| Dr. Robert Young 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. Abdominoplasty is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen.
Q. Who is an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck?
A. The ideal candidate for abdominoplasty is in good shape but has stretched out the skin of the abdomen, as with several pregnancies. It is not a substitute for diet and exercise. Smokers, individuals with a history of deep venous thrombosis, with major medical problems such as diabetes, or with excess weight are at increased risk of complications. Abdominoplasty may not be a logical choice if another pregnancy is planned.
Q. How is a tummy tuck performed?
A. A low transverse incision is made above the pubic hair from hip to hip [like a caesarean but longer], skin and fat are undermined up to the ribs, if there is separation of the rectus muscles these are approximated, the excess skin and fat is removed, and the umbilicus is brought out through a new opening. Drains are used, and an elastic Velcro binder is worn afterwards. This is done under general anesthesia as an outpatient.
Someone with localized excess fat in the abdomen but good skin tone may do well with liposuction alone. Liposuction removes fat without removing skin, so there is no significant scar, less cost, less downtime, and lower risk. Laser liposuction promotes skin tightening by heating the skin from the underside. I am performing laser liposuction using the Sciton TempAssure, the first device that allows measurement of the internal temperature during laser liposuction. This increases the safety and efficacy of that procedure. That is by measuring the temperature one can more consistently get it hot enough to achieve tightening of the skin without getting it too hot and burning the skin.
If necessary further skin tightening can be obtained afterwards using SkinTyte [broad band light that externally heats the skin].
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
A. As with any procedure there are risks of bleeding, infection, problems with anesthesia, etc. With abdominoplasty there is always a long scar, as well a small one around the umbilicus. The scar may not be completely covered by all clothing, i.e. the ends may stick out of a bathing suit. There is numbness in the flap at first, which usually returns over several months. There can be fluid collection underneath the flap despite the drains. There can be problems healing, particularly with smokers.
Q. What should one expect after the operation?
A. Patients who are young, thin, in good health, with excess skin but not a lot of fat may go home the same day while others remain overnight. It may be a week to walk upright comfortably and have the drains removed. If we repair the muscles, it is six weeks before strenuous exercise is allowed.
Q. Will a person have a scar after the tummy tuck?
A. There can be fullness at the ends of the scar. The scars themselves can be less than ideal. The further around the body the excess skin is found, the longer the scar must be to remove that skin.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A. In short, before considering body contouring one should get in as optimal shape as possible through diet and exercise. At that point consultation is necessary to find what procedure is recommended and all the risks and benefits of that procedure. Laser liposuction of a single area under local may be done for $2,000. Addominoplasty may vary from $5,000 to $8,000 depending upon what is done, the time required, if there is an overnight stay, etc.
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