The Tummy Tuck Process

On the day of the surgery, the patient will be sedated using a general anesthesia. The surgeon will then cut a wide arch across the patient’s lower abdomen. This wide incision spreads from one hipbone to the other across the pubic region. The surgeon will then cut away a large section of skin reaching up to the belly button in some cases.

The skin removed contains stubborn fatty pockets or a pouch, as well as skin damaged in pregnancy or large weight gains and losses. Once the skin is removed, the surgeon will take advantage of the opening to carefully repair any muscle separations noted in the abdominal wall. Using strong stitches, the surgeon will bring the muscles back together. Repairing the muscles makes the abdomen stronger and flatter as well.

Then, the surgeon will dissect the belly button before pulling the exposed edge of the skin down to the original incision. The surgeon will smooth the skin over the abdomen, cut a new space for the belly button and use a serious of staples or stitches to affix the skin of the abdomen to the skin across the hipbones. This creates a smooth, defined waistline that is free of most stretch marks and fatty deposits generally left behind by pregnancy.

Candidates for a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a procedure designed to remove excess skin from the lower abdomen, tighten the muscles and then smooth skin down over the abdomen to create a flatter stomach where there may have been excess skin and fatty pouch previously. In general, most patients seeking a tummy tuck are women, but men may opt for a tummy tuck as well if they have lost significant amounts of weight. Women seeking a tummy tuck should be finished having children. If a woman becomes pregnant after a tummy tuck, she is risking stretching the skin out over her abdomen again and negating any benefits she had from the procedure previously.

While it’s not physically impossible or even dangerous to become pregnant following a tummy tuck, those who do wind up wasting the thousands of dollars spent on the surgery to correct the damage pregnancy left behind by becoming pregnant again.

Weight and Tummy Tucks

A tummy tuck does remove some fat and loose skin, but it is not a weight loss procedure. The tummy tuck is generally only performed on patients who have maintained a steady weight for a long period of time, at minimum six months. Once the tummy tuck is performed, the patient risks stretching the skin again and losing the definition of the flat tummy should she gain large amounts of weight.

Patients seeking a tummy tuck should be able to maintain a healthy weight into the indefinite future. It is permissible, of course, for the patient to lose weight should she want to lose another five or ten pounds, but weight gain will reduce or eliminate any benefits gained from the surgery.

The Tummy Tuck Procedure

In a tummy tuck, the surgeon makes a wide incision across the pubic hair. This incision runs from one hipbone to the next leaving a very noticeable scar when it is healed. The scar can be hidden in most swimsuits and underwear, however. The incision is used to give the surgeon access to the muscles of the abdomen. The surgeon then physically tightens the muscles of the abdomen that have become separated using stitches.

Once any muscle damage has been repaired, the surgeon cuts away the damaged and fatty skin along the bottom and middle of the abdomen. After removing the stretch marks and extra skin, the surgeon will then pull the skin preserved higher on the midsection down to meet the other end the surgery. The belly button will be dissected and repositioned on the belly before the incision closed across the hips. The surgery is complete.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

After the surgery, the recovery process for a tummy tuck can be lengthy. The patient will be required to rest for up to ten days before moderate functions can resume. After fourteen days, the patient will likely be allowed to return to work with some restrictions, but total healing will not be complete for up to six months as the body adjusts to the surgery and the swelling from the procedure diminishes.

When you are getting a tummy tuck completed it will actually remove all of the excess fat and skin in the surrounding areas to help allow the surgeons to tighten the tummy and give it a better shape then it had before. This surgery shouldn’t take too long, but the time frame will vary with each surgical procedure.

To get the best results you could find yourself paying more, but this will vary with the surgeon you select. Even though a surgeon may cost a lot it doesn’t mean they are actually good at what they do. Take the time to review multiple surgeons before settling and actually ask for references for previous surgeries they have completed. This will allow you to get a heads on view of what they’ve done and how the surgery turned out. You don’t want to be left with unsightly scars after the surgery and the better the surgeon the less likely there will be any scars appearing.

A surgical tummy tuck isn’t a procedure that everyone will be able to get, but if you are considering it ensure to do a lot of questioning before you settle. Don’t jump into the surgery until you know it’s your only choice as the recovery may put you out of commission for a little while.

• Surgery can cause a blood clot in the leg and this can obstruct the function of the lung and eventually cause pulmonary embolus. There are instances this might lead to death.
• Tummy tuck swelling is also frequent in some patients where the genital area also becomes swollen. Is some instances the tummy tuck swelling can go on for nearly half an year.
• Post surgery a patient must expect pain. Medication will be provided by the doctor. This can last up to a few weeks.
• Slight injury in the stomach area is also common.

• There maybe bleeding in certain patients. You have to ensure that there is no intense bleeding, and if so a transfusion maybe needed.
• You must be aware of the danger of infection. If pain persists and does not reduce, it maybe the cause of an infection. You must consult with your doctor immediately and inform him that the healing is taking a considerable time.
• You are required to be cautious of the stitches. They may have a tendency to push onto the surface. This must be informed to the doctor.
• There might be some numbness in the stomach area post procedure.
• The scar may take a long time to heal. This can thicken the scar and make it ugly and heavy.
• Skin might be damaged. A skin graft will be necessary instead.
• Your bellybutton might not be in its proper alignment, since it is moved around during procedure this can also happen if care is not taken to fix tummy tuck swelling

You must try to follow all your doctor’s instructions given for the healing process. Be eager to cooperate with your surgeon and do not hesitate to consult your doctor in case any problems occur during the post-operative period. Since in some cases the risk of complications are due to expectations that a patient has about the results of tummy tuck.

