Our Surgeon: Dr. Chang Soo Kim, M.D.
Board-Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon · Yale School of Medicine · Bedford Hills, Westchester NY
Dr. Kim earned his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine and completed his plastic surgery residency at Yale–New Haven Hospital — one of the country’s most respected training programs. He is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Yale Plastic Surgery Society.
At Bellava MedAesthetics in Bedford Hills, Dr. Kim specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures for the face, breasts, and body, combining surgical precision with a deep understanding of proportion and natural harmony. His approach to tummy tuck surgery focuses on minimizing visible scarring, reducing recovery time, and achieving abdominal contours that look and feel natural — not operated on.
Learn more about Dr. Chang Soo Kim
What Exactly is a Tummy Tuck and How Does it Work?
Most people who come to Bellava for a tummy tuck have already done everything right — they’ve maintained a healthy weight, exercised consistently, and still can’t address the loose abdominal skin and separated muscles that pregnancy, significant weight changes, or aging have caused. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is the surgical solution for exactly this problem.
The procedure removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles, creating a flatter, firmer midsection that diet and exercise alone cannot achieve. During a full tummy tuck, Dr. Kim makes a horizontal incision between the belly button and pubic area, repairs the underlying muscle wall, removes redundant skin and fat, and repositions the belly button before closing with carefully placed sutures designed to keep the scar low and concealable.
The result is a flatter stomach, a narrower waistline, and a more defined body silhouette — with a scar that sits below the bikini line. At Bellava MedAesthetics in Bedford Hills, our skilled surgeons perform tummy tucks with precision and artistic vision to achieve the most natural-looking results.
What Are the Different Types of Tummy Tucks Offered in Westchester County?
Dr. Kim offers several abdominoplasty techniques at Bellava MedAesthetics, and will recommend the most appropriate approach based on your anatomy, goals, and the degree of correction needed.
- Full tummy tuck — Addresses the entire abdominal wall from hips to pubic area. Repairs separated muscles (diastasis recti), removes significant loose skin, and repositions the belly button. Dr. Kim recommends this for patients with substantial skin laxity, significant muscle separation, or those who have had multiple pregnancies.
- Mini tummy tuck — A smaller incision and targeted correction below the navel only. No belly button repositioning. Best suited for patients with mild lower abdominal laxity and good muscle tone above the navel. Recovery is typically shorter than a full tummy tuck.
- Extended tummy tuck — The incision extends hip-to-hip to address the flanks and lateral thighs in addition to the abdomen. Dr. Kim recommends this for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and have excess skin extending around the sides.
- Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck — Both horizontal and vertical incisions are used to address significant vertical and horizontal skin excess. This is typically recommended for patients who have undergone major weight loss surgery (bariatric patients) and have a significant apron of skin.
- Mommy makeover — A tummy tuck combined with breast procedures (augmentation, lift, or reduction) and sometimes liposuction, performed in a single surgical session. This approach allows Dr. Kim to address multiple areas simultaneously, reducing total recovery time compared to staged procedures. Learn more about Mommy Makeover →
The best approach for your body will be determined during your consultation. Dr. Kim will assess your anatomy, discuss your goals, and recommend the technique that will produce the most natural and lasting result for you specifically.
Reserve your consultation today to explore how Bellava’s expertly tailored aesthetic treatments can magnify your individual beauty and confidence.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck in Bedford Hills, NY?
Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck at Bellava MedAesthetics include:
- Women and men who want to restore abdominal firmness after pregnancy or significant weight changes
- People with excess or sagging abdominal skin that does not respond to diet and exercise
- Patients seeking a flatter, tighter midsection following major weight loss
- Those looking to address diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles) that causes the “pooch” even in fit patients
- Patients who have had a C-section and want to address both skin laxity and scarring simultaneously
- People who are at or near their goal weight and committed to maintaining it — a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure
During your consultation at Bellava MedAesthetics in Bedford Hills, Dr. Kim will evaluate your anatomy, health history, and goals to confirm you’re a good candidate and recommend the most appropriate technique.
Not sure if you’re a candidate?
Book a free consultation with Dr. Kim — no commitment required. He’ll assess your anatomy and give you an honest recommendation.
What is the Tummy Tuck Procedure and Recovery Like at Bellava MedAesthetics?
