Question 1

Length of Surgery:

Accepted Answer

The procedure takes between 2 and 5 hours depending on the patient’s anatomy, and is performed in the hospital under general anesthesia.  An overnight stay will depend on individual medical condition and extent of surgery.

Question 2

Expected Recovery:

Accepted Answer

Full recovery occurs over 6 months to a year.  Most patients are able to return to work within about 2 weeks, while 6 weeks are required, before return to strenuous activity or lifting.

Question 3

Common Side Effects:

Accepted Answer

Redness, drainage, swelling, temporary pain, numbness of the abdominal skin, bruising, fatigue (which may last several months), changes in the shape or location of the umbilicus.

Question 4

How do I make an appointment for a consultation?

Accepted Answer

Contact the office of the Northern Center for Plastic Surgery at (201)820-5280 to schedule an appointment.

Question 5

Surgical Risks:

Accepted Answer

Risks include bleeding, infection, hematoma, seroma, changes in skin sensation, scarring, damage to underlying structures, contour deformity at lateral wound margins, loss of umbilicus, unsatisfactory results requiring additional surgery.Dr. Capuano consistently achieves excellent results with abdominoplasty.  He is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and he would be happy to discuss your options if you are thinking about a tummy tuck.

Question 6

Will my tummy tuck results look natural, or will there be visible scarring?

Accepted Answer

Our board-certified surgeons use advanced techniques to place incisions strategically—typically along the lower abdomen where clothing can conceal the scar—and work to minimize visibility over time. Scars naturally fade and mature over 12–18 months as your body heals. While some scarring is unavoidable with any surgical procedure, our state-of-the-art facilities and surgeons' expertise help optimize healing and aesthetic outcomes. During your consultation, we'll discuss realistic expectations, scar management techniques, and answer all your questions about results.

Question 7

Can a tummy tuck be covered under insurance?

Accepted Answer

If it is a simple tummy tuck for diastasis recti and skin laxity the unfortunate answer is, no.  Current research is pointing in the direction of tummy tucks aiding in the relief from postpartum back pain and incontinence.  More research and proof needs to be conducted for the possiblity to ever present itself to insurance companies.

Question 8

What is the benefit of drains post tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

At the time of surgery Dr. Capuano places two drains along the incision line of where the tummy tuck was performed.  There is only need for one drain though the other drain acts as a back up drain in the event one of the drains fails for some reason.  The benefit of these drains is so that you don't have fluid build up in your abdomen post surgery.  Our tissue weeps post injury and fluid which is filled with white blood cells can flood the area, this is a natural phenomena, though for healing purposes, this fluid is better out then in, that is why we use the drains, to avoid this fluid backup from causing something called a seroma.

Question 9

Can a tummy tuck help with my lower back pain?

Accepted Answer

A tummy tuck with muscle plication has been proven through patient evaluation post surgery, to help with lower back pain.  The reason behind this is that having a strong core helps take pressure from the back muscles, so you have more balance in the front and back.

Question 10

What should I expect from my consultation?

Accepted Answer

Our consultations are thorough.  They usually take about an hour but if you have more questions, they can take longer and if you are interested in more information, Dr. Capuano is always happy to provide each patient with the information they may find uselful in order to make the right decision for themselves.  Below is a run down of a consultation:1. Intake-meet with Caitlin at our front desk, she will greet you, take your information and make sure to get you in to seee the doctor as quickly as possible.2. In the exam room you will meet with both Courtney who is our medical assistant, she will take photos of your areas of concern and ask you some basic questions regarding your medical history and areas of concern. 3. Our Patient Care Coordinator, Kim will be meeting with you and Dr. Capuano to help facilitate any further questions you may have.  4. Dr. Capuano will make his debut and let you know how he can best help you achieve your goals.  5. Kim-our patient care coordinator will create your quote and explain to you, your financial responsibility.

Question 11

Does a tummy tuck hurt?

