As any mommy will know, it’s a real struggle to recover their lovely flat tummies after a childbirth or three. That’s where a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty fits in. A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure where a specialized plastic surgeon removes excess stomach skin, reducing puffiness and saggy tummies.
Tummy tucks are popular to minimize excess skin and abdominal sagging following sudden weight loss. When considering an abdominoplasty, it’s essential to consider all options, risks, and details of the procedure.
A Closer Look at Abdominoplasty
The first step is to consult with your cosmetic surgeon to help assess whether you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Your chosen board-certified plastic surgeon will evaluate the skin of your abdomen and the underlying muscles to decide whether you will fully recover from the surgery and also determine which technique is best for your unique needs.
You can choose from the level of tummy tuck you’d like to opt for, and each level removes more skin and excess tissue for a more flat and toned result. The most extensive tummy tuck is a full abdominoplasty, and it involves the surgeon cutting horizontally between the pubic line and the navel, then tucking the skin tighter, removing excess and tightening the fatty tissue along the stomach muscles.
Are You Suitable for Abdominoplasty?
Not everyone is suitable for the tummy tuck procedure. If you are overweight or have severe skin issues, Dr. Joel Aronowitz says it may be ill-advised to consider getting an abdominoplasty. Those with fatty deposits that don’t respond to regular dieting may also benefit from a tummy tuck.
It’s important not to see a tummy tuck as a weight-loss fad that can be abused. If you are planning on still having more children, it’s not advised to have this procedure either, as your skin won’t be able to stretch as much after the excess skin has been removed.
During the Abdominoplasty Surgery
The surgery time depends on how much skin has to be removed and the overall condition of the underlying muscles and tissues. An average tummy tuck surgery, such as one performed by a surgeon like Joel Aronowitz, can take between 2 and 5 hours.
Dangers of Tummy Tuck Surgery
Any surgical procedure has some risks, and the tummy tuck procedure is no different. Some risks include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
- The buildup of fluid (seroma)
- Loss of sensation at the scar site
- Wound healing challenges
- Blood clots
Perhaps one of the biggest risks is that you won’t be happy with the cosmetic result or how your body feels after losing the skin.
Final Results and Longevity
How well your tummy tuck turns out has a lot to do with aftercare. It’s important to design an aftercare program with your surgeon to help your body heal and ensure the results are not temporary but long-lasting.
