A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that makes the abdomen thinner. This cosmetic procedure involves the removal of excess skin and fats from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the abdomen muscles. Unfortunately, some people have stubborn body fat that just does not respond to exercises and diets. A very common example of this is pregnancy fat, along with stretched and sagging skin. Luckily, you can get rid of this stubborn fat with medical assistance, by opting for a tummy tuck.
People often confuse this procedure with liposuction, but the two are different. Liposuction removes small fats from the hips, bottom, stomach, and thighs, whereas abdominoplasty is a procedure for removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen to tighten the abdominal muscles. However, you can choose to get liposuction done during abdominoplasty, as well.
Before finalizing the abdominoplasty procedure, here are five things you must consider:
The tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that, like any other surgery, requires some time to heal. The surgery could leave the patients fatigued, sore, swollen, and aching for the first few days. For the first week after surgery, the patient will need to maintain a flexed waist (bent-over) position while standing, sitting and lying down. During the second week if drains are used they will typically be removed. Typically patients will take up to two weeks of work to give patients time to recover. After two weeks, there will still be restrictions on activity with light walking activity recommended at 4 weeks. Most patients are unrestricted by 2 months.
A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss technique, so don’t use it for that purpose. A tummy tuck will not result in a drastic decrease in your weight. In fact, some patients are advised to lose weight before the procedure to achieve an optimal result. Ideally you want to be at a stable weight for a few months before your surgery to ensure the maximum skin removal. Without a the excess skin on the belly many patients find it is easier to exercise and maintain their weight post-surgery.
A tummy tuck will leave a scar along the abdomen. The size and location of the scar depends upon they type of tummy tuck (mini, traditional, fleur de lis, or extended). But in case of the traditional tummy tuck, the scars stretch from hip to hip. Doctors try their best to hide these scars though it’s not always possible. The type of surgery that makes an incision from hip to hip is called a full tummy tuck.
Scars also depend upon the size of the incision. Some people want to remove a little excess skin and fats and hence opt for a mini tummy tuck. The incision leaves a scar a little longer than a C-section scar. Similar to a c-section scar, the scar will fade drastically over time and be well hidden by a normal bikini.
Ensure you find a qualified plastic surgeon for your procedure. In many cases, liposuction is combined with a tummy tuck to create curves and body contour.
A tummy tuck helps people feel more confident. But tummy tucks aren’t just limited to their cosmetic benefits! They also have health benefits. Tummy tucks can help with urinary incontinence, which is a condition where you lose control over your urinary sphincter. People who deal with rectus diastasis, a partial or complete separation of the rectus abdominis, can regain core stability after a tummy tuck. The procedure also helps with back pain and bloating.
A tummy tuck is no small procedure, so it's important to know these things before you decide to get one. Ensure you have time to properly recover, and also remember it will take time for your abdomen to completely heal.
While a tummy tuck is a very common and safe procedure, it’s important to be educated about the various complications involved. Hence, it’s vital that you consult the right doctor and take both pre-surgery and post-surgery precautions.
