Tummy Tucks After Pregnancy – What Are They, What Are The Risks

Tummy tucks appear to be a growing trend in society. Since 2000 and up until 2009 they have increased an amazing 89%. Just under half, 44%, are women in their 20′s and 30′s whereas tummy tucks used to be mainly perfomed on post-menapausal women.

Now, however, women want their bodies back quickly. So let’s find out exactly what a tummy tuck is and what it involves.

First there is the mini tummy tuck. As the cartoon suggests, the price for this averages around $3,000. It is an out-patient procedure that takes about 1 to 2 hours and uses local anesthesia. This surgery involves the area below the belly button. Smaller incisions are used and the belly button remains intact. Skin and fat are removed and the skin is stretched back down and stiched up again. Sometimes liposuction is used for shaping in which case the cost can go up. Recovery time will be up to 2 weeks and full activities can be resume after about 4. It is a painful recovery but not as severe as a full tummy tuck.

Next is the full tummy tuck. This is much pricier at around $10,000. Yikes! This is definitely more invasive and has more cutting involved. A general anesthesia is required here. The abdominal skin is detached and the muscle fascia wall is tightened up with stitches. Any excess is removed and then the skin is stretched and a new belly button is made. Liposuction is usually used in this procedure. Often, a tube is placed under the skin to drain out extra fluids and left for the first week. This can take up to 5 hours to be completed. Recovery is more painful than the mini and takes about 6 weeks.

The Benefits

It has been shown that belly fat increases risks of diabetes and heart problems. So it would stand to reason if you reduce fat it would benefit your health. Good candidates for a mini would be those with less fat and skin removal needed and anyone who does not plan on becoming pregnant. Otherwise as full tummy tuck would be recommended.

The Risks

As with any type of surgery there are risks. Some of them are minimal and some are deadly but rare. They include reaction to anesthesia, blood clots, Necrosis (death) of skin, fat or muscle tissue (rare), loss of skin sensitivity (common and usually doesn’t last long). If you are considering a tummy tuck, then make sure you discuss all the risks with your doctor.

If you’d like further information on tummy tucks you can read more at Tummy Tuck Cost. I’d like to know what you think. Do you believe this is going overboard or have you ever considered this yourself? Perhaps you think that we should just “tuck it into our pants”. Whatever it is, please share.