Commonly Asked Questions

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What is the cost of a tummy tuck?

    There are three factors which contribute to the cost of tummy tuck surgery: 1) the surgeon's fee, 2) the anesthesia fee, and 3) the hospital or outpatient surgical facility fee.  The fees vary from one region of the country to another.  The cost usually ranges from 5,500 to 10,000 dollars.

What type of anesthesia is used for tummy tuck surgery?

    Tummy tuck surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia (you are completely asleep).

Where is the surgery performed?

    Tummy tuck surgery can be performed in a hospital, outpatient surgery center, or office surgical facility.  Most patients stay overnight for observation either in the hospital or some other outpatient facility with nursing care.  Sometimes patients are allowed to go home the same day if they have someone to stay with them.

How long does a tummy tuck last?

    If you maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly, your tummy tuck can last for a long time.  However, alterations in your body contour may occur as a result of aging, pregnancy, and weight gain or weight loss.

Is there anything I need to do prior to my surgery?

    The two most important things to do prior to your surgery is to avoid smoking and medications which can cause bleeding (aspirin and any anti-inflammatory).  Smoking has been shown to increase your chance of poor wound healing.  This can lead to necrosis (death) of the skin edges and consequently unsightly scars.  As for medications which cause bleeding, you must be off all aspirin containing medications for two weeks prior to the surgery and two weeks after the surgery.  It is also important to avoid medications like ibuprofen, advil, or motrin.  These medications can also affect your body's ability to stop bleeding.

Disclaimer:  This informational tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) site is intended solely to provide a basic understanding of tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty).  The information on tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery shared by the author may differ from the views on tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) of your plastic surgeon.  Results from tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery can vary from one person to another.  This tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) web site is in no way a guarantee or warranty of the results you might obtain from tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery.  For additional information on tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery contact your Plastic Surgeon or the American Society of Plastic Surgery.