Most people will admit there is no area of the body is more frustrating than the stomach. Thanks to things like normal physical changes including weight fluctuations, the aging process, and childbirth all lead to excess skin and fat finding a way to accumulate around our middle. While healthy things to do, a proper diet and exercise can prove to be unsuccessful at reclaiming the curvy body of our youth. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a relatively common and successful surgical procedure that helps sculpt the waistline and smooth the stomach. This surgical technique can also be used to repair any damaged or weakened abdominal muscles which further tightens the stomach thereby ensuring long-term results.

As with any surgical procedure, we highly recommend that a prospective patient do their homework to fully understand the procedure as well as the risks and the benefits. Although a tummy tuck scan prove to be beneficial for many men and women, there are tough recovery requirements and the risk of complications that everyone considering a tummy tuck should be aware of. Before deciding to move ahead with abdominoplasty, it is important to consider the following five facts:

A tummy tuck requires significant downtime

A tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure, requiring weeks to recover and heal. This surgical technique includes making an incision that runs from hip to hip. It is normal for recovery to take two to three weeks. It is normal to be fatigued, swollen and sore after the procedure and moderate pain is also normal for the first few days but it will improve. You must allow yourself time to focus on the healing process and rest. Abdominoplasty patients will need assistance with household chores and children for a few weeks so it is important to plan for that. You must not perform any strenuous physical activities for at least four to six weeks after the procedure.

Expect to be at a stable weight before your tummy tuck While abdominoplasty is a great way to shape the body, it is not meant as a replacement for weight loss. A surgeon will usually recommend a patient be between 10-15 pounds of their goal weight before having a tummy tuck. It is important to be aware that weight fluctuations can stretch the abdominal tissues which can necessitate a revision procedure to restore the benefits of the initial procedure.

A tummy tuck will leave a permanent scar

While a valued and popular plastic surgery technique, a tummy tuck will leave a scar that runs along the horizontal incision line, stretching from hip to hip, right above the pubic bone. Scars can fade over time but it will remain visible for years to come. A competent surgeon will place to incision in a spot that is easy to cover up.

Surgical drains will be in place for the first week or two. These drains help eliminate a buildup of blood or fluids and helps to keep swelling down and ensure proper healing. Drains are temporary but require care. Your surgeon should discuss drains with you prior to the surgery. The drains are usually removed painlessly after seven to ten days but can be in place for two weeks or longer..

Full healing can take up to a year

We aren’t going to lie. It is important to be aware that the benefits from your tummy tuck will not be immediately noticeable. In reality, during the first few weeks after the procedure, you won’t look great as redness, bruising, stiffness, and swelling are all common. This will start to diminish over four to six weeks but the residual swelling can last six months or longer. You should be feeling like your old self after about six months but it can take up to a year to fully recover from the surgery and complete results can be seen.

If you are considering a tummy tuck, do your research and make sure you have a Board- certified surgeon. It is a major surgical procedure with strict recovery requirements but no doubt you will be satisfied with the results.

If you have be considering plastic surgery but think you are too old, think again. Age really isn’t a critical factor when being assess as a good candidate for plastic surgery, especially for a tummy tuck. whether someone is a good surgical candidate. That’s especially true for a tummy tuck. In the end, a patient’s overall health is much more important than their age.

There are many different reasons why someone may have a tummy tuck. Women who aren’t having any more children quite often want to regain their pre-pregnancy figures while some patients who have undergone weight loss surgery may want to remove excess abdominal skin from their body to look curvier.

According to surgeons, an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck isn’t determined by age but the characteristics below. Remember that a tummy tuck has a long recovery and stringent recovery requirements. Results and recovery varies from patient to patient and it is important to remember that no two patients are alike.

What qualifies you for a tummy tuck?

If you are considering a tummy tuck, then you will need to meet with a Board-certified surgeon to discuss your cosmetic goals to ensure they are reasonable. A thorough physical exam will be performed to assess your overall health and determine your suitability for tummy tuck surgery. The surgeon should also review your complete medical history to rule out any complications. The truth of the matter is some older patients may be better candidates than their younger counterparts simply because they are in better health. It is highly important to note that being a non-smoker and exercising regularly are essential criteria for anyone considering a tummy tuck.

What is the best age for a tummy tuck?

There really isn’t a set age for a tummy tuck. It really depends on health and lifestyle. In any situation, an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck should be as close as possible to their ideal weight and if a woman, not planning on having any more children.

Regardless of age, it is important to be at your ideal weight and healthy if you are considering a tummy tuck or other cosmetic surgery.

Does age affect tummy tuck recovery?

