A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that reshapes and tightens the abdominal wall by removing excess fat, skin and tissue. It also removes extra skin around the rectus muscle on the front of your abdomen. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, which will make you completely unconscious during surgery. The surgery typically takes two to three hours.
After surgery, you’ll be admitted to the hospital for about two days and then discharged with instructions for post-operative care. You’ll need to wear tight elastic garments for six weeks after surgery to help reduce swelling, pain and improve healing.
Read on to learn more about How A Tummy Tuck Is Performed, How Long After Tummy Tuck To See Results and How Much Does A Tummy Tuck Cost Houston
How A Tummy Tuck Is Performed
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is cosmetic surgery to improve the shape of the tummy area (abdomen).
It can involve removing excess loose skin, fat and stretch marks and tightening the abdominal muscles.
The aim is to remove excess skin on the tummy that cannot be removed through exercise – for example, excess skin caused by pregnancy or losing a lot of weight.
It’s not a quick fix for losing weight as the procedure is usually only recommended for people with a healthy body mass index (BMI).
An abdominoplasty is regarded as cosmetic surgery, so it is not usually available on the NHS.
If you’re thinking of going ahead, make sure you’re aware of the cost and the fact that it’s major surgery, with risks to consider. Take time to reflect on your decision. It may help to read “Is cosmetic surgery right for me?”
How much does it cost?
It costs about £4,500 to £6,000 to have an abdominoplasty in the UK, plus the cost of any consultations or follow-up care.
Where do I go?
If you’re looking in England, check the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website for treatment centres that can perform abdominoplasty.
All independent clinics and hospitals that provide cosmetic surgery in England must be registered with the CQC, which publishes inspection reports and performance ratings to help people choose care.
You should also research the surgeon who is going to do your surgery. All doctors must, as a minimum, be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). Check the register to see the doctor’s fitness to practise history.
You may also want to find out:
- how many operations they’ve performed where there have been complications
- what sort of follow-up you should expect if things go wrong
- their own patient satisfaction rates
What does it involve?
There are 2 types of abdominoplasty, and both are usually done under a general anaesthetic.
A partial abdominoplasty involves:
- making a large cut (incision) across the lower tummy
- separating the skin from the abdominal wall below the belly button
- removing excess fat and skin
- pulling together the remaining skin and stitching it in place
A full abdominoplasty involves:
- making a large incision across the lower tummy, from hip to hip, just above the pubic area
- making a second incision to free the belly button from the tissue that surrounds it
- separating the skin from the abdominal wall
- realigning the abdominal muscles
- removing excess fat and skin
- cutting a new hole for the belly button and stitching this back in place
- pulling together the remaining skin and stitching it in place
The operation can take between 2 and 5 hours. Most people need to stay in hospital for a few nights.
You will probably be in some pain after you wake up from the general anaesthetic. Painkilling medicine can be provided if needed.
You will leave hospital with dressings and a pressure garment (corset) on your tummy, or tummy-control pants. Someone will need to drive you home and stay with you for the following 24 hours.
Recovery
You will need to take about 4 to 6 weeks off work and exercise. You will not be able to drive for a few weeks after the operation (your surgeon and insurance company can advise you about this).
It takes about 6 weeks to fully recover and to see the full effect of a tummy tuck.
You’ll usually need to wear a special type of corset or tummy-control pants for 6 weeks, to encourage your skin to heal properly and to reduce any swelling. Generally, you’ll need to take it easy during this time and keep your knees bent while in bed, to avoid putting strain on your stitches.
After a few weeks you will probably be asked to attend a follow-up appointment to make sure the wound is healing properly.
After 6 weeks you will usually be able to stop wearing a corset and may return to doing most of your usually activities.
Side effects to expect
You will be left with a scar running across your lower tummy and, if you had a full abdominoplasty, a scar around your belly button.
It’s also common after an abdominoplasty to:
- find it difficult to stand up straight – it may feel like your tummy is being pulled (this will improve over time)
- have pain and bruising
- feel numbness in your tummy for a few months to years
- have a temporary fluid-filled swelling above the scar
- have red, raised scars in the first 6 weeks which eventually fade
What could go wrong
Abdominoplasty can occasionally result in:
- thick, obvious scars developing
- bulges under the skin
- “dog ears” (extra skin) at the edges of the scar
- wounds failing to heal
- a collection of fluid in the area that was operated on
- a collection of blood underneath the skin (haematoma)
- numbness or pain in the tummy or down the leg
- tummy cramps or pain
- breathing problems
Any type of operation also carries a small risk of:
- excessive bleeding
- developing a blood clot in a vein
- infection
- an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic (very rare)
The surgeon should explain how likely these risks and complications are, and how they would be treated if they happened.
