7 Questions To Ask Before A Tummy Tuck Procedure

Are you thinking of getting a tummy tuck procedure? Before then, it is vital to ask the right questions to make an informed decision.

You can ask your surgeon, the staff, people who had a similar surgery to make you comfortable before and after the Tummy Tuck procedure.

Abdominoplasty is the medical term they use for the tummy tuck procedure. It is a serious operation, even though it is for cosmetic reasons.

Therefore, before you sign your consent form, below are some questions to ask and discuss with your surgeon.

Is a tummy tuck right for you? 

A tummy tuck is beneficial if you have excess skin and fat over your belly that exercise and diet can’t get rid of. It develops from aging, pregnancies, weight fluctuations, and previous belly surgeries.

Plus, be in good health before a tummy tuck procedure. Importantly, do the tummy tuck procedure for yourself and not make anyone else happy or fit in with others.

Postpone plans for your tummy tuck if you plan to become pregnant or lose weight.

How much is a tummy tuck? 

The tummy tuck procedure improves the way you look, thus, why it is a cosmetic procedure. Plus, most health insurance covers do not pay for cosmetic surgery.

And the cost of the surgery depends on what your surgeon is charging. On average, a tummy tuck costs at least $5000. But, you may incur other costs from using the operating room and anesthesia.

So, it is vital to ask your surgeon about all the costs and if they have a payment plan in place, and if you happen to live in one of the cities in Texas, you might want to see a Dallas plastic surgeon to know your treatment options.

How will the tummy look like after surgery?

It is common for the tummy to look swollen in the beginning weeks after surgery as you start recovering. Also, you will have a scar around the belly button area.

In a week or two, the swelling will go down, and your tummy should look flatter, smoother, and firmer. And after several months, the scars will start to fade.

Notably, if you have stretch marks, they may not go away. Plus, to get the best results, a second surgery is necessary.

What happens after surgery?

Once the surgical procedure is over, most people can go home. But, it is vital someone drives you home and stays with you for at least two days. You will have a dressing from the procedure.

Also, you may have some drainage tubes. Your surgeon will give you a date to go back for dressing changes and drain removal and to have the staples or stitches removed.

You will need to take pain medication and limit activity. Get advice from your surgeon on when you should go back to your daily routine.

What happened before surgery?

Before the surgery, you will need to have a physical exam and blood tests. If you take medications that thin your blood, you may have to stop. Discuss this further with your doctor.Stop smoking.

Have a discussion with your anesthesiologist and surgeon about the anesthesia options. You can choose to be awake with regional anesthesia or asleep with general anesthesia.

If you prefer to be awake, you will get medications to relax you and numbing injections.

What are the risks of the surgery?

The tummy tuck procedure is safe but, every surgery has risks. Some problems include infection, bleeding, numbness, and scarring.

In some cases, people can experience persistent pain after they heal, but with time it fades away. Also, any abdominal surgery has a risk for a blood clot forming in your legs and traveling to your heart.

If you read of other risks elsewhere, do not fear to ask. It is good to get clarity to be comfortable as you go through the surgery about any risks.

Which surgeons do tummy tucks?

Any surgeon who does a tummy tuck procedure needs special training in plastic surgery. Once they finish medical school, they have six years of surgical training, including three years of plastic surgery.

Thus, ask your surgeon how much experience they have doing tummy tucks. Also, ask if they are a member of the American Society of plastic surgeons.