Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tucks

• How is a tummy tuck performed?

  Tummy tucks, also known as “abdominoplasty,” are usually performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made from hip to hip, low enough to ensure that any scars can be easily concealed under a swimsuit. Through this incision, the abdominal muscles are sutured together to repair any damage or looseness. Liposuction can be used to remove any stubborn fat deposits in the area if necessary. After these steps, any loose, excess skin is removed. The area is then closed with sutures.

• What is tummy tuck recovery like?

  Following a tummy tuck procedure, you’ll need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home and care for you during the first few days of recovery. Soreness, swelling, and bruising are common, especially in the first several days. Pain medication, prescribed to you by your plastic surgeon, can be taken to alleviate discomfort and swelling. You’ll wear a compression garment to support the area, reduce swelling, and help the skin adhere to the new contours. Drains can also be used to ensure proper healing and you may need to manage these according to instructions.

  Most patients return to work or other normal activities after about one to two weeks. However, you should refrain from a strenuous activity like exercise or lifting heavy objects for up to a month after your tummy tuck. Your plastic surgeon will give you more detailed instructions about your healing process as well as when to return for follow-up appointments. To ensure you heal properly, it’s important to follow all directions carefully.

• How much does a tummy tuck cost?

  The cost of a tummy tuck varies according to factors like your plastic surgeon, the geographic location, and fees for facilities, materials, and anesthesia. In New Jersey, you can expect a tummy tuck to cost between $8,000-10,000 on average. You’ll receive a full estimate of your tummy tuck costs during your consultation.

• Is a tummy tuck safe?

  Tummy tucks are considered safe, but there are risks that come with any surgical procedure. These include adverse reactions to anesthesia and infection. To minimize your risk, make sure to discuss any and all health concerns with your plastic surgeon during your consultation and follow your aftercare instructions carefully during recovery.

• Are tummy tuck results permanent?

  Tummy tucks are permanent in the sense that any skin or tissue removed will not return. You can maintain your tummy tuck results by keeping up a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise and a good diet. If you get pregnant in the future, you might require another tummy tuck procedure to restore your results.

• What are the medical benefits of a tummy tuck?

  Abdominoplasty procedures offer a few different positive cosmetic advantages. Although the results for each patient will be different, patients who have had an abdominoplasty see improvement in things like ventral hernia, stress during urination, and improvements to posture and decreases in back pain. If you have other complications you experience, be sure to communicate those to your plastic surgeon during your consultation.

• What is a mini tummy tuck?

  While the commonly held belief is that a mini tummy tuck means a smaller incision, a mini tummy tuck refers to removing skin in the lower abdomen without incising it around the belly button or tightening the muscles above it. It’s rare for someone to be a “qualified” candidate for this procedure, but it may be an option discussed by your plastic surgeon.

• What is the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction?

  As two of the most popular abdominal procedures, there can be confusion about the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction. What’s important to remember is that a tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin which otherwise cannot be removed while liposuction focuses on small fat deposits that can be removed from the hips, thighs, butt, or stomach.

• Can a tummy tuck treat stretch marks?

  Some aspects of the tummy tuck procedure can excise skin that has been affected by stretch marks, but if not, there are plenty of laser resurfacing solutions that can help reduce their visibility. If you’re concerned about stretch marks, be sure to visit Reflections Center’s page dedicated to treating stretch marks.

• Can I get pregnant after a tummy tuck?

  A tummy tuck procedure shouldn’t complicate a future pregnancy, but a future pregnancy can negatively impact your tummy tuck results. It’s recommended that you complete your family and childbearing before you investigate a tummy tuck.

• How long will results last?

  Tummy tuck results are considered permanent since the skin and fat cells removed cannot come back; however, significant weight gain or future pregnancies can reverse your results. To maintain your results long term, it’s recommended to maintain a stable weight through healthy diet and exercise and avoiding smoking and damage to any of your incisions.

• Can a tummy tuck fix a loose belly button?

  In the process of tightening and reshaping the skin and fat cells in your abdomen, the belly button is a key part that is integrated at the end of the procedure. Once enough skin and fat are removed, a hole is made to place your belly button into its new aesthetic location on your stomach. Through this process, fixing a loose belly button can be adjusted, but if you have concerns about your belly button beforehand, be sure to communicate that during your consultation.

• How will weight gain after a tummy tuck affect my results?

  A tummy tuck is viewed as a huge step forward in transforming your motivation for a healthier lifestyle. While slight weight gain will likely not impact your results, anything more than that can start to increase mass on the abdomen, if not other areas more likely to gain fat due to the presence of existing fat cells like the buttocks, thighs, and back.

• Is there a difference between a male & female tummy tuck?

  For male and female patients, the procedure is almost identical. There aren’t a lot of aspects of a tummy tuck that are gender specific; the important factors are ones that relate to your medical history like previous weight loss, pregnancies, or other complications.