Medical Terminology For Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from your abdomen and tightens the muscles underneath. The procedure can help you achieve a flatter, more toned abdomen and improve your body image.

The procedure requires an incision in the center of your abdomen as well as one on each side of your bikini line. The doctor then removes any excess skin in the area and tightens the muscles under the skin layer. Once this has been done, the doctor will then close up the incisions with stitches or staples. In this guide, we review the aspects of Medical Terminology For Tummy Tuck, tummy tuck surgery side effects, how to get a tummy tuck for free, and panniculectomy vs tummy tuck.

After surgery, you’ll need some recovery time that includes wearing compression garments for up to six weeks after surgery and avoiding strenuous activity for several weeks afterward.

Right here on Cosmeticsurgerytips, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on tummy tuck price, tummy tuck surgery side effects, tummy tuck results, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.

An abdominoplasty is a procedure that flattens your abdomen by removing extra fat and skin and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall. This surgical procedure is also known as a tummy tuck.

Tummy tucks can be thought of as “mini” or more involved procedures depending on the amount of skin and fat. It’s important to educate yourself, thoroughly analyze your own situation, and take your time arriving at a final decision. The procedure shouldn’t be used as an alternative to weight loss.

A tummy tuck is suitable for both men and women who are in good general health overall and are at a stable weight. It’s best to be a non-smoker.

A tummy tuck shouldn’t be confused with a liposuction (the cosmetic surgery used to remove fat deposits), although your surgeon may choose to perform liposuction as part of a tummy tuck. Women who have muscles and skin stretched after several pregnancies may find the procedure useful to tighten those muscles and reduce that skin. A tummy tuck is also an alternative for men or women who were obese at one point in their lives and have lost significant weight, but still have excessive fat deposits or loose skin in the abdominal area.

If you’re a woman who is still planning to have children, you may want to postpone a tummy tuck until you’re through bearing children. During surgery, your vertical muscles are tightened. Future pregnancies can separate these muscles once again.

If you’re still planning to lose a significant amount of weight, don’t have a tummy tuck right away. Wait until your weight has stabilized.

It’s important to note that a tummy tuck causes scarring on the abdomen. The length of the scar, which is along the bikini line, depends on the amount of extra skin. With minimal extra skin, the mini abdominoplasty results in a short scar.

Your plastic surgeon will discuss all these options with you when you go for the consultation. You and your surgeon will discuss the results you want, and the surgeon will determine the appropriate procedure during your consultation.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

How is an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) done?

Depending on the results you want, this surgery can take anywhere from one to five hours. Surgery is generally done as an outpatient procedure. If you are traveling out of town to a facility to have the procedure done, you’ll be asked to stay overnight at a hotel. Liposuction may or may not be recommended at the same time.

You will receive general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep during the operation. It’s important to have someone with you who can drive you home. If you live alone and you’re sent home after the procedure, you also will need someone to stay with you at least the first night after the surgery.

• Complete abdominoplasty: This option is for patients who need the most correction. The incision (cut) is made at the bikini line, at about the same level as your pubic hair. The length of the scar depends on the amount of extra skin. Your surgeon will then manipulate and shape the skin and muscle as needed. You will also have an incision around your navel (belly button) with this procedure, because it’s necessary to free your navel from surrounding tissue. Drainage tubes may or may not be placed under your skin. These will be removed in a few days as your surgeon sees fit.
• Partial or mini-abdominoplasty: Mini-abdominoplasties are done with shorter incisions and are often performed on people who have less excess skin. Your belly button most likely won’t be moved during this type of procedure. Your skin will be separated between the line of incision and your belly button. This procedure generally takes one to two hours. As with the complete abdominoplasty, you may or may not have drainage tubes after surgery.
• Circumferential abdominoplasty: This surgery includes the back area. When there is a lot of excess fat in the back as well as the abdomen, you may have either liposuction of the back or circumferential abdominoplasty. The latter procedure allows for the removal of both skin and fat from the hip and back areas, which improves the shape of your body from all sides.

