| Dr. Steven Yarinsky is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Tummy Tuck.
Q. What is a tummy tuck?
A. Abdominal skin and the muscles loosen with pregnancy. The procedure helps to restore the more youthful narrower pre-pregnancy waistline. Tummy tucks are also useful to tighten the waistline after massive weight loss to remove loose skin and tighten muscles.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE?
Ø You have loose or sagging abdominal skin or a fat roll frequently associated with abnormal relaxation or stretching of the anterior abdominal wall muscles. This condition is common after pregnancies, prior surgery, or massive weight loss.
Ø You may have rashes beneath your abdominal skin fold.
Ø You are unable to tighten your abdominal wall skin with diet and exercise. Your clothing does not fit well.
INTENDED RESULT
Ø A smoother flatter abdomen.
PROCEDURE DESCRIPTION
Ø The procedure is usually performed using general anesthesia as an outpatient in my office facility.
Ø Mini-abdominoplasty tightens the lower abdominal wall skin only. Most people will benefit more from a full (standard) tummy tuck.
Ø Standard abdominoplasty tightens all of the abdominal wall skin.
Ø Extended abdominoplasty tightens the abdomen and the flanks or sides.
Ø Belt lipectomy lightens the abdomen, flanks, and the back--all around your waistline.
Ø Your result will reach the 90% point in six weeks. Further healing and improvement will occur over a year.
RECUPERATION AND HEALING
Ø Abdominoplasty discomfort is controlled by pain medication taken for one to two weeks. Three to five days of total assistance at your home is needed after surgery.
Ø Walking begins the day after surgery and is comfortable in two weeks. Light activity is comfortable in 10-20 days. Strenuous sports will not be comfortable for about 6 weeks.
OTHER OPTIONS
Ø Additional procedures that may enhance your result are liposuction, breast lift, augmentation, and reduction, or thigh lift. Some of these can be done at the same time as a tummy tuck.
Q. How is a tummy tuck performed?
A. A tummy tuck includes tightening the lower abdominal skin and also tightening the envelope around the rectus, or "sit-up" muscles. The procedure is performed using a general anesthetic (The patient is asleep).
Q. How long does tummy tuck surgery take?
A. A tummy tuck takes 4-6 hours depending on whether liposuction of the waistline is also needed.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
A. There are risks and complications with any surgery including bleeding, infection and scars, but we minimize the chance of complications with meticulous planning and surgical technique. Most common complications include poor healing- possibly requiring scar revision, mostly seen in smokers, and development of a seroma, which is fluid puddling beneath the abdominal flap.
Q. What should one expect after the operation?
A. One should expect to receive a smoother flatter abdomen and narrower waistline.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A. Tummy tucks range in cost from $7900 to over $14000 (including anesthesia, supplies, medications, facility and surgeon’s fees). Including liposuction increases the fee to the higher end of the range.
Q. How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
A. The results are permanent as long as weight stays stable. Weight gains of 10 to 15 pounds or more and pregnancy can destroy the results.
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