What is it?

Abdominoplasty is a procedure that is designed to improve the shape of the abdomen and mid-body of both men and women. It is commonly called 'tummy tuck'.

What does it accomplish?

With Abdominoplasty you can dramatically improve your mid-body shape. With this procedure you can permanently remove fat, tighten loose muscles, and trim excess skin. There are different kinds of Abdominoplasty ranging from a complete tummy tuck to minimal incision operations that address specific problems in the abdomen.

What happens during the first consultation?

In the first consultation you will get a chance to discuss your concerns with our patient care coordinators and Dr, Marefat. We will tell you what you need to know about your procedure and will help you determine what is best for you. You will receive information booklets and pricing on the procedures.

How is it done?

Abdominoplasty is done by first liposuctioning the abdomen if necessary. This suctioning is limited to a safe amount so as not to jeopardize the viability of the abdominal skin. The tumescent solution used in liposuction is also used for abdominoplasty. This significantly reduces blood loss and need for hospitalization. The muscles above and below the belly button are then plicated. This makes a big difference is the protrusion of the abdomen that is seen in women after pregnancy. It also gives a more hourglass shape to the abdomen. Finally the excess skin is trimmed from the lower part of the abdomen.

What can I expect after surgery?

After surgery you will have a moderate amount of drainage from the incisions. You may have drains under the skin to collect some of this extra fluid. You will need to rest for two or three days, but most people are up and about shortly after surgery. We generally recommend our patients to take off 7-10 days from work. Heavy lifting and exercising should be avoided in the first two to three weeks. Your body will tell you when you are ready to get back into your regular exercise routine. Most people are able to

return to their normal exercise level in 4-6 weeks.

When are the sutures removed?

The sutures in Abdominoplasty come out in the 10 days. Sometimes you may have absorbable sutures that do not need to come out.

How many visits do I have after surgery?

We like to see our patients frequently after surgery. You are seen by the Doctor or nurse within 2-3 days of surgery. Then the normal postoperative routine is: 1 week, 1month, 3 months, 6months, and 12 months after surgery. Of course if there is a need you may be seen more. After a year, we encourage our patients to come for routine follow-up visits every 3-5 years.

Am I a good candidate?

You are a good candidate for abdominoplasty if you have good general health, and realistic expectations. The best results are seen in individuals who do not have large amounts of fat that need to removed. In such cases it is better to stage the operation so that some of the fat is taken out before the actual tummy tuck. Generally the younger you are the better a candidate you are for surgery. But the physiologic age of person is more important than the chronological age. That is to say you may be 60 years old, but your skin and general health could be better than most who are 50 years old.

What does the surgery cost?

The cost of surgery varies but here are some guidelines that will help you determine roughly what you could expect. Remember that these are only rough estimates . These estimations include the cost of the operating room and the anesthesia. The fee may be subject to change without notice. The best way for you get an accurate cost analysis is to see a doctor.

Tummy Tuck: $5,800 - $8,100

Circumferential abdominoplasty:     $17,000

Skin Excision Stomach:    $4,250 - $4,800

How do I pay for surgery?   

You can pay for surgery by certified check, credit card, or cash. Payments for cosmetic surgery are expected prior to the procedure. If you are scheduling several weeks in advance of surgery you can pay by personal check.

Are there scars?

Yes. The length of the scar will vary according to the procedure you need. If a Mini-abdominoplasty is being done the scars are very short. If a full abdominoplasty is being done the scars are longer. You usually will also have a scar around the belly button and you may have a small scar between the belly button and the pubic hairline. After several months these scars fade and become less visible. Remember that Abdominoplasty is an operation that strives for shape in exchange for scars. You must be comfortable with this idea.

Does it hurt?

The pain involved in Abdominoplasty is very tolerable. We have heard our patients describe it as 'muscle aches and pain' or 'soreness'. Many patients say that it was better than what they expected. But having said that remember that pain is very subjective, and it is not easy to predict what degree of pain you will have. Since muscle is not cut in this procedure the pain level is usually not as bad as most other operations like c-sections or hysterectomies.

Will I be awake during surgery?

Not Usually. If you are having a large area of liposuction and undergoing abdominoplasty at the same time you will have the operation in an outpatient facility under general anesthesia. Minor lower abdominal skin excisions can sometimes be done under local.

Where is the surgery performed? (i.e. office suite or hospital)

The surgery is usually done in an outpatient facility. Only in rare situations in which the patient may have risk factors does Dr.Marefat suggest the hospital environment for surgery. Minimal skin excisions could be done in the office, however this is very seldom done.

Procedure: Abdominoplasty continued

Are medical photographs taken?  

Yes. In all cosmetic and reconstructive cases medical photos are taken. Photographs are mandatory because this is the only way for us to compare your before and after results. Photographs in plastic surgery serve the same role that x-rays serve for orthopedic surgery.

Date Revised: 1/24/07

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