Every patient is different and recovery will be different per patient too. If you are in excellent physical health prior to the surgery, odds are you will bounce back quite quickly and will have less post-op risks.

There are a few differences in recovery for older versus younger patients. Younger patients tend to recover more quickly than older patients. This does not mean that older people shouldn’t get tummy tucks. It is just helpful to know what to expect

If you have young children at home, be prepared to not lift them during the recovery period as there is no heavy lifting. Restrictions on lifting are something to consider if your job or lifestyle requires heavy lifting but remember that any restrictions are short- term and not permanent.

Is getting a tummy tuck worth it? What are results like?

The results will vary depending on your age and how you manage your recovery. For instance, a younger patient can expect to see very smooth abdominal skin after abdominoplasty whereas an older patient’s skin is typically less elastic than that of a younger person and therefore won’t automatically “snap back” to fit the body’s new contours.

Remember, everyone is different. That means no two surgeries will be the same and no results will be the same. It is important to research and find a surgeon who knows what they are doing, explains things to you, and answers your questions to your satisfaction. If you are considering a tummy tuck, we hope we have been able to answer some of your questions and put your mind at ease.

A tummy tuck is a great way to reclaim the body of your youth but there is a recovery period and strict limitations on what you can do after the procedure while you recover. If you are missing the body you use to have, consider a tummy tuck and contact a Board-certified surgeon today.

While the tummy tuck has gained in popularity over the last 15 years, it has actually been around for a few hundred years. We want to give you a better understanding of how this procedure has evolved over the years to become what it is now so here is a brief history of the tummy tuck.

The earliest forms of the tummy tuck occurred in the 19th century.

Way back in the early 1800s, people were already using excess skin to cover up open wounds. Importantly, this was done primarily for critically injured people and not cosmetic purposes.It was in 1890 that the first tummy tuck was officially performed by Docto demars and Dr. Marx in France. Fast forward a decade to Baltimore where a gynecological surgeon performed what has become known as the first tummy tuck. At first, it was impossible to have a tummy tuck without removing the belly button but all that changed during the 20 th century.

The belly button was saved during 20th century tummy tucks.

Over the years, surgeon’s improved the procedure for tummy tucks, making them more efficient and safer. In 1905, other surgeons in France performed the first tummy tuck that preserved the belly button. By implementing both vertical and horizontal flap incisions instead of one horizontal incision across the middle of the abdomen preserves the belly button, thereby stopping the need to remove the belly button during the procedure.

The tummy tuck was originally used for treating wounds—not cosmetic purposes.

Tummy tuck procedures were particularly helpful in treating injured soldiers during World War I. After honing the technique on millions of wounded soldiers, sugeons refined their technique thus leading to the modern tummy tuck procedure. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, surgeons commonly performed tummy tucks for patients suffering from conditions like a umbilical hernia. Usually a condition affecting babies, an umbilical hernia happens when part of the intestine moves into the umbilical opening in the abdomen. This is characterized by a tell-tale bulge near the belly button.

The modern tummy tuck is useful for many different purposes.

Thanks to modern medical advances like anesthetic and proper sanitization, the tummy tuck is much safer and more effective than in its early stages. This procedure is now commonly used to remove C-section scars, remove excess skin after weight loss, tighten muscles in the abdomen, and more. The tummy tuck is also a major staple in the Mommy Makeover procedure, as well as breast augmentation and liposuction. Mothers tend to turn to these personal procedures as it can help them reclaim a tight tummy and youthful look after pregnancy and childbirth.

The history of the tummy tuck is long and well-regarded. As with any surgical procedure, you should always do your research and ensure your surgeon is a Board-certified surgeon with the licensing body in your country.

If you want to reclaim the body you always knew before childbirth or other damaging events, consider a tummy tuck. Safe, effective, and well practiced, a tummy tuck can go a long way to helping someone find happiness and be comfortable in their body again.

If you have had a tummy tuck, then you need to live a reasonably active lifestyle and eating a healthy and nutritious diet to ensure your results last a lifetime. It is important to always be aware that the opposite is also true: if you become inactive or make food choices that are known to cause health and weight problems, you can quickly see the results of your procedure disappear before your eyes.

So, exactly how long do tummy tucks last? As long as you are willing to make the effort to maintain your results there is no reason your tummy tuck shouldn’t last as long as you!

What Does a Tummy Tuck Do?

During abdominoplasty, surgeons remove lumpy fat deposits from the abdomen, loose and excise any sagging skin. The surgeon will bring the muscles of the abdominal wall back together. Abdominoplasty will radically change the dimensions and appearance of your entire midsection.

