In 2004, over 107,000 people had a tummy tuck procedure performed making it one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries. The best candidates for the procedure are generally in decent shape but are having trouble with loose skin or large fat deposits that do not respond to diet or exercise.
At your initial consultation, your doctor will evaluate your candidacy for the procedure and discuss your health and medical history in detail. Make sure to be candid about your expectations and your medical history as this will help the doctor determine if the procedure is right for you.
The tummy tuck procedure is a major surgical procedure which can take anywhere from two to five hours to complete depending on the severity of your case. The surgery is performed under either a general or a local anesthetic depending on your surgeon’s recommendations.
The tummy tuck surgery is generally performed on an outpatient basis or during a brief hospital stay. The most common method for a tummy tuck involves smoothing out the stomach muscles by placing a horizontal incision that generally spans the hips just above the pubic area. To tighten the abdomen wall, the surgeon will bring together loose tissue and shorten your muscle by suturing them into the new position. The excess skin which remains after this process is than pulled downward and removed. This will result in a firmer abdomen wall and narrower waistline.
Depending on the amount of skin that exists, the navel may also need to be repositioned. A small incision will create the new opening for the belly button which is than stitched into place. Resulting scars from the tummy tuck procedure are permanent but should fade over time.
You will be swollen and will more than likely be in some pain which may be able to be controlled by medication. It may take a few weeks or months to get back to normal activities. It is critical to follow your doctor’s directions.
lthough thousands of successful procedures are done each year, all surgeries carry some uncertainty or risk so make sure to talk to your surgeon about this. Also, bring in a list of questions you have to the consultation.