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FAQ's for Tummy Tuck

  1. How can I tell if I need a tummy tuck or liposuction?
    1. Of course the only real way is for Dr. Haas to examine you, but we can give you some guidelines. If you have an overhanging flap of skin at your lower abdomen, you probably need a tummy tuck. This can be the result of weight loss, child-bearing, or your genetic background. If you have good elasticity in your skin and a relatively thick layer of fat (a pinch test of 2 inches or more), you may only need liposuction. Any area that can be grabbed and you can feel a significant amount of fat is an area that Dr.Haas can greatly improve with liposuction. In almost all tummy tucks, we liposuction the posterior flanks or hip roll area.
  2. How long and where will the scar be in my tummy tuck?
    1. The scar for a tummy tuck runs from hip to hip in a gentle arc, think 'smiley-face', along the pubic hair line. If you have a c-section scar, extend that on either end out to your hip bone. Dr. Haas tries to hide this by placing it low where a bikini can cover the scar. Like in a lot of our surgeries, Dr. Haas and the patient decide if the improvement in contour and appearance are a good trade for the scar involved. A tummy tuck is a great operation...it is the only thing that will give you a flat abdomen and tighten up loose skin typical after child-birth...the downsides are the scar and the recovery. Again, this will all be discussed at your consultations.
  3. Where will my surgery be done?
    1. Dr. Haas does all his tummy tucks in Imaage®'s JCAHO-approved in-office surgery suite. Our patients love the privacy, luxury, convenience and safety this provides. Dr. Haas maintains privileges in local hospitals and the surgery can be performed there, but that is rarely necessary and rarely requested by our patients.
  4. How long does the surgery take?
    1. A tummy tuck usually takes 2-3 hours depending on how involved that particular patient's procedure is. Patient's families usually relax in our video room. Dr. Haas immediately talks to the patient's family after surgery. Between paperwork, surgery, and recovery, the patient is usually here for 4-5 hours on the day of surgery.
  5. I've heard tummy tucks are quite sore...is that true?
    1. Tummy tucks in the past were quite sore. However, we use a lidocaine pain-pump that works as a 'soaker-hose' through catheters placed during surgery. These catheters continuously bathe the area of surgery with nocaine-like anesthetic. The patient does not have to do any manipulation of this system. The catheters, which are about the size of an IV catheter, are easily removed in 3 days. This gives a great start to healing and all of our patients are pleasingly surprised by their soreness level...they expected to be much more sore than they were.
  6. How much does a tummy tuck cost?
    1. This is difficult to estimate until seen by Dr. Haas, as everyone is slightly different and may have different requests, different areas to lipo, also want a breast augmentation at the same time, etc. Feel free to call IMAAGE® and the staff will be glad to give you some guidelines, and of course when you are seen by Dr. Haas, you will be given your exact price quote.
  7. How long do I need to take off work? What about recovery?
    1. Dr Haas tells every tummy tuck patient to expect to take 3 weeks off work. If you recover faster and want to go back to work and your job does not require strenuous activity, you may return sooner...however, we like to make sure the patient's schedules are pretty clear for those 3 weeks. We tell everyone who has this procedure to expect to be 75% recovered at one month, and it takes two months to be 100%. Again, this will all be discussed at your consultation.