Body Contouring
Tummy Tuck
An Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is surgery designed to firm and smooth the abdomen. The procedure removes excess abdominal skin and may also reduce fat and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. Some conditions are inherited while others may be caused by weight loss resulting in flaccid abdominal skin. This surgery can also tighten muscles that have been separated and weakened by pregnancy, and may improve the appearance of stretch marks.
Generally, a horizontal incision is placed just within or above the pubic area. When patients have loose skin above the navel, an incision may be made around the navel so that redundant skin above it can be pulled down. The procedure may include tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles using sutures.
Recovery time varies among individuals, but patients may be able to return to non strenuous work one to three weeks after surgery, and in many instances resume most normal activities after a few weeks. Full exercise limitations are necessary for 6 weeks, to avoid injury to the surgery site. You should expect bruising that will disappear over a period of weeks, and swelling for several months. There may be numbness over some portions of the abdominal area that may persist for several months. Incision lines may take months to fade and will be permanently visible.
Patients with realistic expectations are usually pleased with the improvement in abdominal appearance.
Complications are rare – but must be thoroughly discussed and considered before you decide to have surgery.
What is a BMI Calculator?
Research on obesity has shown that a measurement called body mass index, or BMI for short, can be used to assess a person’s level of body fat based on his or her height and weight. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but it correlates closely to direct measures of body fat.
The BMI calculator is used to determine the body mass index of a person 20 years of age or older.
For adults, BMI is interpreted through categories that do not take factors such as sex or age into account.
| Procedure Description: | Flatten abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and tightening muscles of abdominal wall. |
| Surgery Length: |
2 to 5 hours. |
| Cost Range: | $5,000 – $7,500 (includes Operating Room and an Anesthesiologist) See our payment options for cosmetic surgery. |
| Anesthesia: | General, or local with sedation. |
| In/Outpatient: | Either depending on individual circumstances and extent of surgery. |
| Side Effects: | Temporary pain. Swelling, soreness, numbness of abdominal skin, bruising, tiredness for several weeks or months. |
| Risks associated with Surgery: | Blood clots. Infection. Bleeding under the skin flap. Poor healing resulting in conspicuous scarring or skin loss. Need for a second operation. |
| Recovery Period: | Back to work: 2 to 4 weeks. More strenuous activity: 4 to 6 weeks or more. Fading and flattening of scars: 3 months to 2 years. |