The 411 On Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery

A tummy tuck – also known as abdominoplasty – tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess skin. There are several types of tummy tuck operations available: traditional, mini endoscopic, extended and circumferential. The biggest differences between the various types involve the amount of skin removed and potential scarring.

Mini and endoscopic tummy tucks have the least amount of scarring, while extended and circumferential are reserved for candidates that have recently lost a massive amount of weight and have lots of excess skin. Women considering a tummy tuck after pregnancy may be candidates for a mini or endoscopic tuck, while circumferential is often reserved for those that have lost more than 200 lbs.

While individual surgeries may vary slightly, the general outline for most tummy tuck operations is the same and can take from two to six hours. Common side effects include swelling, bruising, and pain or discomfort during the recovery period. Most dangerously, blood clots are a rare but serious post-operative complication. Be sure to discuss the benefits and risks of your surgery thoroughly with your doctor.

Almost all tummy tuck plastic surgery patients are thrilled with the results directly after the operation. However, it is important to realize that this operation is not a substitute for eating properly and exercising. Perhaps more than any other cosmetic surgery, this procedure requires maintenance with lifestyle modifications. It is possible to regain the weight back! Patients that have recently lost a massive amount of weight already know how hard they worked to lose that midsection. Your doctor will be able to help you learn more about diet and exercise routines that will keep your flat tummy for years to come.

As with all cosmetic surgery, be sure to choose a surgeon with at least five years of training and two years of experience performing tummy tuck plastic surgery. For optimal results, it is often important to find someone you trust and share a common goal with. You want to ensure you have a doctor that understands your questions, needs and requests. Discussions before and after the tummy tuck should be an open, healthy and trusting two-way conversation with your doctor.

This type of procedure can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 and the final total will depend on a variety of things such as the patient’s needs, surgeon’s experience and location. Most insurance companies do not cover elective cosmetic procedures but there are a variety of institutions that will finance your operation with rates as low as 5% and terms up to 5 years.