After losing a significant amount of weight or going through pregnancy, it’s common for excess skin to be left behind. Excess skin can sometimes also be caused because of age and genetics.
Having excess skin often stops people from feeling confident and comfortable in themselves and can prevent them from having the body of their dreams, regardless of how much they exercise or how strict their diet is.
If you’re striving for a flat stomach and exercise isn’t giving you the results you want, a tummy tuck could be your solution.
We’ve put together a selection of things to consider before committing to surgery and explained the side effects associated with a tummy tuck.
What is a tummy tuck?
Medically known as an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure in which excess skin and fat is removed from the abdomen.
The procedure aims to create a flatter and more toned tummy by removing fat and restoring weakened or separated muscles.
What types of tummy tuck are available?
There are three different types of tummy tuck that can be performed. The type of procedure that is best for you is determined by how much soft tissue needs removing and the type of results you wish to achieve.
- Mini Abdominoplasty
A mini tummy tuck involves making a minor incision in the lower abdomen and removing a small amount of soft tissue. Once the tissue has been removed, the skin on from each side of the incision is then pulled together and stitched.
This technique is carried out during all three types of abdominoplasty as it’s what gives the tummy its tight and toned appearance, but the size of the incision depends on the amount of flesh that needs to be removed. - Standard Abdominoplasty
A standard abdominoplasty is carried out for people with a larger amount of excess tissue. Because of the fact that a larger amount of tissue is removed, the navel will need to be repositioned in order to make it proportionate to the tummy. - Extended Abdominoplasty
This type of tummy tuck focuses on removing excess fat and skin from around the abdomen, hips and lower back. The incision is made across the lower abdomen from one side of the pelvis to the other. Just like the standard tummy tuck, the navel will need to be repositioned.
The smaller the incision made during the tummy tuck procedure, the less time you will take to recover.
What are the side effects of a tummy tuck?
Just like all forms of plastic surgery, a tummy tuck comes with side effects. These side effects include:
- Soreness and tenderness immediately and in the days after surgery
- Temporary numbness can happen in some cases
- You will be left with a permanent scar although it should fade over time
These side effects should subside a few months after surgery but if you have any concerns or feel that your side effects are abnormal, you should consult your surgeon immediately.
What should I consider before having one?
There are several things to consider before deciding to have a tummy tuck.
In order to recover properly, you will need to take time off work and avoid doing any heavy lifting or strenuous activity. Make sure that this is something you will be able to comply with before committing to surgery.
It’s best if you have managed to maintain a steady weight for at least 6 months prior to surgery. This is because any weight lost or gained after the procedure could negatively impact your results.
Finally, if you’re a female, you need to think about whether or not you would like children in the future as being pregnant will stretch the skin that has been tightened.
What are the benefits?
The biggest benefit of having a tummy tuck is that once the healing process is over, you will be able to see your results to their full extent and will be able to enjoy your new tight tummy.
Book a consultation
If you would like to book an abdominoplasty consultation with Dr. Constantine, call us now on 214-739-5760.
