A tummy tuck plastic surgery, or abdominoplasty, is a procedure that involves removing excessively saggy skin in the abdominal area; using liposuction techniques to remove fat and skin in the belly to get rid of a protruding abdomen; and tightening weakened abdominal muscles.
Women who plan to become pregnant in the future or wish to lose excessive weight should discuss with the tummy tuck surgeon the options, as child birthing and rapid weight loss could undo the results of the procedure.
Also, scars from previous abdominal surgeries could limit results from the tummy tuck cosmetic surgery.
Tummy Tuck Cost
Tummy tuck cosmetic surgery includes three different costs: the tummy tuck surgeon’s fee, the anesthesiologist’s fee, and the surgical setting fee. The surgeon’s fee will vary due to the extent of the tummy tuck surgery and the skill of the surgeon.
The average total cost of the procedure is between $3,000 and $8,500. Costs will also vary with geographical location. For instance, a tummy tuck in San Diego, California will vary in cost than a tummy tuck located in New York City.
A recommended cosmetic surgery center in San Diego is the Sadrian center (www.sadriancosmeticsurgery.com), and a recommended location in New York City would be CosMedica, (www. cosmedica.com).
Tummy Tuck Pictures
Tummy tuck before and after images can be viewed on this site: www.yarishmd.com/tummy_tuck_gallery.htm
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Tummy tuck recovery time will be spent in an outpatient setting. Individuals could be released in as little as a few hours to several days. There will be some swelling from the tummy tuck as well as some discomfort and bruising.
Your physician will advise you to have someone at home to assist you within the first ten days and to help administer any necessary pain medications during your tummy tuck recovery time. The doctor may also suggest a laxative and stool softener to help bowels move along without putting strain on the abdominal muscles.
Drainage tubes will be removed between 4-7 days, then sutures are extracted between 7-10 days. A compression garment will have to be worn for up to 6 weeks. During your tummy tuck recovery, the doctor will advise you to move around with assistance to help decrease the risk of blood clot formation in the legs.
Strenuous activity can be resumed within 6-8 weeks. Taking all these precautions and advice will help lead to a full and speedy recovery.
Tummy Tuck Scars
Patients undergoing this operation will have a small scar surrounding the belly button area, while a bigger scar will run transverse to where the larger incisions were made.
The scars will be permanent and visible, but can be easily concealed under a bathing suit, outer clothing or underwear.