When you tighten your abdominal wall, you draw in your waist and tone your belly. In cases of diastasis recti, this can help prevent herniation and chronic back pain as well. It is important to be aware that weight gain and pregnancy can easily separate these muscles again, negating the look of a tummy tuck. In order to maintain tummy tuck results, it is important to not gain significant amounts of weight after the procedure.

There is a difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck. Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits to reveal underlying muscle while a tummy tuck eliminates necessary skin, allowing for a taught and smooth appearance. This helps to enhance the definition of newly uncovered muscle. As with the tightening of abdominal muscles, weight gain will undo the results gained from liposuction.

Abdominoplasty is “Permanent”

Did you know that once subcutaneous fat has been removed, it cannot grow back? You should be aware that new fat can accumulate if you are not careful. If this happens and too much new fat begins to accumulate, the skin will stretch to accommodate the increasing bulk. This negates the effects of a tummy tuck obviously. If the weight gain is excessive then the abdominal muscles may separate as well, due to dangerous visceral fat enveloping the organs and expanding the middle portion of the body.

Fortunately, except for genetic factors and the gradual slowing of our metabolism as we age, weight gain is largely avoidable. This is especially true when it comes to excessive weight gain. It is important to maintain your tummy tuck results and be careful with weight gain. This is mostly up to you as you are the one who can control your weight with proper diet, exercise, and healthy eating.

As we just said, it is important to maintain your results of a tummy tuck through eating a healthy diet and committing to leading a healthy lifestyle. If you find your tend to normally struggle with these tings, if can be helpful to work with a dietician or registered nutritionist and personal trainer following your tummy tuck. Your surgeon should discuss a proper recovery and life plan for you for after your procedure. It is important to understand the procedure, its recovery, and everything you must do in order to maintain the desired results.

With careful management and some forethought, a tummy tuck can last a lifetime. If you manage your diet and exercise properly, there is no reason a tummy tuck can’t give you the figure you have always wanted forever.

A tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed today. While this procedure is generally quick, it is important to be aware the recovery can take several months. This is especially true when it comes to scar prevention and management. While it is frustrating not being able to get back on your feet right away, it is extremely important to give your body enough time to heal properly. This is the case with any surgery. The body needs time to heal.

Even though the results of a tummy tuck can be spectacular, it is major surgery and will require time off to heal. In most cases, people are able to return to work and begin exercising again about six to eight weeks after the procedure. It is important to be aware there are some factors that may impact your recovery but don’t worry, we have you covered. Here is a closer look at a few things to keep in mind regarding the tummy tuck post-recovery phase.

Recovery Times Vary

Everyone is different and so are recovery times. In the end, how long it takes for your body to heal after a tummy tuck depends on a number of factors including your age, overall health, post-op care routine, and type of tummy tuck.

The Type of Tummy Tuck Matters

The recovery time frame is dependent on the type of tummy tuck you decide to have. Each procedure is different and some will remove more skin, resulting in a larger incision, or the abdominal muscles in the area could be affected. For a full tummy tuck, the belly button has to be repositioned, while a mini tummy tuck does not. This results in a difference in recovery time.

Normal Post-Op Symptoms

You can expect a variety of symptoms from a tummy tuck surgery. Most of them are common and nothing to be alarmed about. These include: Bruising, Swelling and Redness It is a given that your abdomen will bruise, swell, and become red where the incisions are made. If you have drainage tubes to help decrease the amount of fluid buildup, this can become more noticeable. Don’t panic at the sight of your abdomen after the procedure. It has to look worse before it can get better so have patience.

Tightness and Stiffness in Abdomen

It is normal to experience tightness and stiffness in the abdomen after a tummy tuck but this feeling gradually decreases as the skin and tissue in the area begins to heal. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication if it's too uncomfortable or painful and once again, just because we haven’t said it enough, your surgeon should be a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Skin Firmness, Hypersensitivity or Lack of Sensitivity

It is normal during the recovery process to notice skin firmness, hypersensitivity, or even a lack of sensitivity in the abdomen. This happens because the abdominoplasty will reposition some of your abdominal nerves and muscles to contour the area and reach your desired results.

Asymmetry: Both Sides of Your Body Heal Differently.

Most patients are concerned if one side of their abdomen looks or feels differently than the other as it heals. Rest assured that this is normal.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

With any surgery, there is always a risk of infection. It is extremely important to follow all post surgical guidelines outlined by your doctor. Below is a list of post-op symptoms that are not normal and should be examined immediately.

Fever and chills

Drainage of pus

Foul smelling incisions

Excessive redness and soreness

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If you're worried about any tummy tuck complications, including infection and improper

healing, speak to your doctor about ways to minimize these risks.