Tummy tuck surgery at Bellava MedAesthetics is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. Depending on the technique, the procedure typically takes 2–5 hours. You will not need to stay overnight — our Bedford Hills surgical facility is fully accredited and designed to make your experience as comfortable and safe as possible.
During recovery, swelling and bruising are normal and expected. Wearing a compression garment as directed by Dr. Kim helps reduce swelling, supports healing, and shapes your results. Most patients return to desk work and light daily activities within 2–3 weeks. More strenuous activity can typically resume at 6 weeks.
Visible scarring is permanent but sits below the bikini line and is concealable under underwear and swimwear. Dr. Kim places incisions with careful attention to minimising visible scarring and provides comprehensive post-operative care instructions to support optimal healing.
Rest at home. Drainage tubes if used will be removed. Compression garment worn at all times. Pain managed with medication.
Swelling peaks then begins to subside. Short gentle walks encouraged. Most patients can work from home. Follow-up appointment with Dr. Kim.
Most patients return to desk work and non-strenuous daily activities. Swelling continues to reduce. Compression garment still worn.
Exercise and strenuous activity resume at Dr. Kim’s clearance. Final results become visible as swelling fully resolves over 3–6 months.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Westchester, NY?
The cost of a tummy tuck at Bellava MedAesthetics varies depending on the technique recommended (mini, full, extended, or combined with other procedures), anesthesia, and the complexity of your individual case. In Westchester County, pricing is discussed in detail during your consultation and will be tailored to your specific procedure plan.
Bellava MedAesthetics offers financing options to make your procedure accessible. Our patient coordinator will walk you through all payment options during your consultation.
A tummy tuck is generally not covered by insurance when performed for cosmetic purposes. In some cases, a component of the procedure — such as hernia repair or treatment of functional impairment caused by excess skin — may qualify for partial coverage. We’ll help you understand what may apply to your situation during your consultation.
What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck at Bellava MedAesthetics can deliver lasting physical and emotional improvements, including:
- A firmer, flatter, more toned abdominal contour
- A slimmer waistline and smoother overall body silhouette
- Removal of stretch marks located on the lower abdomen (below the belly button)
- Repair of diastasis recti — the separation of abdominal muscles that causes a persistent abdominal bulge even in patients who are otherwise fit
- Improved confidence in appearance and clothing fit
- Long-lasting, permanent results, provided a stable weight is maintained
- The option to combine with other procedures (liposuction, breast augmentation, or a full mommy makeover) for comprehensive results in a single recovery
Results are permanent, but the longevity of your outcome depends on maintaining a stable weight. Significant weight gain after surgery can affect your results. Dr. Kim will discuss realistic expectations with you in detail during your consultation.
Can I Combine a Tummy Tuck with Other Procedures at Bellava MedAesthetics?
Yes — and for many patients, combining a tummy tuck with complementary procedures produces more comprehensive results with a single recovery period rather than multiple separate surgeries.
Common combinations Dr. Kim performs at Bellava include:
- Tummy tuck + liposuction (→ Laser Lipo page) — liposuction of the flanks, hips, or thighs during the same session enhances the overall body contour beyond what a tummy tuck alone achieves.
- Mommy makeover (→ Mommy Makeover page) — a tummy tuck combined with breast augmentation, lift, or reduction to address the full range of post-pregnancy body changes in one procedure. This is Bellava’s most requested surgical combination.
- Tummy tuck + breast augmentation — frequently requested by patients who want abdominal and breast contouring simultaneously.
During your consultation, Dr. Kim will assess whether combining procedures is safe and appropriate for your specific anatomy and health history. Not all combinations are suitable for every patient.
What Bellava Tummy Tuck Patients Are Saying
Why Consider Bellava MedAesthetics for Your Tummy Tuck in Westchester County?
Choosing the right surgeon for an abdominoplasty is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Here is what sets Bellava MedAesthetics and Dr. Kim apart:
- Board-certified, Yale-trained surgeon — Dr. Chang Soo Kim earned his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine and completed his plastic surgery residency at Yale–New Haven Hospital. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Yale Plastic Surgery Society.
- 500+ tummy tucks performed — Dr. Kim has performed over 500 abdominoplasty procedures at Bellava MedAesthetics, giving him the depth of experience that leads to consistently natural, refined results.
