| Dr. Mark Suski 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, or abdominoplasty, is a surgery to improve the appearance of the abdomen. Loose or redundant skin and fat are removed and the underlying muscles are tightened.
Q. Who is an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck?
A. As for all surgeries, it is much safer to operate on healthy non smokers. Specifically, many woman who have been pregnant have very loose abdominal tissues, and can benefit from this procedure. Women who are close to their ideal body weight usually have the best results. Additionally, both men and women who have had massive weight loss can undergo this surgery, or a similar surgery, that removes the excess skin and underlying tissues.
Q. How is a tummy tuck performed?
A. An incision is made in the lower abdomen, where a c-section scar would be. A flap is raised to the level of the ribs and redundant skin and fat is removed. The abdominal muscles are then strengthened and the belly button, or umbilicus is re-inserted into the abdominal wall.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?
A. The specific risks for this surgery are the typical risks of all surgeries, including bleeding, hematoma (collection of blood), infection and scarring. DVT or deep venous thrombosis (clots in the legs) are a recognized complication of all body contouring procedures. We take very specific precautions to decrease the incidence of DVT after surgery. In addition, there are the anesthesia risks. The vast majority of surgeries go smoothly and without any of these complications. However, as in all specialties of medicine, we are required to state the worst possible problems that can occur.
Q. Will a person have a scar after the tummy tuck?
A. There are scars after all of the procedures we perform. The skill of plastic surgery is to hide them in skin folds and wrinkles so that they are not noticeable. A tummy tuck scar is similar to a c-section scar, but longer. we try to hide it below the bikini line.
Q. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
A. There is a big price range for tummy tucks, it depends on the degree of repair required. Prices range from $3000-7000 for surgeon's fees. There is an additional anesthesia fee and surgicenter fee.
Q. How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?
A. If patients maintain their weight and level of fitness, the results will last for decades.
|