Occasionally, people find the desired effect was not achieved and feel they need another operation.
What to do if you have problems
Cosmetic surgery can sometimes go wrong and the results may not be what you expected.
You should contact the clinic where the operation was done as soon as possible if you have severe pain or any unexpected symptoms.
If you have abdominoplasty and are not happy with the results, or you think the procedure was not done properly, you should take up the matter with the surgeon who treated you.
If you have concerns about your care, you should contact the CQC.
Who should not have it?
Abdominoplasty is not a procedure for someone who is overweight. If you’re overweight, find out how to lose weight safely and effectively.
If you’re not overweight but would like to tone up a flabby tummy, you may like to try the 10-minute home toning workout and 10-minute abs workout.
How Long After Tummy Tuck To See Results
A tummy tuck can be a greatly anticipated procedure, so patients are understandably eager to see their final results. But whether considering a tummy tuck after pregnancy or to tone up after weight loss, abdominoplasty is a major surgery, and your body needs time to recover.
A tummy tuck typically involves several steps:
- Removal of excess skin
- Tightening the skin
- Removing fatty deposits
- Tightening the abdominal muscles
Some tummy tucks are more extensive than others, and a variety of factors contribute to each person’s healing process. It’s helpful to separate recovery into stages.
How Much Does A Tummy Tuck Cost Houston
Whether you were left with a sagging belly after having kids or had a dramatic weight loss, you can get the sleek, toned tummy you want by undergoing tummy tuck surgery. Unfortunately, overstretched skin and abdominal muscles cannot be resolved with diet and exercise and must be corrected surgically.
A tummy tuck can be performed in combination with other plastic surgery procedures, such as breast enhancement in a mommy makeover, or as part of post-weight loss body contouring. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Basu’s extensive experience with breast and body procedures means you’ll get recommendations and a plan designed just for you.
IS A TUMMY TUCK RIGHT FOR ME?
You’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you’re not expecting to have any more children, are at or near your goal weight, and have no significant medical problems.
TUMMY TUCK COST
The cost of a tummy tuck ranges from $9,500 to $14,000+ depending on your individual needs. The total cost of your procedure includes facility fees, anesthesia-related charges, and your pre- and post-op appointments.
What can you expect from a tummy tuck?
- Sagging or hanging abdominal skin is eliminated
- Separated abdominal muscles are repaired (diastasis recti or ventral hernia)
- The waist is contoured for a firm, attractive look
- Stubborn pockets of fat on hips, thighs, and abdomen are removed
- C-section scars and stretch marks on the lower abdomen are eliminated
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A TUMMY TUCK?
You are a candidate for a tummy tuck if you:
- Have a BMI of 39 or less
- Are at or near your goal weight
- Have maintained a stable, healthy weight for at least three months
- No significant medical problems
- Are finished having children (while it is possible to have more children after a tummy tuck, another pregnancy can impact your results)
If you still have a lot of weight to lose to reach your goal weight, you may want to re-evaluate the timing of your tummy tuck so you gain the greatest benefit of the procedures. Significant weight fluctuations after tummy tuck surgery can negatively impact your results.
LIPOSUCTION, TUMMY TUCK, OR BOTH?
Many people wonder if liposuction alone can deliver a flat tummy. The answer depends on whether the problem is primarily excess fat or excess skin and tissue. Liposuction is the preferred option for treating unwanted fat. However, liposuction can actually worsen sagging if you also have excess abdominal skin. If you have excess skin, you are much better suited to a tummy tuck, which removes skin along with some residual fat.
Many tummy tuck patients choose to combine their procedures with liposuction at the waist or love handles for more sculpted results. While a tummy tuck on its own can dramatically improve the front of the midsection, liposuction can be useful to reduce excess fat on the sides of the waist or hips to streamline, firm, and enhance your figure. Patients who have received either procedure have reported significant improvements in their quality of life.