After your partial or complete tummy tuck, your incision site will be stitched and bandaged. Your surgeon may have you wear an elastic bandage or compression garment after surgery. If so, it’s very important that you follow all of your surgeon’s instructions on wearing this garment and caring for the bandage. Your surgeon will also tell you about the best way to sit or lie down so you’ll be in the least amount of pain.

If you’re exceptionally physically active, you’ll have to severely limit strenuous exercise for four to six weeks. Your doctor will advise you on this as you go through the healing process. Generally, one week off work after the surgery is sufficient for most people to recover properly. Again, your doctor will help you determine this.

How should I prepare for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?

Smoking can increase the risk of complications and delay healing. If you smoke, you will have to stop for a certain period as determined by your doctor. It is not enough to just cut down on smoking. You must completely stop using all forms of nicotine — gum, patches, and e-cigarettes — for at least one month before surgery and for two weeks after. The longer, the better, in terms of the time between when you stop smoking and when you have surgery.

Make sure you eat well-balanced, complete meals. Don’t try to diet excessively before the surgery. Proper nutrition is important to proper healing.

As part of your pre-operative consultation, your surgeon may instruct you to stop taking some of your medications that thin your blood and dietary supplements for a certain period before and after the surgery. This includes aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). You must let your surgeon know if you’re taking any blood thinners.

Make sure you set up the safest, most comfortable recovery area to meet your needs before you undergo the surgery. Your home recovery area should include:

• A supply of loose, comfortable clothing that can be put on and taken off very easily.
• A telephone within easy reach.
• A hand-held shower head and bathroom chair.

RISKS / BENEFITS

What are the complications and side effects of an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?

As expected, you will have pain and swelling after surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medications as needed.

Soreness may last for several weeks. You may also have numbness, bruising and overall tiredness for that same time period.

As with any surgery, there are risks. You may have an increased risk of complications if you have poor circulation, diabetes, heart, lung, or liver disease, or if you smoke. Complications can include:

• Scarring.
• Hematoma (bleeding).
• Infection.
• Seroma (accumulation of fluid).
• Poor wound healing.
• Blood clots.
• Numbness or other changes in sensation

Other complications include:

• Fat necrosis (death of fatty tissue located deep in the skin).
• Wound separation.
• Asymmetry (unevenness or lopsidedness).

RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK

What is the outlook for someone who has had an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?

Generally, most people love the new look after they’ve undergone this procedure. However, you may not feel like your normal self for months after the surgery. You’ve gone through a tremendous amount to make this happen. It is a big commitment — emotionally, physically, and financially. It’s very important that you follow proper diet and exercise to maintain your new look.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Does insurance cover an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?

Insurance carriers usually don’t cover elective cosmetic surgery. But your carrier may cover a certain percentage if you have a hernia that will be corrected through the procedure, or if you’ve had surgery for weight loss. It’s extremely important that you begin communicating with your insurance company early on and that you discuss your insurance concerns with your healthcare provider.

In most cases, your provider will write a letter to your insurance carrier, making the case that the surgery is medically necessary (if that applies to you). Insurance may only cover certain portions of the surgery, so make sure you get details. As with any cosmetic surgery, this may affect future insurance coverage for you, and your premiums may increase.

Tummy Tuck Price

The average cost of a tummy tuck is $6,154, according to 2020 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. Please consult with your plastic surgeon’s office to determine your final fee.

A surgeon’s fee for tummy tuck surgery will be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic office location.

Most health insurance plans do not cover tummy tuck surgery or its complications, but many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.

Tummy tuck costs may include:

• Anesthesia fees
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Medical tests
• Post-surgery garments
• Prescriptions for medication
• Surgeon’s fee

When choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for a tummy tuck, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

tummy tuck surgery side effects

When you are looking for a tummy tuck surgery side effects, it is important to understand what these side effects can be. If you have been considering getting this procedure, it is important that you know what to expect and how to prepare yourself for any complications that may arise after your tummy tuck surgery.

