The stomach is one of the first areas to suffer after weight loss or birth. This often underused area can only suffer so much abuse before it is beyond natural repair. Fortunately, a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that can help repair the midsection. The surgery is able to successfully remove excess skin, some stretch marks and cellulite, as well as tighten and tone the muscle. Although abdominoplasty procedures have dramatic results, they can be very intense and require a large commitment and recovery period.Common cosmetic procedures that are combined include thigh lifts, full lower body lift, and liposuction. Many surgeons find it helpful to employ a degree of liposuction in order to achieve the desired results. The extensive incision area and the subsequent soreness from an abdominoplasty will cause some great discomfort and pain immediately after surgery. Many patients need at least two weeks before they can return to work and mild activities while some may even need four weeks. It will take a few months before all swelling and discomfort has subsided and more vigorous activities can be resumed.
After pregnancy or after a dramatic loss of weight, the skin in the abdominal area will have lost much of its elasticity and will be removed, with the stretch marks along with it. Any remaining stretch marks will be smoother and less visible. Should I Wait Until I Am Done Having Children Before Having a Tummy Tuck? It is best to wait until after you are done having children.
A tummy tuck is an extensive surgical procedure that not only removes skin but also includes tightening and firming split or loose abdominal muscles. Becoming pregnant after having a tummy tuck means that the re-structuring of your abdomen could be compromised. As the skin that was removed is no longer there to accommodate your growing belly, you could experience new stretch marks or sagging skin and tissue. What if I Gain Weight After Surgery? Moderate to severe weight gain post-surgery is not ideal.
Body contouring is often necessary after a patient has recently lost massive amounts of weight or has gone through a physical trauma such as giving birth. Exercise and diet alone cannot reverse the effects of stretching skin cells beyond their elasticity, causing excess flesh to fold over unappealingly. Muscles can also loose strength and the ability to repair themselves, particularly after the birthing process.
The tummy tuck procedure begins by creating an incision that runs horizontally from hip to hip. Extra fat and tissue is then cut away, as well as any loose skin. Many of the stretch marks and cellulite can be removed between the pubic and navel region. The muscles below are then tightened and repaired with sutures.
Our triple board-certified surgeon, Dr. Lyos, takes a minimalist and precision approach to surgery to reduce stress on your body and speed healing. Liposuction may be performed to removed pockets of excess fat along with the abdominoplasty. How Does a Tummy Tuck Differ from Liposuction? A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin, fat, and tissue, and tighten the abdominal muscles, while liposuction only extracts excess fat. An abdominoplasty may include repositioning the navel, tightening the underlying muscles if they have stretched or split.
The navel is often removed in order to reposition it to a more natural location after the abdominal skin has been tightened. Patients who have less severe excess skin and fat may be eligible for the mini tummy tuck which involves a smaller scar and no need to reposition the belly button. Once excess skin and fat is removed, the abdominal muscles will also be repaired, producing a flatter profile and more sharply appearance. Tummy tuck in Florida is an outpatient procedure, and most patients return home the same day as surgery.
It is best to maintain a healthy weight, so you enjoy the smooth, fit look achieved with a tummy tuck for the long term. Can Other Procedures be Performed at the Same Time? Other procedures can be performed in the same surgical appointment, but these decisions are based upon patient health and safety.
