About the Tummy Tuck Procedure

A “tummy tuck” or abdominoplasty is the process of making the abdomen more firm. During the surgery, the cosmetic surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the surrounding areas of the middle and lower parts of the abdomen. By removing the excess skin and fat from the abdomen, the surgeon can then tighten the muscles and muscle facia of the abdominal walls. A tummy tuck is often best suited for patients coming off a recent pregnancy, major weight loss, or sagging skin in the abdominal area. The abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedure usually lasts around 1 to 5 hours with a partial tummy tuck or Mini-Tuck Abdominoplasty lasting 1 to 2 hours.



The Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

Both men and women can benefit from a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. The traits for having excess abdominal skin and fat surrounding the abdominal area are sometimes inherited through past family generations. In other circumstances, patients who have just had substantial weight loss may also want to have a tummy tuck to remove the extra flaccid skin. A tummy tuck can also help tighten the muscles attached to the abdominal walls that were previously weakened and sometimes separated and disconnected from pregnancy.This cosmetic procedure can also greatly improve the appearance of stretch marks located in particularly near and around the navel and waistline.

Birth Before Beauty

A tummy tuck is a serious cosmetic surgery procedure and should not be confused with liposuction. If a woman is still considering having children, then a tummy tuck would not be desirable or suitable until she is done bearing children. Because a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty tightens and fixes your abdominal muscles, a pregnancy can separate these muscles that the tummy tuck just tightened. A tummy tuck can also cause permanent and prominent scarring around the surgically repaired area.



More to be paid than money?

After a tummy tuck cosmetic procedure, it is not uncommon for a patient to experience pain and swelling around the surgically repaired area.  Soreness from the surgery however, can last anywhere from several weeks to months after the tummy tuck procedure. Also at this time, a patient may also experience bruising and loss of energy and body ache (tiredness).

A complete tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is most suitable for patients needing the most correction and results. A partial tummy tuck is more suitable for patients with fat deposits located below the navel and thus require smaller incisions from the cosmetic surgeon.