1. How should I prepare for abdominoplasty surgery?

The best way to prepare for abdominoplasty surgery (tummy tuck) is to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon. Your surgeon will review your medical history, teach you about the surgery, discuss its limitations and risks, and discuss your concerns and needs. It is best to perform this surgery on someone who is at or near their ideal body weight. The best results can be achieved in patients who exercise and eat healthy. Since smoking can cause wound healing complications, it is best for smokers to not smoke for at least 4 weeks before and after surgery.


2. What happens during the tummy tuck procedure?

There are many different types of tummy tuck procedures, from the mini tummy tuck to an extended tummy tuck or body lift, and your surgeon will help you determine which procedure is best for you. A tummy tuck is best for people who want to remove excess skin that sags on the lower abdomen because of age, pregnancy, or weight loss. Sometimes the muscles underneath are tightened and liposuction is sometimes performed on the waist, depending on what your body needs.


3. What is the abdominoplasty recovery period like?

During the recovery period, it s important to visit with your plastic surgeon to make sure everything is progressing nicely. Most people take about a week off work, school, or their regular activities of daily life. It is usually possible to return to exercising after about 4 weeks. Swelling can continue to resolve for months after that.


4. What are the common side effects of abdominoplasty?

Patients are sore after surgery and this improves with time and is treated with pain medications and sometimes muscle relaxants. Swelling and bruising usually resolves within a few weeks. Wound healing is usually complete within a few weeks as well.


5. Does a male tummy tuck differ from a female tummy tuck?

If a man loses weight or his abdominal skin sags with time, then he may be a candidate for a tummy tuck. The surgery is always tailored to each individual patient' s needs, and since men and women have different body shapes (and men don' t get pregnant), the surgery can be different.


6. How can I maintain my figure after undergoing abdominoplasty surgery?

Great question! The best way to maintain the results of your tummy tuck are to continue to live a healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating a healthy diet.


7. How do I find a tummy tuck surgeon in my area?

Unfortunately, anyone with a medical license can call themselves a plastic surgeon or a cosmetic surgeon , regardless of their education and training! Only the American Board of Plastic Surgery certifies that a doctor is fully trained in plastic surgery of the body and face. It usually takes 7-9 years to complete this training (my training took 8 years), and then we must pass a rigorous written and 2 day oral exam. Since safety is always most important, my advice is to find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. The best websites for finding us are www.plasticsurgery.org and www.surgery.org. These are the websites of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the two most prestigious plastic surgery organizations, and a doctor must be a board certified plastic surgeon to be a member of these societies.