Introduction
Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is performed with general anesthesia, but is also done using local anesthetic with sedative. The surgery usually takes around 2 to 5 hours depending on the size of the area to be removed.
This is a procedure to remove excess fat and skin which became so prominent because of pregnancy and weight loss. The procedure also restores muscles that have been separated, thus creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.
Exercise and weight control can’t sometimes achieve our goal to have a well-toned abdomen. And for this, some people resort to this kind of procedure. However, undergoing a complicated tummy tuck procedure can be very difficult to decide. Here are few tips on how to decide if you should get a tummy tuck to bring back that sexy figure again.
7 Tips to help you decide Whether Tummy Tuck is necessary
Tip #1: Learn what tummy tuck is
Women who have given birth will have a mid section that is larger than the one they had before. And this happens for many reasons like weight gain and stretching of the skin during the course of pregnancy. These are two main reasons that your stomach area may appear to be bigger that it used to be. Before deciding on the tummy tuck procedure, the first thing that you need is to know about what tummy tuck surgery is because this is not a simple procedure.
Tip #2: Compare it to liposuction.
This is not a liposuction procedure. Liposuction sucks out the fat from your body and it doesn’t require a large cut unlike the tummy tuck procedure. Tummy tuck surgery removes loose, hanging skin and stretched skin which is irreparable without surgically removing the excess. If you think that you only have abundance of fat but not hanging skin, then maybe liposuction is what you need.
Tip #3: Know how it is done
Tummy tuck procedure is often combined with liposuction to remove stubborn fats. But tummy tuck is what removes the hanging skin. The procedure will start by giving the patient anesthesia, and the plastic surgeon will slice through your skin, pulling down and cutting off the excess.
Then the surgeon re-attaches the skin by making stitches. Stitches will dissolve and after the recovery period, your skin will already be tighter. During pregnancy, muscle in the abdominal area detaches, and this procedure is the only way to re-attach it.
Tip #4: Consider the cost
You must also consider the cost of undergoing a tummy tuck, because it could range from $4,000 to $10,000 depending on your doctor’s fee, facility fees, and the surgery itself. This procedure is rarely covered by insurance.
Tip #5: Look for a certified surgeon
If you decide to have tummy tuck, make sure to research several board certified plastic surgeons who are already well-experienced in conducting the surgery. This is a major surgery, and you should choose the best doctor available in your town. Licensed doctors will lead you in the right direction as to what surgery is right for you.
Tip #6: Learn what to expect from the process
You should also know that although tummy tuck will remove excess fat and skin, it will also leave a permanent scar. The tummy tuck procedure is a highly invasive procedure, even more painful than undergoing a C- section. Recovery time will take around 2 to 6 weeks to somehow feel that you are “normal”. Since the skin was stretched so tightly, you will not be able to walk straight for the first to two weeks, because the skin is still adjusting to its new form.
Tip #7: Plan Carefully
Plan your surgery on the time when you are able to get enough rest to recover. File a leave from work, because this procedure requires a long recovery period. Here are some easy recovery tips that you must read.
End Thoughts
The result of abdominoplasty is permanent. The outcome can greatly diminish by the significant fluctuations of your weight. However if you are planning for another pregnancy again, doctors may advise you to postpone the tummy tuck procedure. Always ask your doctor for the pros and cons about the procedure.
