split abs--how much is a tummy tuck?

[Anonymous]

I am very fit and pretty thin but my stomach muscles are about 2+finger widths apart now, which is super annoying. when i have to pee, am full, etc it sticks out. Is a tummy tuck what you get for that? If so, what does it cost in DC in 2009??

[Anonymous]

Yes. Mine was $8,000 (had it done in Annapolis though)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Mine was $8,000 (had it done in Annapolis though)

did you have split abs? Did it make your stomach stick out? How is it now?

[Anonymous]

You may have a hernia, which means the operation will be covered by insurance. See a plastic surgeon.

[Anonymous]

bump!

[Anonymous]

Go see Dr. Feledy at Belmont Plastic Surgery
He is also a reconstructive surgeon. Very fair priced, will negotiate with you. Will help to see if insurance will cover it.

[Anonymous]

I would not count on insurance covering it unless you have a pannus of skin that hangs below the pubes (like people who've had gastric bypass or lost a significant amount of weight). I researched insurance coverage extensively. I did have a hernia, but my insurance would have sent me to a general surgeon to repair the hernia which is NOT the same as a tummy tuck, although the hernia can easily be repaired with a stitch during the tummy tuck. It didn't make sense for me to go through 2 anesthesias, so opted to pay for the tummy tuck and the hernia was repaired at the same time (no additional cost).
I had a multiple pregnancy followed by 2 more pregnanices very close together that left my muscles pretty stretched out and weak, so I had a pouch that made me look 4 months pregnant no matter what I did and excess skin. My stomach now is as flat as a washboard, although the tradeoff is some pretty bad scarring. I am happy that I did it, although it was a very difficult recovery for me.

[Anonymous]

I will also add that tuckthattummy and makemeheal are great websites if you are really looking into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not count on insurance covering it unless you have a pannus of skin that hangs below the pubes (like people who've had gastric bypass or lost a significant amount of weight). I researched insurance coverage extensively. I did have a hernia, but my insurance would have sent me to a general surgeon to repair the hernia which is NOT the same as a tummy tuck, although the hernia can easily be repaired with a stitch during the tummy tuck. It didn't make sense for me to go through 2 anesthesias, so opted to pay for the tummy tuck and the hernia was repaired at the same time (no additional cost).
I had a multiple pregnancy followed by 2 more pregnanices very close together that left my muscles pretty stretched out and weak, so I had a pouch that made me look 4 months pregnant no matter what I did and excess skin. My stomach now is as flat as a washboard, although the tradeoff is some pretty bad scarring. I am happy that I did it, although it was a very difficult recovery for me.

Insurance will not cover this situation unless there is a health condition associated -- like skin ulcers.

[Anonymous]

Not OP but if it's split abs or a hernia, is there any harm in not doing anything about it?

[Anonymous]

A hernia does need to be fixed. Again, that doesn't require a tummy tuck in order to fix it. A general rather than plastic surgeon can do it. I don't think there is much risk related to split abs, but you loose a lot of core support when they are split.

[Anonymous]

I will be getting a tummy tuck because my stomach muscles sit BESIDE my stomach. {on either side}. It causes lower back pain and my hip muscles make my hips go in and out of place. {I have had to go to physical therapy twice already}. My problem now is that I also have gained a lot of weight after the last pregnancy so not sure if anyone will touch me for surgery just yet.