Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is one of the most popular aesthetic plastic surgery procedures. Every year men and women choose this surgery to sculpt the abdomen and remove excess skin and fat.
If you’re considering tummy tuck surgery and currently researching your options, you probably have an ever-growing list of questions. The following information answers the top seven questions about tummy tuck surgery to help you decide whether this procedure is right for you.
Top 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tuck Surgery
1. Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Ideal candidates for abdominoplasty include men and women who want to remove excess abdominal skin and fat. These cosmetic concerns may be caused by the following factors:
- Weight fluctuations
- Pregnancy
- Aging
- Genetics
Ideal candidates should also be in good general health and within 25 pounds of their target weight. Women who are planning on getting pregnant should postpone tummy tuck surgery until they’ve finished having children, as pregnancy may reverse the effects of tummy tuck surgery.
2. Will Tummy Tuck Surgery Help Me Lose Weight?
Tummy tuck surgery is not a weight loss procedure and should not be performed on people who are significantly overweight. While the surgery does remove localized fat from the abdomen, it is a body contouring procedure. This means that your shape will be slimmer, and your clothes will probably fit you better, but the surgery will not result in significant weight loss.
3. Can I Have a Mini-Tummy Tuck Instead of Full Abdominoplasty?
There are two main types of abdominoplasty: partial abdominoplasty (“mini-tummy tuck”) and complete abdominoplasty. Some patients initially want to undergo a mini-tummy tuck simply to avoid having a longer scar. This may not be possible based on your degree of abdominal sagging and fat deposits.
True candidates for partial abdominoplasty are those rare individuals who only require surgery of the area below the navel. The procedure is not offered simply as a less-invasive alternative to complete abdominoplasty. Most patients are best treated with the complete abdominoplasty. Dr. Pugash will help you determine which procedure would best suit your needs.
4. What Exactly Can Tummy Tuck Surgery Do for Me?
Tummy tuck surgery can remove localized fat from the abdomen and excise drooping skin. It can also repair abdominal muscles that have separated due to pregnancy or other factors. It restores a more youthful and fit appearance to the abdomen.
5. How Is Tummy Tuck Surgery Performed?
Abdominoplasty typically begins with liposuction to reduce localized fat deposits. Then, a hip-to-hip incision is made across the lower abdomen, passing above the pubic area. This incision allows the abdominal apron to be pulled up, so the surgeon can access deeper tissues. Once the abdominal apron is lifted the surgeon can tighten separated abdominal muscles with stitches. Excess skin is excised, and fat deposits are removed, and then the incision is sutured back together. The belly button is brought out through a new opening in its original position, resulting in a scar around it.
6. What Is Recovery Like After Tummy Tuck Surgery?
The overall recovery process from tummy tuck surgery usually lasts six to eight weeks. For the first week you will experience moderate discomfort and a feeling of tightness in your abdomen. You will be required to wear a post-surgical compression garment for the first four weeks. This helps control swelling and fluid retention in the weeks following your surgery. It also helps your abdomen take on its newly sculpted shape.
Most patients return to work and regular daily activities within three to four weeks. Exercise and vigorous physical activity will need to be avoided for eight weeks to allow the repaired muscles to heal.
7. How Long Do the Results of Tummy Tuck Surgery Last?
The results of tummy tuck surgery are very long lasting. Patients who maintain a healthy lifestyle can expect their results to last for many years. Becoming pregnant or gaining a significant amount of weight can negatively affect your results. For these reasons it’s recommended that people seeking abdominoplasty are close to their ideal weight and are not planning a future pregnancy.
Tummy tuck surgery can restore the physique that age, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations have altered. If you’d like to learn more, contact plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Pugash today to schedule your personal consultation for abdominoplasty.