What To Expect During A Tummy Tuck Consultation
March 9, 2023*Article updated September 2023
Everything You Need To Know Before Talking To Your Surgeon
The tummy tuck is an incredible, life-changing procedure. Making the decision to move forward on this journey is an important moment that requires a lot of transparency from your surgeon of choice. At Donaldson Plastic Surgery, we aim to give you that sense of clarity and comfort every step of the way — from the initial planning stage, to the day of your surgery, to the aftercare process and beyond! Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at what to expect during a tummy tuck consultation.
Bring All Of Your Questions
The consultation is your time to share with us about yourself and to gather as much information as you’d like about the procedure. The consultation process typically lasts 30 – 60 minute, which includes personal time with your surgeon and/or their trusted staff. Questions are encouraged, and our team will listen carefully to understand your goals and your specific areas of concern.
What Questions To Ask Your Surgeon:
You may have already researched the procedure online, but this is your time to get answers directly from the professionals. First, you will want to know whether you are a good candidate for abdominoplasty, or if there is another procedure that would be a better fit for you. Ask how your anatomy will influence the surgical technique. Find out how your medical history, medications, or current health status will impact your plan, and if any additional prep work or testing is required before you have surgery.
It’s also a good idea to go over the Tummy Tuck Recovery Must-Haves checklist to ensure you have everything you need during the recovery phase.
Additional Procedures or Alternatives May Be Recommended
In addition to the nuances of the operation, you may also discuss other related procedures that could also help you achieve your goals. It may make sense for you to consider a combination of two or three procedures while you are in the operating room so that you have only one recovery period.
Popular adjuncts include breast augmentation and/or lifting, as well as liposuction or labiaplasty.
Examination & Measurements
After your initial conversation, your surgeon will examine your abdominal area and take measurements and to further study your needs. Photographs will be taken for reference. We will take note of your skin quality, muscle tone, and subcutaneous fat, and examine for existing scars or underlying hernias.
Review Before & After Photos
Your surgeon’s team will share before and after photos with you to showcase our results and why our patients are so pleased after surgery! We do our best to show images similar to your body type and appearance, so you have a reasonable sense of what you can expect.
What To Focus On When Viewing Tummy Tuck Before & Afters:
- Belly Button: Be sure to notice the feminine umbilical shapes and how hard it is to find the umbilical scars.
- Incision Placement: Notice how low the incisions are placed so that low-cut jeans and underwear will still hide them.
- Flanks: Check out how nicely the flanks curve in before the hips curve out for a nice, hourglass silhouette.
Safety Is Our Top Priority
Your board-certified plastic surgeon will go over your medical records to confirm that you are a good candidate for surgery. They may ask you for further information and may want to contact your primary care physician. You may be asked to follow through with a referral to a specialist or have basic labwork completed. No stone should be left unturned throughout this phase of the process.
Pricing, Financing & Scheduling
The final part of your consultation is a meeting with our Patient Experience Team. Together, you will discuss tummy tuck pricing and scheduling to match your lifestyle, as well as the logistics surrounding the preparation, transportation, lodging and aftercare.
Donaldson Plastic Surgery offers flexible financing, and we will be happy to explain the options in great detail. We invite you to visit our financing page if you’re interested in learning more about credit and payment.
About The Author
Jeffrey Donaldson, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Columbus, Ohio. Throughout his tenure, he has performed hundreds of successful tummy tuck surgeries. He remains dedicated to his mission to obtain the highest quality results using the most modern surgical techniques with minimal scarring. Dr. Donaldson believes that knowledge is a crucial pillar of self-confidence and continues to publish articles to shed light on different areas of the procedures he performs.
