The Tummy Tuck: Is It Safe?

By Andrew W John

Perhaps the best way to shape a tummy, when diet and exercise will not work, may be a procedure called Abdominoplasty. Commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, this procedure involves an operation to removed excess skin or fat and possibly even tightens up or brings the abdominal muscles closer. Some tummy tucks are a simple operation that involves reshaping the skin on the stomach. While more invasive surgery may include removal of fat under or above the muscle wall, repositioning the belly button, and even stitching the muscles together.

More and more people have chosen to have a tummy tuck because it is safe and has also become more affordable in the recent years. This is anywhere between twenty-five hundred dollars up to eighty-five hundred dollars. A big factor in price depends upon who you choose to perform the operation, and also the time and complexity of the tummy tuck. Also, medical tests, room cost, surgeon fees, operation room, anesthesiologists, and post surgery will all affect the total cost.

Tummy tucks are becoming more popular because more surgeons are now starting to offer different financing plans to pay for the surgery. This helps out a lot of people whose insurance carriers will not pay for any or all of it. Also be aware that you will have to tell your insurance company about you tummy tuck, as it may increase your future insurance premiums.

The reason why some undergo a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is because of pregnancy in women or men after a gastric bypass surgery. The procedure's recovery time will all depend on the complexity of your operation, which can be altered due to many reasons.

You will experience some pain after the procedure, but most the pain medication prescribed by the doctor will take care of that. You will also experience swelling and scarring at the site. Your doctor should also prescribe or suggest medication for this. You can expect the severity of these symptoms to last for only the first few weeks.

The normal recovery period for a tummy tuck is only a few weeks. However, if you want to speed this time up, make sure not to stretch or put much strain on the abdominals because this will cause an accumulation of fluids, therefore lengthening the recovery time.

There are three stages to the recovery process. First, you must stay in the hospital so that they can monitor you for the first few days, usually three days. This is to ensure there are no complications, such as a dangerous clot. Second, you may be sent home or to a post operational care facility. This includes complete bed rest, often three weeks or more, during this time you must have assistance to bath, dress the wound, and other necessary functions. Lastly, you doctor may give you detailed instructions for caring for your new tummy in the long run. These may include how to maintain the size and shape through diet and exercise, as well and tips to prevent hernias.

Other things to keep in mind about recovery and aftercare may include how strong your abdominal muscles were before surgery, and the unique way your body handles the healing process, which includes scaring. If you have strong abdominal muscles going into surgery, you can expect the healing process to go much more quickly and smoothly. If you do not have a regular diet and exercise plan prior to surgery, then you may experience a slower progression. You can also expect scaring and swelling for 6 months or more after surgery, so don't plan this for that summer beach body contest this year, but maybe next year you can hit the beach!

You should research your chosen surgeon and hospital well and this includes the procedures and after care policies they offer. Fining a great surgeon, hospital, and plan isn't all you need. You should check with their history for doing this type of surgery, how long they have been doing it and consider both positive and negative feedback from their clients and the health administration. - 30516

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