Things To Know About A Tummy Tuck Procedure

The tummy tuck procedure has become one of the most popular cosmetic operations in the United States today. Yet there is a lot of misinformation about what this procedure involves, what the results of a tummy tuck procedure will be and what to expect. People often do not understand the difference between a full tummy tuck procedure and a mini tummy tuck procedure. In reality these two procedures are completely different.

A mini tummy tuck is a less major procedure and can only repair a certain amount of damage and not everybody is a candidate for the mini tummy tuck. A full tummy tuck procedure is the best choice for people that have quite a lot of sagging of the abdominal muscles that protrude and cause what is called ‘an apron effect’. Usually this happens when a person loses a significant amount of weight over a short period of time. It can also happen after a pregnancy where a woman is left with a very noticeable sagging tummy and a lot of stretch marks.

Basically, during a tummy tuck procedure the surgeon removes the excess skin and also the underlying fat from the abdominal area. The abdominal wall muscles are also tightened during the operation. This operation will leave you with a large scar as the procedure involves an incision made from one hip to the other hip in a V-formation that dips downward to just slightly above the public area. A second incision is also made around the navel. This is to enable the surgeon to remove the abdominal skin. The scarring is the one part of a tummy tuck procedure that people do not like as they feel that scars are unsightly.

Before And After

The biggest mistake people make is to go in for a tummy tuck procedure without preparing themselves for this major operation. People suffer from the false impression that they are going to zip in for the operation and be back to their usual activities within days or a week or two. The results of a tummy tuck procedure can have incredible benefits physically and mentally, but you must be prepared to take things easy for at least a few months afterwards.

You must allow your body to completely heal so as to not jeopardize the results and this means that you must have excellent post-operative care. For the tummy tuck procedure to be a complete success it is imperative that you follow the guidelines given to you by the surgeon in all respects. This means having the allotted bed rest, only doing exercise as prescribed, following the suggested diet and taking proper care of you. If you neglect to follow the guidelines implicitly you run the risk of unnecessary complications.