Excessive fluid accumulation

Fluid accumulation can occur around the incision site. This is normal and is called seroma. It’s important to let your doctor know if you notice fluid accumulating in this area, as it may need to be drained through a small incision. You can also treat fluid accumulation with a compression garment or medication prescribed by your doctor, but if these methods don’t work and the seroma persists, surgery will be necessary to remove it entirely.

Seroma

Seromas are a collection of fluid that forms around the stitches. They are usually caused by too much fluid in the area and can be treated with antibiotics or drained, but sometimes you’ll need to have it surgically removed. Seromas can also be treated with aspiration, which involves a needle going into your skin and sucking out all of the excess fluid from around your incision site.

Infection

Infection is a risk of any surgery. The signs and symptoms of infection include fever, chills, redness, swelling and pain. If you experience these symptoms after a tummy tuck surgery call your doctor immediately. Infection is treated with antibiotics

Hematoma

A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin. It can be caused by injury to the blood vessels, and it’s treated with stitches and drainage (the removal of accumulated fluid). If left untreated, this condition can be serious–even life-threatening.

Skin necrosis

Skin necrosis is when the skin dies. It can happen in areas where the incision was made, or it can happen in areas where blood supply to the skin is cut off. In either case, if skin necrosis occurs after tummy tuck surgery and antibiotics are not used to treat it early on, permanent scarring may result.

Scarring

Scars are normal. Some are thick and raised, others thin and flat. It can take a year or more for scars to soften, though they will never disappear completely. If you are not happy with your results, scar revision surgery may be an option for you in the future.

Numbness or changes in skin sensation

Numbness or changes in skin sensation are common side effects of tummy tuck surgery. A numb area can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause.

• Nerve damage: If nerves were stretched during your tummy tuck procedure, they may become inflamed and/or compressed over time. This can cause numbness and even pain in the area where they were damaged by your surgery.
• Skin numbness: Another possible cause of post-operative numbness is when too much tissue is removed from around the nerve endings (neuropraxia). These nerves will then be unable to send messages back to your brain due to lack of stimulation from surrounding tissue; this results in loss of sensation in that area until new fibers grow back through scar tissue during healing time after surgery has been completed successfully without any complications occurring as well as being treated appropriately with medications/treatments prescribed by doctors who specialize in caring for patients who’ve undergone cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks before deciding whether or not they’d like one done themselves!

Pain, which may persist

Pain, which may persist for years. After tummy tuck surgery, you will experience pain that varies in intensity and duration. The pain is often worse when lying flat on your back or coughing/moving around. This can continue for months after the surgery but should gradually improve over time as your body heals.

Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)

Fat necrosis is a complication of tummy tuck surgery. It can cause pain and swelling, as well as discoloration of the skin. Fat necrosis can be treated with antibiotics and draining the fluid that has accumulated around your abdomen.

Tummy tuck surgery side effects can include bleeding, infection and scarring.

• Infection. Tummy tuck surgery can cause infection, which can lead to fever and chills, redness around the incision site and/or swelling.
• Bleeding. You may bleed more than usual for several days after your tummy tuck; this is normal and should resolve itself without treatment within a week or so. If you continue bleeding longer than that, call your doctor right away as it could be an indication of complications such as internal bleeding or a clotting disorder (thrombophlebitis).
• Scarring: Scars from tummy tucks tend not to fade easily–you’ll likely have scars forever after having this procedure done on yourself or someone else! However, if they bother you enough that they make life difficult for you then there are ways around them through scar revision surgeries (see below).

how to get a tummy tuck for free

Tummy tuck surgery is considered one of the expensive surgical procedures but this may be your option as an urgent medical need. When you are a low-income person, you may not afford to pay the cost of this surgical procedure. On the other hand, the cost of a tummy tuck partially can be managed but not fully, you may take this treatment at a reduced cost or free in some cases.

