The Cat Tummy tuck costs $2000 and is primarily used for the removal of excess abdominal skin after weight loss. Surgery is all done through two small incisions made on each side of the cat’s abdomen, which allow the surgeon to remove some of the skin and fat from under your cat’s visible belly.
In this guide, we review the aspects of Cat tummy tuck cost, How painful is a tummy tuck after surgery, 360 tummy tuck cost, and How long does a tummy tuck last?
Cat tummy tuck cost
Facelifts, tummy tucks, nose jobs, breast reductions, testicular implants and cosmetic dentistry — it sounds like the line-up for an extreme-makeover reality TV show. Well, get ready for a fresh dose of reality: those going under the knife to be nipped and tucked are not people but pets.
“Pets are no longer considered property, but family members,” says Dr. Alan Schulman, a board-certified orthopedic veterinary surgeon who performs plastic surgery and also sees general practice cases at the Animal Medical Center of Southern California in Los Angeles. “With the evolution of this emotional bond, people with a discretionary income are taking advantage of technology and veterinary expertise to give their animals medically indicated reconstructive surgery resulting in a better quality of life.”
But are these procedures really medically necessary or are pets undergoing surgery simply to appease their owners’ vanity? Dubbed in Hollywood as the “Veterinarian to the Stars,” Schulman sees many pets belonging to celebrities and says he gets his fair share of requests to perform unnecessary cosmetic procedures.
“I gently explain that unless there is a real medical reason for me to do some touch-up work, I won’t recommend it or proceed,” says Schulman. Liposuction for pets is not an option, he adds.
Skin-fold problems
There are, however, many bona fide medical instances, especially among certain dog breeds, that necessitate reconstructive procedures that amount to an eyelift, full facelift, rhinoplasty or abdominoplasty. The costs are about $1,000 per procedure and the pet is usually hospitalized overnight in order to be properly monitored after anesthesia.
The most common concerns are skin-fold problems, particularly around the eyes, lips, tail and vaginal area.
“It’s not uncommon to have skin folds surgically reduced in size or eliminated in order to help the animal from chronic discomfort and infection,” says Schulman.
In some cases, a dog’s skin folds can become prone to bacterial infections because it’s difficult for the owner to keep the areas between the folds clean, he explains.
“Bulldogs have a trademark wrinkle over the nose and below their eyes. Sometimes, it is so deep and recessed, it also becomes difficult to manage. Topical antibiotics don’t always work to fight bacteria,” Schulman adds.
Nose jobs and chin lifts
Pugs, bulldogs and Boston terriers are frequently candidates for nose jobs to alleviate breathing problems. And eyelifts are a very common reconstructive procedure in breeds like the sharpei and the chow to correct a congenital defect that causes the eyelids to roll inwards and the eyelashes to rub against the cornea.
A chin lift is often performed to curb excessive drooling problems in big dogs like mastiffs, bloodhounds and Newfoundlands. While droopy lips are normal in these breeds, excessive drooling can cause chronic mouth infections, which can lead to further complications in the kidneys and liver, and even cause heart-valve infections.
Orthodontics for dogs
When it comes to a pronounced overbite, veterinary dental specialists have a full array of techniques to combat the problem, including orthodontic braces, bands and retainers. (There are, however, no elastic-band color choices for Fido.)
Dental work can also be required as a result of an injury to the mouth.
“Fractured teeth, caused by dogs chewing on horse and cow hoofs, tennis balls and even ice, are a big problem and often result in a dog having root canal treatment and a crown fitted,” says Dr. Jan Bellows of the All Pets Dental Clinic in Weston, Fla., one of only about 70 certified veterinary dentists worldwide.
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“The costs are the same as in humans,” says Bellows. “I find the average pet owner is prepared to spend money to ensure their pet is not in pain. Pet dental insurance is always a good idea. Also, patients should never be shy to ask if their vet has an easy payment plan. Many do.”
