Dr. Remus Repta, Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon of Scottsdale, answers the questions that you, the public, have submitted. Dr. Repta and Arizona Foothills Magazine are excited to help bridge the void between the curious public and the expert for safe, informative, and real answers.
If you want your plastic surgery questions answered next, contact us at askthesurgeon@azfoothills.com.
Q. I’m currently educating myself on this process of plastic surgery. I have only been to one consultation, a few more upcoming, but just in one consultation, I’ve learned the recovery process for a tummy tuck/lipo is two weeks maybe three weeks. As a working single Mom, I can’t take that extended time off from work. What are other alternatives with minimal recovery? I can handle a week maybe a week and half of time off.
A. The amount of time needed to recover from a tummy tuck will vary for each individual as well as the type of tummy tuck procedure performed. There are about eight different types of tummy tuck procedures available based largely on the amount and location of skin looseness. Most women seeking a tummy tuck are candidates for a full tummy tuck and have loose skin at and below the belly button secondary to having children. This group of patients also have loose abdominal wall (muscles) after pregnancy and therefore benefit from abdominal wall tightening (muscle repair) during the tummy tuck procedure. Its often the tightening of the abdominal wall that results in the discomfort and recovery time. To help with this I have started using a numbing medication during surgery that lasts about 4 days. Regardless, most patients who undergo a full tummy tuck need close to two weeks before they feel comfortable returning to work. In addition, patients should refrain from lifting greater than about ten pounds the first four weeks after their surgery. This often requires moms with young children to arrange for some help. I think a 1 to 1.5 week recovery time period is doable but you will not be 100% by the end of that time period and will still likely benefit from some additional help.
All the best,
Q. Is there a certain weight that you need to be to have a breast reduction ?
A. A breast reduction procedure is designed to reduce the size and weight of the breast but also to shape and rejuvenate its appearance. Some insurance companies will cover breast reduction surgery if certain criteria are met. In general, breast reduction surgery does not have a specific weight requirement for the patient. The higher the BMI (body mass index) the more healing problems that can be run into but it is rarely something that prevents patients from having surgery. More importantly, however, is how stable the weight is. You should be close to your goal weight and stable before having breast reduction surgery. In doing so, the final breast size and shape can be controlled better by your surgeon.
All the best,
For more information on Dr. Repta at AAA Plastic Surgery, click here.
For more information on Dr. Repta’s tummy tuck and body contouring procedures, click here.
To ‘Ask the Surgeon’ yourself, email askthesurgeon@azfoothills.com (all inquiries will remain confidential). The top questions will be featured in each month’s “Q&A Ask The Plastic Surgeon” featured blog.
