| Dr. Angela M Keen 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 tummy tuck is a procedure, which removes excess skin and tightens the underlying muscle. Some women may only have loose skin and some may only have loose muscle. Most people with this problem have both.
Q. What are the benefits of a tummy tuck?
This surgery not only allows you to feel better about the appearance of your abdominal area, but it also helps with core stability. Many people feel stronger and better able to maintain proper posture after this surgery.
Q. How is a tummy tuck performed?
The two components of this surgery are the removal of excess skin, and the re-tightening of muscles of the abdomen. There are many considerations to make when planning these operations. The first is to assess whether the patient is a good candidate. If your stomach is flat when you lay down but not when you stand, then you are a candidate to have the muscles in the middle, the two long strips of six-pack muscles, brought back together using sutures. Many women with loose muscles also have small hernias. This is why it is essential to work with a plastic surgeon properly trained in general surgery to recognize and treat these areas as well. One has to place the scar in a location that is acceptable to the patient and the type of clothing they prefer. For the safest results and good scar quality, it is wise not to make the skin closure too tight. This surgery will remove excess skin, but it will not restore the elasticity you had before your aging/weight gain/pregnancy.
Q. How long does tummy tuck surgery take?
Depending on the physical condition of the patient and whether or not shaping of the sides with liposuction is needed, this surgery can take two to three hours.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
For reasons we do not fully understand, this surgery has a high rate of leg blood clot formation. Leg blood clots are potentially life-threatening if they dislodge and travel to the lungs. We think it might have something to do with the increased pressure of the abdomen, prolonged flexion of the hips, and or inactivity after surgery. When I am doing this surgery I am very conscious of these risks and use prophylactic measures such as a leg massaging system, a warmed room, and conservative tightening to allow patients better mobility after the procedure. This helps prevent the growth of blood clots in the legs. If a person has a history of blood clots, they will also need to take a blood thinning medication at the time of their surgery. While there are risks with any surgery, when performed by a properly trained surgeon, plastic surgery (including tummy tuck procedures) is among the safest of surgeries.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
The surgeon fee for this procedure is approximately $4,000-5,000 based mainly on the estimated time needed to complete the operation. Fees for anesthesia and facility are added to this and are also based on time. These should be in the range of $2,000-3,000 if a proper AAAASF/JAHCO facility is used. Centers approved by these national agencies have met the highest quality and safety standards in outpatient surgery. While some plastic surgeons will perform these procedures in surgical facilities within their offices (thus reducing costs associated with the presence of an anesthesiologist and the use of a fully equipped and staffed surgical center), I urge my patients not to sacrifice their safety for lower anesthesia and facility fees.
Q. How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
Like all restorative plastic surgery, this surgery will return your shape to a younger state, but it doesn’t stop the aging process. If you have more children, or gain large amounts of weight, you could re-stretch these tissues. For most people tummy tuck results will last a lifetime!
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