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Why Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery Procedures

Brian — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:33:32 +0000

“Tummy Tuck” – quite an amusing pair of words, if you ask me. They sound like something a 3-year-old kid would utter. But these ‘amusing’ words mean different things to different people. To some, they mean nothing but some indistinct words they’ll probably never utter in their lifetimes. To others, they mean newfound hope.

You see, as much as people try to deny it, external beauty really is important. In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the need for self-esteem is at the second level of the pyramid. And for some people, beauty is absolutely required if they are to gain their much-needed self-esteem. Some people scoff at the thought of people going to plastic surgeons. But really, they just can’t understand how much people need this. You’ll be surprised at some of the stories that people tell.

A look at why people need to have their tummies tucked

You see, in this warped and twisted culture of ours, aesthetics is such an important thing that people go to great lengths to achieve it. But there’s a darker side to this. It’s true, aesthetics is so important that, ever since our births, the idea of what’s beautiful and what’s not has been hammered into our heads permanently. Because of this, you’ll see various dramas concerning beauty unfolding in all the various schools. It’s true, take a peak at any school and you’ll see a little girl getting picked at because she’s fat. Fast forward a few years later and you’ll see that same little girl staring wistfully at a boy who will never look at her because she’s fat. Advance a bit more and you’ll see that same girl crying because of some mean joke that the popular kids tortured her with. You’ll see her bawling over that nasty prank they subjected her to, and you’ll see that she doesn’t know who to hate, the others for laughing at her or herself for being fat. Then, if she decides to go to the prom, the pinnacle of every teen’s life, she’ll be lucky if she gets invited to just one dance as most of her lot are just wallflowers, destined to be ignored.

Is tummy tuck the answer?

It’s cruel – this culture of ours. But there’s no denying reality. And because childhood is an integral part in the formation of one’s personality, you’ll see that these cruel incidents really do leave deep dents on the self-esteem of some. For some, the damage is permanent. For some, the damage is too deep that it drives them to a murderous vengeful rage, and for some, all they need to undo everything is a five-hour period of the operation called ‘tummy tuck,’ and they’re back on the right track.

Abdominoplasty Surgery – Tummy Tuck versus Liposuction

Brian — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:33:10 +0000

Travel back a few decades ago, and you’ll see that the only solution to excess fat would be the good old diet and exercise. So for the lazy and fat bum, all hope is lost. Thankfully, humans are resilient and intelligent creatures who stop at nothing to get what they want. And it just so happened that they wanted a shortcut to beauty. And so, after years and years of grueling research, they finally got what they wanted.

There are two abdominal surgeries that help people get the perfect figure. The first one is called tummy tuck and the second one is called liposuction.

Tummy Tuck

abdominoplasty or Tummy tuck, contrary to popular belief, isn’t really involved in reducing fat. Although, in retrospect, it somehow achieves that anyway. Tummy tuck involves removing excess skin and, at times, fat from the lower and middle abdomen. It’s primarily concerned with providing people with the perfect figure rather than making people thin.

Liposuction

The operation that’s in charge of reducing fats is called liposuction. Liposuction, as its name implies, is a surgery that sucks out all the excess fat located between the muscles and the skin. Liposuction is actually a better alternative to tummy tuck because of a number of reasons. The first reason is that it’s generally safer. Liposuction does not traumatize the skin as much as an abdominoplasty does. Also, because of this, there’s less scarring. The scar for abdominoplasty can actually extend for up to two feet. In addition to that, the umbilicus or the belly button is usually pulled down a bit so it detracts from what is normal. But with liposuction, all that’s required is a number of small incisions which will probably heal after a given time.

Liposuction can also be performed with just local anesthesia, much unlike tummy tuck which has to be performed with general anesthesia.

Another good thing about liposuction is that the skin shrinks to its normal size right after the surgery. For most patients, only liposuction is required in order to get the perfect figure.

If you’re still not convinced about the value of liposuction then just consider the amount of time it takes to recover. Liposuction only takes two to three days for recovery and after that, you can be up and about and ready to work.

Liposuction is amazing, really. In fact, it’s so amazing that thousands of people line up every year for it. In fact, as of now, it holds the record as the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed.

Average Price of Abdominoplasty and Tummy Tuck Surgery

Brian — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:32:52 +0000

For most people who are planning on having abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, the main concern isn’t about the pain that it will bring or the scar that it will produce. It’s not even about whether or not they’re safe. The truth is that the major concern of anyone who even thinks about abdominoplasty is the cost. Even if you can’t be any more emotionally prepared than you are, abdominoplasty will still be a distant dream if you don’t have enough money for it.

