Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin to create an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer. A tummy tuck also restores weakened or separated muscles. The tummy tuck surgery tightens the muscles in the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck is not a procedure intended for weight loss. A tummy tuck surgery is performed by specialized plastic surgeons.
A tummy tuck will help achieve a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportionate with the patient’s body type and weight. The final results of a tummy tuck may not be fully noticeable be initially since the patient will be swollen and will likely present inability to stand fully upright until internal healing is complete. Within a week or two, a tummy tuck patient should be standing tall and notice a new, much slimmer profile.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
A Tummy tuck is a surgery that is typically performed in a hospital. However, some Tummy tuck procedures may be performed in a fully accredited outpatient surgical center. This determination depends on the patient’s body mass index (BMI) at the time of the Tummy tuck surgery. The time of a Tummy tuck surgery ranges from 1 to 5 hours and it is performed under general anesthesia. This means that the Tummy tuck patient is asleep during the procedure.
A Tummy tuck is a surgery that is typically performed in a hospital or in a fully accredited outpatient surgical center. The time of a Tummy tuck surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This means that the Tummy tuck patient is asleep during the procedure.
There are 2 options for a tummy tuck. A complete tummy tuck involves a larger incision and longer recovery time for people who require more correction, while a partial or mini tummy tuck involves a shorter incision with a shorter recovery time for people who need less correction.
Complete Tummy Tuck
In a complete tummy tuck an incision is made on the abdomen from hipbone to hipbone. The incision is made just above the pubic hair area. During the procedure the tummy tuck surgeon will contour the skin, tissue and the muscle to give the patient a smooth, natural result. Drainage tubes to help evacuate excess fluid may be placed under the patient’s skin and these will be removed in a few days. Most of the times the belly button will be repositioned and have a new opening. This is done since during a tummy tuck surgery is necessary to free the patient’s navel from the surrounding tissue. The length of a complete tummy tuck surgery is from 2 to 5 hours.
This type of tummy tuck represents the best option for patients who require more extensive correction.
Partial or Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini Tummy Tuck is a surgery that is most often performed on patients whose fat deposits are located below the navel and who also require less correction. This allows the tummy tuck surgeon to make shorter incisions. The recovery time for this type of tummy tuck is shorter than for a complete tummy tuck.
During a mini tummy tuck the patient’s belly button is most likely to be removed. The tummy tuck surgeon then separates the skin between the belly button and the line of incision. In some cases, a mini tummy tuck may be performed with an endoscope; this is a device that has a small camera attached to the end of a tube. A mini tummy tuck usually takes from 1 to 2 hours.
Tummy Tuck Candidate
A good tummy tuck candidate is a person with overall good health, who is unable to flatten their stomach by other means such as exercise and diet. A good tummy tuck candidate suffers from loose (inelastic) skin on many or most areas of the body as a result of age, childbearing or extreme weight loss due to diet, exercise or bariatric surgery. Usually a tummy tuck is performed when the patient’s middle section skin is too flab or presents excess skin.
Also, women whose abdominal muscles and skin are stretched after pregnancy and have been unable to tighten their muscles or reduce the excess skin by other means; are good candidates for tummy tucks. A body lift can also help a mother get her pre-pregnancy body back.
A tummy tuck is also a good alternative for people who were obese and have lost the weight but are unable to get rid of the loose, excess skin and fatty deposits in the abdominal area.
The best candidate for a Tummy tuck is a person who has maintained a stable weight for at least three months although it this preferred that the weight has been maintained for six months to a year. It is also desirable that a Tummy tuck candidate exercises regularly and maintains a healthy diet.
You may be a good candidate for tummy tuck if you have one or more of the following conditions:
- Abdominal muscles that have been weakened and separated
- Excess or sagging abdominal skin
- Excess fatty tissue that is concentrated in your abdomen
- An abdomen that protrudes and is out of proportion to the rest of your body
Tummy Tuck Procedure
Many times a tummy tuck surgery is performed in conjunction with liposuction to give the patient better results.
Tummy tuck and Bariatric Surgery
For candidates who have had gastric bypass, Lap-Band or other gastric restrictive procedure should wait at least one year after their weight loss surgery. This will allow the patient to fully recover from their previous surgery; have more time to lose the weight, and it will also give the patient time to reduce the impact of the health problems associated with their obesity.
Tummy tuck and Pregnancy
For women who plan to have children, it is recommended that they postpone their Tummy tuck surgery until after childbirth. In a tummy tuck surgery, the vertical muscles of the abdomen are tightened. The muscles can be separated again if there is a pregnancy after a tummy tuck.
