Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tuck Surgery

1. What is Tummy Tuck surgery?
2. How do I know if I am a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck procedure?
3. How many techniques are there and how do I know which one is best for me?
4. How do I know whether or not I will need only a Mini Tummy Tuck or a Full Tummy Tuck (FTT)?
5. How do I know if I need muscle repair (MR)
6. Do non-surgical tummy tuck methods work?
7. What are the risks of Abdominoplasty surgery?
8. What type of anesthesia will I have for my Tummy Tuck?
9. How long will it take to perform my Tummy Tuck surgery?
10. Can I get liposuction or a breast reduction / breast lift / breast implants at the same time as my Tummy Tuck?
11. What should I expect during my Tummy Tuck recovery? How much does it hurt?
12. Will I need to stay overnight?
13. How much does a Tummy Tuck cost?
14. Will my health insurance cover all or part of the cost of my Tummy Tuck?
15. Does the suture removal or drain removal hurt?
16. How long will I have to stay slightly bent over? Will I ever stand up straight again?
17. How long do I have to wait before I can have sex?
18. What treatments for my Tummy Tuck scar actually work?

1. What is Tummy Tuck surgery?
Tummy Tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is the surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat of the abdomen and possibly tighten the underlying fascia and muscles.  The result is a tighter looking abdominal area.  Some patients require a new navel to be made.

2. How do I know if I am a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck procedure?
Although only a qualified plastic surgeon can determine if you are a good candidate for Tummy Tuck surgery, there are certain criteria:

• You must be in good physical health to be able to undergo anesthesia and surgery.
• You must have no wound healing disorders.
• You must be in a good state of mental health to undergo this procedure
• You must be willing to accept having a scar, whether visible or hidden.
• You must not be pregnant.
• You must be at or near your target body fat percentage and not be significantly overweight.
• You must be in a financial position to pay for your surgery and and any additional unforeseen costs which may arise from possible complications
• Please see our Are You A Candidate For Tummy Tuck Surgery section for more information.

3. How many techniques are there and how do I know which one is best for me?
Many patients fall under two categories: skin-only abdominoplasty (which include Mini Tummy Tucks) and those requiring a Full Tummy Tuck (FTT), which involves reconstruction and tightening of the underlying fascia and muscles.  However there are several incision methods and surgical techniques which may include endoscopic rectus diastasis correction,  Reverse Abdominoplasty and vertical Scar abdominoplasty.   Please see our Tummy Tuck Surgical Methods and Their Incision Types section for more information.

Only after a complete physical examination, will your doctor will be able to determine which option will be best for your own case.

4. How do I know whether or not I will need only a Mini Tummy Tuck or a Full Tummy Tuck (FTT)?
Only your doctor will be able to determine which technique is best for your needs, however if you have considerable pooch and your abdominal fascia and muscles or stretched, you will normally require a FTT.  If you have tight muscles but a little loose skin, you may qualify for a Modified , or Mini, Tummy Tuck.

5. How do I know if I need muscle repair (MR)?
As above, if you have been pregnant or have been overweight for some time, the fascia covering your abdominal muscles may have stretched.  No amount of exercise and diet will correct this.  If you are at a healthy body fat percentage and the fascia is stretched, the pooch that you see is normally the visceral fat and organs pressing against the overlying fascia.

After a full physical examination, your surgeon will be able to determine if you need muscle repair.

6. Do non-surgical tummy tuck methods work?
The skin tightening effects of non-surgical methods, such as radiofrequency and lasers, cannot give you significant improvement nor do their benefits last.  They also have no effect on the underlying muscles and fascia. 

7. What are the risks of Abdominoplasty surgery?
The most common risks of tummy tuck surgery are infection, hematoma, seroma, incision opening, wound healing problems, scar asymmetry, "dog ears" and anesthesia risks.   Please see the Risks & Complications of Tummy Tuck Surgery section for more information.

8. What type of anesthesia will I have for my Tummy Tuck?
For Mini Tummy Tucks, your procedure can be performed under Light Sleep IV Sedation.   For those requiring muscle repair, many surgeons prefer to use General Anesthesia due to the involuntary contraction of the abdominal muscles in patients who are not deeply anesthetized.  However MR can also be performed under IV sedation.

Please speak to your surgeon about which method of anesthesia he or she prefers for this surgery.

9. How long will it take to perform my Tummy Tuck surgery?
The length of operating room time will vary on the amount of correction needed by the patient.  For a Mini Tummy Tuck, surgical time may only be an hour.  Whereas, for patients requiring muscle repair or if a patient is choosing to undergo complementary procedures, the surgical time will increase anywhere from 4 to 6 hours.  Although 6 hours is commonly the limit in which surgeons prefer to have a patient under anesthesia. The average time is 2 hours, however this depends upon the skill of the surgeon and the needs of the patient.

