- Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
- If I plan to have children in the future, can I still have a tummy tuck?
- How long does the procedure actually take?
- What is the difference between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck?
- How do I find a doctor to perform the surgery?
- What is the recovery period?
- What are the risks associated with the procedure?
- Is the tummy tuck generally covered by insurance?
1.Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
While there is no way to know for sure if you are a candidate for the procedure unless you come in for a consultation, here are some common characteristics of a good tummy tuck candidate:
- You have weakened or separated abdominal muscles and stretched skin as a result of multiple pregnancies
- You have an abdomen which protrudes and is disproportionate to the rest of your body
- You had gastric bypass surgery and now have loose skin remaining which can not be cured by diet or exercise
- You have lost a lot of weight through diet and/or exercise and have loose abdominal skin
- You have excess fatty tissue which is concentrated in your abdomen
2.If I plan to have children in the future, can I still have a tummy tuck?
Many surgeons will recommend that you wait until you are done having children before undertaking the tummy tuck procedure. A pregnancy may cause the muscles which were tightened during the procedure to become re-separated. Make sure to discuss your individual situation with the surgeon.
3.How long does the procedure actually take?
The abdominoplasty procedure can last anywhere from two to five hours depending about the amount of work which needs to be done. Your Board-Certified surgeon will be able to give you a more accurate estimate after your initial consultation.
4.What is the difference between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck?
A mini tummy tuck is generally not as extensive and both the surgery and the recovery period are typically shorter than a full tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck can be done if the stubborn areas are located in the lower abdomen wall only. The procedure is performed between the areas from the naval to the pubic bone, the most frequent site of elasticity loss. An ideal candidate for the procedure will have issues that are not severe enough for a full abdominoplasty. Mini tummy tucks are especially effective in correcting problems resulting from pregnancy.
A Board-Certified doctor will be able to give you more information and also determine if you are a candidate for the mini tummy tuck.
5.How do I find a doctor to perform the surgery?
Making the decision to have Tummy Tuck is a big decision, and so is selecting a plastic surgeon for the procedure. The extensive marketing employed today can create confusion for those seeking plastic surgeons.
An important factor to understand is that any licensed physician is legally allowed to advertise as a "plastic" or "cosmetic" surgeon, even if he or she has no formal surgical training. The question becomes ‘how do I choose a plastic surgeon?’
While many factors contribute to selecting a plastic surgeon, one which should be a strong factor in your decision making process is the Board Certification of the plastic surgeon. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the only certification recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. In order to be certified by ABPS, a Plastic Surgeon needs to complete a minimum of five years of surgical training following medical school, including an accredited plastic surgery residency program. Upon completion of the residency, ABPS also requires all prospective surgeons to complete a rigorous written an oral examination before becoming a Board-Certified Surgeon. All doctors featured in about-tummy-tuck.com are indeed Board-Certified doctors.
When you leave your initial consultation, you should feel comfortable with not only the procedure but also with your Board-Certified surgeon. After all, you are the only one who can determine if the surgeon is right for you.
6.What is the recovery period?
Your recovery period will depend on the extent of the surgery. You may be release in a few hours or you may need to stay in the hospital for a couple of days. Your Board-Certified doctor should be able to talk with you more about this during the initial consultation.
Regardless of when you go home, expect your abdomen to be swollen and to feel some degree of pain after the tummy tuck surgery. Pain medication can help to alleviate some of these issues. Severe pain should be reported to your doctor immediately.
It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to months before you start to feel ‘normal’ again. It is important to understand that the amount of time needed to heal varies greatly from individual to individual. You can help to alleviate some of these risks by strictly following your doctor’s instructions for pre and postoperative care.
7.What are the risks associated with the procedure?
As with any surgery, the tummy tuck procedure does have some risks. Conduct research and find a Board-Certified surgeon who you feel comfortable with. Also, make sure to follow your surgeon’s preoperative and postoperative instructions to help make your surgical experience as easy and successful as possible.
8.Is the tummy tuck generally covered by insurance?
A tummy tuck is generally not covered by insurance as it is considered an elective procedure. Coverage may be available in some instances such as hernias or gastric bypass. Generally, in these cases, insurance will still only cover the part of the procedure which is not cosmetic. A letter of predetermination may be required by the insurance company prior to the surgery. Your doctor should be able to give you some guidance on these issues.