So You like a Tummy Tuck

When we gain weight, our skin stretches beyond limits that when we lose some of the pounds later, what used to be stretched skin becomes wrinkled and flabby. Diet and exercise cannot help keep the skin firm in this case. So we turn to tummy tucks.

A tummy tuck, more properly termed as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure done to a patient to remove excess skin or fat in the abdomen area as well as help tighten the muscles there. This procedure is also done to correct certain conditions that normally happen when a person successfully loses extra pounds through other means, but has tons of extra skin left, leaving the person looking like a deflated balloon.

A very popular cosmetic procedure, abdominoplasty surgery may sometimes be done together with liposuction, tubal ligation or hysterectomy.

How the procedure is carried out
A surgeon will, under general anaesthetics, make an incision in the abdomen above the pubic area; they will then separate the skin from the abdominal wall and tighten the muscles by stitching it. The extra skin (loose skin) will also be removed to provide the tightening of the wall.

When do I consider getting it?

There are many reasons for considering a tummy tuck surgery:

For cosmetic and beautification purposes

To correct a discomfort, such as back pain caused by weak muscles

For reconstructive surgery

To alleviate health risk

As a way to flatten the stomach after a pregnancy (women)

Those who are toying with the idea of getting an abdominoplasty surgery should set some realistic standards. Tummy tucks are not meant to instantly change or enhance the way a person looks. Apart from the advantages, patients should also know the risk that could come with such a procedure.

And if you just need to rid of fewer fat deposits, you may consider getting a mini tummy tuck (partial abdominoplasty) . Mini tummy tucks require a patient to be under local anesthesia only. It is also an outpatient procedure.

Good doctors will normally tell if you are at a high risk or not, by basing this on your age, the type of your skin, your weight and your health condition. Your recovery will also depend on these factors.

When do I not consider it?

In under no circumstance must tummy tuck be considered as the only solution to weight loss. Obese people are not candidates for such a procedure.

You should also not get the procedure if:

You have plans of having a baby in the near future.

You have a history of diabetes or medical problems like heart disease

You have scars on the stomach (from past surgeries). They become very noticeable after a tummy tuck surgery.

Side effects

There are possible complications of an abdominoplasty surgery, though they are rare. One possible side effect is the disruption to proper circulation of blood in the legs. However, to reduce the possibility of this the surgeons will take precaution by insisting you wear tight fitted compression stockings.

Scars - It goes without saying, because a tummy tuck is invasive, there will be scars where the cut was performed. This should heal with time, but it might fade altogether.

Swelling - The area will likely swell up. This may be not heal for weeks, possibly even months following the surgery.
Taking care of your body after the surgery

Once the surgery is done, your body needs to recover so that you achieve the best results from the procedure. There will be some scarring but this will eventually go away. And you will see your stomach muscles a lot firmer and flatter when you're healed.

Continue to take care of your body by maintaining a healthy diet and exercise. Because undergoing a tummy tuck doesn't mean you have to forego keeping your body fit and trim.

Cost of the surgery

The cost of an abdominoplasty surgery will vary depending on various circumstances such as the place (state) it is carried out, the costs charged by a surgeon, whether it's a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck. The average cost of a full tummy tuck is around $7,000. This includes the fees for the surgery itself, anaesthetics as well as the on site fee.