So there are several programs on how to get a free tummy tuck. In this article, you are going to know these programs, the cost of a tummy tuck, and the surgical procedure of a tummy tuck. When you feel the need of taking tummy tuck surgery but have no money, this article is going to helpful for you.

Tummy Tuck is a type of cosmetic surgery to make sure augmentation of the beauty of the abdomen. In this surgical process, excess skin and fat are remove from the abdomen. Then connective tissue is compressed with the help of sutures and the remaining skin is placed again to make sure a good look.

Why People Go For Tummy Tuck

Now that people are overweight due to several reasons. Someone may go with this overweight but someone may have a problem with this overweight. When people have excess fat and poor elasticity of the skin and fragile connective tissue in the abdomen, there are several changes are found such as significant weight gain, abdominal surgery, aging, and your natural body type.

So a tummy tuck may be helpful for people who want to lose a significant amount of weight. This surgical process removes loose, excess skin, and fat. Additionally, this tummy tuck also tightens weak fascia and remove stretch marks and excess skin in the lower abdomen. More importantly, a tummy tuck process boosts the image of the body vastly as it brings a good look and new shape to the abdomen.

Programs For Free Tummy Tuck

There are some programs by the different universities where one can go for better service at a lower cost. For this, Penn Medicine is one of the giant names in the realm of health care. So we are going to discuss some programs under the university level where you might get tummy tuck surgery at a very lower rate. 

Penn Medicine

Penn Medicine which is commonly known as Penn University is the best place to get better surgery in terms of a tummy tuck. When you have planned for this surgery, Penn can be a good option indeed. But the cost may be so low because there is assistance for the low-income individual to make sure they can get this surgery. You may visit their website to make sure you can get this surgery at a reduced cost under Penn Medicine. 

John Hopkins Medicine

The best health care may be possible in this place as John Hopkins Medicine provides the best health care in terms of different surgery. When you want to get surgery for Tummy Tuck, you might contact this place for better health care service. The cost of the tummy tuck surgery is very low which may be consider free of cost. The doctors and hospitals are advanced in terms of different surgery. It is maybe a good option to list this place to make sure you can get the perfect best health service as tummy tuck surgery. 

University of Chicago Medicine

The University of Chicago Medicine is another giant place to make sure you can get surgery for Tummy Tuck. The cost of the surgery is very low and you might check out their different plans for Tummy Tuck. But the University of Chicago Medicine is well known for different cosmetic surgery. So the best thing is that you may visit their website and go through all things to go for Tummy Tuck surgery here. 

Other Ways For Free Tummy Tuck

Insurance is often consider as coverage of the treatment. But the insurance company may not have any insurance coverage for a tummy tuck and you should discuss this with the insurance company. On the other hand, trainee surgeons and getting hamper are also options to get a free tummy tuck. 

Insurance for the surgery

Everyone knows that there are different insurance plans for health. But there is no insurance system for Tummy Tuck. Not an insurance company covers tummy tuck by insurance. But you may be a little bit tricky and you may go for insurance plans after surgery. For this, you may opt for Medicare to make sure insurance coverage. There are some eligibility criteria such as weight, level of the skin, surgery as the last option, and have been suffering from a hernia. 

More importantly, you may contact your insurance company for getting detailed information on insurance for a medical condition. You can make any medical case that is cover by the insurance company, you may also discuss with your doctors to make medical reasons for ensuring insurance for a tummy tuck. 

Surgery by the trainee surgeons

Trainee surgeons are the practitioner who may go for free surgery when you cannot pay. It may seem that this is going to be risky as they are not experience. The tummy tuck surgery is not a complicated surgical procedure at all. You may also check out the different qualifications of the trainee surgeon such as license, history, years of practice. So on to make sure they are fit for this surgery.

So these trainee surgeons are always ready to go for free tummy tuck surgery or demand a very lower amount which is affordable for you. There are local hospitals and health care where you may approach for contacting trainee surgeons.

