| Dr. Larry S Nichter is a plastic surgeon and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Tummy Tuck.
Q. What is a tummy tuck and how is it performed?
A. A Tummy Tuck, also called an Abdominoplasty is an operation which can tighten the abdominal muscles, remove lower tummy excess skin and fat. Liposuction is usually used as required as well. For example, your weight and body fat may be low, yet stretched, weak abdominal muscles may result in laxity and forward protrusion of the lower or entire abdomen. In just about all women, following pregnancy the two midline rectus abdominis muscles separate. This is called a "diastasis recti". This weakness tends to enlarge the waist in many women. These and other conditions are corrected during a Tummy Tuck, which has the added advantage of bringing in your waist line. On the other hand if only a small amount of skin is redundant in the lower tummy you may only need a fairly simple "mini-tuck" rather than the more extensive standard Abdominoplasty - which corrects all the conditions noted above. Simple exercises will maintain your results life long as long as your weight doesn’t significantly change. An Umbilicoplasty, or improving the belly button appearance is an additional benefit of the tummy tuck as is removal of stretch marks of the lower abdomen. This can actually be done as a separate minor procedure if the belly button has been stretched or distorted by the pregnancy or incorporated during the tummy tuck procedure. An umbilical hernia can also be repaired at the same time. After pregnancy if your belly button has a bulge or sticks out, it may be due to an umbilical hernia – A hernia repair can be performed as part of the umbilicoplasty procedure.
Q. How long does tummy tuck surgery take?
A. The time varies depending on the size of the patient and is a bit longer if associated with massive weight loss. In general however it takes the surgeon about 3 hours to do a tummy tuck. Though it will take a bit longer if you add additional procedures such a liposuction or breast surgery the recovery remains the same in most cases.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
A. There are risks for any surgical procedure and a tummy tuck is no exception. Fortunately the risk of a complication is minimal for those patients in good health. Some of the uncommon complications include problems with healing and infection. Less commonly but more serious problems such as blood clots can form in the legs and can travel towards the lungs – Fortunately this has not happened in any of my patients thus far. All complications are more likely in smokers, diabetics and those that are less active.
Q. What should one expect after the operation?
A. To feel tight in the tummy area for a few weeks and generally sore. Walking following surgery begins the day of surgery. There are temporary drains that are usually removed 1-2 weeks following surgery and elastic garment worn for about 3 weeks. Driving is usually permissible after the second week when progressive exercises are permitted, lifting more than 20 pounds, and the usual return to work time if applicable.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A. Typical Costs including Anesthesia, Surgery Center fees, Initial Consultation, preoperative and all follow-up visits, and surgeon’s fees are approximately eight to ten thousand dollars.
Q. How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
A. The results of a tummy tuck will last a lifetime if you maintain your weight and maintain your abdominal muscle tone by some simple core exercises such a stomach crunches. For more information about my practice and to see before and after photographs of my work, please feel free to visit my web site: www.drnichter.com or call for a complementary appointment at 714 902 1100.
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