Providence Tummy Tuck

Dr. Richard J. Zienowicz is a plastic surgeon and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Tummy Tuck.


Q. What is a tummy tuck?

A. A tummy tuck is the removal of skin and fat from the lower abdomen that usually includes tightening the muscle layer underneath to permanently improve the appearance and strength of the abdominal wall.

Q. How is a tummy tuck performed?

A. We begin by making an incision around the belly button to separate it from the abdominal skin, then cut on a long line  below where a bikini  would normally be. Next we surgically elevate all the skin and fat off of the muscle layer from the bikini line up to the rib cage on both sides.  Next we sew up the middle bulge between the 6 pack muscles to make it tight again.  Next we put in drains and Marcaine to eliminate pain post op. Next we pull the skin like a window shade down towards the groin, then cut away the excess skin and fat to make a nice level beautiful closure and inset the new belly button in the right location and close the incisions with Quill sutures to get a beautiful tight well contoured closure.

Q. How long does tummy tuck surgery take?
 
A. About 2 hours including the anesthetic blocks to numb the area,  more for a large tummy of course, less for a minimal one.

Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?

A. Of course.  All operations have risks.  The most common are wound separation, seroma (collection of fluid), hematoma (collection of blood) and infection (all less than 5%).

Q. What should one expect after the operation?

A. One should expect a lifetime of improved appearance and often self confidence.  Many people state they have improved back pain.

Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?

A. It would range from $5000 to $10,000 depending on the severity.ie, miniabdominoplasty to massive weight loss patients that take much longer because of the amount of skin and fat that need to be removed.

Q. How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?

A. Often a lifetime.  Less, if there is considerable weight gain or loss of abdominal muscle strength.
I hope this is helpful!