Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty
A Tummy Tuck, or abdominoplasty is an operation that removes the excess skin and fatty tissue of the lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal wall. Pregnancy, along with excessive weight gain and loss, stretches and weakens the abdominal wall. The muscles become separated and cannot be corrected by diet and exercise alone. A tummy tuck can be an amazing operation to restore and possibly improve the abdomen you once had. Abdominoplasty is appropriate for both men and women who are concerned with the contours of their abdomen.
Am I a Tummy Tuck Candidate?
You might be a tummy tuck candidate if you have experienced any of the following:
Pregnancy: Women who have been pregnant frequently have stretching of their abdominal wall and skin resulting in an abdomen they are unhappy with. A tummy tuck operation performed by Dr. Smith can make a drastic difference in the function and appearance of your abdominal wall.
Massive Weight Loss: After losing large amounts of weight, many men and women are left with extra skin and residual fat. There are a variety of procedures available for these people, including tummy tuck, breast lift and reduction, and body lift. For most of these patients, some combination of procedures including abdominoplasty can be the solution.
Aging: Over time, everyone’s skin begins to lose elasticity and sag. Genetic factors are partially to blame, but eventually time catches up with almost everyone. Patients whose skin has sagged with age can turn to abdominoplasty to help turn back the clock.
What is the Cost of a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
Tummy tuck prices varies per patient depending on the extent of the operation needed to be performed. Dr. Smith will be able to discuss with you which operation would be appropriate for you at the time of your consultation, as well as possible financing options.
Financing
Dr. Smith provides several choices for financing. We will be pleased to assist you in obtaining financing for this procedure. We are affiliated with companies that offer financing for cosmetic surgery. See Dr. Smith’s financing options.
F.A.Q.s
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In general terms, a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is an operation that results in a smoother, flatter abdomen. Often times, the bulging that is seen in the abdomen is a result of excess skin and subcutaneous tissue, as well as weakness and building of the abdominal wall. Especially after having children, women will notice that no matter how hard they work out, their abdominal wall is never the same. This is because of the laxity that developed from having the strength layer of you abdomen stretched. Dr. Smith routinely corrects this laxity by placing sutures that tighten your abdominal wall (Abdominal plication) at the same time as removing the excess skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Tummy tuck surgery is often recommended for women who are looking to get their before baby body back as part of a mommy makeover or as part of body contouring after massive weight loss. Tummy tuck patients benefit from the complete removal of the area of fat and skin below the belly button and if there is laxity of the abdominal wall musculature. -
A mini tummy tuck (mini-abdominoplasty) is an operation that refers to the removal of skin and subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen without having to move the belly button. It is most commonly performed in women who have a relatively small amount of excess skin and do not require much work above the level of the umbilicus. If you are a candidate for this operation, it can make an enormous difference and at the same time be less invasive. Dr. Smith will be able to discuss this operation with you and determine if you would be a good candidate for this procedure at your consultation.
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A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is intended to result in a smoother, flatter abdomen. Dr. Smith removes excess abdominal fat and then carefully addresses laxity of the abdominal muscles by direct suture tightening, thereby creating an internal corset.
Tummy tuck surgery is often recommended for women who are looking to get their before baby body back as part of a mommy makeover or as part of body contouring after massive weight loss. Tummy tuck patients benefit from the complete removal of the area of fat and skin below the belly button and if there is laxity of the abdominal wall musculature.
Abdominal tuck procedures are tailored to each person’s anatomy. Surgery is often performed under general anesthesia. Most tummy tucks can be performed as an outpatient surgery in our surgery center. In the majority of cases, excess skin and fat of the abdomen are removed directly, and additional excision of fat is performed along with contouring of the trunk with liposuction. Laxity of the muscles is carefully addressed with direct suture tightening, creating an internal corset. -
Tummy tuck operations can be a painful operation to recover from for the first several days. Dr. Smith uses local anesthesia at the time of your operation to provide pain relief in the immediate post-operative period. Occasionally, if desired by the patient, pain pumps can also be utilized to help decrease the level of pain. You will be prescribed pain medication after the operation to help with the pain.
After the operation, you will be placed in an abdominal binder for both comfort and support. Dr. Smith prefers that the binder be worn for the first 4 weeks post-op and then as needed for comfort. There will be dressings in place after the operation that will need to stay in place for approx 1 week after surgery. Most common, Dr. Smith will leave one or two drains after the operation that will need to be removed once the drainage from them is low enough.
A Tummy tuck is a major operation, and the patients should be prepared for a significant recovery period after surgery. Swelling and pain are to be expected, but they can be controlled with compression and medication. Patients should spend the first few days after surgery resting and recovering. Dr. Smith encourages frequent walking but wants you to avoid any strenuous activity for at least the first 6 weeks.
Some scarring is inevitable even after healing is complete, but Dr. Smith works with every abdominoplasty, to choose an incision site that will best be concealed by his or her clothing. Ultimately, most patients feel that this scarring is a small price to pay for a flatter, smoother stomach. -
If you have loose or sagging abdominal wall skin, or are unable to tighten your abdomen with diet and exercise, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck. For many tummy tuck patients, abdominoplasty with liposuction has the potential for a more dramatic improvement than liposuction alone.
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The answer is sometimes yes, but more often, no. Typically plastic and cosmetic surgery are not covered under insurance. Insurance will cover the cost of some procedures if they are considered reconstructive (as opposed to purely cosmetic) in nature. If you have a medical reason for your procedure to be covered, Dr. Smith will be happy to consult with you and determine if this might be a covered benefit. Dr. Smith accepts a wide variety of insurance companies. Please contact us to see if we accept your insurance.
If your insurance does not cover your procedure, Dr. Smith can give you a quote for surgery and discuss possible financing options.