Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure designed to reshape and tighten the abdomen. Having tummy tuck surgery provides a more contoured abdominal profile and improves the silhouette.
How Does Tummy Tuck Work?
The tummy tuck is a procedure aimed to tighten the abdominal wall muscles and reshape the appearance of the abdomen.
What is Tummy Tuck?
The tummy tuck also known as abdominoplasty, tightens and reshapes the abdominal area by removing extra fat and skin. This procedure can also repair damaged and weakened abdominal muscles and provide long-term results. Tummy tuck is a common procedure for men and women, particularly those whose bodies have experienced dramatic changes like weight loss or pregnancy.
Who Should Get Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a procedure that rejuvenates the abdominal area and removes excess fat and skin. Pregnancy or significant weight loss can cause a loss of shape and a saggy abdomen. Therefore the tummy tuck is often performed after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
Any individual who experiences loose or hanging skin in the abdominal area can be a candidate for tummy tuck surgery.
Pregnancy
If your abdominal muscles and skin are stretched and sagging following pregnancy, you could be a good candidate.
Health
If you are in good general health for a surgical procedure and can tolerate the anesthesia.
Shape
After losing significant amounts of weight, you now have loose excess skin hanging around your belly, or if you are in very good shape but you have always had a belly, you could be a good candidate.
How Many Sizes Do You Lose With a Tummy Tuck?
The surgery is not a method of weight loss. Therefore if you consider the procedure, you should be at your ideal weight.
How Tummy Tuck Is Done?
There are two types of abdominoplasty like mini abdominoplasty and full abdominoplasty. And, both techniques are usually done under a general anaesthetic. Tummy tucks are also technically out-patient procedures. Your cosmetic surgeon will recommend the type of tummy tuck that is suitable for your personal needs and create natural-looking. There can be a confusing discrepancy between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck.
What Is Mini Tummy Tuck?
Mini tummy tuck refers to removing some skin in the lower abdomen without incising around the belly button or tightening the muscles above the belly button. A Mini Tummy Tuck, or partial abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that is less extensive than a full tummy tuck. The procedure tightens the area and removes the lower tummy resistance to diet and exercise.
What Is Full Tummy Tuck?
The surgeon will cut your abdomen from hipbone to hipbone and then contour the skin, tissue, and muscle as needed. The surgery will involve moving your belly button, and you may need drainage tubes under your skin for a few days.
It is important to differentiate a candidate for a mini-tummy tuck from a full tummy tuck because it is difficult to convert a mini-tummy tuck patient to a full tummy tuck after the mini procedure is performed.
Tummy Tuck vs Liposuction
Tummy Tuck and liposuction are different surgical procedures which are both performed by plastic surgeons.
Liposuction removes small fat deposits in the body found on the hips, thighs, bottom, or stomach. As a result, liposuction limits possible improvement if loose skin is present. The best candidates for liposuction are individuals with little to no skin laxity. The abdomen due to redundant skin or stretched muscles may be the best candidate for tummy tuck surgery.
How Long is Tummy Tuck Recovery?
The tummy tuck is one of the top cosmetic procedures performed for men and women. Recovery time varies, depending on the individual factors such as age, general health, type of tummy tuck (extended or mini), and level of post-surgery treatment.
What Happens In Tummy Tuck?
Discomfort is also to be expected, which can be managed with medication. It may take several hours for the anesthesia medication to wear off, so expect to be groggy for a while.
During the recovery time, feeling discomfort, bruising, and swelling is not unusual, but if you begin to experience fever, unusual pain, or redness around the incision site, please contact your surgeon.
As you approach 1 week, you may be able to manage the pain with over-the-counter pain medication. The pain should be minimal after the first week. With your surgeon’s approval, you can gradually return to light daily activities.
You should be ready to return to most aspects of your normal daily activities after a week, but intense exercises, smoking, and drinking alcohol still remain off limits.
If your surgeon approves you can resume exercise during week 3 or 4 after a tummy tuck. If you don’t feel well, it is important to rest.
You can resume strenuous exercise, with approval from your surgeon. You should apply tummy tuck scar treatments to your incision to support healing. The compression garments should continue to be worn.
The tummy tuck recovery time can vary between patients but most patients are ready to return to normal activities 3-6 months after the tummy tuck. Continuing a healthy diet and exercise routine is important to stay fit and well.
How To Stand Up Straight After Tummy Tuck?
It is not advised to stand up straight within the first week of tummy tuck operation. It is important not to strain your abdomen after the abdominoplasty and to try to get back to your old routine slowly. Extreme movements might open up your incision therefore it is important to take it slow during recovery. Until your skin begins to feel more relaxed, you will not be able to sit or stand straight but bend during the first week after your tummy tuck surgery.
How To Sit After a Tummy Tuck?
To achieve effective and fast tummy tuck before and after results, it is important to sit, stand and walk in a certain way. Lifting the knees up and keeping the head and the feet in an elevated position will make it easier for your healing process. Using a recliner after the surgery will also help you maintain a better posture while preventing your incision to heal. Recliner chairs will also make you feel comfortable during the first weeks of your tummy tuck recovery. Please avoid any strenuous activities during the first weeks of your surgery.
How To Reduce Swelling After Tummy Tuck?
It is common to experience swelling after a tummy tuck. Discomfort should ease in 6 weeks when the doctors instructions are followed carefully. Attending all the appointments, eating healthy foods and exercising moderately are important steps you need to follow to help shorten your tummy tuck recovery time. Taking anti-inflammatory medications and wearing a compression garment also helps to accelerate the healing process.
