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

Several factors can reduce the complications of tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, surgery. The most important factor is choosing the right operation for each patient, as patients have different needs and desires. This includes ensuring that the patient otherwise is in optimal health for the surgery, including addressing other medical problems in tandem with other physicians. Avoiding unnecessary undermining of skin flaps during surgery, selectively limiting liposuction at the same time as abdominoplasty to certain ?safe zones, minimizing blood loss during surgery, using compression devices on patients legs, and encouraging patients to begin walking as soon as possible after surgery can help reduce complications.


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

In liposuction, fat is removed using specially-designed liposuction cannulas. During a tummy tuck, extra skin is removed in addition to fat. Tightening of the muscles of the abdomen to improve the waistline also can be included in a tummy tuck, but is not part of the liposuction procedure.


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

It is important to choose the correct candidates for each procedure to achieve the best result. The tummy tuck surgery has the advantages of being able to tighten the abdominal muscles to improve the waistline, which may be important in women who have had children as the musculature can become stretched during childbirth, and removing extra skin.


4. What are the disadvantages of a tummy tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery is a more invasive surgery than liposuction. As a result, the recovery period and potential complications associated with it are greater than with liposuction.


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

Liposuction can be sufficient in patients with primarily fat excess and not skin excess. Also, younger patients with good skin tone may have more contraction of the skin after liposuction, which can result in some degree of skin tightening. Tummy tuck is required in cases of more significant skin excess and abdominal wall laxity.


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

As discussed above, the tummy tuck can provide results that liposuction alone cannot provide in patients who have excess skin or laxity of the abdominal wall.


7. Are tummy tucks covered by insurance?

Cosmetic tummy tucks are not covered by insurance. Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight from weight-loss surgery, such as gastric bypass, banding, or stapling, may have excess skin that causes rash and skin breakdown. In these cases, removal of this excess skin may be covered by insurance.