What Exactly Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is a procedure whereby a horizontal incision is made in a “French bikini” line across the lower abdomen, sort of like a smile.

The incision is much similar to that of a Cesarean section. Usually, this is used in combination with liposuction, both suctioning and excising (cutting out) layers of fat from the lower and sometimes upper abdomen.

The surgery is done under general or epidural anesthesia.

Most surgeons “tighten” the stomach muscles themselves using sutures in a corset fashion. Several inches of skin and flab from the lower abdomen are removed, usually including any stretch marks.

What About My Belly Button? Where Will It End Up?

The incision is closed and a new “belly button” is created by cutting a hole in the area where the old belly button was and suturing the edges. When done with care, the new belly button looks just like the original once the wound heals.

How Long Will the Incision Be?

Although the incision in the lower abdomen is long, extending from hipbone to hipbone, if it is done with precision and care it is easily hidden beneath normal bikini underwear or bikini bathing suit. There is normally no need to wear brief style underwear or one-piece bathing suit. However, it can take up to a year for the scar to fade to the patient’s liking.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect From My Tummy Tuck?

The result is a taught, smooth, flat abdomen. With the exception of subsequent pregnancy, the results are long lasting and patients are usually very pleased with their new waistlines and flat tummies.

There is almost always some degree of swelling following surgery, but this usually fully dissipates within 3-6 months.

In women, an increased feeling of “bloatedness” is sometimes experienced during the week of menstruation. However, there is rarely much visible abdominal swelling.

In instances of moderate to severe obesity, the patient may need to go back in for a little
additional liposuction after about 6 months to remove any superficial fat that was missed at surgery.

Because this is rather intensive surgery which is demanded on the patient, most surgeons will not do aggressive liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck.

Does it hurt?

A tummy tuck is major abdominal surgery including superficial, subdermal and muscular
incisions and suturing. For this reason, the patient should plan on a recovery period of 3-4 weeks, only the first week or so of that being full bed rest. It is important for the patient to understand that superior self-care in both the pre- and post-surgical period is vital.

Immediately following surgery, when the patient awakens from anesthesia, she or he will be helped out of bed. The patient will not be able to stand up straight, as the muscles and skin of the stomach have been surgically “shortened”.

It will take time, usually several days, for the patient to be able to walk fully upright. The patient will be very bent over when standing in the initial hours and days after surgery, but this is a situation that gradually rectifies itself as the abdomen realizes its new form and the body adjusts.

Significant pain is not uncommon, but is usually short in duration, lasting only 3-4 days. For most patients, the pain is a feeling like having done 250 sit-ups in an “out of shape” physical condition.

Coughing, laughter and rolling over in bed can cause significant pain. The patient should
definitely have a friend, family member or home health aide available for at least a week after surgery to help with getting out of bed, using the toilet, etc.

A compression garment, or elastic girdle, is put on the patient immediately following closure in the operating room. This girdle is to be worn for a minimum of one month following surgery, preferably six weeks.

When Can I Get My Stitches Out?

Your sutures will be removed in 7-10 days after your surgery.

You will have an “accordion” style drain in your lower abdominal area which you will have to empty once daily. This drains any additional fluid and liquified fat that will collect in your abdomen. This is usually taken out around day 10-12, depending upon how much drainage you are producing.

Can I Take a Shower?

The patient will not be able to bathe in the usual manner during that time, taking only sponge baths.

Hair washing is not allowed for at least a week and a half, due to the inevitable bending
involved. Only if the care providers can fashion a solution whereby the patient does not have to bend or strain can hair washing be accomplished any earlier in the recovery.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck is a very effective and usually permanent form of cosmetic surgery that is known to have dramatic results. It is not for someone who only needs to do a few sit-ups to regain a flat abdomen.

This procedure is an especially good solution for someone who carries all or most of their
weight in their abdomen. These patients normally come away from the procedure with an
entirely new figure!

It is important that you are in extremely good health prior to surgery, as this surgery is strenuous on your entire body.

What If I Get Pregnant After My Tummy Tuck?