Cheap vs. Expensive

If you do have the money to spend, then the next thing you might want to ask is, ‘how much of my money should I spend?’ Abdominoplasty costs about $4,000 to $20,000 in the United States of America. Now, if you were the average consumer, your eyes would immediately be drawn to the first amount. Who could blame you? Nobody wants to spend $20,000. If you can save as much as $16,000, then why not go for it? But the thing is, most of the time, the amount of money you spend is inversely proportional to your safety during the operation.

Doctors who charge at higher rates are usually the ones who were already tried and tested by a lot of people. They’re also the ones who have all the credentials, and they’re also the ones who have undergone extensive training in the field. Those who charge less are usually the ones with no patients. As a consumer, you must also think about your safety. So, think twice before you choose the cheaper route.

Also, regardless of the cost, make sure that the surgeon you’re going to is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. Don’t be fooled by swindlers. Always remember to look before you leap.

Also, as in all cosmetic surgeries, there’s no guarantee that you will be satisfied with the results despite what the surgeons promise you. How you turn out to look might be a far-cry from the one you imagined. So, choose wisely. If your doctor is really talented, then the risk of being dissatisfied considerably lessens.

Discrepancies in Costs

The cost of your surgery is actually quite variable. Some surgeries are cheaper in some states than in others. But more importantly, they differ depending on the extent or severity of your case. The most common basis for cost is the amount of time it will take for the operation. If your body needs a lot of work, then expect that you will be charged at a higher rate.

Abdominoplasty and Tummy Tuck Recovery Tips

Brian — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:32:33 +0000

If you’ve agreed to have a tummy tuck, then you’re probably concerned about the recovery. Indeed, most patients who have decided that they are going to get a tummy tuck have asked numerous questions about the procedure, and most of these questions were not about the operation itself but about the outcome of the procedure.

So, what are you to expect after tummy tuck or abdominoplasty?

The Feeling

Perhaps the first thing that you will feel when you wake up after the surgery is some discomfort around the incision site. This is normal, and there will most likely be some swelling around the area where the procedure was done. In some cases, bruising has been reported. If you experience any pain, then simply consult your doctor and have him prescribe some pain medications.

Also, just like most major operations, you will have some disturbance in your bowel movements. If your stool is hard and difficult to excrete, then you might need some laxatives. Stool softeners help because they make the stool easier to pass. If the stool is difficult to pass, then you might start straining, and this might cause the stitches to come apart, which is obviously very, very dangerous for a postoperative patient. You could also use a strip of cloth to serve as support in the incision site. It’s also best if you have someone assist you while moving around so as to decrease the stress put on you. But by all means, don’t be idle. It’s best if you start walking around as soon as possible because this aids in your recovery and prevents complications.

Some doctors might place a drain in the incision site so that the dead blood won’t pool in the incision site and cause an infection. This drain, however, is removed after just seven to ten days. By this time, the stitches will also be removed.

Also, you might not be able to bathe during your recovery period so just content yourself with a bed bath for the time being.

If you’ve done well with the recovery period, you’ll be able to go back to work in just two to four weeks. But be careful to avoid any activities that would be too strenuous for you.

The Look

What’s more important, however, is the outcome. Unfortunately, there’s no telling how the surgery went until you get the stitches and bandages out. You’ll have to ride on your doctor’s assurances on this one. But the chance that you’ll be satisfied is always higher than the chance of you being disappointed.

Pros and Cons of Cheap and Affordable Tummy Tuck

Brian — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:32:12 +0000

In this world of ours, nothing is free. The closest thing to free that you can get without having to lose any of your dignity as a human being is the thing we call ‘cheap.’ It’s normal for a human being to embrace all things ‘cheap.’ This behavior is quite evident in the number of people who flock to anything that has SALE written all over it. Unfortunately, a lot of the things that are desired are hardly cheap.

One of the things that humans desire most is beauty. But beauty is not easy to achieve. If you’re not one of the lucky ones who are born with beauty, then you must go through hours of grueling exercise and diet in order to become beautiful. That’s not even a guarantee that you’ll become beautiful. So, to some people, their last resort becomes surgery. People who have excess skin on the abdomen, for example, resort to a tummy tuck. But a tummy tuck costs thousands of hard-earned sweat-drenched dollars and it’s not really feasible for some to get it.

But there is, however, hope.

The Solution

If a tummy tuck in your area costs a lot of money then what you have to do is simple. Just get it somewhere else. And by somewhere else, I mean another country. tummy tucks in the United States are quite expensive. But if you go to another country, let’s say, India, you can have the same operation for a considerably lower price. Tummy tucks in the US cost more than the cost of tummy tucks in India and the fare needed to get there combined. It’s not at all that risky either. Doctors in other countries are at par with some of the doctors in the US and some are even better. The best doctor in India might even charge you less than a mediocre doctor in the US. These doctors abroad also undergo rigorous training and studying in order to achieve their level so you’re mostly in good hands.

