Tummy Tuck |

Tummy Tuck Procedure

There are a number of reasons why someone may wish to have a tummy tuck procedure performed. Tummy tucks are also known by the medical term “abdominoplasty”.

Tummy tucks are usually received by women who have had children or have lost a large amount of weight but may be received by men as well. This cosmetic surgical procedure has many possible benefits including elimination of sagging skin, removal of an abdominal “pouch”, repositioning of the navel and repair of weakened abdominal muscles.

Removal of Excess Skin

Conditions such as pregnancy and obesity can stretch the skin of the abdomen beyond its normal limits. In addition, as we age the skin loses some of its natural elasticity and may not return to pre-pregnancy or pre weight gain appearance. This can result in large amounts of hanging skin around the abdomen. Some people also develop and abdominal pouch that hangs down in front of the pubic section.

The folds of sagging skin are not only an embarrassing problem; they may also contribute to the development of fungal and bacterial infections underneath the pouch. Stretch marks are often prevalent on the lower abdomen where the skin is sagging. A tummy tuck procedure, involving surgical removal of the extra skin and tissue can eliminate these problems.

Repositioning of the Navel

When the stomach skin has been stretched and has not returned to normal, the belly button or navel may appear to have “fallen”. For those who need it, after the excess skin is removed the navel can be surgically repositioned and raised to a normal level.

This will result in a natural, youthful appearance of a smooth abdomen. Many people who get tummy tuck procedures can return to wearing abdominal baring apparel such as bathing suits without embarrassment.

Restructuring of Abdominal Muscles

During pregnancy and through excessive weight gain, abdominal muscles may be separated and weakened. They may not return to normal, resulting in a permanent abdominal bulge.

During an abdominoplasty, the cosmetic surgeon can restore the natural shaping of a flat abdomen by surgical strengthening of the muscles. This will contour the abdomen into a youthful flat appearance.

Mini Tummy Tuck Procedure

Some patients have less skin to be removed or may only need to have the abdominal muscles strengthened. Some women have skin with more natural elasticity and have only a little pouch. A mini tummy tuck can remove the small amount of skin and fat tissue with only a small incision at the top of the pubic hairline.

Endoscopic tummy tuck procedure may repair the abdominal muscles with only a few small incisions for those who don’t need to have any skin removed but still have an abdominal bulge from weakened muscles.

Removal of excess skin and contouring of the abdomen will improve the appearance of the stomach and may even allow one to return to wearing a bikini or other belly baring clothing.

Tummy tuck procedures may dramatically improve appearance and increase self esteem as one feels better about the body and can even promote improved health by allowing one to feel more capable of physical activity.

What Does A Tummy Tuck Cost?

For those who have been dieting and exercising like crazy and still can’t seem to lose that extra weight around the tummy, a tummy tuck seems like the ideal solution. Once you have done all of your research to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery and what to expect for a recovery, you might be wondering what the tummy tuck costs will be.

The tummy tuck prices can range from five thousand dollars all the way up to ten thousand dollars. It will most likely depend on your area and the reputation of the doctor that you choose. It is not wise to go with a surgeon simply because the prices are lower. You should choose your doctor based on his or her expertise and not the cost of the surgery.

If the tummy tuck costs are too high, there may be some things that you can do to make the procedure more affordable. Find out if the facility and surgeon that you are considering have financing options for the procedure. This can be a great help to some people who could afford to pay for the surgery over time. Comparison shop for the best tummy tuck prices along with the most quality doctor and facility that you can find.

Make sure that your doctor is board certified before you decide on the doctor that will perform your abdominoplasty. Also, be wary of a doctor that offers a lower price for the surgery. There may be some hidden costs in the contract that you missed during the initial consultation. Ask questions when you are shopping for your tummy tuck. It is important that you ask about the costs of the anesthesiologist and the facility where the procedure will take place. Many times the low cost that you are being offered is just the cost of the doctor.

Your insurance company will not likely cover the cost of tummy tuck procedures. Only in cases where the surgery is used to correct a function of the body, will it be covered by medical insurance. This means that you must find the best price for you. The cost for tummy tuck procedures will vary from state to state and it might be in your best interest to travel to a state where the costs are lower. Traveling to a different state for the procedure will require you to find a suitable place for your recovery, however. Do the math and see if it could cost you less money to handle your tummy tuck cost in this way.

