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Tummy Tuck Procedures (Abdominoplasty)

For years, the tummy tuck has been one of the most popular forms of plastic surgery for the body. But that doesn't change the fact that it is still surgery, and therefore requires careful research from people who are considering it. This article explains the tummy tuck / abdominoplasty surgery from several angles, including the basics of how it works and the risks associated with it.

What is Abdominoplasty Anyway?

Abdominoplasty, most commonly referred to as a tummy tuck surgery, is a surgical procedure that tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess fat and skin, creating an abdomen that is firmer and smoother in appearance.

Although Abdominoplasty is not recommended as a substitute for an effective weight loss or exercise program, it is common for people of normal body weight and proportion to develop a protruding or sagging abdomen and excessive skin due to past pregnancies, significant weight loss, aging or prior surgery.

Abdominoplasty is not recommended for people who are in the process of losing a substantial amount of weight or women who may become pregnant, since these can significantly diminish the results of a tummy tuck.

How the Tummy Tuck Works

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and consists of your surgeon making an incision horizontally across your lower abdomen and another just below your navel, if necessary. The excess fat, skin and tissue will be removed and slack muscles tightened, then remaining skin sutured in to place.

Recovery from abdominoplasty varies greatly depending on the extent of your surgery and your overall physical condition prior to your abdominoplasty. In some cases, patients are able to return to their normal non-strenuous activities in one to three weeks following surgery.

In most instances, those undergoing Abdominoplasty will be able to resume most of their normal activities, including low-impact exercise after only a few weeks. It is generally recommended that patients refrain from sexual activity for a minimum of two weeks or longer, if advised by their surgeon, but should expected a full recovery in about six weeks.

Risks of Abdominoplasty

All medical procedures have risks associated with them, and the abdominoplasty / tummy tuck is no different. After reading the description above about how the procedure is performed, you can clearly see that there is the potential for harm. So let's talk about the various tummy tuck risks and what to know about them.

• Infections - Whenever a doctor makes incisions in a patient, there is a risk of infection. So as you might imagine, this is a possible risk of abdominoplasty procedures as well. Some doctors (but not all) will prescribe antibiotics to their patients after a tummy tuck surgery. Ask your doctor about this potential risk and what he or she does to minimize it.
• Unfavorable Scarring - This risk of tummy tuck procedures is common to all medical procedures involving incisions. Sometimes when you see before and after photos of patients who have had an abdominoplasty / tummy tuck surgery, you notice excessive scars that are highly visible. This is another common risk associated with this type of procedure, so it is something worth discussing with your doctor.
• Excessive Bleeding - Here again, we have a risk that is common to most surgeries involving incisions in the body. When undergoing an abdominoplasty there is the risk of excessive bleeding, especially in patients who have experienced heavy bleeding with previous surgeries or procedures.
• Blood Clot - This occurs when one of your arteries becomes blocked by a clot, a piece of tissue, or even an air bubble. Depending on where the clot happens, it could lead to a number of serious conditions and may even be fatal. So this is a potential risk of tummy tuck procedures that you must understand and research further.

Please note that this list of abdominoplasty risks is not all-inclusive. There are other potential complications in addition to the ones presented here. So always do the necessary research in order to get a more complete picture of the possible risks you might face.

Cost of a Tummy Tuck

Unless you can provide medical evidence that your abdominoplasty is needed for health reasons (and is not solely cosmetic), you will probably have to pay for the procedure out of your own pocket. This makes the cost of a tummy tuck a topic of chief concern for most people considering the surgery.

Tummy tuck costs can vary widely based on the surgeon's experience, the geographic location of the surgeon's practice, anesthesiologist and operating room fees and the type of procedure used. Due to these factors, the total cost can range from $3,000 to $10,000. While most cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance, many surgeons offer a variety of financing plans to make your procedure affordable.

Related information: Los Angeles tummy tuck procedures