How Do I Know Which Tummy Tuck Doctor is Good for Me?

I am ready for a tummy tuck. I have 2 kids and lost a lot of weight (85pounds). I have two good doctors that I have narrowed it down to. How do I know who to pick? I’m scared to do it. Also if I’m an occasional smoker and have stopped smoking for over a month now. Does that carry a risk for me?

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by nat02 in atlanta,GA

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Tummy tuck surgeon

Your first step is to find several board certified plastic surgeons to interview. You may want to examine their credentials, schools, residencies, hospital affiliations, list of publications, level of accreditation of the surgery center, credentials of the person administering anesthesia to you. During the consultation, you may want to establsih a rapport with the doctor and feel welcome in his or her office, and at ease with his staff. When you meet the doctors, you will probably hear a... more

Ask everyone who might know

You can never ask enough people. I would ask people who are familar with Doctors in your area; Primary care doctors (ask them who they would send their spouse to), nurses are a great source, and many of them have had plastic surgery. Ask people at the Hair dresser, Dentists, aestheticians, Gynecologists, General surgeons and their staff. Make sure the doctors you are considering are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, and... more

Smoking can harm the circulation in the skin edges of a tummy tuck.

Regarding your smoking, guidelines are from 4-6 weeks of abstinence. By the time you have surgery, your cessation should be well within the safe period for an abdominoplasty surgery. As to which surgeon, rapport is very important, since these operations do have an incidence of problems. Being able to discuss these with your surgeon comfortably when these unexpected outcomes occur makes your pre-operative impression of your surgeon an important parameter in choosing between the two... more

Best to start with American Board of Plastic Surgery certification

Probably before you attend your first consultation for cosmetic plastic surgery, you should already know if your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and is in good standing with a reputable hospital in your area. With the development of private cosmetic surgical facilities which are often office-based, some surgeons have lost relationships with their local hospitals. Hospitals, however, have a very important credentialing role and will track complaints, continuing... more

Lots to consider when choosing Tummy Tuck doctors

When considering a tummy tuck and the appropriate physician consider: 1. Doctor's skills and bedside manner - I assume your doctors have excellent skills and you have gotten a referral to them from someone you trust.In addition, you have to feel comfortable with the physician and their staff. Avoid snooty offices. 2. Tummy Tuck Techniques - especially in someone who smokes, the High Lateral Tension Abdomenoplasty (Lockwood), is an ideal procedure. Ask your physician which technique... more

Choose the surgeon who you feel most comfortable talking to

Nat02, If you have narrowed it down to two surgeons, my advice would be to choose the one you feel most comfortable talking to. Before your surgery, you want to make sure you feel comfortable with the surgeon and make sure you get all of your questions answered and concerns addressed. This will also be the case after your surgery. It sounds like you have done your research and will make a good decision. Good luck with your surgery.

See a lot of before and after pictures of the surgeon's results

To nat02, Hi! A few other suggestions: 1) Make sure he or she is board certified. 2) Ask to speak to a patient who has had an abdominoplasty with your surgeon. 3) I think most experienced plastic surgeons now prefer a "minimal undermining" technique which is safer and permits simultaneous liposuction. You might ask the surgeon about his technique.

Choosing your surgeon

As long as the surgeons you are considering are well trained (being Board Certified in Plastic Surgery will assure you that they meet this criteria), and you are happy with the results they have achieved with other patients, the final decision depends on whom you feel most comfortable on a personal level. During your recovery, you will be dealing closely with your surgeon, so it is nice to have a good rapport with him or her. The professional organizations that your surgeon(s) belong to... more

Do Your Research

You need to really reserach any surgeon who will operate on you, Make sure he/she is board certified by the AMERICAN BOARD of PLASTIC SURGERY is a member of the AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGERY(ASPS), and it is better if they are members of the AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY (ASAPS). Only 30% of board certified plastic surgeons belong to this meaning they achieved an additional level of membership. Surgeons who ae members of the AMERICAN BOARD OF COSMETIC SURGERY did NOT... more

Trust your gut feelings about the doctor-patient relationship

Dear nat02, Youre half way there by consulting two plastic surgeons. They both should be sertified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery-visit the ABPS website to check credentials. The best thing is to make certain that you have comfortable "gut feelings' when in the office and with the staff and the doctor. 1. Are you treated respectfully? 2. Will you be comfortable calling for help nights and weekends if you are in trouble? 3. Is the office and staff clean, professional and... more