Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure designed to remove unwanted fat and skin from the stomach region, and to restore damaged or weakened muscles for a firmer, healthier look and feel to the abdomen.
Who can benefit from a tummy tuck?
If regular exercise, in conjunction with a healthy diet and stable weight, do not help to produce your goal of a toned and flat stomach, a tummy tuck is a viable surgical solution. A protruding abdomen is not limited to obese people but can strike those with an ordinary weight, often due to factors such as aging, pregnancy, heredity, or the effects of previous surgical procedures. A tummy tuck is an effective option for people with a stable, healthy weight who wish to enhance their abdomen.
Prior considerations
The procedure should be undertaken by people with a commitment to maintaining a suitable weight and exercising, as the results of a tummy tuck may be undone over time due to inadequate upkeep. Women who hope to have a baby at some point after the surgery are recommended to postpone the procedure until later. Also the surgery is generally unsuitable for correcting stretch marks unless they happen to fall on excess skin which is to be removed.
How is the surgery performed?
Your comfort is ensured with either anaesthesia or intravenous sedation before the surgery begins. Then the surgeon makes a horizontal incision along the curved line below the navel and above the pubis. The length and exact shape of the line depends on the extent of the corrections to be made. The incision gives the surgeon appropriate access to the abdominal muscles and tissues, plus fat and excess skin, all of which will be altered or removed where necessary. Access to surplus skin of the upper abdomen may require a further incision around the navel. All incisions are closed at the end of the surgery.
Recovery
As with all surgery, the immediate period after the procedure will involve swelling in the treated area which can temporarily obscure the results. You may also find it difficult to stand up straight while the tissues and muscles of the abdomen heal properly. Compression bandages are often applied to the abdomen in order to lessen the amount of swelling and add support to the healing stomach area.
Long-term results
The results of the tummy tuck should become clear within two weeks as the swelling subsides and the area recovers, enabling you to stand and appreciate the view. The stomach should appear both firmer and flatter, naturally suiting your body and weight.
Tummy tucks are designed for permanent results, but considerations mentioned above can all impact on your abdomen throughout your life, particularly fluctuations in weight and the inevitable effects of aging. Exercise and diet are the best ways to prolong the results, in addition to any instructions given by the surgeon.
How much does it cost?
Every surgeon is likely to charge a different cost, based on the specific facilities, your location, and the extent of the procedure. Average costs for tummy tuck surgery range from $6000 to $8000. As the surgery is cosmetic, most medical insurance providers will not contribute to these costs. Many surgeons offer their own payment plans.