The Downside

Of course, there is a downside to this. Everything you do entails risks. If you opt for an operation abroad, there are some things that you need to consider. For one thing, the doctor you’ll be going to is not under the jurisdiction of the US. Meaning, if something goes wrong, you won’t be able to sue him or her unless their country’s constitution allows you to.

Think well before you decide. Remember, cheap things aren’t always good things.

Tummy Tuck Operation Procedure and Surgery Risks

Brian — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:31:52 +0000

People today have a lot more to worry about than just their looks. They have such hectic schedules that it’s impossible to squeeze exercise into their daily routines. Also, as food is one of the most gratifying things in the world, it would be hard if you had to give up the sumptuous ones, too, if you wanted a drop-dead gorgeous body. In short, life is miserable. But it doesn’t always have to be so. You can have the best of both worlds by having abdominoplasty – a surgery that allows you to have a beautifully toned body without having to go through the agony of hours and hours of grueling exercise.

Know the Risks

But what does abdominoplasty really entail? People talk about it all the time without really knowing what process is involved in this operation. It’s always best to know what you’re in for before plunging in. Of course, the surgeon will probably orient you to everything that you need to know but it’s still important to have your own idea.

The Procedure

Six hours before the surgery, the doctor will probably put you on NPO or on ‘Nothing per orem.’ This phrase simply means that you are not allowed to eat anything for the duration that the doctor prescribed. This is done so that your innards will be empty of their content when the doctor performs the procedure. This lessens the risk of having feces leak all over your peritoneal cavity if ever the doctor accidentally cuts your intestines thereby causing sepsis. Don’t worry, it’s usually just a precaution, you’ll be hard put to find a doctor out there who is actually clumsy enough to mess up the human body.

When the time of the operation comes, you’ll be put under general anesthesia which will be administered through inhalation or through IV. This means that you’ll be ‘sleeping’ all throughout the procedure, and you won’t be feeling any pain. Once you’re properly sedated, they’ll begin with the procedure. Note, though, that general entails a lot of risks, and in the worst case scenario, you might enter into a coma or die.

In some cases, liposuction is done alongside abdominoplasty. When that’s done, the doctor then removes all the excess skin from your lower belly and ‘tucks it’ or tightens it. It would be prudent to expect that your belly button will move from its previous location as the skin is stretched. Also, a long scar will run along the bikini line. But, of course, this scar can be hidden beneath your underwear.

Flat Tummy in History and Today

Brian — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:31:34 +0000

Since time immemorial, humans have always revered beauty. Aesthetics has always been a matter of grave concern. And as you would expect from the humans, they go to great lengths to attain something that they value.

Beauty is a relative term. What’s beautiful for one might not be beautiful for another. In the course of history, you’ll see that the people’s perception of beauty changes with the times.

Aesthetics in History

Back in the Roman times, beauty has always been equated with plumpness. A woman with a round figure was beautiful because, back then, only the rich nobility had enough food to really indulge themselves until they get fat.

In another corner of the world, everything petite is beautiful. In China, people went to great lengths just to have small and dainty feet. All the young women had to undergo foot binding which is a long and painful process wherein the growth of the foot is retarded and the bones are kept small and deformed which was against the natural process.

In some parts of Africa and Asia, particularly in Myanmar and Nepal, women wear neck rings in order to give the illusion of an elongated neck. An elongated neck usually represented beauty and elegance, but the use of neck rings entailed many sacrifices. As with anything that hinders anything natural, the use of neck rings was painful and dangerous. The neck muscles were stretched to their limits and infections seeped through because the neck wasn’t being washed.

Over the years, people’s perception of beauty changed constantly until they evolved into the idea of beauty that we prefer today.

Aesthetics in our Modern World

Nowadays, when people think of the word ‘beauty,’ a tall woman with a slim, curvaceous figure comes into mind. ‘Thin is in’ as people like to say. It’s quite evident in the choice of models today. And of course, no matter how much people try to deny it and say that internal beauty is all that counts, external beauty still holds some importance. And since a bulging tummy is hardly what you could call pretty, people go to great lengths in order to lose it. A flat tummy is absolutely essential if you want to be called ‘beautiful’ in this modern age. After all, how can you wear those cute baby Ts if your tummy isn’t flat enough? How can you wear all those tight-fitting dresses if your tummy bulges in all the wrong places? Face it, flat tummies are in, and it looks like they’re here to stay.

Factors Affecting Abdominoplasty and Tummy Tuck Prices

Brian — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:31:14 +0000

Beauty is never cheap. In the world of plastic surgery, this phrase is meant in the most literal sense. abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, as it’s more popularly known, is a surgical operation that costs thousands of green and crispy dollars. Of course, what’s not to expect, all surgeries, especially major ones, cost loads and loads of dough.

