FAQs About Tummy Tucks

Maybe you’ve had a baby or a couple, or perhaps you’ve experienced a significant amount of weight loss, and now you are looking at your tummy, knowing your abs are in there, but you can’t quite see them due to excess skin. This is when you may be considering getting a tummy tuck. Tummy tucks are considered invasive procedures, so it is essential to know exactly what the standard tummy tuck includes and have your questions answered before you make your decision. Below are some top FAQs about tummy tucks to help you make the best decision for your body.

1. What is included in a standard tummy tuck?

The standard tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a medical procedure for the stomach and hips which includes excess skin removal, muscle repair, fat removal, and body contouring. Each plastic surgeon will have a different standard for the tummy tuck procedure, meaning not all will include liposuction. If your plastic surgeon does not include liposuction with the tummy tuck, it can be added to remove any pesky fat pockets that

FAQs About Tummy Tucks

have not gone away, no matter your diet or workout regimen. The purpose of a tummy tuck is to reshape the stomach/abdominal area that has experienced extreme change due to weight loss or pregnancy.

2. What is the average cost of a tummy tuck?

The cost of a tummy tuck can vary based on the surgeon you choose and the specific components you would like in the procedure (liposuction, body contouring, etc.). However, the average cost is between $5,500 – $12,000.

3. How long is the recovery from a tummy tuck procedure?

Every person heals differently, but there are ways you can help in the healing and recovery process after a tummy tuck to help the overall process. The typical recovery for a tummy tuck consists of wearing an abdominal binder for six weeks and avoiding strenuous activity and heavy lifting for six weeks. The abdominal binder will help to support the abdomen and prevent any fluid that could potentially build up, causing major issues after the fact.

4. What are the advantages to getting a tummy tuck?

Getting a tummy tuck can have quite a few advantages, including:

Reduced back pain
Correct Ventral Hernias
Improve weak bladder due to childbirth
Increase exercise stamina
Reduce excess skin
Reshape/ restructure abdomen area

5. What are the disadvantages to getting a tummy tuck?

You will want to ensure you have an extremely experienced, certified, and trusted surgeon perform your tummy tuck because of scarring and sometimes abnormal-looking abdominal area. If a large portion of the skin from the stomach region needs to be removed, this may require that the belly button be repositioned or reconstructed altogether. Also, tummy tucks are invasive, and the procedure can be dangerous, as with all surgeries.

6. What results can I expect from a tummy tuck?

As with any surgery, the results are not immediate, but after your 6-week recovery, your results will be relatively close to the final outcome of your tummy tuck. You can expect a flatter/tighter stomach, and reduced stretch marks for years to come so long as you maintain your weight.

7. What are the risks associated with a tummy tuck?

Any surgery is going to come with some risk factors. If you choose to get a tummy tuck, make sure you go over the risk factors with your doctor before the procedure. Your health, weight, and age will also play into the risks. Some risks associated with a tummy tuck include:

Infection
Bleeding
Negative reaction to anesthesia
Fluid build-up is known as a seroma
Tissue loss along the incision line, prolonging healing

8. How do I know if I am a candidate for a tummy tuck?

You should schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your abdomen region goals. A few key things the doctor will consider before approving you for a tummy tuck procedure.

Candidate must:

Be in good health
Have excessive loose skin
Carry excess weight in the abdominal region
Have realistic expectations for the after-surgery outcome
Have the desire to maintain weight and physique after surgery

9. What steps does the method involve?

Abdominoplasty typically entails the tightening of the abdominal muscles, the excision of extra skin, and fat removal through liposuction. However, the surgery will be customized to meet each patient’s specific needs and objectives. During a full tummy tuck, an incision will typically be created low on the abdomen, spanning from one hip to the other. Similar to a full stomach tuck, a tiny tummy tuck will also conceal the incision low on the belly, however, it will often be a little shorter. The procedure typically takes two to four hours, depending on the technique and volume of work required.

10. After the procedure, how painful will it be?

In the days after an abdominoplasty, mild to severe discomfort is likely, although any pain may frequently be controlled and even relieved with medicine.

11. Will I be able to see my scars?

Most clothing, including bathing suits and most types of underwear, can generally cover any potential scarring from stomach tuck surgery because incisions are done low on the belly, frequently close to the pubic area.

12. Is it acceptable to have a belly tuck before having children?

Although getting pregnant after a stomach tuck surgery usually carries no significant risks, it is typically advised that patients postpone getting one after they have all their children. By doing this, you can secure a good outcome.

13. Which People Could Benefit from a Tummy Tuck?

Any cosmetic surgery choice is personal, and patients opt for tummy tucks for various reasons. The best candidates are in good health, nonsmokers, at their optimal body weight, and have reasonable expectations for what surgery can accomplish. You should think about getting a belly tuck if any of the following apply to you:

You’ve lost weight with diet and exercise, but your abdomen still protrudes and is untoned.
Following pregnancy, your abdominal muscles and skin are stretched and drooping.
You have slack, extra skin hanging about your belly now that you have lost a large amount of weight.
You are in excellent shape, but you have always had a tummy that “stands out.”
Patients in any of these circumstances can address their shape-related issues and attain a tighter, flatter abdomen by having a stomach tuck.

14. How Long Will the Effects of a Tummy Tuck Last?

The effects of a belly tuck are relatively durable. Patients who lead healthy lifestyles can anticipate long-lasting results. Getting pregnant or putting on a lot of weight can negatively impact your outcomes. It is advised that those considering an abdominoplasty are near their desired weight and do not have any future pregnancy plans for these reasons.

If you are in the Phoenix area and are considering a tummy tuck, contact Dr. Finkel for your consultation.