Having a flabby, protruding tummy can negatively affect your overall body contour and consequently hurt your self-confidence. Unfortunately, although physical exercise and a healthy diet can help you lose weight, they may not give you a flat tummy. The good news is that this issue can be corrected through tummy tuck surgery.
But what is tummy tuck surgery, and what exactly does it involve? Here is everything you need to know about the procedure.
What Is Tummy Tuck Surgery?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, can be understood as a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims at giving patients a flat, taut tummy. It involves surgically removing excess fat and skin from the tummy.
During the procedure, the abdominal muscles are also tightened. Therefore, if you have a flabby, protruding tummy after weight loss or pregnancy, this procedure can go a long way in improving your body contour.
The Ideal Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery
Like any other cosmetic surgical procedure, a tummy tuck is not for everyone. The ideal candidate for the procedure should:
- Be in good physical health and have no conditions that could negatively affect the healing process
- Be a nonsmoker or willing to quit smoking. This is because smoking can cause poor healing
- Have realistic expectations
Your surgeon will assess your medical records and perform some tests before the procedure is performed to determine if it is safe for you.
How Tummy Tuck Surgery Is Performed
The procedure is usually performed in hospitals or outpatient surgery facilities. To ensure that you will not feel any pain during the procedure, it will be done under general anesthesia.
Your doctor will then make the necessary incisions and lift the abdominal skin to remove and redistribute the belly fat below the skin. The abdominal muscles will then be tightened with sutures, while the excess will be skin removed. Lastly, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures, skin adhesives, and tapes.
The surgery will take two to three hours, but you may be required to rest in the recovery room for a couple of hours. In some cases, patients are allowed to go home the same day. However, you shouldn’t be surprised if your surgeon requires you to remain in the hospital overnight; a tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure, and some surgeons may find a brief hospital stay necessary.
However, you may not be able to drive yourself immediately after the procedure, meaning that you will need someone to drive you when you are finally allowed to go home.
Tummy Tuck Surgery Risks
Tummy tuck surgery is not without some risks. Some of the risks associated with the procedure include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Blood clot
- Surgical site infection
- Poor healing
- Unfavorable Scarring
- Suboptimal aesthetic results
- Anesthesia risks
- Skin discoloration
- Prolonged swelling
- Pain
- Numbness or change in skin sensation
- Fluid Accumulation
Before the procedure, your surgeon will discuss the risks with you to ensure you understand what might go wrong before signing the consent to get a tummy tuck.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tuck Surgery
Can Tummy Tuck Surgery Help Me Lose Weight?
The simple answer to this question is no! While the procedure may get rid of stubborn pockets of fat in your belly, tummy tuck surgery is not a weight loss solution. Therefore, if your goal is to lose weight, you will be advised to exercise regularly and adopt a healthy diet. After losing weight successfully, you can get a tummy tuck to achieve a flat, toned tummy.
Is Tummy Tuck Painful
The procedure itself is not painful at all. This is because it will be done under general anesthesia, meaning that you will be unconscious and will not experience any discomfort. However, during the first few days of recovery, you can expect to experience some discomfort. However, your surgeon will prescribe some pain relievers that will help you manage pain.
Does Tummy Tuck Require a Downtime?
A tummy tuck is a major surgery, and you will not be able to do much immediately after the procedure. But you can walk for short distances immediately after waking up from the anesthesia. In fact, this is encouraged to minimize the risk of blood clots. However, you will only be able to go back to work after two to three weeks. More strenuous activities like running or contact sports will need to wait for up to six weeks.
How Long Will My Tummy Tuck Results Last?
Tummy tuck results are long-lasting. Therefore, you should continue having a flat, taut tummy many years after undergoing the surgery. However, this will largely depend on how you will manage your weight. For you to keep your results for many years, you will need to maintain a stable weight. However, if you allow your weight to fluctuate too much after the procedure, the results may not last as long as they should.
