| Dr. Erel Laufer 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. It is a procedure which consists of removal of redundant tummy skin ("apron") and tightening the loose underlying muscles to give a flatter look to the tummy, while leaving a horizontal scar which can be covered by a bottom piece of a bikini. This procedure is usually combined with limited liposuction as well.
Q. What are the benefits of a tummy tuck?
A. Besides the cosmetic appearance there are other benefits to the procedure:
Improved posture and often times patients have reported that their backaches have improved or disappeared.
Occasionally improved bowel function.
On other occasions incidental findings of hernias can be dealt with and repaired.
Q. How is a tummy tuck performed?
A. Tummy tuck is usually approached via a transverse incision at the bikini line and depending on the extent of the skin laxity one can do a mini,standard or extended abdominoplasty. In some rare patients who have a sagging upper tummy skin and non stretched lower abdomen the incision can be carried out at the creases under the breasts with removal of the excessive skin at that level (from above) leaving a hidden scar by the breast creases.
Q. How long does tummy tuck surgery take?
A. Depending on which approach is taken a tummy tuck can take from one and a half to four hours.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
A. There are many potential complications associated with the procedure the commonest are: Hematoma(blood collection or active bleeding under the abdominal skin), infection, blood clots and possible blood clot traveling from the extremities to the lung(s),fat clump traveling to the lung(s),bad scars and potential partial skin death(necrosis),seroma formation(persistent fluid accumulation under the skin).
Q. What should one expect after the operation?
A. Barring complications one would expect a tighter tummy with quasi elimination of the stretch marks, if were present, of the lower abdomen and a better looking waistline.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A. The cost may vary according to the extent of the surgery between $4,500.00 to 8,000.00.
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