummy tuck surgery as an outpatient procedure. The incision for a full tummy tuck typically runs between the hip bones, low enough to be covered by underwear or a swimsuit. Dr. Ching is very aware that this scar should be placed as low as possible so it will be as hidden as much as possible. A second incision is made around the belly button. After making the incisions, Dr. Ching removes loose skin and excess fat. In some cases, stretch marks of the lower abdomen are completely removed along with the excess skin. 

He also flattens a protruding abdomen by tightening stretched or separated abdominal muscles, which is almost always necessary. Next, Dr. Ching constructs a new belly button. To provide the most natural-looking results possible, he hides the scar within the belly button.

As a skilled, knowledgeable, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ching can provide dramatic changes in body shape by combining abdominoplasty with liposuction. Many women make abdominoplasty part of a comprehensive surgical plan called a mommy makeover.

Meet your Tummy Tuck Surgeon Dr. Shim Ching

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Shim Ching is one of Hawaii’s most renowned physicians for aesthetic procedures of the face, breast, and body. His attention to detail, skill, and mastery of surgical techniques produce remarkable, natural-looking results. If you're looking for a surgeon you can trust to perform the best tummy tuck Hawaii has to offer, look no further!

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Tummy tuck incision diagram

Abdominoplasty incision diagram

Tummy Tuck Recovery

You will have some swelling and pain for a few days, which is typically well-managed through prescribed medication Dr. Ching will give you guidelines on the amount of bed rest required, when it is OK to shower, how quickly you can begin exercise, and when you may return to work.

These recommendations are made to ensure that you have the quickest and safest recovery possible. Following these instructions is a great way to take an active role in your recovery and achieve the optimal results from your tummy tuck in Hawaii.

Rectus Diastasis

Rectus diastasis is a condition in which the rectus abdominis muscle separates during or after pregnancy. The rectus abdominis muscle is the muscle that runs vertically along the front of your stomach. When you have this condition, it can cause your belly to slightly stick out just above or below the belly button. To repair rectus diastasis, Dr. Ching uses permanent sutures to close the separation of the muscle. To reduce the likelihood of rectus diastasis during the postpartum period, you should:

  • Avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby
  • Roll onto your side before getting out of bed or sitting up
  • Focus on good posture
  • Avoid activities that involve pushing your abdominal muscles outward, such as sit-ups and crunches

What To Expect After Your Tummy Tuck

After getting a tummy tuck in Honolulu, Hawaii, you will undergo a post-operative recovery. Your body needs time to heal and to react to the changes created by your surgery. What can you expect in the days and weeks after your tummy tuck?

Understandably, patients want to know how long the recovery process will take. The answer depends on a variety of factors. One of the most important is your health and fitness. For example, patients who are in better physical shape before the tummy tuck will not need as long to recover.

Exercise in the days and weeks after liposuction surgery can also affect recovery time. Simple non-aerobic exercises, such as walking, have been found to reduce swelling and help strengthen your immune system. This exercise should not be started without the advice and consent of Dr. Ching, however. Starting too soon after your surgery can actually have negative effects on your recovery.

Post-Tummy Tuck Surgery Recommendations

You will have some swelling and pain for a few days. Medication may be prescribed to help you get through this time. If this is necessary, it’s essential that you follow Dr. Ching’s recommendations on taking the medicine and/or a bed rest regimen.

Dr. Ching may also give you guidelines on:

  • How much bed rest is required
  • Showering or bathing
  • How quickly you should start exercise (including walking)
  • When you may return to work
  • As well as recommendations on when and how to engage in other activities

These recommendations are made to ensure that you have the quickest and safest recovery possible. Not following them could increase the time needed for your body to fully heal and recover. They are also aimed at getting the most ideal results from your tummy tuck surgery. There is also the matter of a post-operative scar. Although this is almost unavoidable, be assured that Dr. Ching’s skill, and his use of the latest techniques and technology, produces the minimum amount of scarring.

Often your abdominoplasty in Hawaii can be done so that the bikini or swimsuit area will cover any scarring. This will be discussed during your initial consultation so you know exactly what will be done during the surgery – and how it will be done. Again, your health and fitness will have an impact on the recovery time needed. That is where you can play the greatest role in your recovery. Ask Dr. Ching what you can do before your tummy tuck surgery in order to have the greatest impact on the time afterward.

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Tummy Tuck Results

How Long Do Tummy Tuck Surgery Results Really Last?

Every tummy tuck recipient, or potential tummy tuck recipient, wonders the same thing: How long will the results last?

There’s good news. The fact is that a tummy tuck at our Honolulu, Hawaii, practice can bring you long-lasting, almost permanent results. Studies and surveys have documented the fact that the benefits of a tummy tuck can last for many years after you’ve had the procedure.

One natural factor you should be aware of, though, is that tissue does undergo relaxation as you age. This is a normal part of the aging process. However, this will occur to a lesser extent than prior to your surgery. Therefore, the benefits of this procedure go beyond the immediate slimming effect you’ll see on your body.

Despite these rewards, there are some important influences that will greatly affect the retention of your tummy tuck benefits:

  • You still must follow a proper diet. An abdominoplasty does not exempt you from the common diet guidelines that affect us all. Undergoing this surgery does not change that.
  • A pregnancy can alter your body greatly, whether you’ve had a tummy tuck or not. Again, this procedure will not stop, or defend you from, the changes that giving birth can bring if you become pregnant afterward.
  • Exercise will remain important to maintaining your form, just as it is to those who have not had the procedure. Regular exercise is vital to your health and to your figure. No surgery should be used as a way to escape that, as it will fail.
  • An extreme weight loss in the years after a tummy tuck can adversely affect your shape. Just as an extreme weight gain will be harmful, so will a severe drop. Both have an enormous impact on your body and its appearance. Monitoring your weight will be important.

All of these directions and recommendations should be followed in the time both immediately after your tummy tuck as well as for the long-term afterward. An abdominoplasty is a safe, beneficial surgery that can bring extraordinary, long-lasting and in some cases, permanent results.

However, it’s not a reason to stop following common health and diet rules. Those must be observed just as you would have before. If you do, you can look forward to retaining the gains for a long time to come.

To find out more about the tummy tuck procedure and other body contouring options, request a consultation with Dr. Ching using his online form or call our office to schedule an appointment.

Close up of female's abdominal area

Abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck, is a procedure in which the excess skin and fat in the midsection is removed and the muscles of the abdomen are tightened.

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Dr. Shim Ching's exceptional qualifications and results draw patients to his Honolulu plastic surgery practice from across the Hawaiian Islands including Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Select a location for driving directions to our practice.

Tummy Tuck FAQs:

Will there be scars after my tummy tuck surgery?

Yes, there will be a scar along the lower abdomen where the incision was made. The scar's appearance will improve over time and can usually be concealed beneath clothing and swimwear.

Can a tummy tuck help with weight loss?

While a tummy tuck can remove excess skin and fat, it is not a weight loss procedure. It is best suited for individuals who are close to their ideal weight but have loose abdominal skin and muscle issues.

Will a tummy tuck affect future pregnancies?

If you're planning on having more children, it's generally recommended to delay a tummy tuck until after you've completed your family. Pregnancy after a tummy tuck can affect the results by stretching the abdominal muscles and skin again.

What are the potential risks and complications?

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with a tummy tuck, such as infection, scarring, blood clots, changes in sensation, and issues related to anesthesia.

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