When it comes to getting a tummy tuck, many people want to know how long the entire process will take. From the time you arrive at the surgery center until you are dismissed and able to go home, what is the timeline?
In this blog post, we will give you a detailed breakdown of what happens during a tummy tuck procedure and how long each step will take. Keep reading to learn more!
The Check-In Process
When you arrive for your tummy tuck procedure, you will first need to check in with the front desk. This process usually only takes a few minutes. Once you are checked in, you will be asked to wait in the waiting room until it is time to get prepped for your surgery.
The Pre-Op Stage
Once you have been checked in, a nurse will take you back to the pre-operative area, where you will be asked to change into a surgical gown. After changing into your gown, the surgeon will come in to meet with you and mark the areas of your abdomen that will be treated during surgery. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour, depending on how complex the procedure is and what things you need to discuss.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Once the surgeon has finished marking the areas to be treated, you will be taken into the operating room where anesthesia will be administered. The type of anesthesia used for a tummy tuck procedure is typically general anesthesia, which means that you will be asleep for the duration of surgery.
Once you are asleep, the surgeon will make an incision in the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area. Through this incision, the surgeon will access the underlying abdominal muscles and tissue.
The next step is to tighten these muscles and remove any excess skin and fat. Once the desired results have been achieved, the incisions will be closed with sutures. This usually takes around three hours.
Does some of this sound similar to lipo? Read: Are Tummy Tucks and Lipo the Same Thing?
After Surgery
After your tummy tuck procedure is complete, you will be taken to a recovery room where you will be closely monitored as you wake up from anesthesia. Once you are awake and alert, you will be moved to your own room and remain in the hospital for at least one day.
So, how long a tummy tuck takes from start to finish is about one to two days, depending on how many days you remain in the hospital. However, the surgery for your tummy tuck in Tijuana should only take about three hours.