Do your research when you are shopping around for your cosmetic surgeon. Take into consideration the time off from work as well as the extra help you will need during your recovery. These factors should all be part of your decision making when you are considering a tummy tuck. It can be a wonderful procedure for you, but only if you plan carefully and find the best doctor at the best price.

Pregnancy After A Tummy Tuck

Many women who are considering a tummy tuck when they are younger, wonder if it is possible to have the procedure and become pregnant after. While it is certainly possible to become pregnant, many doctors advise against having another child after you have had the procedure because the pregnancy could cause you to have to have the tummy tuck surgery again to repair the damage that is caused by the additional pregnancy.

A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a major surgery and should be considered with care. If you are planning to have more children, it is probably in your best interest to wait on the surgery until after you have had your last child. A complete abdominoplasty will repair the muscles in the area as well as tighten the excess and loose skin. During a pregnancy, those muscles could become stretched again and the surgery will no longer repair the problems that you had before.

The baby will develop normally if you have had a tummy tuck before becoming pregnant. And there are many women who have had a tummy tuck and gone through the pregnancy with little trouble. The abdomen may become sore as your pregnancy grows and develops, but it will usually only be a mild discomfort. It is quite rare to have any permanent problems after a pregnancy that follows a tummy tuck.

When you are having your initial consultation with your doctor before the original tummy tuck surgery, these questions will be discussed. If you let the doctor know about your plans to have more children, they will most likely tell you to wait until after to have the abdominoplasty. You can opt to proceed with the surgery, however.

If you want lasting results from your tummy tuck surgery, you should do everything that you can to ensure that your body remains in good shape after the procedure. Sticking to a healthy well balanced diet along with regular exercise are some of the things that you can do to make sure that your body remains in good health.

The ideal candidate for abdominoplasty is one who is close to her ideal weight and in good physical condition. These patients have tried conventional methods to lose the weight in the abdomen area and have found the fat that resides there to be resistant to their efforts. A tummy tuck can remove that unwanted fat and repair the stretched out muscles of the abdomen. It is a great way to enhance your appearance and help you get the flat stomach that you had when you were younger and before children.

If you have been doing your research on the topic, you will learn that you should wait to have a tummy tuck until you are completely finished having children to have the most success from the surgery. Take your time and think about the consequences of having another child and consider waiting on the surgery until you have made up your mind about future children. It is completely up to you and you should be doing all you can to make an informed decision.

Preparing For Your Tummy Tuck

So, you have finally made the decision to go ahead with a tummy tuck. There are some things that you should do to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible before tummy tuck surgery. Some research on the topic as well as a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon will ensure that you are choosing the correct procedure for you.

There is a great deal of research material that you can find before abdominoplasty. This information will help you determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery and what you can do to make sure that you are doing the right thing. There are some patients who are not right for this type of procedure and you will want to be sure that you are the ideal candidate.

Many of the patients who decide to have this type of surgery have tried to lose weight through traditional methods. Diet and exercise have not returned their abdomen back to the flat tummy that they once enjoyed when they were younger. If this sounds like you, it is possible that you are the ideal person to have this procedure. Many times after having children it is impossible to get your stomach muscles back into the kind of shape that they were in before the children. For these women, a tummy tuck is a great solution.

Before surgery, you will need to take into consideration some very important factors. Your diet, exercise level, overall health and any other medical conditions will need to be factored into your decision. Make sure that you are eating a well balanced diet before the surgery. This will help you with your recovery and make sure that you are in the best possible health before tummy tuck surgery. Of course, if you have been trying to lose weight through traditional methods you probably have been monitoring your diet anyway. If you have not, make sure that you are getting the proper nutrients that your body needs to recover from the surgery as quickly as possible.

It is also important that you have been getting regular exercise before abdominoplasty. When you have been getting plenty of exercise and are in great shape, you will be able to recover from the surgery that much quicker. It will also help with some of the problems that could occur from the surgery. Blood clots are one of the problems that can occur when you have this type of surgery and strong muscles and a healthy body will help you to avoid this problem.

You should also go over your medical condition with your doctor before surgery to make sure that you are in the best health that you can be. It is important that you consider all of the medications that you might be taking that could interfere with your recovery.

Remember that you will be out of commission for a little while. You will have to find someone who can bring you home from the surgery and help you out while you are recovering. Don’t try to go it alone. It will take a couple of weeks before you are able to return to your normal activities. There is a great deal to prepare for before tummy tuck surgery. Make sure that you have everything ready before you go for your procedure.

