Tummy Tuck Overview Part 2
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is an effective way to get rid of excess skin, muscle, or tissue in your abdomen area. It is not an alternative to weight loss, and people who want to have a tummy tuck must already be at their ideal weight. Likewise, it is effective for people who want to get rid of excess skin that won't disappear even through rigorous exercise or diet. In a previous blog, we talked about what it is and how you can prepare for it. Here is additional information about the procedure.
Recovery
Depending on the amount of skin or tissue that is to be removed from your abdomen, you should at least take two weeks or so off work or school. The procedure typically takes two hours to five hours to be finished, depending on how extensive the surgery would be. However, there are instances when the surgeon will ask you to spend the night in the hospital to better monitor your progress in the first few hours post-surgery. The procedure is normally performed under general anesthesia.
Before you get home, make sure that your surgeon has told you how to take care of the surgical sites and drains, what you should watch out for, and what medications should you take.
Once you get home from the surgery center, make sure that you have lots of ice pack, petroleum jelly, a comfortable chair, loose clothing, and a hand-held shower head and bathroom chair. Since an abdominoplasty affects the abdominal muscles, it may take you a little while to get back to your routine.
When you get home, avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks, and avoid sports-related activities for up to four weeks. This, of course, depends on your ability to bounce back and would depend on your current condition. Ask your doctor about your possible limitations so you can make plans for them accordingly before the surgery.
Next, expect that you would be in mild to moderate pain, and would experience swelling in the first few days following your surgery. Talk to your surgeon about your pain threshold so that he/she can give you the proper medication before you leave the clinic or hospital to go home. You would also need to have to clean your wounds and change your bandages. In some cases, draining pipes are also attached to the body for the first few days following the surgery to minimize swelling. If you are living alone, make plans to have someone stay with you for at least two weeks so that you would be in the best possible shape to recover.
As with most surgeries, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that may have complications. While tummy tucks are generally safe, you may experience bruising, numbness, and tiredness, particularly in the affected area. In rare cases, you may also experience infection, blood clothing, or bleeding. In case you feel or see anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, talk to your surgeon immediately.
Results
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a tummy tuck tends to result “in a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportionate with your body type and weight.” This means that you would no longer have to slouch to cover up your stomach or to wear unflattering, loose clothing. In fact, for most patients, the benefits of a tummy tuck go beyond the aesthetic. It helped most patients regain their self-confidence back, particularly for moms who have had multiple children and had to live with bulging tummies for the majority of their post-pregnancy lives. They fit better into most clothes and look younger and more beautiful.
This newfound confidence can spiral into new opportunities. For instance, some patients say that before the surgery, they had to purchase clothes that would disguise their bulging stomachs or sit forward to hide their abdomen. When they lost their unwanted tummies, they were able to sit up, walk straighter, and become more comfortable as a leader. This can help them explore new roles that they were scared of considering before because they do not want people to look too closely into their bodies.
Finally, a tummy tuck also has additional health benefits aside from the confidence and mental boost. It can also improve urinary incontinence (or when people “leak” a little bit even when they do not want to), as well as improve the patient’s core strength.
Just imagine what a stronger core can do to you. With proper training and recovery, you can explore a new career that enables you to move faster and become stronger, particularly in an athletic endeavor.
Cost
Most insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures. However, there are cases wherein the insurance company would cover the cost of tummy tuck if there is an underlying medical condition that requires it. One of these conditions can be a hernia that can be corrected through the procedure.
Whatever the case, ensure that you talk to your insurance before signing up for the procedure. This way, you would have a better idea of what to expect and how much you should shoulder. You will aslo need to check to see if your plastic surgeon accepts insurance. Guerra Plastic Surgery Center is 100% cosmetic and we do not accept any insurance so you will have to pay for the procedure out of pocket.
We created a tummy tuck cost ballpark fees page to give you a range of the possible costs associated with the tummy tuck. You'll find a range to cover the surgery center fee, anesthesia fee, surgeon fee and more.
Finding a surgeon
Now comes the tricky part, and one that requires extensive research and care. While many surgeons can perform the tummy tuck, you should choose one whom you feel comfortable with and whom you trust wholeheartedly. Ask to see before and after tummy tuck photos, discuss your concerns particularly about scarring and other limitations, and be very open with your surgeons. If you are uncomfortable in any way, speak up.
The success of your surgery depends upon your preparation and the surgeon’s skill. For this reason, you must do your due diligence and search for the most appropriate cosmetic surgeon for you. Do consider that just because a doctor charges more than others mean that his skills surpass those of this colleague. Rather, check the track record, talk to the surgeon, and if you do not feel like you would be able to work with him, then choose someone whom you feel more comfortable with. After all, it is your body, and it is your responsibility to entrust it to the most capable hands that you can find.
Make an appointment today in Arizona with Dr. Aldo to discuss the popular tummy tuck procedure. Please call Guerra Plastic Surgery Center at 480-970-2580 or schedule a consultation online.
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