Find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Laguna Niguel
An Interview with Dr. Daniel C. Mills on Tummy Tuck
Dr. Daniel C. Mills 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. Upon performing a physical examination and reviewing the patient’s goals and medical history, I will present surgical options to the patient. One available option may be liposuction alone. This option is best for individuals with good skin elasticity and only excess abdominal fat.
The next available option is a 'mini abdominoplasty.' This procedure is best if the patient has a "pooch" from the belly button down and no laxity of skin above the belly button. I perform this procedure most often for women that have a hysterectomy or C- section scar with a little "pooch" above the scar.
The final option is a full abdominoplasty, which is best for those who have so much extra skin that they even have excess skin above the belly button. With a full abdominoplasty, I can also tighten lax abdominal muscles above and below the belly button. I generally place the incision in the panty line in a way that is even hidden when wearing a french-style bikini and/or low-rise jeans.
Q. How long does tummy tuck surgery take?
A. The surgery takes between two and a half and three and a half hours to complete. The recovery time ranges between a week and three weeks.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
A. The most devastating complications would be deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. There can also be complications with wound healing at the incision site.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A. For Ultrasonic liposuction of the tummy area, prices start at $4500 (which includes the anesthesia and facility). A mini tummy tuck is around $5000, and Full tummy tuck is around $10,000.00. These prices increase if the patient is doing liposuction at the same time.
Q. How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
A. The results will last forever unless the patient gets pregnant again or gains weight.
