Tummy Tuck

Along with toned legs and a tight butt, a lean midsection is a universal characteristic of a fit figure. Gyms are packed with people doing crunches to obtain a “six-pack,” and dieters nix carbs and sweets to lose the paunch. However, the abdomen is traditionally one of the most difficult areas of the body to tone through diet and targeted exercise. When conventional measures fail, abdominoplasty - colloquially known as a tummy tuck – is an option. This cosmetic surgery procedure eliminates excess fat and loose skin while tightening the abdominal muscles. The result is a sculpted midsection and a slim silhouette.

 The decision to undergo abdominoplasty should not be made casually. Gathering ample information about the procedure from a trusted source is the first step to making an informed decision. The second step is scheduling a personal consultation with a board-accredited, experienced plastic surgeon to discuss your particular needs and goals. When you’re ready, we invite you to search for a surgeon in your area using DocShop’s Surgeon Locator.

Procedure

A tummy tuck is designed to sculpt and tone the abdominal area. During a tummy tuck procedure, the surgeon manually tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall and sutures them into place. He or she then removes any excess skin from the patient's abdomen to create a firmer, flatter midsection. The abdominoplasty procedure can be customized to each patient's specific goals and may be performed in combination with liposuction, breast augmentation, or other lift procedures for a complete body makeover.

Candidacy

Ideal abdominoplasty candidates should:

• Be in good general health
• Carry excess weight in the midsection
• Have loose or droopy skin around the abdomen
• Have healthy expectations of the surgery, which can be discussed with the plastic surgeon
• Commit to maintaining the results with a stable diet and regular exercise

Ideal abdominoplasty candidates should not:

• Smoke
• Have serious medical conditions which could be compromised by undergoing a surgical procedure
• Plan to become pregnant
• Plan to lose a significant amount of weight
• Be pressured into the procedure by someone else

Benefits

A tummy tuck will have significant aesthetic benefit for men and women with protruding bellies, excess abdominal fat, or loose, saggy skin in the midsection. Tummy tuck surgery tightens the abdominal muscles and eliminates excess skin.  In addition to the visible benefits of a tummy tuck, most patients report an increase in self-confidence and improved self-esteem, thanks to their physical transformation.

Visit the DocShop gallery to view abdominoplasty before and after photos.

Photo credit: Ramiro Morales, MD

Risks

As with any surgery, the tummy tuck procedure has certain risks. While some swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common surgical side effects, tummy tuck patients are also at risk for post-surgical complications such as infections and blood clots, which could slow the healing process. However, surgical complications are rare, and tummy tuck risks can be greatly reduced by the selection of a well-qualified surgeon.

Cost

Tummy tuck cost varies according to several factors, including the needs of the particular patient, the specific type of tummy tuck procedure being performed, and the plastic surgeon performing the surgery. It can range in price from $3,000 to $10,000. Abdominoplasty is considered an elective cosmetic procedure. As such, it is not covered by insurance companies. However, most cosmetic surgeons have allied themselves with one or more financing companies and can offer reasonable payment options to patients.

Types

The increasing popularity of surgical body contouring has led to the development of various tummy tuck procedures that can be tailored to the amount of transformation necessary. In addition to the traditional tummy tuck, patients can choose from a mini tummy tuck to a more aggressive circumferential or extended version of the procedure, depending on the amount of excess skin and fat that needs to be removed.

Find an Abdominoplasty Surgeon in Your Area

If you would like to learn more about how a tummy tuck procedure can help you attain the figure you desire, please feel free to explore DocShop’s patient education pages and then use our online directory to contact a highly qualified abdominoplasty surgeon near you.