10. Can I get liposuction or a breast reduction / breast lift / breast implants at the same time as my Tummy Tuck?
This is usually decided on a case basis.  if a surgeon feels that the patient can undergo more time under anesthesia safely or if the patient's risk of abnormal blood clotting is relatively low, the surgeon may choose to add liposuction to the roster.   Patients do commonly get Tummy Tuck, complementary liposuction around the treatment area (flanks and hips) for contouring, and a breast lift procedure.  However, excessive liposuction with a tummy tuck procedure will increase risks of blood clotting or fat embolism.   This is entirely dependent upon the surgeon and your own health.  Please be advised that the more trauma you put your body through and the more areas treated, your risks will increase.

11. What should I expect during my Tummy Tuck recovery?  How much does it hurt?
You will be sore, swollen and bruised,  You will also not be able to stand up straight, or lie flat for a while. Abdominoplasty requires commit to the healing phase and recovery protocol adherence.  A Full Tummy Tuck is an invasive procedure, however the recovery and discomfort will be worth it once you are healed.

12. Will I need to stay overnight?
Depending upon the amount to tissue that has been removed, or your state of health, you may be instructed to stay over night,.  Some surgeons require an overnight stay.  if you have had liposuction and TT, or another procedure, you also may be required to stay.

13. How much does a Tummy Tuck cost?
The cost of having a tummy tuck will vary from region to region, and even from city to city (even from doctor to doctor!).  The below prices are a realistic average to expect.  New York, California and the city of Dallas tend to be more expensive than many areas.  Please do not base your entire decision on choosing a particular surgeon because of cost.  Sometimes you really do get what you pay for so be careful.

• All-inclusive
  • Mini Tummy Tuck: $2,000 - $5,000 (the cost really depends upon just how much 'tucking' you need)
  • Full abdominoplasty: $6,000-$8,500.
  • Full Abdominoplasty with Liposuction: $6,000-$15,000.
  • Revision Abdominoplasty: $2,000 - $12,000.(the cost varies considerably, you could just need revision to the scar, your umbilicus or your muscles.  For scar revisions, the cost is normally waived if performed by the primary surgeon.)
• Itemized
  • Surgeon Fees: $2,000.-$5,000.
  • Lab Fees: $150-300
  • Physicals, EKG, etc.: $100-$500.
  • Anesthesiologist: $600 - $1,200
  • Facility Fee: $800 - $1,200
  • Medications: $45-75
  • Surgical Garments: for two girdles, depending upon brand and type, anywhere from $30 - $240.

14. Will my health insurance cover all or part of the cost of my Tummy Tuck?
Some insurance carriers do pay for tummy tuck surgery  If you have pain associated with the size and weight of the fat and skin, or if your muscles are very stretched out, you should ask your insurance carrier if there is full or partial coverage available for your procedure.

15. Does the suture removal or drain removal hurt?
Drain removal may cause discomfort.  At the very least it has been described as feeling "odd".  I had two drains for another procedure and it felt both odd and caused discomfort.  I did not enjoy it, but it was over very fast.

Suture removal may also cause discomfort.  The incision line may be sensitive and the removal of the sutures or the accidental snipping of the skin during the clipping of the sutures before being pulled out can hurt.  However, the majority of the recovery pain will have subsided and it only gets better from here.  At this stage you are more sore than in pain a majority of the time.  And you are just that much closer to a full recovery!

16. How long will I have to stay slightly bent over? Will I ever stand up straight again?
Although the majority of the inability to stand up straight lasts no more than 2 weeks, you will notice that even after this period of time, your knees may still be slightly bent to compensate.  Sharp pains that seem to come out of no where will occur but are generally over rather quickly.  The length of time one cannot stand up straight depends upon the tightness at the incision line and underlying muscles, as well as the amount of tissue removed and pain tolerance of the patience.  If you have been tightened too much, and it may feel like it at first, this period of time may last even longer.

17. How long do I have to wait before I can have sex?
Simply put, you will not want to have sex any time soon.  Although some patients advise that the 3 week mark may be enough, you may not feel like it for a while.  Based upon the fact that it hurts to stretch your stomach, lie flat, or move quickly, you just may not be "in the mood"..  Your recovery period will ultimately be determined by the invasiveness of your procedure and your own personal pain tolerance.  However, please consult with your own surgeon before having sex, exercising, or raising your blood pressure and heart rate in any way, shape or form.  Please also keep you incision area clean!

18. What treatments for my Tummy Tuck scar actually work?
Although the resulting scar is truly dependent upon your own body and how you normally heal, Steri-Strips can flatten scars and keep them protected in the interim (although some patients may experience irritation).  After suture removal and subsequent suture hole closing, you may wish to ask your surgeon about Silicone Sheeting.  Silicone sheeting has a wonderful record in improving scars and from hindering keloids from forming.