| Dr. Laurence Kirwan 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. A tummy tuck is usually a removal of excess skin and fat below the belly-button and a tightening of the abdominal muscles (rectus muscles) in the top and bottom half of the tummy. It is often combined with a breast lift / enlargement. Sometimes known as a ‘mummy make-over’
Another additional procedure is liposuction of the hips and thighs also performed at the same time.
Q. What are the benefits of a tummy tuck?
A. Better core strength and posture, loss of wrinkles and extra fat, ability to wear a two-piece bathing suit, flat stomach.
Q. Who is an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck?
A. Anyone with extra wrinkles (stretch marks) and fat and / or weakened abdominal muscles as a result of childbirth or weight loss after significant weight gain. Ages varies from a year after childbirth to seventh decade as long as medical health is good.
Q. How long does tummy tuck surgery take?
A. 3 hours
Q. Are there risks and complications to tummy tuck?
A. Bleeding, infection, fluid collection (seroma) under the skin, poor scar, dog-ears or extra skin at the sides at the end of the scar. These are the most common possible complications. Seroma is the most common occurring in 5-10% of patients and is treated with removal of fluid with a needle and syringe after surgery, which then helps it to resolve faster. Drains are left in after surgery to help prevent fluid collections.
Q. Will there be a scar after the tummy tuck?
A. Yes, one around the belly-button and one inside the top of the panties from side to side.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A. The surgeon’s fee varies from $ 8000 to $12000. The hospital fee and anesthesia fee is about an additional $3-4000. All fees are estimates and the final fee is determined at the time of the consultation with me.
Q. How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
A. For a lifetime.
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