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Tummy Tuck - Abdominoplasty

Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty is one of the popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States. From the east coast from Florida to the west cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco tummy tuck procedure is popular and is becoming quite common. It is designed to help regain a flat abdomen by smoothing and flattening it.

With age and sometimes with pregnancies, the abdomen muscles become loose and distended, tummy tuck helps to make it taut by removing excess skin and fat, to help you regain your abs – a younger, smoother and firmer abs that you always dreamed of. Patients with moderate to high stretch marks can also benefit from tummy tuck.

Tummy tuck is often done in conjunction with liposuction (especially when there is minimal skin excess), and it is a fairly rigorous procedure, so please ask your surgeon about the operating time, recovery period and possible risks. There are various types of tummy tucks – ranging from full tummy tuck to mini and partial tucks.

In most cases, the operation is an outpatient one done with anesthesia. The incision is from hip to hip and is usually lower than the bikini line, thereby hiding the scar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions related to abdominoplasty (tummy tuck):

Q: My surgeon said I should have a tummy tuck instead of liposuction because I have too much loose skin. Why would abdomen surgery be better for me?

A: The best candidates for liposuction have firm, elastic skin. If it is likely that the abdominal skin might hang down in an unattractive fold after liposuction, a surgeon may recommend an abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck," instead. The main goal of this operation is to remove loose, stretched skin on the abdomen, but it also can remove excess fat.

Q: What will I look like after a tummy tuck?

A: Expect a flatter, firmer abdomen. The results may not be apparent for months, as it takes time for swelling and bruises to disappear. There will be some scars, but these will fade over time.

Q: How soon can I return to work after a tummy tuck?

A: How long you will need to take off work depends on your general fitness and the extent of your surgery. If you feel well, you may return to light work in one to three weeks. Heavy lifting requires a month or more of recovery.

Q: What is a mini-tummy tuck?

A: This partial procedure removes excess skin in a smaller area of the belly (just the lower part of the abdomen) than with a complete abdominoplasty. Unlike in a full abdominoplasty, the belly button is usually not moved. The surgeon may tighten the abdominal muscles along with removing skin and fat. A mini-abdominoplasty can give very good results.

Q: Will insurance pay for a tummy tuck?

A: If you are having the surgery for cosmetic reasons, most insurance companies will not pay for it. Health insurance may cover part or all of the surgery if it is done mainly to improve function or along with a medically needed procedure such as a hernia operation. Ask your insurance company whether it will cover the costs of your surgery.