Cats don’t seem to require the array of reconstructive surgical or dental work that dogs do, but Bellows has performed root canal treatments on ferrets.
Neuticles, anyone?
While most cosmetic procedures performed on pets are medically necessary, there are some that aren’t. Take “Neuticles,” for instance. Invented nearly 10 years ago by Gregg Miller, an innovator in cosmetic devices for pets, Neuticles are testicular implants designed to give neutered pets a more “masculine,” unneutered look.
To date, about 148,000 implants have been fitted worldwide. The recipients are mainly dogs, but Miller now has three implants available that range in softness and size to fit cats as well as horses and bulls. Prices range from $79 to $400 a pair.
“The implants are FDA approved and are inserted at the time of neutering. It’s like changing a light bulb; it takes less than three minutes,” says Miller. Veterinarians usually charge around $60 in addition to the neutering operation, he adds.
“The animal doesn’t know anything is missing or changed and the owner has a pet that retains his identity and self-esteem in the dog park. … Every day I get e-mails … from people claiming they would not have neutered their pet if not for Neuticles. Consequently, I feel I am helping control the pet population,” says Miller.
‘Consumer demand’
Other cosmetic implants designed by Miller include a silicone eye implant for animals that have lost an eye and would otherwise have a sunken or lopsided face, and his latest development, a micro-thin silicone ear implant for pets with drooping or sagging ears.
“I take my cues from consumer demand,” he adds.
And there does appear to be demand, at least for Neuticles. Wendy Ryan of Annapolis, Md., wanted to neuter her Italian greyhound named Pony so that she could get a female puppy. But her husband, John, would only agree if the dog had Neuticles implanted.
“He licks them like they’re real, and I can tell he would rather have them than nothing,” says Ryan. “I would have removed them if the dog was in pain. But it’s like nothing changed.”
And is her husband pleased with the results? “Yes. Definitely. But he would have preferred a bigger size,” says Ryan.
Many veterinarians like Schulman are skeptical of the need for such implants and urge owners to consider whether they’re projecting their own anthropomorphic concerns onto their pet at the animal’s expense.
“I don’t ever recollect working with a dog that felt less male because he was neutered,” says Schulman. And, he adds, “This is such a politically correct country, what about the female canine population? We have totally dismissed any female feelings with regards to them being ‘fully female.’ Is it a case of out of sight, out of mind? Why aren’t there Ovacles?”
The problem is common in brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Persians, Himalayans, Angoras, and British Shorthairs with this anatomical feature that’s sometimes referred to as a “smushed face.”
Brachycephalic cats can be respiratorily challenged on a number of levels and, as MacPhail points out, the nose itself is often just the tip of the iceberg. In many cases, the cat may have an elongated soft palate at the back of the throat that makes air passages narrower, or she may have a smaller trachea. X-rays, an endoscopic evaluation of the airways, and even a CT scan will allow a veterinary surgeon to make a proper evaluation.
“For cats, it can be hard to tell if stenotic nares are actually causing a problem,” says MacPhail. “But if a cat tends to open its mouth to breathe or makes a stertorous noise while breathing through the nose, this is often likely the issue. Your veterinarian may use a glass slide or a piece of cotton ball held up to the cat’s nose to see how much air is coming through, if at all,” she adds.
Apart from the noisy or open-mouth breathing and snoring, other signs that could denote serious breathing difficulties include frequent panting, difficulty eating or swallowing, coughing and gagging and inability or reluctance to perform physical activity.
The Nose Job — Alar Fold Resection
The “nose job” surgery to repair stenotic nares is called an Alar Fold Resection.
“The surgical procedure is relatively simple and involves cutting a wedge of tissue on the outside of the nostril out (the alar fold) and then suturing that tissue back together, making the nostril more open. It is typically only one or two absorbable sutures that will fall out in a couple of weeks. An alternative technique is to simply cut away that tissue to make the nostril more open, but it is argued that this may be less cosmetic,” says MacPhail.
