What is a Tummy Tuck?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a tummy tuck or as it is properly called, an abdominoplasty, is a procedure designed to make the abdominal profile smoother, firmer, and, therefore, more pleasing to the eye. The operation involves removing excess fat and skin and, in some cases, restoring weakened and separated muscles.

A tummy tuck is done when diet and exercise alone is insufficient to restore a smooth, flat stomach that almost everyone finds desirable. It is not, however, a substitute for diet and exercise.

Even people who are not obese can develop a stomach that is protruding and loose, therefore unsightly. Old age, hereditary factors, previous pregnancies, a prior surgery, and great fluctuations in weight brought on by yo-yo diets are common causes of this condition.

Depending on the extent of the procedure, a typical tummy tuck can take from one to five hours to complete.

Recovery time takes from one to four weeks, and patients are advised to take at least part of that time off from work. Patients are advised to avoid nicotine products a month before and a month after the procedure as well as heavy, physical exertion during the initial recovery period. Many patients will wear a binding garment around the abdomen, which helps to minimize swelling and supports the repaired tissues, helping it to conform to the desired shape.

Most patients experience some bruising and discomfort during the recovery period. Full recovery takes between three and six months, after which any post-operative scars will fade away.

For more information contact us.