| Dr. Andres Taleisnik 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 a procedure that removes excess skin, and sometimes fat, from the abdomen. The abdominal muscles are also usually tightened to flatten the tummy, and to narrow the waist.
Q. What are the benefits of a tummy tuck?
A. A tummy tuck has many benefits. Rolls or folds of skin and fat can be removed, resulting in a tight, smooth, flat tummy. Many patients who were never able to lose weight successfully have been dramatically more successful after a tummy tuck, since they’re able to exercise more comfortably and they can see the results when they lose a few pounds (maintains better motivation). Patients can wear many more types of clothing. Stretch marks can often be eliminated or markedly reduced.
Q. How is a tummy tuck performed?
A. A tummy tuck involves lifting the layer consisting of skin and fat from the underlying muscle. This also includes separating the belly button from the skin. Once the muscle is exposed, it can be tightened and flattened. The excess skin is then cut out, leaving a smooth, tight tummy. A new opening is then made for the belly button, which remains in its normal position.
Q. Is anesthesia used during the tummy tuck procedure?
A. A tummy tuck requires general anesthesia to be performed optimally. I use only extremely experienced board certified anesthesiologists, and have performed tummy tucks even on women in their 60’s without difficulty.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
A. Every surgery has some risks and potential complications. For a tummy tuck, the most common or significant would be development of infection, which can necessitate additional antibiotics and sometimes surgical drainage of the infection. Fortunately, this occurs rarely, and can be corrected when it does occur.
Q. What should one expect after the operation?
A. I ask my patients to walk hunched over for the first 4 days after surgery, and to sleep in a position with the hips and waist flexed for 4 nights. Drains are used to remove fluid that naturally accumulates beneath the skin until the skin sticks down again to the underlying muscle. The drains might remain in place for a few days, or sometimes up to 10 days or longer. The tummy is usually sore, but not excruciatingly painful. By one week, patients can usually walk upright fairly easily. The results are often dramatic, and will last indefinitely.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A. The total cost of a tummy tuck depends on how much needs to be done, and how long it will take. For a full tummy tuck, the cost may be as low as $5000 or as much as $8000. Prices are lower now than in prior years, due to the economic difficulties, but is likely to rise again as the economy recovers. |