Here is a list of all the factors considered in the cost of abdominoplasty

Surgeon’s Fee

The fee varies greatly, depending on the surgeon. There are a lot of plastic surgeons and some charge operations for a fee that’s a lot cheaper than others. But then again, in choosing the surgeon, you must keep in mind that he should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, else you might suffer some of the bigger consequences. If your surgeon is board-certified, then you can be assured that he has undergone extensive education and training and that you’re relatively safe in his hands. Another thing that you have to consider is his skill. Some surgeons have an eye for beauty and know what they really must do before you even start talking. However, these skilled surgeons are usually popular and are very in demand. They cost more than the average surgeon but the results are usually worth it. On the average, the surgeon’s fee ranges from $3,000 – $6,000.

Length of the Procedure

The cost of your operation also depends on the amount of time it took to finish it. The longer it took, the higher the cost will be. Of course, this is quite understandable. You see, the more time you spend on the operating table, the more resources the hospital or clinic spends on you. There’s usually a $500 to $700 fee for the anesthesia and the anesthesiologist. And for the facilities, there’s usually a $700 – $1,000 fee. If the hospital or clinic you choose is a high-end one, expect to pay more. You can always choose the cheaper ones, but keep in mind that the high-end ones usually provide better service. After all, there must be a reason why they charge so high.

Cutting Costs

There are a number of ways that you can cut costs. For example, if you’ve just gotten out of pregnancy and wish to get rid of that excess skin, you might want to ask yourself if you’re planning on getting pregnant again. If you are, then maybe you should wait until then to get the operation so that you won’t be having multiple operations. Also, if you’re trying to lose weight, lose as much as you can before getting the procedure.

Abdominoplasty, NHS and Help from the Government

Brian — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:30:50 +0000

Some people may say that external beauty is unimportant. But the harsh reality is that it does matter. No matter how much you say that it’s only the inside that matters, you can’t deny that external beauty also has some value in this world. Unfortunately, beauty is something that’s not easy for some people to achieve.

Sure, you can forgo the grueling exercises and diets and go straight to the surgeries, but still, surgeries are not exactly cheap. Far from it, really. Cosmetic surgeries usually cost thousands of dollars. And if you’re of the middle class, you’ll know that every single penny counts, and if you had to spend some of it for a surgery, then you might have just placed a big dent on your bank account that’s close to impossible to achieve. In fact, some people might even have to spend their lifesavings just to get a cosmetic surgery.

Help from the Government

So, as a loyal citizen of your prestigious nation, it would be just right for you to look for ways to cut the costs of the healthcare that you’re going to receive. As you know, the government provides a lot of programs which help their citizens in terms of health.

If you live in the United Kingdom, then that means that you’re receiving help from the NHS or the National Health Service.

However, the NHS won’t help finance your surgery for cosmetic reasons alone. Just think about it, no matter how important looking good might mean to you, there’s always someone out there who’s on the verge of dying and therefore needs more help from the government.

Eligibility

So, let’s say that you want to have abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. If you want to get help from the NHS, you must fit some of their criteria.

First of all, you must have a deep reason for wanting the surgery. In fact, you must ‘need’ it and not just ‘want’ it. Wanting to look beautiful is not enough of a reason. They might consider you if you need the operation because of a congenital anomaly or if it was the result of a freak accident. But if you’re perfectly normal and just need some improvement, consider your chances close to nil.

To secure help from the NHS, you must have one hell of a good argument. Maybe you can get your physician and your psychiatrist to write up some papers illustrating why you absolutely need that surgery.

All in all, you don’t have much of a chance of getting help, but hey, it’s always worth a try.

sethson.com » Abdominoplasty

Why Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery Procedures

A look at why people need to have their tummies tucked

Is tummy tuck the answer?

Related Posts

Abdominoplasty Surgery – Tummy Tuck versus Liposuction

Tummy Tuck

Liposuction

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Average Price of Abdominoplasty and Tummy Tuck Surgery

Cheap vs. Expensive

Discrepancies in Costs

Related Posts

Abdominoplasty and Tummy Tuck Recovery Tips

The Feeling

The Look

Related Posts

Pros and Cons of Cheap and Affordable Tummy Tuck

The Solution

The Downside

Related Posts

Tummy Tuck Operation Procedure and Surgery Risks

Know the Risks

The Procedure

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Flat Tummy in History and Today

Aesthetics in History

Aesthetics in our Modern World

Related Posts

Factors Affecting Abdominoplasty and Tummy Tuck Prices

Surgeon’s Fee

Length of the Procedure

Cutting Costs

Related Posts

Abdominoplasty, NHS and Help from the Government

Help from the Government

Eligibility

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