Recovering From Your Tummy Tuck

When you make the decision to have a tummy tuck, there are some things that you should be aware of for your tummy tuck recovery. Abdominoplasty is not a small procedure and you should be prepared for a couple of week recovery from the surgery before you are able to return to your normal activities. You should do a little research to make certain that you understand exactly what will happen and how you can speed your recovery.

Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise before the surgery will ensure that your recovery goes as well as it can. It is also important that you give your body the time that it needs to return to normal. Make sure that you arrange for someone to help you out while you are going through tummy tuck recovery. If you want the procedure to go as well as possible, let your body heal from the surgery that you have just gone through.

There will be some tummy tuck swelling during the first few days of your recovery. You should expect to feel some discomfort as well. The pain that you are experiencing can be controlled with medication. The doctor may recommend bed rest for a few days after the surgery. However, you should expect that your physical condition before the surgery will play a large part in how well you recover.

During the first few weeks of your recovery, the doctor may give you an abdominal binder to wear under your clothes. You may be required to wear this for several weeks after your surgery. You might also have to wear surgical stockings for a period of time as well. These will help prevent blood clots while you are recovering from your tummy tuck.

Your doctor may also suggest that you begin a light exercise routine after the first week. Of course, you should not do anything too strenuous during this time. If you are planning to start exercising during your abdominoplasty recovery, you should talk it over with your doctor. They will be able to let you know if the exercise that you have planned is appropriate.

Your tummy tuck recovery is a very personal thing. You should expect to go back to your normal routine when you feel that it is appropriate. It is not in your best interests to rush your abdominoplasty recovery and risk injury. Not everyone will recover in the same way and you should listen to your body while you are going through it.

The tummy tuck scar that you have will depend on the extent of the surgery. If you have had a complete abdominoplasty surgery, you will have a much larger scar than someone who only had a partial tummy tuck. The scars will be permanent, but they are usually in an area where they will be concealed with clothing and a bikini. It is one of the drawbacks to this type of surgery, but it can be handled effectively if you have a qualified plastic surgeon.

It is important that you take it easy after your surgery and let your body heal. Have someone helping you for the first few days to make sure that you are recovering well and that complications do not develop.

What Should You Ask During Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

Making the decision to have a tummy tuck is one of the most exciting and stress inducing decisions that you will ever make. It is up to you to choose your surgeon and make sure that you are getting the best possible doctor to handle your procedure. Many people have never had a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon before and might be at a loss about what they should be looking for in their initial consultation.

The first thing that you should look for in the cosmetic surgeon that you are considering is whether or not they are board certified. Your cosmetic surgeon should be board certified with the board of cosmetic surgeons. You should find out if they have this certification and how long they have been a practicing plastic surgeon. The board of cosmetic surgeons will ensure that the doctor follows all of the procedures in the correct and safest way possible.

Ask the doctor how many tummy tuck procedures they have performed in their career. This can give you an indication of how much experience they have in the procedure that you are having done. There are some doctors who have more experience in one type of plastic surgery over another. If you are having a tummy tuck, you should look for the surgeon with the most experience in this particular type of cosmetic surgery.

Ask if you can see some before and after pictures of other patients. Most cosmetic surgeons will have these photos for you to view and determine the quality of their work. Keep in mind that they are most likely showing you their best work. Try to determine if there is a noticeable difference in the before and after pictures. This should show you how effective their surgery was for these patients.

You can also ask if they ever have to repair their surgery after it is completed. Most doctors will be honest about the number of times they have had to repair a cosmetic surgery that did not go as expected. Ask about the number of times a tummy tuck has had to be repaired.

Find out where the procedure will take place and if there are any additional costs to the surgery that they have not discussed. There are times when a doctor will state the cost of a tummy tuck as the fee that they will charge for their services. You will want to know about all of the additional costs as well. The cost of the facility, anesthesia and anything else that may not be included in the cost of the procedure.

There are a great deal of other questions that you may have about your procedure. Make sure that your doctor knows your complete medical history before performing your abdominoplasty. Also, specifically ask them if there is anything in your medical history that would exclude you from being an ideal candidate. There is a lot to consider when you are planning to have a tummy tuck. There are some great resources online that can help you with your first consultation with the doctor.

