A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that can get rid of your loose and saggy abdominal skin and give you the flatter and tighter looking mid-section you want. If you have experienced major weight loss that has left you with loose stomach skin, or have noticeable sagging abdominal skin due to pregnancy, a tummy tuck can help to improve the appearance of your stomach and figure.
At The Spiegel Center in Boston, we have provided numerous clients with excellent tummy tuck results. If you are interested in getting a tummy tuck, here are five important things you should know about tummy tuck surgery.
A Tummy Tuck Can Tighten Loose Abdominal Muscles
A tummy tuck is a comprehensive procedure that addresses all the factors that can contribute to the appearance of a sagging tummy, including loose abdominal muscles. When the muscles along the abdominal wall become stretched-out, it can be impossible to flatten the abdominal area, no matter how much you work out or diet. Pregnancy can often cause the abdominal muscles to separate. This condition is known as diastasis recti.
During tummy tuck surgery, the abdominal muscles along the abdominal wall are tightly sutured closer together to undo any separation that may have occurred and give the stomach a tighter, flatter. Excess skin is also removed to give the surface of the stomach a sleeker and flatter appearance.
A Tummy Tuck Is Not a Weight Loss Procedure
While a tummy tuck can give you a flatter and tighter stomach, it is not a weight loss procedure and is not designed to eliminate large amounts of excess fat from the stomach. Tummy tuck surgery focuses on eliminating excess abdominal skin and tightening loose abdominal muscles. The procedure is the ideal choice for people who have undergone massive weight loss and now have excess loose abdominal skin.
If you do have excess stomach, liposuction can be performed to get rid of the fat and then the loose skin can be removed in order to achieve your desired results. Dr. Spiegel can let you know if liposuction will be needed during your consultation.
You Will Need to Maintain a Steady Weight After Surgery
While a tummy tuck provides long-lasting results, major changes in weight can affect your results. Weight gain can lead to stretching of the abdominal tissue which will lead to sagging of the abdominal area. Further weight loss can also lead to noticeable sagging.
It is recommended that you be close to your ideal weight prior to undergoing abdominoplasty. Women who are interested in abdominoplasty should wait until they no longer plan on having children as pregnancy can affect your results. You will also need to maintain your weight following surgery by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
There Will be a Post-Surgical Mark Following Tummy Tuck Surgery
Tummy tuck surgery requires large horizontal incisions made from hip-to-hip. Once the excess abdominal tissue is removed, the incision is tightly sutured closed. This will leave a large horizontal post-surgical mark across the abdominal area. While this post-surgical mark will fade over time, it will be noticeable.
In order to make sure your tummy tuck results look as good as possible. Extreme care and precision are used to ensure the post-surgical mark lies across the pubic bone beneath the bikini line. This means that the post-surgical mark will be well hidden so you can feel comfortable wearing clothing that exposes your midsection like crop tops and bikinis.
Be Patient During Your Recovery
A tummy tuck surgery requires a significant amount of work that requires time to properly heal. You will likely need to have someone assist you during the first week of recovery as it can be difficult to transition between sitting and standing. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are to be expected.
It can take around a week or two to recover enough to feel good moving around on your own. Swelling will go down over the coming months and may take around six months to fully subside. You will also need to wait around six weeks before resuming more physically demanding and strenuous activities.
If you are interested in undergoing tummy tuck surgery, contact The Spiegel Center in Boston today to schedule a consultation for your tummy tuck with Dr. Spiegel.
