Tummy Tuck questions

No. ASPS says it is not a substitute for weight loss or exercise, and good candidates are at a stable weight.[1][2]

ASPS advises women considering future pregnancy to wait. In 304 pregnancies after abdominoplasty, preterm delivery was more likely (odds ratio 2.15), and other outcomes measured did not increase.[1][2]

A mini treats deformity below the navel through a shorter incision. A full operation lifts the skin to the ribs and moves the navel. In 519 outpatient cases, complication rates did not differ between them.[1][2][3]

Only those on the skin that is removed. ASPS says it cannot correct stretch marks elsewhere.[1]

Not always. With progressive tension sutures, 597 patients had no drains and a 0.1% seroma rate. A meta-analysis of 1,255 patients found fewer seromas with sutures and no drains than with drains alone.[1][2]

With permanent suture, CT showed no recurrence at 76 to 84 months in 12 women. With absorbable suture, 40% of 40 women had residual or recurrent diastasis at a mean 64 months.[1][2]

In 11,191 TOPS patients, complications were 10.5% with truncal liposuction and 13.0% without. In CosmetAssure data, rates rose with more combined procedures, though a later analysis found no added risk after adjusting for other factors.[1][2][3]

Patients should stand upright within a week or two. Activity reached 64.6% of normal by day 14 in monitored patients. Lockwood's lower body lift patients took 3 weeks off work.[1][2][3]

ASPS lists healthy adults at a stable weight who do not smoke and have realistic expectations. Smokers had wound healing problems in 47.9% of cases against 14.8% in nonsmokers.[1][2]

ASPS lists an average cost of $8,174, which does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other expenses. Most health insurance plans do not cover it. Panniculectomy, which removes only the hanging apron, may be covered when medically necessary.[1][2]