Some people have tummy tuck surgeries to remove excess skin and fat.
Tummy tucks or abdominoplasties are surgical treatments that remove excess fat and skin from abdomens. Sometimes these treatments tighten abdominal muscles as well. From 1997 to 2001, tummy tuck treatments increased by 72 percent, and they are currently one of the top five most popular cosmetic procedures, according to eHealthMD.
Ideal Candidates
Both men and women have tummy tuck treatments, and many factors determine who are good candidates for these types of procedures. The most ideal candidates are people who are in relatively good shape, but have excess abdominal skin or fat that is resistant to exercise. For example, a person who lost a large amount of weight with exercise, diet or bariatric surgery may be a good candidate, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. Other ideal candidates include women who have stretched out abdominal skin and muscles from pregnancy or older people who have lost the elasticity in their skin.
Procedure
There are two main types of abdominoplasty surgeries--full and mini tummy tucks. Full tummy tucks typically require general anesthesia and a short hospital stay, while mini tummy tucks only generally take place on an outpatient basis and only require local anesthesia. The full tummy tuck surgical treatment involves an incision from hip bone to hip bone, and then the skin is separated from the abdominal wall to expose the vertical abdominal muscles. The surgeon typically stitches and tightens the muscles, and then he removes any excess skin or fat. He then drapes the remaining skin over the abdominal area and sutures it back into place. The entire procedure usually takes between two and five hours. Mini tummy tucks typically have small incisions and work for people with small tummy bulges after pregnancy.
Risks
As with any type of surgery, tummy tuck treatments have several risks. They include anesthesia complications, tissue loss, blood clot to the lungs and death. Other risks, such as infection, hematoma (collection of blood under the skin), seroma (collection of fluid beneath the skin) and bleeding under the skin flap are also common. Some people are at risk of aspiration pneumonia, while others may require a second surgery if the first procedure doesn't heal properly.
Cost
The cost of tummy tucks vary between different plastic surgeons and usually depend on how much excess fat and muscle tightening is needed. According to a report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2009, the average cost of the surgeon fees for a tummy tuck was $5,167 in 2008. That figure does not include the costs for the anesthesia, pre-tests, surgical facility or other miscellaneous fees, which are charged in addition to the surgeon's fee. These treatments are typically considered as cosmetic procedures and not covered by most people's health insurance providers.
Considerations
If you plan to lose a lot of weight or want to become pregnant again, a tummy tuck may not be for you. People who smoke are advised to quit smoking a full month before and after the procedure due to delayed healing risks as well. The scarring after the tummy tuck typically darkens in color in the first three to six months after the surgery. Most scars take up to nine months to flatten and lighten, and they will never disappear completely.
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