A Boob Job and a Tummy Tuck
Removal of mammary tissue in cats is most often performed because of cancer. Their best chance at improved survival is to remove all mammary tissue on both sides (bilateral radical mastectomy).
“This is best performed in stages,” says MacPhail. “If it’s done all at once, recovery can be more difficult for the cat and there is more potential for incisional complications.”
Fighting Breast Cancer in Cats
Recent research by an animal advocate organization called Marian’s Dream that spearheads an initiative called Feline Fix by Five has shown that it is best to spay and neuter cats by the time they are five months old. This initiative has the support of feline organizations such as the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, the Cat Fanciers’ Association, The International Cat Association, and The American Animal Hospital Association.
“Leaving it later not only means that a single cat can produce numerous litters,” says Esther Mechler, founder of Marian’s Dream. “But the importance of appropriate timing of feline spays and/or neuters cannot be overstated, as this procedure can be critical in lessening the risks of significant morbidities in later life stages for individual cats, including the risk of malignant mammary tumors.”
Liposuction for Your Portly Feline?
No! In the veterinary world, liposuction is not a “quick fix” for extreme obesity, which sadly is on the rise among cats.
“As with people, diet and exercise are key,” says MacPhail.
Consult your veterinarian to explore underlying health conditions and other reasons that may contribute to weight gain or an inability to lose weight. Your veterinarian can also help determine your cat’s ideal weight and calculate how much food your cat should be eating daily.
Eye Lifts
In some pets, if their eyelids roll forward, their eyelashes can rub against the eye, causing discomfort and irritation.
“It’s typically a dog issue, but can also occur in cats,” says MacPhail. “A crescent-shaped piece of tissue is removed allowing the eyelid to roll back out.”
The Tail End
The tail is a very important part of a cat’s anatomy. Apart from aiding balance, tails allow cats to communicate that they are scared, nervous, upset, or happy. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and a tail can get caught and damaged if, for example, it’s caught in a closing door.
Surgical fixes depend on the location of the injury. If it’s near the tail tip, a small section can be removed at the injury site, allowing the cat to keep most of the tail. Injuries closer to the tail base may involve nerve damage. This is referred to as a tail-pull injury.
“The tail is limp and may not have any sensation. In severe cases, there can be injury to the nerves of the bowel and bladder, leading to incontinence,” says MacPhail. “In these cases, the cat is often just given time to recover (weeks to months), or definitive repair of the fracture at the tail base may be attempted. However, the tail may ultimately need to be amputated if recovery is limited and sensation doesn’t return, and the cat continues to soil itself.”
State-Of-The-Art Equipment and Costs
Veterinary surgeons who perform reconstructive surgeries have access to the same state-of-the-art equipment as surgeons performing complex human surgeries. Costs of such intricate veterinary surgeries can vary greatly. MacPhail estimates that in a university veterinary hospital setting, procedures could range from $3,000 to $5,000 and those numbers could double at a private veterinary specialty hospital.
However, because the surgeries outlined in the article are deemed to promote a better quality of life, pet parents may have access to financial help and loans from organizations such as Waggle, the pet-designated crowdfunding platform; The Pet Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to people whose pets require non-basic, non-urgent care treatments. Scratch Financial Inc. (also known as Scratchpay) offers loans to pet parents up to $10,000 with a choice of three payment plans, including an interest-free (not a deferred interest) option. It’s also worth a discussion with your veterinary insurance provider to see what is covered.
How painful is a tummy tuck after surgery
As patient counselors at our plastic surgery centers in Denver and Golden, CO, Carrie and I have listened to many tummy tuck patients. We have talked with these patients before surgery and after recovery—and helped them push through their fears.
We meet with women daily who want to eliminate sagging skin and a protruding abdomen and reduce the extent of stretch marks left behind after pregnancy or weight loss. However, many patients have become so frightened by the perceived “painful” recovery—that they end up postponing their procedure for months and sometimes years!
