Tummy Tuck Surgery Overview
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is a major surgical procedure that tightens a person's abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and firming up the muscles in the abdominal wall. Unfortunately, unless prescribed to treat a hernia or for other medically necessary reasons, tummy tucks generally aren't covered by health insurance. However, people who want to flatten their stomachs via tummy tucks can do so at affordable rates.
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Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, is a major, invasive procedure best suited for people in good overall health who have stretched abdominal muscles (e.g., women who've had multiple pregnancies) and/or fatty deposits that can't be removed by diet or exercise. While it differs from liposuction, some patients will receive liposuction treatment in conjunction with abdominoplasty.
In abdominoplasty surgery, the patient receives general anesthesia. After the patient is asleep, the surgeon makes an incision across the patient's abdomen, right above the pubic area, and around the navel. Next, the surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the patient's abdominal wall, stretching from the pubic area to the rib cage, including the area around the navel. The surgeon also tightens the patient's abdominal muscles with sutures to further flatten the abdomen. The surgeon then creates a new hole for the navel, pulls down and trims any excess skin, sutures up the incision, and applies a firm elastic dressing to the patient's abdomen. In some cases, small tubes will be inserted through the incision area to allow fluid to drain out of the area.
Because tummy tucks are invasive procedures, patients usually remain in the hospital from one to three days. Patients typically experience pain and discomfort for a week or more, and muscle soreness can last several weeks or longer. Numbness, fatigue, and bruising can also be expected. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for four weeks or so, and are told to wear an elastic support garment, much like a girdle, for up to three weeks for additional dominal support during the healing progress. The cosmetic results of tummy tucks are apparent fairly soon and, with the proper diet and exercise, can last indefinitely. However, because of the nature of the surgery, patients may not feel like their old selves for several months. Also, while the incision scars will fade, they will never go away completely.
It's important to note that, while all surgical procedures carry certain risks, major procedures like abdominoplasty carry greater risks than less invasive procedures do, including the risks of infection, blood clots, and bleeding under the skin flap.
