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Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a cosmetic surgical procedure done to tighten stomach muscles and remove excess fat and skin from the abdominal area.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a form of cosmetic surgery. During a tummy tuck, separated abdominal muscles (diastasis) are tightened and moved back into their proper position. Excess (redundant) skin and fat pockets are also removed from the abdomen.
There are a few kinds of tummy tucks:
- Full tummy tuck
- Mini tummy tuck
- Revision (second) tummy tuck
Tummy tucks flatten the stomach and restore shape to the lower and upper abdomen. The type that may be best for you is determined by the extent and location of the excess skin and tissue you wish to remove.
Both men and women may benefit from getting a tummy tuck. The techniques used may vary, based on your musculature and body shape.
What Are the Differences Between a Full Tummy Tuck and a Mini Tummy Tuck?
A full tummy tuck is done to tighten muscles and eliminate excess skin and fat from the ribs down to the pubis. Since it removes loose skin from the entire abdominal region, this procedure requires a large incision. This enables the surgeon to pull a significant amount of sagging skin into a taut position. The resulting scar will extend from hip bone to hip bone.
During a mini tummy tuck, the surgeon only removes excess skin and fat from under the belly button to the pubis. The muscles and remaining skin are also tightened. Since less excess skin is removed, a mini tummy tuck requires a small incision which produces a smaller scar than a full tummy tuck. You may also have less pain during the recovery process.
Who is a good candidate for a full tummy tuck?
People with flaccid muscles, fat pockets and loose skin throughout their entire abdominal area may be good candidates for this procedure.
Who is a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck?
If you're only looking to tighten the skin and muscles of the lower abdomen, you may be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck.
What Is a Revision Tummy Tuck?
A revision tummy tuck is a second tummy tuck procedure. If your first tummy tuck did not achieve your goals, you may opt for a revision tummy tuck shortly afterward. This may occur if all the existing fat pockets were not removed, the muscles weren't sufficiently tightened or excess skin was left behind.
Revision tummy tucks are most commonly done to alter bodily changes that occur in the years following a first tummy tuck. These changes may be caused by one or more pregnancies, weight gain or weight fluctuations. Anything that stretches the skin and muscles of the abdomen may generate the need or desire for a revision tummy tuck.
What Is the Recovery Time for a Tummy Tuck?
The recovery time for this procedure varies by patient. In general, you can expect a full recovery to take anywhere from four to six weeks. During this time, your surgeon may recommend avoiding strenuous activities, such as exercising or lifting heavy objects.
You will have follow-up appointments during this timeframe to remove sutures, and to ascertain how the healing process is proceeding.
Does a Tummy Tuck Cause Pain and Scarring?
The abdominal muscles are tightened significantly during a tummy tuck. Dr. Yamin compares this feeling to doing 1,000 sit-ups during a single session. For this reason, both full and mini tummy tucks cause pain and discomfort during recovery.
Men often have less diastasis (muscle separation) that requires tightening during a tummy tuck. For that reason, men may also experience less pain afterward.
The resulting scar from either a mini or full tummy tuck will be located low on the pubis. Scarring from both procedures can be minimized by the type of sutures used and the aggressiveness of the scar management regimen designed by the surgeon.
How Much Do Tummy Tucks Cost?
Tummy tucks are relatively expensive procedures which are not typically covered by health insurance. Your costs may vary, based on your geographic location and other variables, such as the surgeon you choose. According to Dr. Yamin, you can expect to pay around $20,000 for a full or mini tummy tuck.
CareCredit for Abdominoplasty
The CareCredit credit card can be used to help pay for tummy tucks and a wide range of cosmetic surgical procedures at providers that accept CareCredit.** These include:
You can also use your CareCredit credit card to pay for minimally invasive, dermatologic and non-surgical cosmetic procedures at providers that accept CareCredit, such as**:
Financing Option for Tummy Tucks
The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for Tummy Tuck procedures and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** If approved, you can also use it to pay for other cosmetic procedures, treatments and products. Use our Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a cosmetic surgeon who accepts the CareCredit credit card.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Feras Yamin
Dr. Feras Yamin is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Beverly Hills, California. He graduated medical school at Baghdad University and studied wound healing and scar management techniques at Stanford University. Dr. Yamin served as Chief Resident at Stony Brook University Hospital and Nassau University Medical Center.
Dr. Yamin enjoys watching and playing sports. His favorite activity is spending time with his family.
Anita Galler, On-Camera Host
Anita Galler is an experienced on-camera host and spokesperson based in Los Angeles. Over the course of her career, Anita has had the privilege of working in a variety of genres and learning about the various industries around her.
Corey Whelan, Writer
Corey Whelan is a freelance writer with 15 years of experience focusing on medical issues and health and wellness content. Her work has been featured in outlets such as Newsweek and Time, Inc.
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