Normal-weight women in their 30s and 40s may opt for a Tummy tuck to remove remaining excess skin and fatty tissue after reducing excessive post-pregnancy weight.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure and requires significant recovery time. Most people require 4 to 6 weeks to recover from their Tummy tuck before returning to normal activities, and generally from 4 to 6 weeks before exercising. Exercise and other demanding physical activities (such as lifting more than 5 pounds) must be limited for about a month. These activities are not recommended until sufficient healing has occurred and your surgeon instructs you to resume them. All the swelling from the Tummy tuck surgery should dissipate after 8 weeks. Because of this, results from a Tummy tuck surgery are seen about 8 weeks after the surgery.
Pain and discomfort right after surgery are first managed with oral pain medications. A specific dietary plan may be encouraged in case you are not already following one, or in case the one you have needs modification. The Tummy tuck surgeon will supply a complete instruction list that must be followed to reduce the risk of complications after a Tummy tuck surgery.
Drainage tubes are inserted to allow excess fluid to drain for patients that undergo a complete tummy tuck. This will require personal home care for up to two weeks. It is recommended that you have someone assist you during this time. These tubes are removed when the drained fluid is low.
Your Tummy tuck surgeon may provide you with a medical compression garment. This garment should be used at all times except while bathing. The garment should be worn until your surgeon instructs you that it is no longer needed. Dressings are generally removed two days after the Tummy tuck surgery. Also, showering is allowed at that time.
Tummy tuck Considerations
Please be aware that the Tummy tuck surgery is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Please consult a Tummy tuck specialist and consider all benefits and risks before undergoing a Tummy tuck.
The abdominal scars will appear to worsen during the first weeks or months after the Tummy tuck surgery. It may take up to 18 months before the scars flatten and lighten in color. The Tummy tuck scars never completely disappear, but can be hidden by clothing. Your Tummy tuck surgeon may recommend complimentary treatments to reduce the scarring.
Tummy tuck Consultation
It is necessary that you a have a consultation with a Tummy tuck specialist to know if you are a good candidate, how you can benefit from Tummy tuck and what to expect from your Tummy tuck surgery. Your Tummy tuck doctor can clear any doubt and answer any questions that you may have about the Tummy tuck procedure.
Tummy Tuck Cost
The cost of a Tummy tuck usually ranges from $3,000 to $10,000. This cost depends on the surgeon if the tummy tuck surgery is performed in conjunction with other procedures, and the extent of the surgery, among other factors. In rare cases the Tummy tuck surgery may partially covered by insurance; especially is the patient suffers from a hernia that will be corrected through the procedure, or if the patient’s anterior muscles are abnormally spread. It is necessary that you talk to your insurance company to know if they will cover part of the cost of the Tummy tuck.
Many Tummy tuck specialists also offer payment plans. Financing may be available for the Tummy tuck surgery in the case that the Tummy tuck is not covered or it is partially covered by the insurance.
Tummy tuck Risks
Like any other surgical procedure; the Tummy tuck surgery includes risks such as:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Temporary numbness
- Blood clots
- Pain
- Decreased feeling in that area
- Scar tissue buildup
- Hematoma
- Seroma (fluid accumulating under the skin)
It is important that you choose a good Tummy tuck surgeon to make sure that you get the best chance of having a successful Tummy tuck surgery. It is also necessary that you follow carefully the Tummy tuck surgery directions and doctor’s follow up orders and aftercare to reduce the risks of the Tummy tuck surgery. With a skilled Tummy tuck surgeon a Tummy tuck should be a procedure that produces great results and satisfaction; and with proper after care your Tummy tuck recovery should be smooth and you will be back to normal quickly.
Tummy tuck Preparation
Before a Tummy tuck surgery it is recommended that you stop smoking or consuming alcohol for a least a week before your Tummy tuck procedure.
It is also recommended that you stop taking certain medications before the Tummy tuck surgery including aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and blood thinners, since these may increase the risk of bleeding. Also any herbal remedies that may increase the risk of bleeding should be stopped. These include: vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea and gingko biloba since they may increase the risk of bleeding during your Tummy tuck surgery.
Make sure that you tell your Tummy tuck surgeon everything that you are taking. Please consult your Tummy tuck surgeon or regular physician before stopping abruptly any prescribed medication.
Tummy tuck Follow Up Consultation
It is necessary to have a follow up session with your Tummy tuck surgeon. After the Tummy tuck surgery your surgeon will give you a list of medications to take and the necessary after care and you will be given a Tummy tuck follow up appointment or be advised to schedule one.
Your Tummy tuck surgeon will prescribe oral medications to reduce pain and antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.
After A Tummy tuck
In this follow up appointment your Tummy tuck surgeon will make sure that the healing process is going on as planned, may take out any sutures and will assess what aftercare is needed in order to help with your Tummy tuck recovery. This consultation is a very important part of the Tummy tuck surgery recovery.
Usually a tummy tuck is a surgery that gives long lasting results if the patient follows a balanced diet and exercises regularly.