A tummy tuck, also called an abdominoplasty, removes extra fat and skin from the lower abdomen to create a flat, smooth belly. It also may involve suturing the abominable muscles together that may have separated during pregnancy.
Tummy Tuck surgery is popular for women who have been pregnant and have loose skin in the abdomen. It’s also a good choice for men and women who have had significant weight loss. Some women pair this popular procedure with liposuction and get both done at once.
Are you wondering if a tummy tuck is an option to consider? There are lots of questions to ask considering tummy tuck. Below are the most common questions about tummy tuck procedures.
How Long Do Tummy Tucks Last?
A tummy tuck surgery is considered a permanent procedure in that the excess fat cells and excess skin that are removed cannot come back. Also, the internal sutures that your plastic surgeon places to mend the stomach muscles together will stay in place permanently.
But remember that significant weight changes can cause the abdominal skin and tissue around your abdominal muscles to lose elasticity, which can cause more sagging. Gaining a lot of weight can make the fat cells remaining to get bigger.
To keep your results, remember to maintain a stable weight in the future.
Also, pregnancy after a tummy tuck can loosen the skin again and affect the repaired abdominal muscles.
What Are The Risks Of A Tummy Tuck?
The chances of having a severe tummy tuck complication are low if you use an experienced, board-certified surgeon. But the risks of a tummy tuck are higher than with other plastic surgeries.
Some of the most significant complications to discuss with your surgeon are infection, bleeding, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Any abdominal surgery can cause a blood clot; the risk of a DVT is that the clot can break loose and get to the lungs or heart, a life-threatening situation.
Other potential risks are:
- Fluid retention or buildup under the abdominal skin
- Slow healing of the incision
- Color changes or numbness in the abdominal skin
- Significant scarring
- Poor tummy tuck result, requiring more plastic surgery
- Pain that lasts for months
How Do I Get The Best Tummy Tuck Results?
You can improve your tummy tuck results and reduce the risks by talking about the plastic surgery procedure in detail with your plastic surgeon. Some of the things you can do to enhance results include:
- If you smoke, it’s vital to quit before you have plastic surgery. Also, not smoking during your recovery will reduce complications and improve the healing process.
- If you have diabetes, it’s essential to have the condition controlled before you have a tummy tuck.
- If you are pregnant, don’t have a tummy tuck until you have your baby.
- A tummy tuck surgery doesn’t replace losing weight and exercise, so get close to your ideal weight before the procedure.
- Inform your plastic surgeon about all herbal supplements and medications you take. You can reduce bleeding risks by not taking some of these before and after plastic surgery.
Some women have a tummy tuck surgeries with their mommy makeover, but this depends on the person’s situation. It is also important to remember that tummy tucks are not tailored to address the problem of stretch marks.
How Much Pain Will I Have From A Tummy Tuck?
Plastic surgeons will tell you that tummy tuck is a serious surgery. You should be ready for about one or two months of recovery. You could experience mild to moderate pain during this period. In a few cases, sensory abnormalities and pain can persist for months or years, but this is rare.
Some ways to prevent or reduce pain during recovery include:
- Stay physically active: Continue to do practical daily tasks as you recover, including walking around the home; this will reduce the chances of blood clots.
- Don’t do strenuous exercise: You will have many stitches after your surgery, so don’t engage in vigorous exercise for at least four to six weeks after surgery. But remember to maintain your fitness level by walking and doing other light activities as you recover.
- Don’t smoke: Smoking affects the body’s ability to heal, and this can cause problems with your incision. Plastic surgeons will always tell every patient that it is important to stop smoking when undergoing cosmetic surgery.
What Happens If I Don’t Wear A Pressure Garment After A Tummy Tuck?
You need to wear a compression garment after the procedure so your skin adheres to your new contours; this also reduces swelling and pain. This goes for a tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck as well.
If you don’t wear it regularly, you could cause stress to your sutures that can cause tearing or breakage. Remember to follow your surgeon’s instructions to wear this compression garment per his or her recommendations. You plastic surgeon will give you detailed instructions to follow at your tummy tuck consultation.
How Many Sizes Can I Lose With A Tummy Tuck?
How many sizes depends on your size when you had the procedure and how your body adapts afterward.
Most women can lose two or three sizes after a tummy tuck surgery, but some patients can lose more. If you had a lot of excess skin, it’s possible to lose four pant sizes or more.
Why Do I Still Have a Large Stomach After A Tummy Tuck?
If you have this problem, talk to your plastic surgeon. It’s possible that you were too active after the procedure, and the repaired stomach muscles have stretched.
To see what may be causing the issue, lie on your back. If you have a flat stomach, you may need to have the stomach muscles tightened in revision surgery. But if your belly sticks out, you probably need to lose weight.
What Impacts the Cost of a Tummy Tuck?
The cost of tummy tuck varies based on surgeon’s experience, procedure type, and location. Health insurance usually doesn’t cover it, but financing options are available through plastic surgeons.
Request a Tummy Tuck Consultation
Considering a tummy tuck surgery or a mini tummy tuck? Are there tummy tuck questions on your mind? Dr. Smita. R. Ramanadham can help you obtain the results you want with this popular procedure. At your tummy tuck consultation, Dr. Ramanadham will go over your tummy tuck preparation, options, goals, and more to determine if you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck surgery.
You won’t regret your decision!
References
Tummy Tuck Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tummy-tuck/about/pac-20384892#’
Tummy Tuck Procedure Steps. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/tummy-tuck/procedure
Tummy Tuck Procedure and Risks. (n.d.). Accessed at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11017-abdominoplasty-tummy-tuck