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

Click here to see Before and After Pictures

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 women find that even with rigorous diet and exercise, they cannot get rid of the extra skin and often the protrusion of the stomach after having children. The best candidate for this procedure are women who are close to their ideal weight but have a deposit of abdominal fat or loose skin around their stomach. If you intend to lose a significant amount of weight, or if you want to have more children should wait to have this procedure.

Procedure
The abdominoplasty is done under general anesthesia and usually takes two to four 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). 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 immediately after surgery. 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. Price ranges from $7500 to $9600 (these prices include all associated fees). If you would like more specific information, please feel free to call us or send us an email.