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

The most important thing you can do to minimize the risk from a tummy tuck is to go to a well trained surgeon that is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The second most important thing is to follow the directions for care after surgery exactly. That is why it is important to get this information before surgery and go over this before surgery. For the surgery itself, it is very important to walk immediately after the surgery so that you do not get blood clots. Also, most patients will need to wear a binder and this is important to lower the chance of getting a "seroma" or fluid collection. Finally, it is important to keep the incisions clean and dry, away from dirt, pet hair, and dirty clothing.


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

Liposuction and a tummy-tuck serve different purposes. If you are happy with the tightness of your belly skin, stretch marks, or your muscles, then liposuction would be great. Liposuction is a less invasive procedure and involves less recovery. However, if you have extra skin, stretch marks, or need your muscles tightened, then a tummy-tuck would be best.

Think of it this way, liposuction is great for thinning an area, and tummy-tucks are for shaping, tightening, and regaining a youthful belly.


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

A tummy-tuck has many advantages. First, a tummy tuck operation will remove a lot of skin and fat from the front of your belly - all the skin, and the fat underneath, from your belly button to your hair line will be removed.

Second, the muscles in the middle (rectus abdominis) are tightened and brought back in the middle. Something, no amount of sit ups can do!

Third, your groin area will be tightened. Finally, it will shape the sides to give you more of an hour glass shape.


4. What are the disadvantages of a tummy tuck?

The biggest disadvantage is that tummy tuck is a bigger operation, higher costs, and longer recovery.


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

Like you, many of my patients have a belly that they are just not confident about. This can be because of a lack of shape to the tummy, a little extra fullness, some loose skin, or stretch marks. I will use my experience and knowledge to examine your belly and help you choose the best option for you. If your goals are to have some fat removed with a thinner or "smaller" belly, then usually liposuction is a better option for you. If you have stretch marks, loose skin, or a "little pouch" in the lower half of your belly, then a tummy-tuck would be a better option.

In general, liposuction will do a wonderful job at removing fat, however, it will not tighten the skin, tighten the muscles, or shape the belly into an hour glass. A Tummy-tuck will remove all of the skin, the stretch marks, and the fat under the skin from the belly button to your groin hairline.


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

The main reason is that tummy-tuck do more. After pregnancy, losing weight, or just age, a belly can lose that youthful tightness and hourglass shape. A tummy tuck can give it back to you. It will remove all of the extra skin in your belly, tighten the muscles to get rid of that lower pouch, give you more of an hourglass shape, and flatten your belly.


7. Are tummy tucks covered by insurance?

Unfortunately, for most people, insurance will not cover a tummy-tuck. If, however, you have lost a lot of weight (usually over a hundred pounds), then insurance occasionally will pay for the tummy tuck.