Tummy Tuck in North Carolina: Cost, BMI requirement, Results*

There has been a surge popularity of bariatric surgery with remarkable results and effective means of massive weight loss. This 45-year-old woman underwent gastric sleeve 5 years ago and lost over 90 pounds in just over a year and a half. She was left with significant loose skin and pannus and wished to have improvements in her abdomen and flanks. Her body mass index was currently just over 30 and she had been refused by some surgeons because of her weight. Dr. Lyle will do abdominoplasty in patients with BMI between 30 and 35 provided they are otherwise very healthy without significant health problems. This patient underwent abdominoplasty with some liposuction of the flanks and was very pleased with her results. Cost of tummy tuck is also a concern and ranges between just over $9000 up to $13,000 depending on the amount of liposuction performed. Liposuction is not advised in all abdominoplasty operations but certainly does enhance the results. This patient was a former smoker so conservative liposuction was felt in her best interest. Generally liposuction done at the time of tummy tuck can be safe for the properly selected patient. Dr. Lyle frequently uses the Vaser device-which uses ultrasonic energy to disrupt the fat cells especially in tough areas such as the flank. Dr. Lyle utilizes intraop Exparel for postoperative pain management to provide the safest environment for this outpatient surgery.