Patients must be near their ideal weight before undergoing the treatment. Other factors, such as medication use, preexisting health conditions, and being a smoker, can also hinder one's ability to benefit from the treatment.
Usually, tummy tucks are viewed by insurance plans as being a cosmetic procedure. Sometimes if the patient has severe separation of the rectus abdominis muscles resulting in rectus diastasis, ventral hernia, and excess abdominal skin and fat, the tummy tuck procedure may be covered by insurance.
Patients who are not physical healthy, don't have sufficient loose skin, are severely overweight or obese, and those who simply wouldn't benefit from this surgery (but may benefit from liposuction or another procedure instead) are not good candidates for tummy tucks.
What Is the BMI Needed for Tummy Tuck? Many patients ask, “My BMI is 35; can I get a tummy tuck?” Most board-certified plastic surgeons agree that tummy tuck surgery is most safely performed on healthy patients with a BMI below 35. Ideally, you should be within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight before surgery.
In my experience, “plus sized women” who had a tummy tuck were from 5'1″ to 5'11” and from 158lb to 212lb. Using the BMI calculation ( which puts height and weight together), almost all women were between BMI: 28 and 35.
Full tummy tucks help patients lose clothing sizes and inches in their midsection, but weight loss is usually not more than a few pounds. The average woman can expect to lose two to three dress sizes after a tummy tuck, while men can expect to drop several pant sizes.
A tummy tuck also doesn't make you immune to weight gain and further stretching in the future. You need to maintain the results we provide you and avoid gaining weight again. This means that you need to be sure you're done having children before you opt for an abdominoplasty.
Medical reasons for tummy tuck surgery
Stress incontinence: This often occurs due to weakened abdominal muscles and an increase of pressure on the bladder. Incontinence can result in the inability to control your bladder during certain situations, including coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
These financing companies include CareCredit® and M-Lend Financial Services. They offer attractive repayment plans for qualified patients. You can also use most major credit cards to pay for plastic surgery. While the cost of a tummy tuck in California can be significant, many people find the results worth every penny.
Most people feel sore and tight for up to two weeks following the procedure. “It will feel like you've done about a million sit-ups after a tummy tuck, but the tradeoff is that you should look like you did a million sit-ups,” said Dr.
Tissue damage.
During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within the skin in the abdominal area might get damaged or die. Smoking raises the risk of tissue damage. Depending on the size of the area, the tissue might heal on its own or another surgery may be needed.
Liposuction is a less intensive treatment and typically costs less than a tummy tuck. Liposuction costs between $4,000 and $8,000 with an average cost of $6,000, whereas a tummy tuck ranges between $6,000 and $10,000 with an average cost of $8,000.
– The 'Pinch' Test
If you lean forward slightly, pinch the skin around your belly button and are able to pull it down to the top of the pubic area you could be suitable for a fully tummy tuck. If you can't extend your skin down this far, it is likely that you are better suited for a mini tummy tuck.
Key Takeaways. Abdominoplasty is generally perceived as more painful compared to a C-section, based on patient feedback. C-sections involve deeper incisions and the added complexity of newborn care, contributing to a longer recovery period.
The recuperation process following rhinoplasty, frequently referred to as a nose job, presents a recovery challenge. Patients commonly experience discomfort in the facial and neck areas. Rhinoplasty is often considered the hardest plastic surgery procedures to recovery from.
Key Requirements for Insurance Coverage
Documentation – gather extensive medical records, including photos, documenting your condition and any failed attempts at non-surgical treatments. Preauthorization – in most cases, you'll need to obtain preauthorization from your insurance company before the surgery is scheduled.
Obese or overweight. Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30. Any previous clotting issues or surgical complications. Currently taking any medications, anticoagulants, or supplements that might interfere.
While a tummy tuck can remove excess skin and fat, it is not a permanent solution and it is possible to gain weight after the procedure. The results of a tummy tuck can be maintained with a healthy diet and regular exercise, but it is important to understand that the procedure does not prevent future weight gain.
You can generally expect to lose between two and three pants sizes following abdominoplasty. However, if you have a great deal of excess skin and you combine this procedure with liposuction, you may be able to lose four or more pants sizes.
Do Breasts Look Bigger After Tummy Tuck? A flatter abdomen can make the breasts appear more prominent, but a tummy tuck doesn't directly affect breast size.
While many people assume a tummy tuck is a weight-loss procedure, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it only removes about five pounds of tissue. The procedure's primary goal is body contouring rather than weight reduction.