Dr. Joseph Serota 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 tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is the removal of excess skin and fatty tissue of the lower abdomen along with tightening of the abdominal muscles.
Q. How is a tummy tuck performed and how long does the surgery take?
It is a surgery performed in the operating room and it typically takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
There are risks associated with tummy tucks as with any other surgery and these would include bleeding and infection, although they are quite uncommon. Healing problems can be seen, which are more commonly found in smokers.
Q. What should one expect after the operation?
After the operation we generally keep our patients for a couple of nights in the surgical facility, and then they are discharged home with their dressings and drains. They need to take about 1 to 2 weeks off work. Their dressings and drains are removed at one week. They can usually return back to work at 2 weeks and back to the gym at approximately 3 weeks.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
The cost for a tummy tuck consists of the professional fee along with costs for the surgical facility and anesthesia. Currently this is running in the range of $7,000 to $8,000.
Q. How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
The results of the tummy tuck are long lasting. The procedure is designed to correct the situation that resulted from pregnancy, weight loss or aging. It is typically not a procedure that would ever have to be repeated.