All About Abdominoplasty- What Is It And Who Is A Good Candidate?

You might not be familiar with the term abdominoplasty, but if you heard the term tummy tuck you would know instantly what is being referred to. Many people believe that abdominoplasty surgery is a simple procedure that is used to correct the appearance of the stomach. The truth is that a tummy tuck is not a simple procedure and should be considered very carefully before you decide to go ahead with the surgery.

Like any surgery, there are risks and complications with an abdominoplasty surgery. The tummy tuck will involve a long incision in the abdomen from hip to hip. This incision is in the shape of a V with a flattened line at the bottom of the V. Once the incision is made the skin will be separated from the abdomen, which will expose the muscles. These muscles will be stitched into a new position to tighten up the area and minimize the appearance of the waist. When the muscles are in their new position, the skin will be stretched and the extra skin removed.

The doctor will have to replace the skin that had the naval as it is usually cut away during the tummy tuck. The doctor will create a new naval in a proportional position.

You should expect that the tummy tuck surgery will require a good deal of recovery. It is a major surgery and at least one week of recovery to three weeks is needed to return to normal activities. Although, you might not have to remain in the hospital overnight, you will have to make sure that you can recover at home. There are patients who remain in the hospital for a couple of days to begin their recovery. This is usually decided on a case by case basis. The area will be swollen and painful and you should be given pain medication for the pain.

This is a very invasive surgery and is not right for everyone. Women who are planning to become pregnant again should consider waiting until after the last child is born to have a tummy tuck done. The patient who is the ideal candidate for this surgery is one that is in good physical condition. This usually includes those who have fat or excess skin in the abdominal area that is resistant to exercise. Abdominoplasty can help to eliminate this problem. Women who have had pregnancies and have muscles that are stretched beyond the place where the stomach can return to a normal position. Abdominoplasty is also an ideal choice for older patients whose skin and muscles are sagging due to the aging process.

Patients who still have more weight to lose or are considering another child should consider waiting for abdominoplasty until they have lost the weight or had the last child. The doctor should discuss your options with you when you visit for a consultation. If you are an ideal candidate for the procedure the doctor will discuss what you should expect from the tummy tuck surgery.

What Are The Risks And Complications Of Abdominoplasty?

Having a tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that a lot of women are looking to get, especially after they have had a few children.

If you have had children then you know that no matter how hard you diet and exercise, your stomach will never look the way that it used to.

A tummy tuck can return your stomach to its prepregnancy look by repositioning those muscles and removing the excess skin. If you are considering this type of procedure, you should spend some time taking a look at the tummy tuck complications that you could be facing.

The tummy tuck risks are rare, but you should make sure that you are informed before you have any type of surgery. A tummy tuck is a major surgery and should not be taken lightly. If you have been dieting and exercising to lose those last few pounds, you should be in good condition for the surgery. It is very important that you have been eating a healthy well balanced diet before the surgery as well as exercising every day to make sure that you are in the best possible shape. This will help to eliminate some of the risks that are associated with abdominoplasty.

Blood clots is one of the tummy tuck complications that you should be aware of. There are some people who will be more prone to blood clots than others and your doctor will be made aware of your medical history before the procedure takes place. The risk of having a blood clot after surgery will usually occur in the first few days. This is true of every major surgery.

Although the time line can vary, your doctor will most likely suggest that you take short walks around your room a day or so after your surgery. You will be able to take longer walks within a week or so outside of your home. This is one of the best ways to prevent the clots from occurring in your legs. Of course, your activity should be light in the first four to six weeks.

Infection is another of the tummy tuck risks that you should be careful of if you are having the procedure. It is very important that you listen to all of your doctor’s advice on caring for the wound when you leave the hospital. You will be told when you can get the wound wet and how you should keep it clean.

Most of the infections that happen after a surgery happen when the patient does not care for the wound in the proper way. If you experience a fever or chills after the surgery or your wound is draining pus or is greenish in color, you should get to the doctor immediately. An infection can be treated with antibiotics and drainage of the wound.

Some of the other tummy tuck complications that you should consider are slow healing, pneumonia and reactions to the medications or anesthesia. Many people don’t consider all of the possible problems that could happen with a tummy tuck. It has become such a popular procedure that many people forget that it is actually a major surgery. Take some time and consider all of the possibilities before you decide on the surgery.

