1. How can one minimize the risk of complications associated with a tummy tuck?

The most important thing you can do to minimize complications is to follow your doctors orders. With this type of procedure, one complication we never want is to develop a blood clot in your leg after surgery. While certain actions are performed in surgery, it is imperative that you do not go home and stay in bed. Not getting up always increases the risk of developing a clot.


2. How does abdominal liposuction differ from a "tummy tuck"?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that only removes fat from you. Most women are post partum (have had children). This cause irreversible damage to both the abdominal muscles as well as stretching of the skin. This cannot be made better with liposuction alone and requires a "Tummy Tuck" to tighten the muscles, remove extra skin AND remove fat.


3. What are the advantages of a tummy tuck (compared to liposuction)?

It will be a more complete procedure that changes more parts of your abdomen. It is not really an advantage, it is just a matter of doing the right operation for the problem at hand.


4. What are the disadvantages of a tummy tuck?

I am not sure if you want to call the disadvantages, but a "tummy tuck" is going to be a more involved procedure. This will require a general anesthetic, will be a bit more painful post op and will need a longer operating time. Your recovery may be a bit longer as well.


5. When is liposuction sufficient and when is a tummy tuck necessary?

Liposuction will be sufficient when the individual has problematic fat and good skin tone. Also, good abdominal muscle tone is beneficial. This can be possible on someone who has had children but unfortunately it is not the norm. A "tummy tuck" is necessary when you have all three problems, loose skin, loose muscle tone and extra fat.


6. If liposuction is safer, what are the reasons for doing a tummy tuck?

The difference in safety between the two procedures is not great. A procedure is done based on the damaged anatomy at hand. Your surgeon always can decide this with a physical exam. Unfortunately, many women want to have liposuction alone. Due to the problems with the loose skin and problematic muscle stretching, liposuction will not work and if actually done would make you look worse.


7. Are tummy tucks covered by insurance?

Insurance never will cover a cosmetic operation. In some instances where an individual has had a massive weight loss (100 pounds), insurance may cover this type of procedure if the patient is symptomatic with lower abdominal rashes or back pain.