Hitwise Top 10 Medical Site
  Search for Doctors    specialty zip code  
Return to: Home » Health Articles : Tummy Tuck Procedures After Pregnancy

Advertisement

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Cost & Profile

  • Avg. Cost: $4641
  • Candidate: Protruding abdomen; excess fat and skin; weak abdominal muscles
  • Length: 2-5 hours
  • Treatments: One
  • Results: Permanent
  • Back to work: 1-3 weeks

 Compare Procedures

Common Questions & Answers about Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

"What type of scare does a tummy tuck leave? Can I have the scare removed by lazer? How soon after the tummy tuck?"

Latest Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Doctors

PhotoAbdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Westchester, Illinois
Arturo Menchaca, MD, FACOG, FACS
PhotoAbdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) New York, New York
David Shafer, MD
PhotoAbdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Rockford, Illinois
James McAdoo, DO
PhotoAbdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Plastic Surgery Associates of South Dakota,
PhotoAbdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Wantagh, New York
Sharon McLaughlin, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Video Insight

Get the Beautiful Living Newsletter

Cosmetic Surgery

Free monthly newsletter of up-to-date Cosmetic Surgery stories with unique perspectives directly from doctors and patients.


We Value Your Privacy!

Search: 

Tummy Tuck Procedures After Pregnancy


Advertisement

 

For most women, the effects of pregnancy can take their toll on their entire body; stretch marks, excess weight gain, a ‘belly pooch’ and loose skin are some of the most common changes in the body after giving birth. However, pregnancy does not only result in excess weight gain; since the belly and lower stomach area expand rapidly during the later stages of pregnancy, the abdominal muscles typically tear apart leaving a small gap between the upper and lower abdominals. This can completely eliminate the possibility of achieving a ‘six-pack’ after pregnancy.
 
Women who have very strong abdominal muscles before pregnancy may not experience this type of damage, but the majority of women do end up with very weakened and loose abdominal muscles after pregnancy. The tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is the procedure that can help restore the abdominal muscles, get rid of excess fat around the abdomen and help create a tighter, streamlined waistline.
 

How the Tummy Tuck is Performed

The complete tummy tuck procedure is designed to remove excess fat and skin around the abdominals and reposition the underlying muscles to create the abdominal wall. The tummy tuck typically involves making a long horizontal incision across the top of the hip bones, then suctioning out excess fatty tissue and removing excess skin.   This is a common ‘problem area’ for many women regardless of whether they have had a child; the lower abdomen typically collects more fat than the upper area, and can be one of the most stubborn areas to lose weight with just diet and exercise alone.
 
After removing the excess fat around the lower and upper abdomen, the surgeon can then work on lifting and repositioning the abdominal muscles to a more desirable area, and then suturing everything together. This process may also involve repositioning the belly button.
 
Patients are instructed to wear compression garments for several weeks after surgery so that muscles and tissues can become firmer and more secure after the change in body composition. Some patients may experience numbness in the treated area, but this typically improves within a few months.
 

Other Benefits of the Tummy Tuck

Liposuction only removes the excess fat on top of the abdominal muscles, but the weakened muscles underneath may still have a small ‘gap’ where they do not meet. An abdominoplasty will help lift and reposition the muscles and then suture them together. The surrounding tissues and skin are then repositioned to create a firm abdominal wall, which in turn helps create a ‘six-pack’ appearance.
 
The tummy tuck helps create a balanced figure and flat-looking torso, and may help some women achieve their pre-pregnancy figures.
Since pregnancy typically leaves most women with excess fat around their stomach and weakened abdominal muscles, plastic surgery may be a valuable option for many. The tummy tuck continues to be a popular procedure for women who want to achieve a sleeker and sculpted midsection after pregnancy, and cannot get the results they want from diet and exercise alone. 
 
Learn more about the tummy tuck procedures in our information guide, or set up a consultation with a plastic surgeon in your area to find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

 

Published: 11/28/2008, Last Updated: 11/28/2008

By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers

Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.





Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Surgery Information Guide

Basics of Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
"I've heard about the surgery and I'm looking to learn a bit more about things like cost, whether it's right for me, and what options I have."
  1. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Basics
    Abdominoplasty, or the tummy tuck, can tighten loose abdominal skin and create a smaller wasteline. Learn how the surgery is performed along with typicla costs.
  2. See Your Procedure in 3D New
Details of Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
"I already know some basic things about the surgery and I'm ready to research some of the details and maybe ask some questions."
  1. Patient Perspective: How Preparation Can Make Surgery More Comfortable...
    When two or more cosmetic procedures are combined into one surgical visit, the prospect of going under anesthesia for an extended period of time can be both scary and risky for the patient. For Dallas native Brenda Dickson, being informed and asking the right questions helped combat pre-operative fear.
  2. Post-Pregnancy Repair
    Read the benefits and see the results of cosmetic surgery after pregnancy, and help determine if it is right for you.
  3. Safe Plastic Surgery
    Plastic surgeon, Dr. S. Sean Younai describes the safe way to choose plastic surgery, and discusses additional considerations that could affect your procedure.
  4. A Faster Recovery From Your Tummy Tuck
    The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery conducted a series of studies to dispel the myth that patients having abdominoplasty should withhold on eating a regular diet following surgery.
  5. 10 Things You Need for Recovery After Plastic Surgery
    Your procedure may leave you with scars, pain and stress during the recovery stages, and planning ahead with the right tools and supplies can make recovery much easier. Here are the top ten things you need.
  6. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Before & After Photos
Ready for Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
"I've pretty much finished by research on the surgery and I think I'm ready to find and meet with a doctor to get started."
  1. Find Cosmetic Surgeons In Other Cities
  2. Patient Financing
    Think you'll need help paying for your surgery? Almost anyone is a candidate for easy financing of up to 100% of the surgery costs.
After Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
  1. Taking Care of Yourself After a Tummy Tuck
    While the tummy tuck offers many benefits, it is still a painful surgical procedure that requires an extensive amount of recovery and rest. Knowing how to take care of yourself before and after the procedure will help you heal and recover with ease; here are some ways to manage your health after abdominalplasty.
  2. Recommend Your Doctor
Featured Articles & News Related to Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
"What other related things might I like to know?"
  1. The Tummy Tuck Solution
    Melbourne plastic surgeon Mr Tim Brown spoke with Lise Petersen about abdominoplasty, a procedure to tighten and reshape the abdomen.
  2. Safety First
    Jodi Thiessen talks to Sydney cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. Darryl Hodgkinson about how patients should take care of their own safety by asking questions about their doctor's qualifications, the surgery centre and the anaesthesia used.
  3. Looking Glass Gloom: What happens when your mirror tells lies?...
    Body Dysmorphia Disorder (BDD) affects about 1% of North Americans, but for these patients, psychiatric help is a more effective treatment than what a plastic surgeon can offer.
  4. Picture Perfect: Before and After Photos-- Can You Trust Them?...
    How can you be sure that the before and after photos you're looking at aren't false or misleading? Learn what to look for and what questions to ask.
  5. 10 Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Predictions for 2005 from ASAPS
    The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) predicts trends in plastic surgery for 2005.
  6. Five Ways to Get Rid of Belly Fat
    You can blame genetics, a beer habit from college, or just your sedentary lifestyle for those extra inches around your waistline, but there are ways to lose those stubborn pounds for good. From regular exercise to changing up the diet, here are just five ways to get rid of belly fat with ease:
  7. Beyond the Tummy Tuck – Procedures to Get Rid of Belly Fat
    If you’re not ready to go under the knife, there are other options available that can get rid of belly fat for good. Here are a few alternatives to the conventional tummy tuck:
  8. Procedures After Pregnancy – What Are Your Options?
    While most of the effects of pregnancy subside within a few weeks, you may struggle with adjusting to your new size and shape for months – even years – afterwards. Consider these top procedures to get you into pre-pregnancy shape in no time.
  9. Tummy Tuck Procedures After Pregnancy
    The tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is the procedure that can help restore the abdominal muscles, get rid of excess fat around the abdomen and help create a tighter, streamlined waistline.
  10. Top Body Lift Procedures for Baby Boomers
    Plastic surgery procedures such as the body lift are helping baby boomers achieve sculpted, toned and attractive silhouette. From the torsoplasty to the belt lift, boomers have several options to choose from.
  11. Mini Tummy Tucks vs. Full Abdominoplasty
    Men and women who have stubborn body fat along the torso often turn to the mini tummy tuck or full abdominoplasty to lose the excess weight around the midsection and reshape their body for a more attractive look.
Browse All Articles

Related Subjects and Keywords: tummy tuck  abdominoplasty  pregnancy  plastic surgery  mommy makeover  tummy tuck procedures  pregnancy surgery 


Search: 


Advertisement

Dissatisfied with our Health Articles? Have a health article suggestion?
Tell us how we can improve.