Dr.Stanley Castor 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 a surgical procedure done to remove excess skin and stretch marks on the abdomen after a woman has finished having children. The stomach muscles are also tightened as part of the procedure to make the abdomen more flat.
Q. How is a tummy tuck performed?
A. This procedure is done under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center. An overnight stay in the hospital is not necessary.
An incision is made from hip bone to hip bone in the bikini area, the stomach muscles are put back together after being stretched out from pregnancy and the excess skin and stretch marks are removed.
Q. How long does tummy tuck surgery take?
A. The surgery takes about 2-3 hours.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
A. There is less than 1% chance of bleeding or hematoma and less than 1% chance of infection. There is numbness above the incision which can be permanent. Wound healing problems are rare, but more common in smokers and woman with diabetes.
Q. What should one expect after the operation?
A. Most women need 7-10 days to recover. The first few days, you are unable to stand all the way upright and most women sleep in a recliner since it is uncomfortable to lie flat in bed. You have a drain tube in the lower abdomen for 5-7 days. By 7 days, most women can stand erect and drive a car. The second week, patients are still tired, but walking without difficulty. Most women return to work in 7-10 days. You are unable to lift more than 10 lbs for six weeks and no excercise other than walking for the first six weeks.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A. The full package price including surgeons fee, anesthesia, operating room fees, recovery room and supplies is around $6000-7000.
Q. How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
A. The results of a tummy tuck are permanent.
Maintaining your weight, diet and a healthy lifestyle make this procedure a permanent solution to loose muscle and excess skin and stretch marks.
