Frequently asked questions about tummy tuck

Tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a common plastic surgery procedure in the US and around the world. Aging, pregnancy, gravity, and weight loss often lead to the development of saggy skin and fat in the abdomen apart from damaging the abdominal wall muscle. This condition makes the patients look aged, loose, and aesthetically unwelcoming.

There are many patients who feel insecure as a result of the sagginess in their abdomen. People who are very sensitive and image-conscious often experience emotional pain and lower self-esteem when the tummy area becomes saggy. The tummy tuck is an effective treatment for a saggy abdomen; however, many patients are unaware or ill-informed about the surgery. In this article, we will explore the commonly asked questions about tummy tuck and answer those questions along.

Commonly asked questions about tummy tuck

1. What is a tummy tuck?

Tummy tuck, also popularly known as abdominoplasty, is a very effective plastic surgery procedure to treat abdomen sagginess induced by pregnancy, weight change, aging, or gravity. The procedure removes the excess skin and fat from the abdomen, in addition to repairing the damaged abdominal wall muscles. After the surgery, your abdomen will become firmer, tighter, and toned.

2. Do I qualify for a tummy tuck?

Anybody with saggy skin in the abdomen area may qualify for the surgery as long as they meet other eligibility criteria for the procedure. In order to be a good candidate for tummy tuck, you must be in good physical and psychological health. If you are suffering from serious diseases like diabetes, heart problems, blood disorders, pulmonary issues, or hypertension, you may not be a good candidate for tummy tuck.

In addition, you must have goals that are reasonable, achievable, and realistic. Expecting the surgery to transform you into another person completely is not a reasonable goal. While the surgery can effectively remove the saggy skin from your abdomen and sculpt the target area, it is not magic that can make you appear like your favorite celebrity.

Pregnant women will also not qualify for the surgery. If you are pregnant, you would be advised to defer your plan for abdominoplasty. Moreover, people with poor skin quality or those having skin diseases will be advised to avoid a tummy tuck. If you are taking certain medications, you’ll be told to stop in order to undergo a tummy tuck. Smokers will be required to stop smoking in order to qualify for the procedure.

3. Is there any age restriction for the surgery?

There is no age restriction when it comes to a tummy tuck. Women mostly seek the procedure after they’re done with pregnancies and have no further plan of having children. Aged people undergo a tummy tuck to get rid of age- or gravity-induced excess skin in the abdomen. However, young women who have lost drastic weight also use tummy tuck to contour their tummies. Your plastic surgeon will study your case against your age to envisage the results that can be achieved.

4. How is a tummy tuck surgery performed?

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Depending on your condition after the procedure, you may be allowed to go home a few hours after the procedure. The surgery involves the placement of an incision through your lower abdomen that may run from one hip to the other. However, your surgeon will place the incision strategically so it can be hidden in the bikini.

In the second step, the skin and fat are removed from your tummy through an incision placed around your navel. In most cases, the saggy skin and excess fat below the navel are excised. In the next step, the abdominal wall muscles are tautened. Your surgeon will then suture the incisions and place one or two drain tubes in the surgical area to drain away any fluids that may build up under the skin.

5. What should I expect after the surgery?

If your health remains stable, your doctor will allow you to go home a few hours after the procedure. You will receive instructions for post-operative recovery. Your doctor will encourage you to take short and slow walks, so the risk of blood clotting is minimized. The recovery period can vary from one patient to another, depending on your natural healing process and speed. The first week following the surgery is very crucial.

You should be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions. You will experience pain and discomfort that can be managed with pain relief medications. If your pain becomes unbearable, contact your doctor. Further, your body will be inflamed and the surgical area will be tender. The swelling will take months to subside. Do not bend, run, jump, lift weights, or walk fast in the first two weeks after the surgery.

6. What results shall I expect, and when will I see the results?

You can expect your abdomen to become flatter, firmer, tighter, and toned after the procedure. Removing the excess skin and fat and fixing the abdominal wall muscles will contour your abdomen, making you appear aesthetically appealing. While some of the results of the intervention will be immediately visible, full outcomes of the surgery will not show until the swelling has disappeared and the incisions have completely healed. This may take several months.

7. When shall I return to work after the surgery?

The tummy tuck is a major operation, which is why you will be required to take enough rest after the surgery. You will be wearing compression garments for 3-6 weeks following the surgery. In most cases, the downtime is between 2-3 weeks; however, some people may be required to take 4-5 weeks off work for the tummy tuck surgery.

Conclusion

The tummy tuck is an effective procedure to tone your abdomen. It involves the removal of excess skin and fat from your tummy apart from fixing the tummy wall muscles. This results in an enhanced aesthetic appearance, which can boost your emotional well-being and self-esteem. These frequently asked questions about a tummy tuck and their answers will hopefully help you get ready for the procedure.