Tummy Tuck Surgery

Is a Tummy Tuck right for you?

The best candidates for a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), are people who have tried to get rid of stubborn deposits of fat or excess skin around the belly using a healthy diet and exercise, but with no success. Good candidates for this type of surgery should be generally healthy. If an overabundance of inelastic skin around your abdomen is the problem, an abdominoplasty might be the answer for you.

Tummy tuck surgery is valuable for women who are finished having children and who wish to have tighter, firmer abs. Pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery is generally not recommended because the procedure tightens the vertical muscles in the abdominal wall. Pregnancy can cause these muscles to separate. Many women opt to have a tummy tuck after C-section, however to reduce flab around the belly and get their body back to a pre-pregnancy state more quickly.

If weight loss is your primary goal a tummy tuck probably isn’t the right procedure, although your doctor may recommend liposuction along with abdominoplasty surgery to sculpt and trim small amounts of excess fat. Talk with your cosmetic surgeon to learn more about risks and potential benefits of a tummy tuck for your unique situation.

Many men who suffer from excess skin around the waistline are also opting for an abdominoplasty, read more on Male Tummy Tuck.

Preparing for Tummy Tuck Surgery

Smokers who are preparing for tummy tuck surgery are typically required by their doctors to stop smoking for approximately 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the surgery to reduce the incidence of certain surgical complications. Patients are encouraged to eat well-balanced meals and stop taking certain medications that could be harmful during or after surgery.

Doctors also recommend that patients prepare to take care of themselves after the tummy tuck procedure by having ice packs and loose, comfortable clothing readily available when they arrive home.

Set up a comfortable abdominoplasty recovery area with a telephone within easy reach, petroleum jelly for use on your incision, and plenty of items like books, magazines, and a television to keep yourself entertained.

What Happens During a Tummy Tuck Procedure

Typically a tummy tuck procedure will take from one to five hours, depending on your particular situation. You’ll be given general anesthesia and put to sleep prior to the surgery. The distribution of fat on your abdomen will affect how big the incision or incisions are that will be made on your lower abdomen as well as whether the procedure will be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

If you have a complete abdominoplasty, your belly button will be removed and then reconstructed.