What to Expect From Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

A tummy tuck procedure, technically called an abdominoplasty, is a complex cosmetic surgery that is performed to improve the tone and shape of the abdomen. There are many reasons to seek this surgery and many benefits to those who have one. If a tummy tuck is something you’ve been considering, it may be a bit nerve-wracking to take the first step and book a consultation. There’s really no need to be nervous, however, so don’t let your fear of this important step stand in your way. Battle your nerves by educating yourself about what patients should really expect from a tummy tuck consultation.

Topics You’ll Discuss

Once you have selected a plastic surgeon and scheduled your consultation, you should prepare yourself for some of the topics that will be discussed. It’s important that you spend some time before this meeting to reflect on your surgical goals, for example, so that you can clearly explain your expectations to your surgeon. By having a clear vision of the look you want to achieve, you can better ensure that you will receive those results after surgery. Furthermore, your surgeon will have a place to begin his discussion of whether these goals are realistic for someone with your body type.

Before your consultation, you might also want to jot down some notes about any of your current or previous medical conditions, any drug allergies you may have, your current medications, any vitamins and herbal supplements you take, and your recent medical treatments. You should also be prepared to be honest about your use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, as these activities may have a huge impact on your safety before and after surgery.

Finally, be ready to talk about any previous surgeries you may have had, even if they don’t seem related to the abdominal area. Your surgeon must have a complete medical history from you in order to decide your eligibility for the tummy tuck procedure. Neglecting to reveal any important medical information of any kind can put you in jeopardy during your procedure, so it’s not worth the risk.

Your Physical Evaluation

When you have talked about your full medical history and all of your pre-existing health conditions or other risk factors, your tummy tuck surgeon will be able to decide if you are a good surgical candidate. If so, you’ll move on to the evaluation stage of your consultation, which begins with a complete examination of the relevant areas of your body. Your surgeon will likely want to look at your tummy, getting an idea for how severe your concerns are regarding fat, skin laxity, and muscle tone. This too will determine your eligibility for surgery; if you don’t need enough work to warrant a surgery, the procedure will be a waste of your time and money, after all. Once the exam is completed, your plastic surgeon will take your “before” photographs of the area for documentation.

Planning Your Surgery

After you’ve been declared a fit candidate for tummy tuck surgery, your consultation will then move on to the planning of your to-be-scheduled procedure. Your surgeon will open the discussion by presenting your surgical options and recommending a course of treatment. You will be given the chance to contribute your input and ask questions about this procedure at this time. The discussion will also cover the outcomes you can personally expect to see from a tummy tuck, as well as the common side effects and potential risks or complications associated with this procedure. By speaking up about your desires for surgery, you can minimize the chance of disappointing results or miscommunications. Have a good idea about what you want from surgery before you step into your consultation to enjoy a smooth and easy procedure.

Questions to Ask the Surgeon

Don’t forget that the consultation is also the time for you to ask your plastic surgeon questions, too. This allows you to be completely comfortable with the surgeon who will perform your tummy tuck. Spend some time thinking about any questions you might have for him regarding his background and experience, the procedure itself, and other issues that come to mind. Consider some of the following questions to get you started:

• Have you been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• How many years have you spent performing plastic surgeries, specifically tummy tucks?
• How can I make sure I get the best results?
• Where will my procedure be performed?
• What will my recovery period be like?
• How will any complications be handled if they arise?
• What are my options if my tummy tuck results aren’t as expected?

These questions are just a starting point for you to think about, but you can feel free to pose the questions that make sense for you. Be open and honest to make sure your surgery can be the success you want it to be.

Book a Tummy Tuck Consultation

To guarantee your best results, have your consultation with the right doctor for you. Contact the office of Dr. Douglas S. Steinbrech, a fully trained plastic surgeon Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, to book your consultation today. He will be happy to walk you through what you should expect from a body lift procedure or any other surgery that might address your areas of concern. A specialist in Minimally Invasive Aesthetics, he incorporates this philosophy into all of his surgical and nonsurgical procedures, while aiming to get you the best results possible. Dr. Steinbrech has been selected by the Consumers’ Research Council of America as one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons. Contact his office, located at 60 East 56^th Street, Suite 3A, in New York City, by calling (212) 750-0070.