Abdominal Plastic Surgery: Tummy Tuck
Affectionately known as a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and extra skin from the abdominal area, as the name implies. In many cases the procedure will also restore weak muscles in the abdominal region, creating a firmer look and flatter appearance.
Maintaining washboard abs is something many of us pursue through vigorous training and exercise. Unfortunately, sometimes these methods are simple not enough to achieve or desired appearance. Many factors can make our goal nearly unachievable such as genetic conditions, a large weight loss, pregnancy, or aging.
As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, you should strive to have realistic expectations. Just like with liposuction, a tummy tuck surgery is not a substitute for a weight loss and fitness program. It’s important that your weight be relatively stable before undergoing a tummy tuck surgery. Significant fluctuations in your weight can negatively affect the results of the surgery and diminish what should be a permanent outcome. If you are on a weight loss regimen and you are still losing weight, a tummy tuck should not be performed until you have reached your goal weight and stabilized. Furthermore, a tummy tuck will not eliminate stretch marks but it may reduce them somewhat if they are in the immediate location of the surgery area (on the skin that will be removed).
If you feel you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck plastic surgery, you will have to find a Los Angeles plastic surgeon. Your plastic surgery doctor will have to evaluate you. They may examine your abdomen while you are standing or lying flat. They will access the loose skin and determine the amount of excess fat in the abdominal area. They will also evaluate the state of your abdominal muscles. You will have to be completely open and forthright with the plastic surgery doctor. You will be asked many questions about your medical history, allergies etc, and your lifestyle. You also must be honest about your expected outcome of the tummy tuck and why you want the procedure.
Plastic surgery costs can be quite substantial. A tummy tuck surgery may be covered by your insurance company depending on your circumstances and your policy. Generally the procedure is not covered by major medical health insurance, however if a hernia procedure is required and done simultaneously, that portion of the surgery may be covered.
As with any plasticsurgery, a tummy tuck carries risks. Your plastic surgeon will discuss the risks with you in detail and you will have to sign consent forms stating you understand the risks. Some of the serious risks are blood clots, anesthesia complication risks, wound separation, leg swelling, pulmonary or cardiac issues, or infection. Aesthetic risks are undesired scars, asymmetrical appearance, skin discoloring, looseness of skin, or skin loss.
In general, the incisions for a tummy tuck are located just above the pubic area. The length of the incision is dependent upon the quantity of loose skin to be excised. The shape of the incision depends on your body type. Your cosmetic plastic surgeon will attempt to keep the incision with swimsuit coverage areas. Sometime a second incision is required if there is loose skin above the navel area. Excess skin around the navel will be removed. Skin containing stretch marks in the lower abdomen may also be removed. Stretch marks may be reduced somewhat but as mentioned earlier you should not expect a substantial improvement in stretch mark appearance. The muscles themselves may also be tightened using sutures. Liposuction may also be done in conjunction with a tummy tuck.
Following your tummy tuck, fluid may collect under the skin. You may have to return to your plastic surgery center several times to have this fluid removed. You certainly should follow all advice and suggestions given by your plastic surgery doctor to minimize the risk factors. The procedure may be done as an outpatient type, so you will have to have someone accompany you to your Los Angeles area plastic surgery center to drive you home and care for you for a day or two following your surgery.
The day following your procedure, you will likely be asked to take short walks to promote blood circulation. You most likely will have trouble standing up completely straight. You should avoid sitting for extended periods during the first few days after the surgery. Extended bending, lifting, and straining should all be avoided for several days at least. These activities may cause swelling or bleeding. You may be asked to sleep on your back and prop up your knees with a blanket or pillow. You will have to return to your cosmetic surgeon within the first week for draining of any accumulated fluids and dressing changes. Within two weeks all your stitches will likely be removed. Swelling will be apparent. Bruising will also likely be noticeable. Both of these conditions are normal. They should dissipate within a few weeks. Numbness may also occur and unfortunately could last for many months.
Of course recovery time can vary greatly from patient to patient, but you should be able to do most light activities in one to three weeks. Usually most normal activities can be resumed with a few weeks after your tummy tuck. You may still experience pain or swelling during your recovery period, that is expected. Notify your surgeon of any severe pain.
Results also vary between patients. The contour of your body should be improved and your abdomen should appear flatter and firmer, this should provide added confidence that fitness regiments did not. Incision marks will fade day by day but will still be visible. Some people will have more prominent lines from the surgical incisions. You results from your plastic surgery tummy tuck should be permanent barring any drastic weight fluctuations. A boost in your self image should be permanent as well.