A "Tummy Tuck" involves liposuction and skin reconstruction of the abdominal area. Methods vary widely depending upon many aspects about each person and the surgeon's preferences.

Are You A Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

A Tummy Tuck is not recommended for everyone. 

People who are considering this option should have no serious illnesses or conditions, as this may complicate the healing process and actual surgical process. Post-surgical depression is also sometimes experienced after a Tummy Tuck, so this procedure is recommended only for those with good mental health history.

Skin condition is another important factor; having a lack of elasticity will lead to undesirable results that will not look natural.

Those with very thin skin without elasticity should avoid a Tummy Tuck.  If the candidate is on a diet or in a weight loss program, it is important to complete the program before having a Tummy Tuck. Failure to do so may result in the further need of excess skin removal later on.

Women who plan to have more children in the future should avoid a Tummy Tuck until they are completely finished having children.

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Surgical Techniques Used

The first category of liposuction types is based on the amount of anesthesia used for injection.

The Wet Liposuction Technique involves 100 milliliters of anesthesia; alternately the most uncommonly used Dry Liposuction Technique eliminates any usage of anesthesia to the deposits of fat.

Tumescent Liposuction uses a mixture of anesthesia and a vasoconstrictor injection into the fat deposits, causing the fat to separate easily from the muscle.

This is usually the most common type of technique used for Tummy Tucks.

A favorite technique among some surgeons is Super Wet Liposuction, using equal amounts of fluid in respect to the amount of fat to be removed.

FDA-approved method of Laser Liposuction uses a smaller tube and the use of a laser to heat the fat to ease removal.

Removal Methods Used

Several assistance methods are used which are associated with the actual removal of the fat.

Suction-Assisted Liposuction is the most common; true to the name, this method uses a vacuum force and cannula to suction out the fat.

Water-Assisted Liposuction involves the use of water to loosen fat, then the fat is removed with a cannula.

Power-Assisted Liposuction is a process involving a more flexible cannula to reduce the amount of entry sites on the skin.

A process using one tiny cannula inside a larger one is called Twin Cannula Liposuction, which is less damaging to tissue.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction uses ultrasound technology to send waves to combine the fat cells, easing the suction removal of deposits.

What To Expect

Results of liposuction and the Tummy Tuck are much more desirable than they were several years ago.

Immediate results in some methods may appear slightly uneven or lumpy, but may improve some with time.

People who have larger amounts of fat to be removed usually have a slightly lumpy appearance after surgery.

A person seeking a Tummy Tuck should not expect to come out looking like a model seen on T.V with airbrushed skin; lasting scars are common.

Methods to reduce the appearance of Tummy Tuck scars may be used but are also costly.

Finding A Good Surgeon

There are many liposuction clinics found in nearly every city, but it is important to find a reputable surgeon.

Several clinics will offer special reduced prices or discounts, enticing people with low prices.

A general rule of thumb is that a person will get what is paid for. By paying less, the risks of receiving a low quality result will increase greatly.

This is especially important when seeking a Tummy Tuck because this is the procedure that winds up with the highest rate of unsatisfied patients paying discounted rates.

Some people have achieved desirable Tummy Tuck results through low prices, but usually a reputable surgeon will deliver a more attractive result.

Reputable surgeons with years of experience are highly recommended; liposuction is considered an art, so experience and practice are very important factors to consider when seeking a Tummy Tuck surgeon.

Risks Involved

There are a few risks involved with a Tummy Tuck.

Infection is the predominant risk, but may be avoided by properly following the doctor's recommendations during recovery.

Blood clotting is fairly rare but is the most serious risk, as blood clots entering the heart could result in death.

Excessive fluid loss also is a great risk; alternately fluid retention is not life threatening, but must be addressed by drainage if it occurs.

Some patients may experience an allergic reaction to anethesia or fluids used during the Tummy Tuck procedure, but this is rare.

Damage to skin, tissue, nerves and sometimes vital organs is a risk involved with the Tummy Tuck procedure and a few other liposuction sites.

Once again it is important to remember that by using a reputable surgeon, these risks are lowered greatly.

Liposuction is best when used in moderation. Having more than two Tummy Tucks is not advised; the more often a person uses the technique, the less desirable the results will be.

Also with each proceeding surgery, the risks previously mentioned are increased.

Another important thought to consider for people with large amounts of fat to be removed is to have it removed in several safe time intervals to avoid sagging or a lumpy appearance.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Tummy Tuck?

Time length of recovery after a Tummy Tuck varies with each patient. Some patients may experience complications, resulting in excessive healing time.

Post-operative care today usually involves a method called Open Drainage and Bimodal Compression.

Recovering patients are advised to use pads that have heavy absorbency. During the days immediately after liposuction, fluid will continue to drain through the areas where the sutures are.

This is normal and is actually good; patients who do not experience drainage after a Tummy Tuck should return to the surgeon because fluid retention is harmful.

Surgeons will also recommend a specialized set of garments to wear over the absorbent pads.

These high compression elastic materials are designed to offer the right amount of pressure for an optimal recovery.

The Bimodal Compression method is only used until the drainage stops. About 24 hours after this a light compression garment is used or no compression at all.

This technique has lowered the time of recovery greatly and is becoming more popular.

Tummy Tuck Costs

As mentioned before, the cost of a Tummy Tuck will vary greatly dependent upon the location and the surgeon used.

Average prices of a Tummy Tuck range between $3,000.00 and $8,500.00.

These figures are the price of the procedure only. Surgeon's fees and anesthesia fees are also charged and are variable between different clinics.

Full article: read more on tummy liposuction cost, financing & abroad prices.

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