Tummy Tucks: Benefits, Risks and Recovery for Abdominoplasty Surgery

Tummy tucks, (formally known as abdominoplasty) are a surgical cosmetic procedure in which a doctor removes excess skin and fat from the belly to firm up a person’s abdominal region. While nearly anyone with excess belly fat can be a good candidate for a tummy tuck, most adominoplasty patients are those with sagging bellies, namely post-partum women and those who have recently lost a significant amount of weight.
 
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reports that over 170,000 people underwent tummy tucks in 2006, making it the 4th most popular type of cosmetic surgery performed that year. What’s even more surprising is the fact that tummy tucks have increased by 40 percent within the last 10 years.
 
In this section, we will outline the various types of tummy tuck procedures a patient can undergo, including information about the pros and cons associated with each. Our articles layout the tummy tuck procedure so you have a clearer understanding of what this surgery entails.

Types of Tummy Tucks

The type of tummy tuck a patient undergoes depends on her individual circumstances and goals. Like with any procedure, the length of the surgery, along with the associated recovery time, depends on the exact nature of the abdominoplasty you choose.
 
In general, the most serious, invasive type of tummy tuck is the extended abdominoplasty that calls for an incision from the navel to the mid-pelvic region, as well as one from hip to hip and down the front of the thighs. While the loose skin is then cut, the remaining skin is pulled taut and sewn up.
 
Complete abdominoplasty, a slightly less invasive procedure includes the navel and hip incisions without extending into the thigh region. The least serious type of tummy tuck is the partial abdominoplasty in which the belly incisions are far smaller.
 
Keep in mind that doctors may use various combinations of the above procedures. Talk to your doctor to determine the right type of tummy tuck for you.

Tummy Tuck Risks and Benefits

Like any surgical procedure, tummy tucks have their own associated pros and cons. The primary benefit of abdominoplasty surgery is that the patient ends up with a flat tummy with minimal scarring.
 
On the flipside, however, some patients need to have a second tummy tucks done if the initial procedure doesn’t produce the desired results. Another downside to tummy tuck surgery is that it can occasionally leave unsightly scars on the belly region. This is especially true for those who experience recovery complications. When you meet with your doctor, be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of tummy tucks.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

While the recovery time for an abdominoplasty depends on the exact procedure, the patient’s age and his current state of health, most tummy tuck patients can return to their everyday lives within a few months of the surgery. In general, surgeons recommend that tummy tuck patients take about a month off of work and their exercise routines.
 
Along with resting and wearing the proper bandages (to preserve the integrity of the stitches), patients will also need to alter their diets to prevent themselves from regaining weight and stretching out their belly skin. Talk to your doctor before the procedure to make sure that you understand the steps involved in tummy tuck recovery.
 
Resources
 
Gastricbypassrisks.com (n.d.). Tummy Tuck. Retrieved August 16, 2007, from the Gastric Bypass Risks Web site: http://www.gastricbypassrisks.com/tummy-tuck.htm.
 
Smarttummytucks.com (2002-2006). Risks and Complications. Retrieved August 16, 2007, from the Smart Tummy Tucks Web site: http://www.smarttummytucks.com/risks.html.