Extreme weight gain can stretch out the skin, so it’s logical that after losing a considerable amount of weight or after a pregnancy skin will look loose and saggy and not have the same elasticity as it did before. Many patients try to improve the appearance of their abdomen through a good diet and exercise. However, this is sometimes not enough to remove the excess skin or fat. A Tummy Tuck will build back that confidence that was lost due to loose and hanging skin, it will improve the appearance of the patient's abdomen by tightening the skin and removing the stubborn fat that patient’s haven’t been able to shed.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of tummy tuck surgeries rose between the years of 2000 and 2018. The majority of the procedures were for cosmetic purposes. Nevertheless, this procedure also comes with some medical benefits.
A tummy tuck surgery includes the following steps:
Anesthesia is administered for the patient’s comfort during the surgery. The procedure includes general anesthesia or epidural anesthesia. The surgeon will recommend the best choice for the patient.
A full tummy tuck involves a horizontal incision in the region between the pubic hairline and belly button. The length and shape of this incision is determined by the amount of extra skin. After the abdominal excess skin is lifted, the weak abdominal muscles are repaired.
The additional skin is trimmed and the rest is sutured together and the patient’s belly button is sutured back into position.
This surgery usually takes between 1 to 6 hours and the patient must stay overnight at the hospital or clinic where they are going through with the surgery due to the fact that it is a highly invasive procedure.
There are five different types of tummy tuck procedures depending on what the patient needs. They are the following:
| Type | Explination |
|---|---|
| 1. Full Tummy Tuck | Resolves issues of general roundness and excess skin. It addresses the sections above and below the patient's belly button. |
| 2. Mini Tummy Tuck | This is ideal for patients who want to get rid of excess weight in the lower abdominal area. It’s less invasive than the full tummy tuck and the recovery period is shorter. |
| 3. Extended Tummy Tuck | It is usually performed on patients who have excess fat deposits or love handles. |
| 4. Circumferential Tummy Tuck | Mostly performed on patients who have gone through some type of bariatric surgery. It flattens the abdomen, lifts the lateral thighs, flank, bank and buttocks. |
Patients who are candidates for a tummy tuck procedure relate to one or more of the following statements:
The tummy tuck surgery has aesthetic benefits and medical advantages as well.
The aesthetic benefits of the tummy tuck procedure are the following:
The medical benefits of the tummy tuck procedure are the following:
According to 2020 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a tummy tuck in the United States is $6,154. However, this cost is only part of the total price, it doesn’t include the cost of medical facilities, anesthesia, among other related expenses. On the other hand, the average cost of a tummy tuck in Mexico> is $4,500 which unlike the average cost in the United States does cover the anesthesia expenses, the operating room facilities and other.
On the other hand the baseline cost for a skin removal surgery in the United States> according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons a full body-lift can cost up to $21,500 while in Mexico the baseline cost is around $9,700.
There is a price difference due to the fact that the cost of living in the United States is lower than that of the one in Mexico. In addition, the staff wages, rent and other overheads are lower in Mexico and surgeons in Mexico do not have to pay for malpractice insurance, unlike their American counterparts.
The tummy tuck procedure or abdominoplasty is linked with a higher complication risk compared with other cosmetic surgeries. Despite it being infrequent, the most common complication after this kind of procedure is the development of blood clots. These are associated with other risks, like strokes and heart attacks. However, they are preventable. The patient’s surgical team will have them move a little after the surgery so that there is blood flow which will prevent any hematomas. Another risk to keep in mind is infection but this is also avoidable with the prescription of antibiotics.
Although this procedure has certain risks that patient’s should consider, it’s also important to point out that they are avoidable by taking the right steps and following the surgeon’s instructions and advice. Another important aspect to keep in mind is for the patient to do their research and have a consultation with their desired surgeon before deciding to go through with this surgery.
A liposuction only removes excess fat while a tummy tuck reconstructs the muscles underneath the abdomen and gets rid of any excess skin.
The patient should avoid fried foods, alcohol, sodas, fast food, baked goods and foods high in sugar or salt.
Surgeons recommend patients to sleep on their backs during the recovery time, however patients may be able to sleep on their sides after a couple of weeks. Nevertheless, it’s important that the patient consults this with their surgeon first.