The Tummy Tuck Procedure

Cost from $ 2,400

Cost with Financing $ 85 per month

What to Expect During a Tummy Tuck Procedure

Individuals who plan to receive a tummy tuck are likely to have multiple questions about the tummy tuck procedure.  These questions may range in nature from length of time the surgery takes to what exactly the doctor will be doing to what this will mean for the rest of the patient’s life.  Most importantly, a concerned individual will wonder how he or she ought to prepare for receiving a tummy tuck.  Cosmetic procedures such as the tummy tuck incite these sorts of questions.  It is important for individuals to understand how the procedure works and the risks and benefits associated with the tummy tuck procedure before going in.  Knowing detailed information about the actual surgery helps the patient feel and be prepared for undertaking this life changing venture.  This article will briefly explain what a tummy tuck is, after which it will go over the details of the tummy tuck procedure.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty, more commonly referred to as a “tummy tuck”, is a surgical procedure in which surgeons remove excess skin and fat in the abdomen and tighten the abdominal muscles.  Pregnancy, weight fluctuation, aging, genetics, and other conditions can cause the skin and fat in the abdominal area to accumulate in an unattractive manner, leading the individual to consider cosmetic surgery.  Many individuals have sagging skin and stubborn belly fat that no amount of dieting or exercise can seem to get rid of, and a tummy tuck is a means to eliminate that skin and fat.  During the tummy tuck procedure, surgeons remove the extra fat and skin and tighten the stomach muscles so that the patient’s stomach area is smooth and flat after the surgery is complete.  Contrary to what people often assume, the tummy tuck procedure is not a weight loss surgery but rather a process of removing excess skin and fat so that the patient’s abdominal area becomes firm and taut.  The best candidates for abdominoplasty are those who are at or near their ideal body weight but who cannot get rid of their extra stomach fat and skin through exercise and dieting.

What Happens During Tummy Tuck Surgery

Before the surgeon performs the tummy tuck procedure, the patient is most often given general anesthesia.  After the patient has fallen asleep, the surgeon creates incisions in the abdominal area.  A common incision line for the tummy tuck is horizontally from hip to hip, located below the navel and close to or along the pubic hair line so that it will most likely be hidden by clothing or a swimsuit most of the time after surgery.  Often a second incision is made around the navel.  In the situation that skin and fat needs to be removed above the navel, additional incisions around the navel may be necessary.  The skin is then separated from the abdominal wall to reveal the underlying muscle tissues.  Sutures are used to tighten the abdominal muscles and fascia that have become weak or separated due to pregnancy or other causes.  The next step in the tummy tuck procedure after the stomach muscles have been tightened is to trim away the extra skin and fat.  In many cases, liposuction is used to assist with the removal of excess fat.  The surgeon then repositions the navel after removing the excess skin and fat from the abdomen.  Finally, the doctor closes the incisions using multi-layer suturing, and bandages them.  In some situations it is necessary to place drainage tubes to prevent fluid buildup underneath the skin.  The entire tummy tuck procedure typically lasts anywhere from one to five hours, and most surgeons require the patient to stay in hospital overnight to ensure that the patient’s healthy recovery begins as it should. 

Making the Decision to Receive a Tummy Tuck

Once the intended patient is aware of the details of the procedure, he can make a more educated decision about whether or not he should receive abdominoplasty.  As with all cosmetic and other types of surgeries, there are risks associated with the tummy tuck procedure.  However, cosmetic surgeons who perform tummy tucks recognize these risks and take all necessary precautions to minimize them so that the patient’s experience with the tummy tuck surgery is a positive one.  Individuals can feel much more confident about receiving the surgery if they are armed with the information detailing every aspect of the procedure.

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