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Abdominoplasty, commonly known as tummy tuck, can dramatically reshape the appearance and profile of the stomach by tightening muscles while removing excess skin and some fat. The procedure is especially popular with women whose abdominal muscles separated or lost integrity during pregnancy, and adults who have seen dramatic reductions in overall body weight.
Tummy tuck helps patients reclaim a taut, fit stomach, but it is not a shortcut to weight loss. In fact, Dr. Funt advises that patients not be significantly overweight before the procedure is performed. Lifestyle modification, including regular exercise, restricting caloric intake and making healthy menu choices, are the recommended solutions for obesity, not tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
What Does a Tummy Tuck Include?
Tummy tuck is comprised of multiple components. The most important aspect is the removal and tightening of skin around the belly. Dr. Funt carefully excises loose skin and pulls the remaining skin taut to fit smoothly over the flatter shape of the abdomen. The skin is held in place with sutures. Depending on how much skin is removed, the belly button may disappear during this procedure. Accordingly, Dr. Funt can create a new hole that complements the new shape of the stomach.
Abdominoplasty can also be effective for patients wanting to address a separation of the abdominal muscles caused by pregnancy or other factors. During the surgery, Dr. Funt can reconnect the musculature to restore firmness and definition to the stomach.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Abdominoplasty?
The timeline differs from patient to patient, but most tummy tuck patients feel well enough to return to work after two weeks. Because of the location of the incisions, abdominoplasty does make some normal movements (walking, bending over and lifting) uncomfortable and more challenging during the recovery period. It may take one to two months to regain your full mobility and restart strenuous exercise. Be sure to continue wearing your compression garment to support your healing stomach and prevent excessive swelling.
How Much Does Tummy Tuck Cost?
The cost of tummy tuck differs from patient to patient, with factors including the amount of skin being excised, whether the belly button or abdominal muscles need to be adjusted and whether liposuction is performed to enhance the results. During your consultation, Dr. Funt will devise a surgical plan that can achieve your desired results. He can then provide a complete quote so that you know what to expect.
Because abdominoplasty is an elective procedure, your health insurance plan is very unlikely to cover it. However, Dr. Funt does accept financing options through CareCredit.
Is Tummy Tuck Worth It?
Most patients consider tummy tuck to be extremely worthwhile. When people try to achieve a flatter stomach with diet and exercise, they often notice they are unable to lose their “muffin top” or “pooch” because it is loose skin, not fat, that is standing in the way. For better or worse, plastic surgery is the only way to get rid of loose, stretched skin. Patients are so thankful to finally have a solution for tackling this skin that it makes sense that abdominoplasty consistently ranks as one of the top procedures in plastic surgery satisfaction polls.
How Long Will Tummy Tuck Results Last?
The contours you achieve with tummy tuck are known to last indefinitely. For as long as you maintain a steady weight, you can expect to see your flatter, tighter stomach endure. If you do either gain or lose a significant amount of weight, this may alter your results.
Will Tummy Tuck Eliminate Stretch Marks?
Any improvement in stretch marks resulting from tummy tuck is incidental. Stretch marks are permanent indentations, and the only effective way to eliminate them is to remove the skin. Because tummy tuck involves excision of loose skin, some stretch marks may be removed along with the skin. This is generally skin in the lower abdomen. Skin in the upper or middle abdomen is stretched during tummy tuck but not usually removed. This tightening may moderately improve the appearance of existing stretch marks, but not erase the imperfections.
Will I Feel Pain After Tummy Tuck?
Abdominoplasty is major surgery, during which skin is removed and muscles are repaired. Substantial healing is necessary, which generates pain and discomfort. To limit the pain, soreness and feelings of tightness, Dr. Funt injects Exparel into the abdomen during the surgery. Exparel is a time-release non-narcotic pain reliever that takes over the task of pain management once your general anesthesia has worn off.