Accepted Answer

A tummy tuck is considered major surgery.  It is not a benign event, yes, it does hurt.  We have many ways to keep a patient's pain on a scale of 1-10, ten being the worst pain ever at a four versus a ten during the healing process, certain pain meds like Exparil, which is delivered at the time of the surgery are one of the ways we do this.  As a result, our patients are able to rest and heal quicker.  Intense pain can last up to 72 hours without pain meds, it is important that a patient is monitored and does not try to see the pain through as it is more difficult to control pain when it is in excess.  Keeping our office privvy to how you feel will make your journey much easier and allow for an easier recovery.

Question 12

What is the cost of a tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

A thorough evaulation with Dr. Capuano is necessary, but an average tummy tuck with Dr. Capuano can range from $13,000-$15,000 USD plus additional supplies and Operating Room and Anesthesia fees.

Question 13

I am 5'4 148 pounds, my abdomen is protruding considerable and I have rolls on my back and it is tough to distinguish my butt from my back.  Should I get a tummy tuck, Brazilian Butt Lift or just Liposuction?

Accepted Answer

Hello and thank you for the question.  A thorough examination by Dr. Capuano is an important first step.  This will allow your Dr. Capuano to decide if your abdominal area is protruding due to a common post-pregnancy condition called Diastasis Recti or if it is due solely to excess subcutaneous fat in the area. If you have laxity of your abdominal fascia or excess skin, a tummy tuck would be the most appropriate procedure for you.  During a tummy tuck, your excess skin can be excised and your fascia can be plicated, cinching your abdominal wall together like an internal corset.  Liposuction alone, will not address skin or fascial laxity, but can be used if you have a thick sheet of fat beneath your skin.  Liposuction in the flank area can reduce the lower back fat and enhance the curvature of your buttocks.  If you feel that your buttocks has enough projection, liposuction alone in the right areas can often provide you with great curves without the need for fat grafting.  If you desire more projection, some of the fat which is liposuctioned, can be used to enhance projection of the buttocks. Dr. Capuano does not recommend fat grafting to the buttocks at the same time as a tummy tuck because post operative routines for tummy tuck and fat grafting to the buttocks are contradictory to one another, and have the potential to compromise results.  For the best tummy tuck evaluation and results, Dr. Capuano is your go to plastic surgeon.

Question 14

How long does it take for the bellybutton to heal post tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

Bellybuttons make the slowest progress in terms of healing.  They usually take up to a year to settle out and look like a normal bellybutton again.  Dr. Capuano's bellybuttons are very well constructed, he takes great care when reconstructing one's bellybutton during tummy tuck surgery.

Question 15

What results can I expect from a Tummy Tuck?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Capuano has helped countless Bergen County residents and those traveling from other areas to achieve wonderful results. His aadvanced body contouring procedures help Bergen County residents achieve their ideal shape.

Question 16

How long after a tummy tuck can I return to exercise and normal activities?

Accepted Answer

Recovery timelines vary based on the extent of your procedure and your individual healing. Most patients can resume light walking within 1–2 weeks and gradually increase activity over 6–8 weeks, though strenuous exercise and heavy lifting typically require 6–8 weeks or longer. Your surgeon will provide specific post-operative guidelines at your consultation and monitor your progress during follow-up visits. Rushing recovery can compromise your results, so following post-operative instructions carefully is essential for optimal healing and aesthetic outcomes.

Question 17

Can I combine my tummy tuck with other body contouring procedures?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many patients choose to combine abdominoplasty with complementary procedures like liposuction, breast surgery, or body lift for comprehensive results. Combining procedures can be efficient and cost-effective, though your board-certified surgeon will evaluate your health and goals during a consultation to determine the safest approach. Recovery timelines and final results depend on which procedures are performed together. We encourage discussing all options with our experienced surgical team to create a customized plan tailored to your body and aesthetic goals. However, our surgeons do not combine complex breast procedures like large reductions or lifts with full abdominoplasties for two reasons: one the incidence of clots in the legs post operatively increases significantly when the two procedures are combined and second when both are performed at the same time they are pulling in opposing directions which can compromise results.

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