During a tummy tuck, the surgeon takes off any extra skin and fat from your stomach and any fat that has built up around your stomach. People who have had children or who have lost weight and have extra skin often have this procedure done. The procedure can also be used to tighten skin that has become loose after gaining weight or going through pregnancy. Because this surgery can be very invasive and requires a lot of time to heal, you should talk to a plastic surgeon before you decide to go through with it.
How long it takes to heal after a tummy tuck depends on how much work was done. Most of the time, patients will need to take two to four weeks off work to recover. During this time, you will have to wear compression garments on your stomach to prevent swelling and restrict blood flow at all times.
Read on to learn more. about How Invasive Is A Tummy Tuck, What is a Mini Tummy Tuck? and What Affects the Cost of a Tummy Tuck?
How Invasive Is A Tummy Tuck
Many individuals who are tired of the flabs that constantly hang from their bellies often think about getting a tummy tuck. However, many also keep this option as merely just a “dream” because of financial concerns, downtime involved, and risks associated with the procedure. Here at Dr. Totonchi’s clinic, many patients resort to abdominoplasty in Cleveland after learning more about the procedure and knowing what to expect. A tummy tuck is totally not a “lunchtime” treatment that you can undergo and get over within minutes. Thus, it is important to get more information about the procedure before giving it a go.
While we are so afraid of the word “invasive”, we may wonder: how invasive really is a tummy tuck?
What to Expect During the Procedure
On the day of your tummy tuck, just relax and take a deep breath. This step usually takes all your pre-operative jitters away.
Since an abdominoplasty requires incisions and stitches, you will likely be under general anesthesia and sedation during the procedure. This will help you become comfortable while the operation commences. Once you are prepped, a horizontal incision will then be created and placed in between your belly button and pubic hairline. The length of the cut will depend upon the amount of excess skin that you have. After the incisions are made, the skin is then lifted to tighten the underlying muscles.
Once the necessary manipulations are made, a second incision may also be done around the navel to remove any excess skin in the upper abdominal area. Then, like a window shade, the upper abdominal skin will be pulled down while the remaining skin is sutured close into position. Dr. Totonchi may also use tapes and skin adhesives to cover the incisions made in the area.
What the Results Look Like
An abdominoplasty will give you a firmer, flatter abdomen. Now that your seemingly annoying skin flap is removed, your tummy becomes more proportionate to your weight and the type of body that you have.
What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, refers to a surgical procedure that alters the abdominal skin, soft tissues, and fat. It doesn’t affect the abdominal muscles. Tummy tucks are used for the lower abdomen and also to contour the body into the desired shape. The procedure is ideal for people within their recommended weight range but who have an extra layer of skin or fat that they need to address.
During the procedure, the specialist attending to you joins the tissues in your lower abdomen together. The results of the surgery are not visible from the outside. They also trim the excess skin and lay it flat. Depending on how much fat is in the area, the specialist will also perform liposuction to remove any excess fat.
In some cases, a mini tummy tuck can get rid of certain stretch marks. However, their removal depends on their placement on your body and how much excess skin you have.
In cases of diastasis recti, which is the separation of ab muscles, a full tummy tuck is a better option. The condition mostly happens during pregnancy, affecting the entire area above and below the navel.
What Affects the Cost of a Tummy Tuck?
Many factors come into play when determining the cost of a tummy tuck.
The extent of the procedure. In some cases, all that is involved in a tummy tuck is tightening the loose, sagging skin below the navel. However, the process is customizable to meet your needs and preferences. Depending on how much work the surgeon has to do, the procedure can either be a full, mini, or extended tummy tuck.
A mini tummy tuck that only addresses the loose skin may cost between $4,000 and $5,000. A traditional tummy tuck may cost between $8,000 and $10,000, while an extended tummy job may be worth up to $20,000.
The size of the area. If the procedure only entails tightening loose skin and eliminating fat from the lower abdomen, the cost will be relatively low. However, when you need a full tummy tuck, the procedure’s scope calls for more expenses. This is because it involves both the upper and lower abdomen. Extended tummy tucks are also more expensive because they involve the front side, back, and sides.
The volume of fat removed. The extent of the procedure can be fat removal, muscle tightening, skin lifting and tightening, and muscle reshaping or repairing. The more services you get during the process, the higher the cost will be.
The type of anesthesia used. The type and dosage of anesthesia you receive during a tummy tuck is another significant factor that affects the procedure’s cost. If you require a larger dose of anesthesia depending on the extent of the surgery, the price will be higher.
General anesthesia is usually more expensive than local anesthesia. The reason for this is that with local anesthesia, you may also have to take a sedative to help you sleep through the procedure, hence a lower dose. The cost of general anesthesia is between $425 and $1,800, while that of local anesthesia is between $500 and $3,500.
The number of procedures to be performed. In some cases, lifting and tightening your stomach skin is not enough to help you achieve your ideal aesthetic level. As such, you may be a good candidate for an extra procedure. Doing so will help to contour your body by removing excess fat. Liposuction is usually an ideal complementary procedure to tummy tuck as it draws more fat than a tummy tuck.
Preparing for a Tummy Tuck
Before you go in for a tummy tuck, your doctor may schedule you for a blood panel to ensure you’re in good health. You will also be required to:
- Stop smoking
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs and some herbal supplements that can make bleeding worse or hinder clotting.