Your tummy tuck consultation is one of the most important steps before your actual procedure. Take your time when choosing a plastic surgeon or two with whom to schedule an office visit, then jot down a list of questions that you want to ask at your appointment. Make sure these top tummy tuck consultation questions make your list.
1. Are You a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?
You should be able to find this information online before you even schedule your consultation, but it’s not a bad idea to double check at your appointment. You can also ask about his or her other credentials, including any memberships or affiliations with accredited medical organizations, as well as the credentials of other staff members who may be involved in your procedure.
2. Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Your tummy tuck consultation is an excellent time to clearly define your goals and discuss them with your plastic surgeon. Then, ask if he or she feels that abdominoplasty would be the best fit to help you achieve your goals. If not, is there another procedure, such as a mommy makeover, that would be better suited to your needs?
Generally speaking, the best candidates for a tummy tuck will be close to their ideal weight but have excess skin or separated abdominal muscles that bother them. You should also be in good general health before having any surgical procedure.
3. Should I Include Liposuction?
Based on your goals, your plastic surgeon might recommend that you add liposuction to your tummy tuck. While abdominoplasty can address loose skin, it doesn’t remove stubborn fat unless combined with liposuction. So if both loose skin and exercise-resistant fat are top concerns for you, a combination tummy tuck and lipo procedure could produce the most comprehensive body contouring results.
Talk to your plastic surgeon about drain-free tummy tuck options with lipo.
4. Do You Have Hospital Privileges?
Most reputable plastic surgeons have what are called hospital privileges, which means that they have access to a particular hospital’s facilities and equipment if needed. If your plastic surgeon doesn’t have hospital privileges, you may want to seek a second consultation elsewhere.
You can also ask what the practice’s policy is for dealing with complications, should they arise, as well as what risks are involved with your procedure.
5. How Long Will Recovery Take?
When planning your tummy tuck, you’ll need to know how much time to schedule off work and how long you might need help with child care and daily duties around the house. Talk to your plastic surgeon about your abdominoplasty recovery timeline to help you prepare and decide if now is the right time for your procedure.
6. When Will I See My Tummy Tuck Results?
It’s important to have realistic expectations about your tummy tuck results, so make sure your idea of what your body will look like after your procedure matches up with your plastic surgeon’s expectations. And if you have a specific event or date in mind for which you’d like to be ready to show off your results, make sure your plastic surgeon knows this. While most people usually go back to work within two weeks after abdominoplasty, you won’t see your final outcome for several months.
Ask to see before and after tummy tuck photos from this plastic surgeon to give you a better idea of what you might be able to expect for yourself.
Dr. Scot Martin concentrates on breast enhancement and body contouring at his practice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A nationally recognized plastic surgeon, Dr. Martin is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
He looks forward to meeting you and helping you become the best version of yourself possible.
