Have you recently given birth? Maybe you have recently lost a hundred or two hundred pounds and because of the rapid and massive weight loss, you have skin folding over itself around your thorax (midsection). You may want to opt for a Tummy Tuck to help you out as exercise and diet can only go so far in this instance.
Muscles can also be stretch out beyond their ability to snap back after the birth of a child or if you are massively overweight for many years.
Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck, is used to repair the midsection of the human body when the flesh has started to fold over around the waist. This cosmetic surgery aims to remove excess skin, cellulite and stretch marks along with tightening the underlying muscles. While the results can be dramatic and highly effective, the recovery period can take a long while.
The procedure is performed by first cutting into the skin and creating a horizontal incision that runs from one hip to another. After the incision is created, the excess adipose tissue (fat) is removed along with any extra loose skin. When the cosmetic surgeon is performing this form of plastic surgery, they can then remove any stretch marks and cellulite that can be present. The muscles that may have been stretched can then be repaired and tightened with surgical sutures. The flap of skin is then folded back down and sewn back together. It is literally a tummy tuck. The result is a tighter and flatter belly.
Be forewarned that abdominoplasty will have a large incision area and the resulting soreness can keep you recovering for a reasonable period of time compared to other forms of cosmetic surgery. The length of immediate recovery can range from 2-6 weeks depending upon your body’s ability to recover from trauma (your body was invaded by instruments and cut after all) and the extensive nature of the cosmetic surgery itself. Most patients can typically go back to work within this time period.
However, even though you can be back at work, you will still experience some discomfort and swelling and you may need a few months beyond the initial recovery period before you resume more active pursuits. Compression bands and drainage tubes can help keep the swelling down and drain out some of the fluid buildup and help to speed up this stage of the recovery.
It is important to understand that the age of the patient is important. An older patient may have complications during and after surgery where a relatively young patient may be able to sail through the surgery and recovery with relatively little discomfort .
As with any plastic surgery, a tummy tuck should be performed by a board certified plastic surgeon. Make sure you contact one and work out in advance the expectations for the surgery as well as the expectations the surgeon has as well. Most plastic surgeons worth the money will be happy to sit you down and help you map out your surgery and your desired results.