Tummy Tuck An abdominoplasty, more commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. The procedure is common for those who have lost significant weight or anybody who has excess skin in the abdomen for a multitude of reasons.
In cases where a patient is thin and only needs removal of skin, a mini-abdominoplasty can be done. This results in less scarring, but is only available to a small percentage of candidates.
Sometimes after childbirth, the abdominal muscles get stretched apart. This can be repaired as part of an abdominoplasty.
It is rare for insurance to cover a tummy tuck, and when it is, it is usually associated with chronic infections or sores.
The Procedure An abdominoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure and takes about an hour and a half. An incision is made just above the pubic line, extending outward towards the hips, creating a scar that is designed to be hidden under the panty line. The more fat that needs to be removed, the longer the incision will need to be, and thus the larger your scar will be.
A girdle or binder will need to be worn for three weeks, and no heavy lifting is allowed for four weeks. As long as no lifting is required at your job, you can usually return to work in 10-14 days.
In some cases, abdominoplasty can be combined with other surgeries, such as a hysterectomy, hernia repair, or gall bladder surgery.
Drawbacks and RisksThe main drawback to a tummy tuck is the scarring. In addition to the scar above the pubic line, there will usually be a scar around the umbilicus (belly button).
As with all surgeries, there come the risks of infection, wound healing complications, and bad scarring. For patients who smoke, use birth control, or are obese the risk of blood clotting in the legs is significantly increased
In cases where abdominoplasty is done in conjunction with other procedures, the risks of surgery increase. You'll want to talk with your physician about the risks before proceeding.
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