Tummy Tuck
There are two basic types of tummy tucks, or abdominoplasty: the partial abdominoplasty (also called the mini tummy tuck) and the full abdominoplasty (the traditional tummy tuck).
The mini tummy tuck may be recommended for candidates who are already close to their target body weight. The benefit of this type of surgery is that it is less invasive, and is sometimes done on an outpatient basis. The mini tummy tuck’s incision is a horizontal one across the low part of the abdomen, and the navel is left alone. The muscles below the navel are tightened, and sometimes liposuction is used to remove excess fat in the area.
A full tummy tuck requires an incision around the navel, and across the lower part of the abdomen. It is recommended for clients who are 20% or more above the target weight for their height, and who require more extensive muscle tightening (due to repeated pregnancies, for example). Liposuction is commonly used along with a full tummy tuck for the best results.
The people that get the best results from a tummy tuck are within 30% of their ideal body weight. They have specific areas of fat or loose skin (or both) that are resistant to exercise and diet. They should have maintained a fairly steady weight for at least 6 months, and have good skin elasticity and skin tone. The person considering having a tummy tuck should make sure that his or her expectations are realistic based on their particular body, size, shape, and age. They should also be psychologically healthy and not have the belief that cosmetic surgery will fix all their problems, and they should be fully aware of the risks of the surgery.
People who intend to lose a significant amount of weight should do so before scheduling abdominoplasty, and women who plan on future pregnancies should wait until they are through with childbearing before having the surgery, because the pregnancy will only cause the abdomen to stretch again.
When you first visit a cosmetic surgeon to discuss having a tummy tuck, you will undergo a general health evaluation and the surgeon will determine how much in the way of extra fat deposits are located in your abdominal area, and will explain to you the results you can expect from the procedure. There are some instances in which abdominoplasty is done along with liposuction for removing excess fat deposits from the hips. In some cases it is better to have both procedures at the same time to minimize total time under anesthesia and the risks associated with it.
The average tummy tuck costs from $5,000 to $9,000 once surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and all other costs are added in. If liposuction is done as well, it will add approximately $3,000 to the cost.
Leonard Dawson is a freelance article writer who writes for Cosmetic Surgery Guru about current issues, technology and news within the cosmetic surgery market.
