Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) – Surgery & Risks

Tummy tuck can help to flatten the stubborn fat deposits in the middle and/or lower abdomen and tighten your skin, and as a result of the surgery, your appearance and self-esteem may improve.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) statistics, 107,019 tummy tucks were performed in 2004. However, tummy tuck is a serious surgical procedure that involves risks and complications.

Are You a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck?

Get quick facts on tummy tucks, and access the basic tummy tuck criteria that should help you to make a preliminary assessment as to whether the surgery is right for you. Learn more about how your doctor will evaluate you for a tummy tuck.

Educate yourself about the limitations of tummy tuck, and understand how smoking and second-hand smoke may negatively affect the healing process. View sample before and after tummy tuck images to get a general idea of potential tummy tuck results. Find out who should not consider tummy tuck by reading an article from WebMD.com entitled, "Who Should Not Consider Tummy Tuck?".

It is critical that you are honest with your surgeon when it comes to discussing your reasons and goals for tummy tuck. Realistic expectations are key to a successful tummy tuck outcome.

Why Is it Critical to Consult a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Board certification does not guarantee success, but it does ensure that your surgeon has met certain qualifications and has quality experience. It is therefore to your benefit to consult a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon.

Be sure to discuss your entire medical history with your plastic surgeon, including any medications, vitamins and/or supplements you take or have taken, and your personal habits (e.g. smoking). Your answers will help your surgeon make an accurate, professional decision on whether tummy tuck is right for your needs and safe for your health. It is possible that existing and past medical conditions may influence the success of the surgery and recovery process.

Your surgeon's qualifications and experience are critical to the success of your tummy tuck surgery . It is important that you consult with and are operated on by a skilled surgeon, so learn how to choose a qualified plastic surgeon.

What Are the Different Types of Tummy Tuck?

There are two types of tummy tuck: a complete tummy tuck and partial (or mini) tummy tuck. To learn the difference between the two, access a user-friendly description of a complete tummy tuck (with illustrations), including tummy tuck incisions, muscle tightening, and excess skin removal.

Learn how a partial or mini tummy tuck is performed and how it is different from a complete tummy tuck. Find out why endoscopic tummy tuck is the best choice for patients with mild degree of skin laxity and excess abdominal fat.

Depending on your individual needs, you and your doctor may decide that you could benefit from related abdominal procedures. Educate yourself about abdominal etching (a new liposuction technique that helps to emphasize the muscular appearance of the abdomen) and panniculectomy (a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin without tightening the muscles). These procedures can be performed stand-alone or combined with a tummy tuck.

How Can You Prepare for Tummy Tuck?

Your plastic surgeon will help you to effectively prepare for tummy tuck based on your medical history, individual habits, as well as other essential factors.

During your this consultation, your doctor may advise that a related cosmetic procedure, such as liposuction (fat removal), is more appropriate for your needs.

If you have any concern about tummy tuck, address it with your doctor during the initial consultation. Review a list of 10 critical questions every tummy tuck candidate should ask a plastic surgeon.

After your initial consultation, consider all information at hand, weigh the risks and take your time before making the right decision about a tummy tuck.

Where Will Tummy Tuck Be Performed?

Tummy tuck can be performed as an outpatient procedure (in a plastic surgeon's office or an ambulatory surgical facility) or as an inpatient procedure (in a hospital).

Be aware that outpatient facilities must meet certain surgery facility standards as set forth by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF). Verify that your plastic surgeon's office or facility is accredited, and find out what you should know about the safety of outpatient plastic surgery.

Inpatient tummy tuck may require an overnight stay at the hospital; this will be discussed prior to tummy tuck surgery with your plastic surgeon.

What Should You Know about Anesthesia for Tummy Tuck?

Depending on the extent of the procedure, tummy tuck may involve local or general anesthesia. Learn about different types of anesthesia available to you and how anesthesia may affect you from an article on the Mayo Clinic website, "Anesthesia: Options and Considerations."

Educate yourself about office-based anesthesia and surgery, find out more about the necessity of a preoperative interview with your anesthesiologist, and the training anesthesiologists complete.

You and your doctor will discuss available anesthesia options and decide on the choice that is most appropriate for you.

What Happens During the Surgery?

The day you have been waiting for has finally arrived. Be sure to educate yourself about what the day of surgery will be like to avoid unnecessary surprises.

Furthermore, know what to expect during the tummy tuck procedure and how long a complete and partial tummy tuck surgery may last. To get a better understanding, review the three stages of a complete tummy tuck procedure from the National Library of Medicine.

Immediately after the surgery, your doctor may insert small tubes and apply special elastic dressing to the operated area to allow fluid to drain from your incisions.

Are There Tummy Tuck Risks or Potential Complications?

Successful tummy tuck surgery is routinely performed throughout the United States. However, tummy tuck is a serious procedure that affects a critical area of your body and carries certain risks and complications. As a result, even the most experienced plastic surgeons cannot guarantee a successful and healthy outcome for a carefully selected tummy tuck patient.

Learn how to minimize the risk of complications, including blood clots and poor healing.

Another potential cause of serious complications after tummy tuck is the use of general anesthesia. The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery advises their patients to opt for cosmetic procedures using local anesthesia, if possible.

Carefully consider all tummy tuck risks and complications and discuss them with your plastic surgeon before making the decision to have the procedure.

Other Plastic Surgery Procedures

Are you looking for other plastic surgery procedures? Check out other credible sites on breast surgery, face lift surgery, liposuction surgery, and rhinoplasty surgery.

Need More Information?