1. What is Arnica Montana, I have heard that it reduces swelling and bruising?

Arnica Montana also known as wolf' s bane, is a flower originally grown in Europe which contains many chemicals. As a homeopathic preparation used orally a few days prior and after surgery, about 50% of patients experience less bruising and swelling. Arnica creams may also work on some surgical areas of the skin.


2. What about Bromelain? Does this help with swelling and bruising as well?

Bromelain is a mixture of protein digesting enzymes derived from pineapples. It is commercially used as a meat tenderizer. Some studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of Bromelain resulting in less bruising and swelling after surgery. I recommend patients drink two glasses of pineapple juice daily for one week prior to and one week after surgery and I have noticed less bruising and swelling in just over 50% of them.


3. What is a mini tummy tuck, and when is it better than a regular tummy tuck?

A mini-tummy tuck is a procedure where only the lower abdominal skin and fat are resected and the belly button is not moved. This is a better procedure than a regular tummy tuck when there is no need to tighten the muscle fascia or to remove excess upper abdominal skin. I frequently combine a mini-tummy tuck with liposculpture of the abdomen.


4. Is there a difference in the size of the scars between the mini and the full tummy tuck?

In most cases, the mini-tummy tuck scars are 30-50% shorter than regular tummy tuck scars and there is no belly button scar.


5. Is pregnancy after a tummy tuck safe?

Someone who is considering getting pregnant should not have a tummy tuck until 6-12 months after their last child' s delivery. Most pregnancies after a tummy tuck will be uneventful. However, it is possible that a permanent suture used to plicate (tighten) the abdominal muscles may rarely interfere with the growth or position of the enlarging pregnant uterus. Also, pregnancy is very likely going to cause further stretching of the skin, stretch marks and laxity of the abdomen, undoing the wonderful results.


6. Is it better to do a tummy tuck before or after pregnancy?

It is obviously much better to do a tummy tuck after a woman has had all of her children and not before. Tummy tuck patients in my practice benefit from much tighter skin, removal of most or all of the stretch marks and lower abdominal scars, tighter and more shapely abdominal muscles, and lose 12-15 pounds as well as 2-4 dress sizes by 6 weeks postoperatively.