Is anesthesia used during the tummy tuck procedure?

The procedure is uaully done under general anesthesia (patient asleep). Most surgeons will use numbing medicine as wellt o help with pain control after the procedure. Some will also place a pain pump (numbing medicine) that patients go home with to help with pain control.

Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?

Though risks/complications are rare in most patients, the most commonly encountered ones include scarring, minor wound healing problems, fluid collecting under the skin (seromas), bleeding, and sensation changes to the abdomen. Rare and more serious complications include wound problems like infections and skin necrosis, and vein clots (venous thrombosis and pulmonary emboli).

Will a person have a scar after the tummy tuck?

Yes. Scars are a necessary part of the procedure. However, they are placed low on the abdomen and are able to be hidden by most undergarments and bathing suits.

How much does a tummy tuck cost?

This varies from facility-facility, region-region, the procedure being done, and the time in the operating room. An estimate cost would entail: surgeon fee $2500-4000 and facility fee $1500-3000.

How long do the results of a tummy tuck last?

This depends upon many factors like age, weight gain over time and potential pregnancy to mention a few. However, most results will last years.

Will Smoking slow down the Healing Process after a tummy tuck?

Smoking has many negative effects on health in general and surgical wounds in specific, including slow healing, increased infection rate and skin necrosis (death). A tummy tuck should not be done on anyone who is actively smoking. One should be off all nicotine products at least 4-6 weeks before and after the surgery. Despite this, smokers are still at a higher risk for wound healing problems.

How is a tummy tuck performed?

A tummy tuck is performed by making a cut (incision) in the lower abdomen (within the bikini line), lifting up the skin from the underlying muscle layer, tightening the muscle layer with stitches, removing the excess skin from the lower abdomen, pulling down and sewing the abdominal skin to tighten it, and then passing the belly-button through the skin so that it is in it s original position.

How long does tummy tuck surgery take?

It is variable depending on the extent of surgery being done, but between 2-4 hours.