After the surgery, you will be able to go home within 24 hours. You will need to wear compression garments for 6 weeks (sometimes longer). The compression garments help reduce swelling and bruising, as well as support your abdominal muscles as they heal. The compression garments should be worn for at least six weeks, but some surgeons recommend wearing them for up to one year after surgery.
A tummy tuck procedure is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin to improve the appearance of the abdomen. The procedure generally takes two to three hours, and it can be done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.
Read on to learn more about How Long Is A Tummy Tuck Procedure, How Long Is A Tummy Tuck And Lipo Surgery and How Much Does A Tummy Tuck Cost
How Long Is A Tummy Tuck Procedure
If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight, either after pregnancy or through exercise and dietary changes, excess skin and weakened abdominal muscles can leave you self-conscious about your appearance. Dr. Paul G. Ruff IV, Dr. Catherine Hannan and Dr. Lauren Patrick specialize in body contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, at their Washington, D.C. practice. They have performed thousands of tummy tuck surgeries and will work with you to determine whether you are a good surgical candidate.
Abdominoplasty Candidates
If you have been unable to reduce your protruding stomach with weight loss or exercise, you are most likely a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Individuals who have stabilized at their desired weight or who plan no additional pregnancies have better success with tummy tuck surgery. A tummy tuck is often combined with either a breast lift or a breast augmentation and lift, in what’s often called a mommy makeover.
Abdominoplasty Consultation
Dr. Ruff, and our other board certified plastic surgeons, are dedicated to helping you achieve the body you want in a safe and appropriate way. Therefore, you will meet at length with staff before scheduling your tummy tuck surgery. At this meeting, your abdominal muscles will be evaluated and you will discuss how you want your abdomen to look after your surgery.
Your surgeon and the team at West End Plastic Surgery will:
- Review the various tummy tuck options with you
- Clearly discuss the potential risks of the procedure
- Outline in detail how the surgery is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
- Provide detailed cost and payment information
- Answer all your questions
You will need to provide:
- Details about your medical history
- A list of all medications you currently take, including over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
- Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol use
Tummy Tuck Procedure
Your tummy tuck surgery may be performed as an outpatient or inpatient procedure. The surgery is performed under anesthesia and usually takes about 2 to 4 hours to complete. The doctor makes an incision across your abdomen; every effort is made to make the incision below the bikini line. In some cases, the incision extends vertically up the middle of the abdomen. The placement of your incision will be discussed with you during your initial consultation, especially as it relates to clothing styles and swimwear.
Once the incision is made, the doctor removes unwanted skin, fat, and tissue and tightens your abdominal muscles. He injects a local numbing medication called EXPAREL® into the surgical area to provide pain relief after surgery for approximately 72 hours. Stitches are then used to close the incision.
Once the incision is stitched, gauze dressings are applied and an elastic abdominal binder is placed around your abdomen. You will wear this binder for several weeks to facilitate the healing process.
Abdominoplasty Results
Tummy tuck surgery will result in a flatter and smoother abdomen because abdominal muscles and stretched skin are tightened during the procedure. The results of the surgery are permanent except in cases of large weight gain or pregnancy after surgery.
Types of Tummy Tucks
Tummy tucks are classified into 4 categories: standard, mini, reverse, and modified, with each category resulting in a different rate of healing. The type of tummy tuck that will be used will be discussed in detail during your meeting with Dr. Ruff and his staff so that the most appropriate technique is used for your body.
Mini Abdominoplasty & Reverse Abdominoplasty
I can’t say enough about my experience with Dr. Ruff and his team at West End. I chose him as my surgeon because he was able to answer all of my questions about lipo and tummy tuck. He took his time and was very assuring to me, explaining in depth of what to expect with having the procedures. I consulted with several surgeons but Dr Ruff was definitely the best! My results are awesome. I am a new woman and feel 100% better about my body. Thank you so much. – Wanda
Abdominoplasty Recovery
Tummy tuck surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, but a short hospital stay may be requested. Once you go home, you will want to have someone stay with you for the first few days. The application of EXPAREL during surgery provides pain relief for approximately the first 72 hours and eliminates the need for a pain pump. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to alleviate further discomfort as you may experience some degree of pain for the first 10 to 20 days after your surgery.
How Long Is A Tummy Tuck And Lipo Surgery
Tummy tuck and liposuction are two of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States. Both procedures can produce amazing results, but they should not be performed lightly or without proper consideration.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from your abdomen, leaving you with a flat and toned stomach. The procedure also tightens muscles in your abdomen, giving you a more defined waistline. After surgery, you may have some loose skin on your lower abdomen and upper thighs, but this will tighten over time as your body heals. Most patients return to work or strenuous activity after three weeks of rest following surgery.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes fat from specific areas of your body by suctioning out unwanted cells through small incisions made in the area being treated. Liposuction can be used alone to treat certain areas such as love handles or chin fat or in conjunction with other cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation or tummy tucks. Liposuction is often used on larger areas such as hips and thighs but can also be used on smaller areas like underarms and knees.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure to remove fat from the body. Liposuction is performed using a long tube called a cannula, which is inserted through small cuts in the skin. The cannula is connected to a narrow suction tube, which removes fat through tiny holes in the cannula. This method is called “tumescent liposuction,” because it uses a large amount of fluid (called tumescent solution) that helps to dissolve fat for easier removal.
The most common areas for liposuction include:
Thighs (love handles)
Flanks (lower abdomen)
Underarms (armpits)
Back fat
Breasts
The procedure can take up to 6 hours. The length of the surgery depends on how large the area to be treated is, and how many areas need to be treated.
How do I prepare for my tummy tuck surgery?
The day before your surgery, you will need to stop taking all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen sodium (Aleve®), or aspirin. You should also stop smoking because these activities can increase your risk of bleeding during surgery.
You will need to have someone drive you home after your procedure. Your surgeon may ask you not to have food or drink after midnight on the day of surgery.
How Much Does A Tummy Tuck Cost
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen. This can improve your appearance by removing bulges and sagging skin, as well as flattening the abdomen. The surgery also tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall, which helps to flatten the abdomen further.
Tummy tucks are one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 300,000 tummy tucks were performed in 2018 alone — five times more than they were performed just 10 years ago. And while they’re not always covered by insurance, they can be a worthwhile investment if you’re unhappy with your figure or self-confidence.
How much does a tummy tuck cost?
The average cost of a tummy tuck is $8,900 according to RealSelf data from January 2019, though this will vary depending on factors such as location and surgeon experience level. The price may also depend on whether other procedures are included with the tummy tuck or if there are additional costs associated with anesthesia or other necessary medical services