Today, many individuals find that diet and exercise are the key to weight loss and a tighter stomach.
However, when regular ab workouts and healthy eating over an extended
period bring limited results, many people become disheartened. This is
where tummy tucks come in.
A tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic
surgical procedure where a plastic surgeon removes excess fat and skin in/on
the abdomen and tightens the muscles in the abdominal area. People who
are working to lose weight with minimal results and women whose abdomens are
stretched post pregnancy are some of the main people who choose tummy tucks.
Over the past several years, tummy tucks have increased in popularity in
the United States, with thousands of people getting the procedure each year.
What to Consider Before the Procedure
Before choosing to have a tummy tuck, it is important for
patients to do their research. The following are a few necessary things
to consider:
- Who is
performing your procedure? The plastic surgeon you choose can have a
significant impact on the results of your procedure. Before
selecting a surgeon, ensure he is board certified through the American
Society of Plastic Surgeons and has had previous experience performing
abdominoplasty procedures. Patients can also get in contact with
former patients of the same surgeon to ask them about their experience.
- What
kind of procedure do you want? There are several tummy tuck procedures
patients can choose from. They can have a procedure that addresses
a) the lower abdomen only, b) both the upper and lower abdomen, or c) the
upper and lower abdomen and the sides.
- How
long is the procedure? A typical procedure lasts 1-5 hours.
- Are
you prepared for the recovery time? Compared to other cosmetic surgery
procedures, tummy tucks tend to have a longer recovery time.
Patients should expect to have swelling that lasts for several weeks
post surgery. It can be helpful to ask the surgeon and staff, what
other recovery symptoms they should expect.
Love the Results of Your Procedure
Although getting a tummy tuck is a big and serious decision,
it also comes with a lot of benefits. Post procedure patients have a
flatter, tighter, more toned tummy. Abdominoplasty also comes with
several health benefits, namely the reduction of fat cells, which helps
abdominal organs to function properly. The results of abdominoplasty usually
last throughout the patient’s life, giving them long-term confidence with their
“new” slimmer body.