It is essential to have realistic expectations and discuss them thoroughly with your doctor prior surgery. They are very seldom when tummy tuck is performed by a skillful and experienced doctor. Still, even a high-skilled doctor cannot change certain aspects that depend upon the patient self. Therefore a good and close cooperation between a surgeon and a patient is vital in order to lower the risk for complications related to abdominoplasty.

Abdominoplasty is performed by two types of procedures.

• Partial abdominoplasty.
• Complete abdominoplasty.

Those who want to rid themselves of excess fat and sagging skin from their lower abdomen can opt to have partial abdominoplasty also known as mini tummy tuck. The characteristics of this type of plastic surgery tummy tuck is quick and lesser invasive operation which renders a shorter post operative period as opposed to a complete abdominoplasty which is performed on people needing intervention in areas above and below the navel.

In performing plastic surgery tummy tuck there are three easy steps that are required. Anesthesia is step one and followed by the first incision in the lower abdomen closer to the pubic hair line. A second incision the area round the belly button is then made and the excessive skin and fat is taken away through the two incisions followed by tightening and repair of the muscles.

Usually complications are not seen or are minimal post operative, and the patient recovers within a short period. Post surgical scaring may disappear within a few weeks. As the patient is unable to stand during the first few days, the results of the operation are not seen. When the patient has recovered after about two weeks it is possible to see the results in a toned and firm abdomen.
When considering plastic surgery tummy tuck certain conditions such as whether the patient is a smoker or has a history of systemic diseases has to be taken into account as these will complicate the procedure.

Each operation will vary in its own way and could take one or two surgeries to complete the entire process. Currently there are two versions of a male tummy tuck which include the mini tuck and the full tuck. The operation will depend on the amount of tucking needing to be done, but the male requesting the tummy tuck will actually need to be in somewhat of a healthy state and be fit before they are given the opportunity for the tummy tuck procedure. This is request as the tuck will not be successful unless the male is already attempting to improve their physical appearance but has some remaining excess skin and fat needing to be removed to finalize their fit physique.

The actual pricing for such a surgery will depend on the amount of work needing done and the type of tummy tuck being completed. When you are a person with a good health and has the ability to fit off diseases and repair your body easily you could find that this procedure is less painful and hard on you. For those that tend to be more affected by illness and have a poor health they could run into complications with the surgery leading them back for further assistance causing the price to go up more.

Male tummy tucks are becoming more common everywhere you look so men can finally feel young and vibrant all over again. Take the time to interview several surgeons before you settle with your decision so you know you are getting the best of the best.

While partial abdominoplasty may not be as costly, it is best to look around before deciding. No abdominoplasty is considered minor, it will cost you in recovery time as well.

Whatever that drives you to want this surgery, the selection of a cosmetic surgeon should be carefully considered after seeing a few of them. You need to feel comfortable with your choice of surgeon as this type of surgery is not to be taken lightly.

Such surgical procedures should never be taken lightly and advisable to have this costly surgical procedure well researched before taking a firm decision. All the information you need including how much it will cost is available on several websites maintained by clinics that undertake and specialize in cosmetic surgery.

You can read through the entire description and gather all the information you need. Remember that prices quoted may differ and will depend on individual need. Consider how long the recovery process will take you and if you can afford to take the time off work. The surgeon will tell you how long to take off. Be clear why you have decided to have this partial tummy tuck and what you want achieved from the procedure. It works best for tightening up after pregnancy or weight loss.

Abdominoplasty also can tighten muscles that have been separated and weakened by pregnancy. The procedure may somewhat improve the appearance of stretch marks, especially those located below the navel.

It is necessary to be cautious and take note of the procedure before and after. Anyone who decides to follow the procedure will not always react to it in a similar fashion, but here are a few points.

The surgery will take approximately two hours and then it will be necessary to stay at the hospital overnight. The surgeon will need to observe the after effects. This is considered a big operation similar to that of a by-pass surgery.

It is best to make plans in advance and take leave for a minimum of two weeks if you are either in school, at college or a working person. The day after surgery, you might be encouraged to get out of bed for short walks to promote blood circulation. You may not be able to stand up completely straight. Therefore it is best if you do not sit for long periods of time during the first several days. Your doctor will most likely give you pain medication in order for you not to feel too much discomfort.

Whether you’re having a partial or complete tummy tuck, your incision site will be stitched and bandaged. It’s very important that you follow all your surgeon’s instructions on how to care for the bandage in the days following surgery. The bandage used will be a firm, elastic band that promotes proper healing.

Healing may take weeks or months depending on your body. You may also experience numbness, bruising and overall tiredness for that same time period.

When looking for a professional to perform the operation take precaution. Decide on a person with certification in plastic or cosmetic surgery and a license to operate in the state of your residence. It is not necessary that he has experience in tummy tuck surgery.

So it is best to choose a surgeon that you feel comfortable with when seeking for advice. This surgery should be considered as a major operation. But if you have the confidence and firmness of mind to go ahead with this procedure it will all be worth it when you are finally rid of all the sagging skin and able to wear tight fitting tops and jeans that everyone else seems to be wearing.