Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is used to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen. Many women choose to get a tummy tuck after pregnancy but it is also useful for those who have lost a significant amount of weight or just want to improve abdominal firmness due to age.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions people have about tummy tuck surgery.
Who is a good candidate?
In order to qualify as a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery, you should be free of any serious medical conditions and in good health. You should also be emotionally stable and have realistic expectations for the results of your surgery.
A tummy tuck should not be seen as an alternative to losing weight or eating a healthy diet. Women of childbearing age should only get a tummy tuck once they’ve decided not to have any more children.
Smoking is prohibitive to undergoing an abdominoplasty.
How is it performed?
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. An incision is made below the belly button, just above the pubic bone so that the excess skin and fat can be removed. The skin above the belly button is then pulled down and sutured to close the incision once the excess fat has been removed.
Is it painful?
Because tummy tuck surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, you don’t feel any pain during the surgery itself. There can be some tightness and swelling in the first few weeks following the surgery although this is generally well tolerated. Pain medicine and muscle relaxers are given to help with pain control.
Will I be left with scars?
There will be a scar where the incision is made but it is usually placedvery low. The scar is typically below the waistline in the pubic hair. Most women can wear their regular bikini bottoms after surgery without seeing the scar.
Is a mommy makeover the same as a tummy tuck?
A ‘mommy makeover’ is the term given to a combination of procedures that are usually performed on women following pregnancy. Although a tummy tuck is usually part of a mommy makeover, breast lift and/or augmentation is usually combined with the abdominoplasty to provide total body rejuvenation.
How long is the recovery time?
It is advisable to take a few weeks off from work immediately following the surgery. You will feel back to normal within 2-3 weeks, but we advise that you not return to rigorous exercise or lifting heavy weight for approximately 6 weeks.
How long do the results last?
Provided no excess weight is gained after the surgery, a tummy tuck procedure will provide you with a permanent result. Of course, it doesn’t prevent the natural effects of aging and skin laxity over time, but any skin looseness that does occur will not be comparable to before surgery.
Get in touch if you’d like any more information on tummy tuck surgery.
