1. Are tummy tucks painful?

Yes, tummy tucks are painful. Pain pumps, medications and garments all help to decrease the amount and duration of post operative discomfort. A section on pain control after a tummy tuck can be found on my main website: http://www.drmele.com/abdominoplasty.html


2. Will weight gain after a tummy tuck affect the results?

Yes. The weight has to go somewhere, and it might just go back to the belly. The closer you are to your ideal weight, the better the results will be.


3. Can you explain what a partial abdominoplasty is?

A partial or mini tummy tuck can repair laxity isolated to below the belly button. Videos comparing liposuction, tummy tuck and mini tummy tuck can be viewed on my blog here: http://www.sanfranciscoplasticsurgeryblog.com/tag/mini-abdominoplasty/


4. Will future pregnancy affect the results of a tummy tuck?

Yes.Pregnancy stretches the belly, so it is best to wait until you are done having children.


5. Can stretch marks be removed with a tummy tuck?

Yes. Central abdominal wall stretch marks, below the belly button, are normally removed with a tummy tuck, because the skin containing the stretch marks is removed.


6. How long before I can return to my normal activities?

Normal activities can be resumed gradually, and there is some variation. You can start walking right after surgery and running, two weeks after surgery. You can return to normal activities unrestricted six weeks after surgery.


7. What is the source of problems in the abdominal area?

There are three independent sources of problems in the abdominal area: the skin, the fat and the muscle wall. Each needs to be accessed independently by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in order to choose the best treatment(s) possible. A tremendous amount of information about tummy tucks can be found on my San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog: http://www.sanfranciscoplasticsurgeryblog.com/tag/abdominoplasty/ Rhinoplasty