Planning for the Procedure
Before you come in for your treatment, it’s important you put good plans in place. This means you should make preparations regarding:
Payment for Surgery: Tummy tucks are considered elective by insurance companies, and you should not expect even partial coverage. Elective surgeries must be paid in full before the procedure. However, there are third-party financing options to consider, offering affordable monthly payments for those who qualify. If you need help finding the right companies to help you, our office staff are happy to provide the companies we participate with. Be sure to check out the financing section of our website.
Get Time Off Work or School: The tummy tuck requires considerable healing time. You may need to take several weeks off work to recover fully, so you will need to make appropriate arrangements. Depending on the type of tummy tuck and your exact situation, the exact amount of time will vary. Dr. Schulman will be able to advise you about your required recovery time so you can make pre-arrangements with work or school.
Enlist the Help of a Partner or Loved One: In addition to help getting home on the day of surgery, you will also need someone to help you out around the house during recovery. This is especially critical if you have children at home. Too much activity too soon after surgery, can damage the internal sutures and cause significant complications and affect your cosmetic results. Dr. Schulman and his staff will guide you during the recovery period and let you know when you can begin increasing activities.
Fill Any Prescriptions: You will be given prescriptions for pain medication and antibiotics. Take the time to fill them ahead of the surgery so that you don’t have to worry about it afterward. That way, you can go right home from the procedure (the same day) and rest.
Dr. Schulman will review these instructions with you during both the consultation and pre-operative appointment. If you have any questions, it’s a good idea to write them down so you can ask them during your pre-op appointment.