Tummy Tuck Before and After

Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery Overview
Tummy Tuck plastic surgery is performed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal region.  The tummy tuck procedure improves the appearance of the abdominal region, and may also restore weak abdominal muscles. The procedure is useful in individuals who develop a protruding or disproportionate abdomen from pregnancy, fluctuations in weight, or as a normal process associated with aging.  The tummy tuck procedure may restore self-confidence in individuals who are bothered by the physical appearance of their tummy.

The following are examples of tummy tuck before and after photos.

The Tummy Tuck Surgical Procedure
Tummy Tuck involves the removal of excess skin and fat, along with a tightening of the abdominal muscles.  Although the scar can be long, it generally is well hidden by the patient’s undergarments.  After tummy tuck, plastic suction drains are used for the first 7 to 10 days, and are later removed in the office.  An abdominal compression binder is worn for the first 6 weeks.

Anesthesia type:  General anesthesia

Length of surgery:  3 hours

Risks of Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery

There are risks associated with the tummy tuck procedure.  These risks include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Unfavorable scars or loss of skin
• Risks of anesthesia
• Cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Skin discoloration
• Fat necrosis
• Major wound separation
• Asymmetry, suboptimal result
• Recurrent looseness of skin
• Pain after the procedure or damage to the nerves
• Blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus
• Persistent swelling in the legs

Recovery from Tummy Tuck
After the tummy tuck procedure, patients generally return to work in 2 weeks.  You may start to resume normal activity in 4 weeks, and most patients report feeling back to normal in 6-8 weeks.

Duration of effect:  >10 years