Listen up! Procrastination is a big mistake! Why put off the future of a sleek, flat, bikini-wearing, defined stomach for a few weeks of discomfort? Understanding the truth about pain, taking advantage of modern pain management, and setting yourself up with ample recovery time and support will make for a successful recovery.
How painful is a tummy tuck?
Many patients worry about what to expect after a tummy tuck. Luckily, the pain during tummy tuck recovery does not outweigh the amazing results afterward, and men and women who’ve had the procedure give it a 96% Worth It rating on RealSelf.com. Keep in mind that the human psyche is extremely masterful at dramatizing a painful recovery scene before we have experienced the event. The truth is, nothing about the tummy tuck recovery is excruciating.
How long does the tightness last after a tummy tuck?
The discomfort after a tummy tuck comes not from the incision, which will actually be numb for some time, but from the muscle tightening. Patients find normal activities such as standing up straight, walking up stairs, and getting out of a seated position or bed uncomfortable because the core muscles are sore after being sewn together from the breast bone to the pubic bone.
Think about it this way: A tummy tuck is basically military boot camp for the abdominal muscles. Those stubborn muscles loved the roominess of your loose abdomen. For about a week, they retaliate by acting sore and tired. Those muscles quickly become angry and fatigued from the layers of sutures placed to keep them tight. The soreness diminishes after a week and you start to think less and less about it. Most women are walking upright and going about daily activities after just 2 weeks.
Patients go back to working out at 4 to 6 weeks post-tummy tuck. Some report small muscle “zingers” with workouts or yoga, which is completely normal. However, we advise patients to go back to working out slowly and back off if it hurts. Many of our extremely active patients get back to working out sooner and report stronger core strength as an added benefit.
A game-changer in pain management: How effective is EXPAREL?
In addition to using a no-drain tummy tuck technique and prescribing the best oral pain medications available, Dr. Vath, Dr. Wolfe, and Dr. Steinwald offer EXPAREL® for long-lasting pain control. This non-narcotic, non-opioid pain reliever is injected directly into the abdominal tissue, fascia, and muscles during surgery. It is effective in managing pain for up to 72 hours post-op.
Not only does EXPAREL help patients get through the first 72 hours post-op with significantly reduced discomfort, but it is also great for patients who wish to limit the amount of narcotic pain meds they need to take. Oral pain relievers can cause extreme drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, and constipation in some patients. Our patients who opt to add EXPAREL to their procedure report a 50% reduction in narcotic pain medication consumption versus those who do not. EXPAREL adds to the total surgical investment, but the patients who have used it feel it is well worth the cost.
What is the fastest way to recover from a tummy tuck?
Set yourself up for 2 weeks of doing nothing but recovering. Carrie and I counsel patients about getting into the “recovery mindset.” Most of us modern women are busy and overscheduled. We do it all: From working, cooking, rearing children, exercising, to volunteer work. We like to think we are superhuman. This notion can make for a frustrating and uncomfortable recovery process because we aren’t able to keep up with the demands and responsibilities of “normal” life during the first 2 weeks post-surgery.
Your energy will return in a few short weeks. However, you will not be able to run the household or your career by yourself during this time.
Sleeping a lot is normal (and encouraged!) during recovery. You shouldn’t be making any important decisions or responding to serious emails while on pain medication. Remind yourself that you just had SURGERY and you need downtime. Enlist your family and friends to help out with meals, cleaning, running errands, and watching the kids. You’ll be glad you asked for support.
Actual patient shown before and 5 months post-op
To get an idea of the kind of results you can expect, take a look at real tummy tuck before-and-after photos of our patients. Keep in mind that many men and women who choose tummy tuck often combine it with liposuction for even more dramatic body contouring.
Our plastic surgery practice serves people from Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and throughout the greater Denver area. Contact us online or call us at (303) 278-2600 (Golden, CO) or (303) 951-2100 (Denver, CO) to schedule a personal consultation. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions and concerns regarding breast lifts or any other procedure.