- Recognized surgical innovator — Dr. Kim was among the first surgeons to introduce the Sciton Joule laser system to Connecticut, and continues to integrate the latest surgical techniques and technologies alongside traditional surgical artistry — giving patients more options in how they achieve their goals.
- Fully accredited surgical facility — All procedures are performed at Bellava’s accredited Bedford Hills surgical suite. You will not need to travel to a hospital or an unfamiliar location. The facility is designed for patient comfort, privacy, and safety.
- Comprehensive post-operative care — Dr. Kim and the Bellava team remain closely involved throughout your recovery. All post-op appointments, compression garment fittings, and follow-up care are handled in-house.
- Convenient Westchester location — Bedford Hills offers metropolitan-level surgical expertise without the inconvenience of traveling to New York City. Patients travel to Bellava from across Westchester County, Connecticut, and the greater Hudson Valley — including White Plains, Mount Kisco, Chappaqua, Katonah, Somers, and Greenwich CT.
Schedule a consultation with Bellava’s experts to embark on a personalized journey towards aesthetic excellence and self-renewal.
Book a free consultation with Dr. KimFrequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tucks in Westchester, NY
In Westchester County, a full abdominoplasty typically ranges from $8,000 to $14,000, for surgeon fees alone. At Bellava MedAesthetics, our fees include surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and facility costs. The final price depends on the technique used (mini vs. full vs. extended) and whether procedures are combined. Financing options are available. Your exact quote will be provided during a free consultation with Dr. Kim.
Most patients return to desk work and light daily activity within 2–3 weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting can typically resume at 6 weeks, with Dr. Kim’s clearance. Swelling continues to resolve gradually over 3–6 months, during which time your final results become fully visible. A compression garment is worn throughout the initial recovery period.
Yes — a horizontal scar between the belly button and pubic area is a permanent outcome of a tummy tuck. However, Dr. Kim places incisions with deliberate attention to scar location so that the scar sits below the bikini line and is concealable under underwear and swimwear. Scar appearance continues to improve over 12–18 months post-surgery.
Yes, and for many patients a tummy tuck can address both residual skin laxity and C-section scarring simultaneously. Dr. Kim can incorporate or revise the existing C-section scar during the tummy tuck incision, and can also repair diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles) that often accompanies pregnancy. During your consultation he will assess your individual anatomy and advise accordingly.
In most cases, a tummy tuck performed for cosmetic reasons is not covered by insurance. However, some components — such as hernia repair or treatment of skin conditions caused by excess skin (intertrigo) — may qualify for partial coverage. The Bellava team will help you understand what may apply to your situation and can provide documentation to support any coverage inquiry.
A mini tummy tuck uses a shorter incision and addresses only the lower abdomen below the belly button. It does not reposition the belly button and involves minimal muscle repair. A full tummy tuck addresses the entire abdominal wall, repairs separated muscles (diastasis recti), removes more skin, and repositions the belly button. Dr. Kim will recommend the approach that matches your anatomy and goals during your consultation.
Yes — combining a tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks, hips, or thighs is one of the most common combinations Dr. Kim performs at Bellava. Adding liposuction to the same surgical session enhances the overall body contour beyond what a tummy tuck alone achieves, with a single combined recovery period. This combination is often a component of a Mommy Makeover.
No. Tummy tucks at Bellava MedAesthetics are performed as outpatient procedures at our accredited Bedford Hills surgical facility. You will go home the same day with a responsible adult to support you during the first 24–48 hours of recovery. You do not need to travel to a hospital.
Good candidates are at or near their goal weight, in good general health, and have realistic expectations about results. The procedure is particularly effective for patients with loose abdominal skin, separated muscles, or persistent lower abdominal laxity that does not respond to diet and exercise. Patients planning future pregnancies are advised to wait until after completing their family. A consultation with Dr. Kim is the only way to determine candidacy for your specific anatomy.
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Consultations at Bellava MedAesthetics are free, no-commitment, and private. Dr. Kim will assess your anatomy, answer your questions honestly, and give you a clear recommendation — with no pressure to proceed.
Book a free consultation with Dr. Kim
Dr. Kim is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, graduate of Yale School of Medicine, with his residency completed at Yale–New Haven Hospital. Known for his eye for detail and precise surgical technique, he is dedicated to creating results that look natural and refined. His compassionate, individualized care helps patients feel comfortable and confident in their choice to look and feel their best.
Learn more about Dr. Chang Soo Kim ›
