Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) - by Dr. Mark Mason & Michael Bogdan

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a major surgical procedure that eliminates excess skin and loose tissue from the stomach and tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. Many men find that even with rigorous diet and exercise, they cannot get rid of the extra skin. The best candidate for this procedure are men or women who are close to their ideal weight but have a deposit of abdominal fat or loose skin around their stomach. Patients who intend to lose more weight should wait to have this procedure.

Procedure
The abdominoplasty is done under general anesthesia and usually takes three to five hours, depending on the amount of skin to remove and muscle to be repaired. An incision is made typically from hipbone to hipbone just above the pubic area (below the bikini line). A second incision is often made vertically in order to tighten the underlying abdominal muscles. The navel is often repositioned due to the removal of excess skin. The result should be a firmer, flatter stomach and often, a narrower waistline.

Recovery
Full recovery from an abdominoplasty often takes up to six weeks, depending on the patient. Walking may be difficult the first few days, and the stomach will feel swollen. A compression garment is worn for six weeks, but women can usually return to a desk job after approximately a week. Light physical activity such as walking is encouraged after a week. Two drain tubes are typically inserted at surgery and remain for the first 5-7 days after surgery depending on the extent of the procedure. Patients are restricted from full physical exercise such as aerobics, running, or weightlifting for at least six weeks. Complete recovery may take up to a few months to rid of all the swelling. The scars may appear worse 3-6 months after surgery during the healing process, but they should begin fading after nine months to a year with the help of scar cream and time.

Price Ranges
The actual cost of your cosmetic surgery procedure is largely dependent upon your specific case. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) publishes information on its website that provides information on the cost of various procedures. Visit www.plasticsurgery.org. These fees may not include the cost of anesthesia, operating room facilities, and other expenses. If you would like specific fees in our office, please feel free to call us or send us an email.