In cases where diet and exercise cannot achieve a well-toned abdomen, tummy tucks can be used to remove excess fat and skin for a more flattering figure. Tummy tucks can be used to restore weakened and separated muscles to create a smoother, firmer figure. During your consultation with our clinic, we will discuss your surgical goals, medical conditions, and available treatment options.
What is A Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery is a body contouring procedure that provides a more toned feel to the abdomen by removing excess skin and fatty tissue. This procedure can also be used to strengthen the abdominal wall, reinforcing areas of weakened, separated muscles through surgical incisions and sutures. Liposuction is often incorporated with tummy tucks to help remove excess fat along the abdominal wall and assist with blood flow to promote better healing. Tummy tucks can also be combined with other procedures, such as body contouring and mommy makeovers, to address multiple concerns and help patients maintain a quicker recovery.
Tummy tucks are not a substitute for weight loss, as the outcomes can severely diminish by severe fluctuations in weight. If you are considering any future pregnancies, it is advised to wait until after pregnancy to get a tummy tuck. Good candidates for tummy tucks include people who have a protruding midsection not affected by diet or exercise, weakened abdominal muscles, and excess sagging skin along the midsection. Candidates should also be relatively healthy, have realistic expectations for the procedure, are non-smokers, and don’t have any medical conditions that impact healing.
Tummy Tuck Recovery at Real You Plastic Surgery and Wellness
When meeting with our clinic, our team will discuss your personal goals and needs as a patient, as numerous factors can play into the overall results of your tummy tuck. During your consultation with the doctor, she will evaluate your general health, discuss any medical conditions you may have and any previous surgeries, and discuss your liposuction options as well as risks and complications.
During your consultation with Dr. Smith, you may be asked to complete lab tests, medical evaluations, and recommendations to avoid possible outcomes. These recommendations include taking medications to prepare for your surgery and avoiding medications such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements.
For your comfort and well-being, our team will go over the procedure in further detail, outlining the procedure through the following steps:
- Anesthesia: Dr. Smith will administer intravenous sedation or general anesthesia for the duration of your surgery.
- Tummy Tuck Incision: During your consultation with Dr. Smith, she will discuss with you your options for surgical incisions and desired areas of treatment. Depending on the goals of the surgery, The doctor will create minimally scarring incisions to lift the abdominal skin. The most common incision for tummy tucks is located in between the pubic hairline and the belly button. Sometimes, a second incision around the belly button will be made for the upper abdomen.
- Liposuction and Abdominal Repair: Once the incisions are made, the doctor will use liposuction to remove signs of excess fat along the abdomen. For repairing the abdominal wall, sutures will be used to strengthen the weakened muscles, and any signs of excess skin will be surgically removed.
- Suture and Closing: Once the tummy tuck procedure is complete, the incision areas are closed with sutures, skin adhesive tapes, and clips and then wrapped in garments or elastic bandages to promote healing.
At Real You Plastic Surgery and Wellness, Dr. Smith will monitor your progress, providing detailed instructions on how to care for your surgery and its results. To learn more about what tummy tucks can do for you, request a tummy tuck consultation today!