Hampers for Tummy Tuck 

Discounts and vouchers may be another option for going free tummy tuck. Many cosmetologists are often providing these facilities for low-income people to make sure their loyalty. This voucher can be free for a tummy tuck & this is for the people who are loyal to the agency.

Cost of Regular Tummy Tuck Surgery

The cost of a complete surgical process of tummy truck may vary according to different reasons. For example, the experienced surgeon charges a little bit high compared to trainee surgeons. Additionally, geographic location can be also the reason for the variation of the cost of the tummy tuck.

The average cost is not low at all but it stands at $6092 according to the statistics of 2019 from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This may not be also package for the whole surgical process. This cost may not include other costs such as anesthesia, surgical facility costs, medical costs, post-surgery garments, and medicines.

So the best thing to do is that one should discuss with the surgeon directly finalizing the whole cost of this surgical procedure. Some surgeons may ensure easy and affordable financing plans that may be helpful for you. So you may also discuss this with the surgeons.

Cost of Regular Tummy Tuck Surgery

The cost of a complete surgical process of tummy truck may vary according to different reasons. For example, the experienced surgeon charges a little bit high compared to trainee surgeons. Additionally, geographic location can be also the reason for the variation of the cost of the tummy tuck.

The average cost is not low at all but it stands at $6092 according to the statistics of 2019 from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This may not be also package for the whole surgical process. This cost may not include other costs such as anesthesia, surgical facility costs, medical costs, post-surgery garments, and medicines.

So the best thing to do is that one should discuss with the surgeon directly finalizing the whole cost of this surgical procedure. Some surgeons may ensure easy and affordable financing plans that may be helpful for you. So you may also discuss this with the surgeons.

panniculectomy vs tummy tuck

A panniculectomy and abdominoplasty are often confused. This is understandable since both procedures cover essentially the same area of the anatomy. The biggest difference is the goal of the surgical procedure. A tummy tuck tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess fat, skin, and tissue, while a panniculectomy is performed to remove a pannus.

The pannus is a large flap of skin which is distended over the abdomen, genitals, and thighs following significant weight loss or complications from childbirth. A panniculectomy solely addresses the issue of loose, sagging skin and excess fat of the pannus. It also addresses mobility issues for those who live with this condition and ends the uncomfortable rubbing and chafing which can lead to infection.

Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, takes this one step further by repairing layers of the abdominal muscle structure which may have loosened, stretched, or split. With a tummy tuck, patients may further contour the body to achieve a sleek, slender figure. This surgery is more extensive than that of a panniculectomy, as it addresses the muscles to create a trimmer, more toned appearance to the contours of the abdomen.

Health Insuranceand Panniculectomy

Since a panniculectomy is a functional procedure and not strictly cosmetic like a tummy tuck, it is often covered by health insurance providers.

A tummy tuck is largely considered to be a strictly cosmetic procedure and is therefore not covered by most health insurance plans. While both procedures revolve around the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdominal region, a tummy tuck often involves additional procedures including removal of excess skin and fat all the way to the bottom ribs, repair and tightening of the rectus abdominis muscle, creation of a new naval, and liposuction is often performed on the belly area and flanks to provide additional contouring benefits.

Risks and Benefits

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with both a panniculectomy and a tummy tuck. These include infection, the formation of scars, and bodily fluids collecting near the incision. It is important to thoroughly discuss with your surgeon your vision and goals of any cosmetic surgical procedure. With thorough communication, we are confident that the team at NYBG Plastic Surgery can help you find your path to better health and a positive body image.

Our team provides the highest level of patient care and adheres to the most rigorous and extensive patient safety and health protocols. If you are living with unsightly, uncomfortable hanging skin and want to experience freedom from the condition, we invite you to meet with us in a private consultation to discuss the surgical procedure to correct the condition and help you have a trimmer, more attractive body. You can also learn more about our Long Island tummy tuck surgery here.