360 tummy tuck cost
Undesirable stretched out, saggy skin around the belly is very common after a significant weight loss, aging, or pregnancy. Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a very popular cosmetic surgery that removes extra skin around the belly, benefiting patients desiring a slimmer, tighter stomach without all the damaged skin and stretch marks. Baton Rouge, LA plastic surgeon, Dr. Erick Sanchez, has performed many successful tummy tucks resulting in a flat, firm, and beautifully shaped abdominal area. When there’s excessive fat in the abdominal area, Dr. Sanchez will use liposuction to remove the stubborn fat to further enhance the results of a tummy tuck.
Best Candidates
Patients considering a tummy tuck surgery should be at or near their goal weight. Our doctor believes that this surgery garners the most effective results once all pregnancies have been completed and additional weight gain can be avoided. In general, good candidates for tummy tucks are men or women who demonstrate:
5 TUMMY TUCK VIDEOS
What to Expect
During the initial consultation, our dedicated team will evaluate the overall health of the skin and assess skin quality, looseness, and the amount of fat that is present in the abdominal region. This will help our surgeon to develop an individual surgical plan. Some patients will only require minor tightening, known as a mini tummy tuck, whereas others will require a more extensive approach, which is a full tummy tuck. The difference is in the size of the incision as well as how much skin and fat need to be removed. During surgery, a horizontal incision is placed just within or above the pubic area. The incision extends laterally toward the hipbones and the length depends largely on the amount of skin to be removed.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
After tummy tuck surgery, patients will need to be very careful as they attempt to stand straight and begin moving around. Swelling and bruising are expected, but the use of an abdominal compression garment will help with this. There will be some numbness over portions of the abdominal area, and this may persist for several months. Patients may return to light activities within 2 weeks from surgery, and can expect a full recovery within 6-8 weeks. The outcome following this surgery is a tighter, flatter tummy. Scarring is typically not seen as the incision is placed inconspicuously and is generally hidden by undergarments and bathing suit bottoms.
Expected Cost
The average cost for a tummy tuck will depend on the extent of the surgery. Mini tummy tucks start at around $8,000, whereas a full tummy tuck starts at $9,300. A tummy tuck with 360 liposuction is $12,900, and an extended tummy tuck is approximately $12,500. After a thorough assessment has been made and a treatment plan compiled, the costs will be outlined according to the patient’s surgical plan.
How long does a tummy tuck last
Tummy tuck results are considered permanent, insofar that the fat cells and skin removed during an abdominoplasty cannot grow back. Likewise, the internal sutures placed to repair abdominal muscles are designed to remain in place indefinitely.
However, significant weight gain can cause fat cells in the treated area – and other areas – to grow larger. New fat cells can also be produced in these areas. Additionally, substantial weight fluctuations can cause the skin to lose elasticity and begin to sag. Pregnancy after a tummy tuck can also have a negative effect on the longevity of your abdominoplasty results.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Levi Young has extensive experience helping women and men attain the trim, toned appearance they desire with abdominoplasty. He has been recognized as one of Kansas City’s top doctors and earned awards for patient satisfaction for several years running.
Maintaining Your Tummy Tuck Results
Living an active, healthy lifestyle is the best way to ensure your tummy tuck results last as long as possible. Specific steps you can take include:
While your abdominoplasty results should last several years or longer, your body will continue to change as time passes. Your body weight and skin elasticity alter as you grow older, factors which could affect the appearance of your abdomen. If, after time, you notice unwanted changes, you can discuss your concerns with Dr. Young and enhance your tummy tuck results with a body contouring procedure to help you age gracefully.
Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Consultation Today
Contact Advanced Cosmetic Surgery today online or at 913-341-2188 to schedule your tummy tuck consultation. We serve patients from Kansas City, Leawood, Liberty, and nearby areas in Kansas and Missouri.