If you are planning to get pregnant in the future, it is not advisable to have a tummy tuck until you have had children and plan to have no more. If you do plan to get pregnant following a tummy tuck, YOU MUST WAIT AT LEAST ONE YEAR! It takes at least a full year for your abdominal muscles and tissues to regain adequate strength.

Be careful and take extra precautions for birth control in the year following your tummy tuck.

If you have a baby after you have had a tummy tuck, you may require further surgery to regain a smooth, flat belly.

When Will I Be Able To Exercise and Do Sit-ups Again?
You should not do any strenuous exercise for at least two months following surgery, preferably three months.

When you do resume exercise, keep it to short and leisurely walks. Do not jog, run or sprint for at least five months. Stretching is also to be very light, if at all. Do no sit ups until six to seven months following your tummy tuck.

What does it cost?

In the United States, the cost of a tummy tuck can run between $8,500 to $11,000 or more. Often, the patient will receive many bills from ancillary hospital services (nursing, lab, anesthesia, etc.), supplies (i.e. compression garment, in-hospital meds) and will almost always be charged for all subsequent follow-up doctors’ visits.

In the Dominican Republic, the cost ranges between $1,800.00 - $2,400.00, rarely more.
Even lower prices may be found, though invariably offered by surgeons of lesser experience and/or in rural areas. This price is ALL-Inclusive, including pre-surgical lab work and medical consultation/clearance, compression garment, 2-3 day hospital stay, ancillary services and several follow-up visits with the surgeon.

What Steps Can I Take To Prepare For My Tummy Tuck?

It is always advised that you enter into any surgery with a clear mind, a good attitude and a healthy body.

I suggest following the Parasite Cleanse, Bowel Cleanse, Liver Cleanse and Kidney Cleanse as suggested by Dr. Hulda Clark in her book, “The Cure for All Diseases”. All of these programs are accessible for free via the internet at various web sites, including www.Curezone.com.

I highly recommend the above regimens to “do a little house cleaning” prior to your surgery. It is very important to try to rid your body of pathogens that may be lying dormant, waiting to take over when your body is in a weakened state, prior to any surgical or dental procedure to reduce the risk of wound infection. It is only logical that the healthier you are going into surgery, the healthier you will be after your surgery.

Another herbal remedy that I have used to speed and ease recovery following surgery is Arnica Montana ( 30c or 30x), to start one week prior to surgery and continue up to three weeks following surgery. This natural remedy greatly reduces pain, swelling and bruising and can be used to ease the symptoms of trauma in any situation. I highly recommend to keep some around the house at all times!

Good nutrition is very important prior to and after surgery, but then again, it always is! Make sure you’re getting enough vitamins in your foods with lots of green leafy vegetables.

Do not take Ibuprofen or aspirin, and preferably have no caffeine two weeks pre- and post-surgery.

I recommend three basic amino acids:L-Lysine, L-Ornithine, L-Arginine. L-Ornithine is
especially helpful at night to promote deep and comfortable sleep.

Do not eat salt 2-3 weeks before and after surgery.

Exercise is always good for the body. It is especially good to be physically strong prior to
surgery. If you are uncomfortable with strenuous exercise, try some light weight lifting and Yoga.

Get yourself mentally and spiritually ready for your surgery. Surgery, especially cosmetic
surgery, can take a toll on you emotionally.

It’s a little scary to undergo any surgery, and there are undoubtedly a lot of feelings of
excitement and hope mixed in. I highly recommend Centerpointe’s Holosync Holosync as a great help in reducing stress.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JoAnn Roselli is a cosmetic surgery veteran, who has undergone tummy tuck surgery as well blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), upper arm lift and liposculpture of the back, hips and thighs. All of her cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in the Dominican Republic. She is a former medical transcriptionist, and is currently working as a freelance writer, and is author of How to Get High-Quality Plastic Surgery…CHEAP

To Find Out More About Getting An Affordable, Quality Tummy Tuck in the
Dominican Republic, Please Visit http://www.secretplasticsurgery.com

tummy tuck

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This entry was posted on Thursday, June 7th, 2007 at 1:32 am and is filed under CPS Editor's Notes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.