Tummy Tucks For Men

You might typically think of tummy tucks as a procedure that women have to fix the problems that come from pregnancy and child birth, but there are just as many men who use the surgery to correct their aging stomach muscles or to remove excess skin and fat after a significant weight loss.

The procedure for men is the same as it would be for a woman and there are considerations to be made for those men who are trying to decide on the procedure that is right for them. There are some men who would not be ideal candidates for the procedure just as there are women who are not the ideal candidate. Do some research on the surgery and determine if this is the right course for you.

A tummy tuck is generally performed for someone who has lost a significant amount of weight and is within a few pounds of their ideal. When there is a large loss of weight, the skin of the abdomen can become loose and sag despite attempts at exercise to correct it. For these men, a tummy tuck is a great solution. The tummy tuck will remove the excess skin and tighten up the abdomen area.

It is a major surgery and the health of the man considering the procedure should be a top concern. Men who are having a tummy tuck should be in good health physically and eat a well balanced diet. Supporting the body through diet and exercise is the best way to make sure that you are prepared to go through the surgery and recover quickly.

During the initial consultation the doctor will go over your medical history and determine if you are a good candidate for this type of surgery. If you still have a significant amount of weight to lose, the doctor may recommend that you hold off on the surgery until you have lost more weight. It is important that you try to lose the weight on your own before you attempt a tummy tuck.

Finding the right doctor to perform the surgery is also an important concern. You should make sure that your doctor is a board certified plastic surgeon and has the experience in tummy tucks that will ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible. You can ask about the doctor’s experience during your initial consultation. Make sure that you feel comfortable with the doctor you choose and that you feel free to ask as many questions as you need.

Take a look at some before and after pictures to help you judge the doctor’s work. If at all possible try to speak with patients of the doctor and find out if there have been any problems in the past. A doctor may not be forthcoming about past problems, but with some checking you can usually find these things out.

For men, it is just as important as it is for women that you take the abdominoplasty seriously. Too many people believe that a tummy tuck is a simple procedure that doesn’t require careful consideration. It is major surgery, and you should do your homework before you make this important decision.

Mini Tummy Tuck VS. Full Tummy Tuck

Those who are interested in a tummy tuck have the option of choosing between a mini tummy tuck or a complete abdominoplasty surgery. There are some differences and not all patients will be good candidates for either of these surgeries.

The mini tummy tuck is designed for those who are within ten percent of their ideal body weight. For this surgery there will be a much smaller incision and it can usually be accomplished with day surgery. The mini tummy tuck will leave the naval alone and the doctor may use liposuction as well during the surgery to remove any fat.

Some patients will require a full and complete abdominoplasty if they are more than twenty percent above their ideal weight and the muscles are in need of more extreme tightening. A full tummy tuck will also be performed with liposuction in some cases to remove the fat from the area as well.

There is a great deal that goes in to the decision to have a complete abdominoplasty procedure. Your doctor will discuss all of your options with you to determine which procedure will be right for you. It is important that you choose the right procedure and that you have realistic expectations for the tummy tuck.
For patients that have more than thirty percent of your body weight to lose, it might be a good idea to hold off on the tummy tuck. If you can lose enough weight to be within ten percent of your ideal body weight, you may be able to have a mini tummy tuck instead of a complete abdominoplasty. Your doctor will be able to help you find the right solution for you.

An endoscopic tummy tuck is a procedure that is used to take advantage of endoscopic technology. With this type of tummy tuck it is possible for the doctor to use a much smaller incision to perform the surgery. A week or two of recovery is still needed to return to your normal activities. But for many patients this is a much less invasive surgery.

For many people a mini tummy tuck is the best way to go. After you have exercised and dieted as much as you possibly can and your abdomen is still resisting your attempts, this surgery might be a great choice for you. If you can lose enough weight on your own it is well worth it to wait for the surgery. The recovery time is less and the surgery is less invasive.

However, for those who have tried and tried to lose the weight through the traditional methods of diet and exercise and the weight just will not come off, a complete abdominoplasty is a good solution to your problem. Just make sure that you have done all that you can to lose the weight on your own before you decide on this type of surgery.

Also remember that it is recommended that you not plan to have more children after the surgery. While it is possible to become pregnant and have a child, the pregnancy could undo all of the improvements that were made with your tummy tuck. Whether you choose a mini tummy tuck, partial tummy tuck or a complete abdominoplasty, you should make these decisions with the advice of a board certified plastic surgeon.