QUIZ TIME!
Quiz: Which statement about abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is true?
A) It is primarily a weight loss procedure.
B) Recovery always requires at least a week in the hospital.
C) It removes only fat, not skin.
D) It can tighten abdominal muscles and remove excess skin.
E) It is best performed while the patient is actively losing weight.
Answer: D — Abdominoplasty tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess skin for a smoother, more youthful contour.
I have been performing abdominoplasties for 40 years, and during that time this operation has evolved tremendously. In earlier years, tummy tucks were performed almost exclusively in hospitals, and patients typically stayed overnight or even up to five nights. Today, advances in anesthesia and surgical technique allow virtually all procedures to be done safely as outpatient surgeries—patients go home the same day and recover more rapidly and comfortably.
Modern anesthesia techniques minimize nausea and pain, while the widespread use of cautery has dramatically reduced blood loss, shortened operating times, and improved overall safety. The addition of the long lasting local anesthetic, Exparel, has drastically reduced post-operative discomfort. In addition, liposuction is now frequently combined with abdominoplasty to sculpt the surrounding areas and “feather” the edges of the flap, producing a smoother, more natural transition.
