What is a tummy tuck?

Abdominoplasty is a good method of reducing extra skin or tightening muscles following weight loss or pregnancy. Liposuction is indicated for localized fatty tissue in patients with good skin and muscle tone. It is not wise to perform this procedure if you are gaining weight or are planning on losing weight. It is best to wait until you have achieved a stable weight for at least a six month period. Please see our website for a detailed description of the procedures: www.bodysculptor.com.  An office visit/consultation (complimentary) is mandatory prior to scheduling the procedure. There is no way to give you an accurate quote via EMail. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) describes 3 or 4 different types of operation based upon the condition of the skin (scar, stretch marks), fat (amount and location), muscles (loose, weak, or separated following pregnancy), as well as your general body weight and shape. A tummy tuck in a 150lb individual who smokes and has lost 100 lb and has had 3 children (one of which was delivered by a c-section) is not the same as 110 lb individual with localized fullness of the lower abdomen. The first would probably require a tummy tuck and the second would probably require liposuction. It would not be fair to give both the same quote. It would be two distinctly different operations despite being performed on one body part. What you may consider is one body part (hips) may actually represent four (abdomen, flanks, hip, buttock). During the consultation we may determine that other procedures are better suited for your optimal outcome. The operation may involve removal of skin and/or fat (liposuction) and/or movement of the umbilicus and/ or tightening or repair of the underlying muscles. The proper procedure to perform is a complex decision process determined based on your desires, anatomy, practicality, and wound healing. This is usually determined at the time of the initial consultation but may need to be adjusted intra-operatively. Surgery is about 2-5 hours. Depending on the extent of the procedure it can be performed on an outpatient or inpatient (overnight) basis.