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

The tummy tuck procedure has come a long way and is now a precise, refined procedure with beautiful outcomes and a quicker, safer recovery. Before all cosmetic surgery procedures the patient should be in good health, should not smoke, and not be significantly overweight. Avoidance of certain medications like aspirin before surgery is very important.


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

Liposuction may be done as part of a tummy tuck. Think of your stomach as being made up of muscle on the inside holding the guts in place. Fat covers the muscles and skin covers the fat. It is important to analyze what is wrong with the abdomen before a plan can be made to correct it. Typically when people lose weight, the skin does not shrink down as the fat disappears. The skin is left empty and it hangs. If the patient is young and has good skin tone and perhaps a limited amount of extra fat then liposuction might be appropriate. If there is extra loose skin, then skin removal is indicated. Following pregnancy it is often necessary to tighten the abdominal muscles too. So the choice of procedure is custom designed for each individual patient.


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

A full tummy tuck will correct weak separated muscles due to pregnancy. It includes full liposuction of the entire abdomen to remove any extra fat. The lower abdominal skin is cut off and the upper abdominal skin spread out and brought down. The belly button is saved. Upper abdominal skin is brought down over the belly button, and at the end of the procedure a small hole is cut in the skin that is now situated over the belly button and it is brought back out to its proper place. In short, the full tummy tuck improves and reshapes all three layers of the stomach. A mini tummy tuck may do less. It may include liposuction and some skin removal, may not include muscle tightening. This site will give you more information on the selection of the best type of tummy tuck for you - http://www.silvertonmd.com/pages/tummy-tucks-explained


4. What are the disadvantages of a tummy tuck?

The main disadvantage of the tummy tuck is the scar. The scar is necessary because skin removal is necessary, and if more skin is removed it will result in a longer scar. The scar is transverse in the lower abdomen and is kept very low so that clothes can more easily hide it. A full tummy tuck is quite a large procedure and requires general anesthesia, and may require drains. Pain is minimal nowadays with the use of a pain pump. It is a significant surgery and there are surgical risks. These will be listed and explained by the surgeon. Most patients can return to work in about two weeks, provided the job is not too strenuous. Patients usually wear a support garment for about six weeks.


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

This question has really been answered above. Liposuction is a smaller procedure aimed at correcting extra fat. A tummy tuck is a more complete procedure aimed at correcting problems with separated muscles, too much fat, and extra loose skin.


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

Liposuction can only correct part of the problem. If the patient has loose skin this will need correction too, and the muscles could be stretched apart by pregnancy and may need to be tightened.


7. Are tummy tucks covered by insurance?

Unfortunately, tummy tucks also come under the heading of cosmetic surgery. There are virtually no insurance companies that will cover this procedure any more. There are many companies that specialize in providing financing to patients who seek cosmetic surgery.