If you find yourself striving for a flatter stomach but unable to meet your goals through diet and exercise, you may be interested in other solutions. Tummy tuck surgery is one of the most popular plastic surgical procedures because it creates a thinner, more toned midsection in a matter of hours.
At Plastic Surgery Specialists of South Florida, we offer tummy tuck procedures in Hollywood, FL, for people looking to remove excess loose skin and stubborn fat from their abdomen. Here is everything you need to know about tummy tucks.
Also known as an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims to flatten the stomach and create a more toned midsection. During a tummy tuck, excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is placed in a tighter, firmer position on the body.
If you have stretched or damaged abdominal muscles, these are also repaired at this time. Additionally, some tummy tucks can remove small amounts of fat that have accumulated around the midsection. In most cases, however, this would involve a combined liposuction procedure.
A mini abdominoplasty is a variant of the traditional tummy tuck procedure that focuses primarily on the lower portion of the abdomen. During a mini abdominoplasty, excess loose skin is removed from the area between the belly button and the top of the pubic area.
This is a great option for patients who have toned most of their midsections but struggle with sagginess or looseness above the pubic bone. It is a less extensive alternative to the full tummy tuck process since it works with a much smaller portion of the body.
Tummy tuck surgery can benefit a wide variety of patients who want to get in better shape and achieve certain aesthetic goals. The following are just a few factors that could make you a great candidate for abdominoplasty or mini abdominoplasty:
During pregnancy, your stomach stretches outward as your uterus grows to accommodate your growing baby. After your child is born, you may have loose skin along the abdomen or even stretched abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck can be used to remove any loose skin and repair the abdominal muscles to create a more toned appearance.
Another factor that can lead you to opt for tummy tuck surgery is the natural aging process. As you age, your skin loses vital collagen and elastin. This can cause the skin to drop and sag downwards in various areas of the body, including the stomach. An abdominoplasty surgery can be used to remove sagging skin and reposition the remaining skin into a higher, tighter placement along the abdomen.
Previous weight loss can also lead to tummy tuck surgery. When you lose a significant amount of weight, you may be left with loose, hanging skin in certain areas of the body. This is often most notable around the stomach and midsection. Diet and exercise cannot address excess skin, so surgical intervention is often required in these instances. An abdominoplasty can remove any loose skin from your stomach and create a smoother, tighter abdomen.
Many people wonder, “What is a tummy tuck like?” prior to seeking this type of procedure. It’s always beneficial to know what you can expect with any surgery, especially cosmetic procedures. Take a look at this breakdown of the complete tummy tuck process to better understand abdominoplasty:
Before your tummy tuck, you will need to have a consultation appointment to confirm that abdominoplasty is the best course of action to meet your needs. Your surgeon will evaluate your abdominal composition and go over your desired outcome to make sure this is the right treatment. Once we determine you are a good candidate, you will be able to schedule your surgery and move forward with preparation.
In the weeks leading up to your surgery, you will need to receive medical clearance from your primary care doctor. The night before your procedure, you will be asked to stop eating and drinking 12 hours prior to the time your tummy tuck is scheduled to account for the anesthesia you will receive during the surgery.
You will be under general anesthesia for your tummy tuck, which means you will not feel or be aware of anything throughout the procedure. Your surgeon will make a long horizontal incision along the bottom portion of your abdomen. Any loose or excess skin will be removed at this time. If you have stretched or damaged abdominal muscles, these will be repaired.
Once all the necessary amendments have been made, your remaining skin will be closed in a tighter, smoother position using tiny sutures. This entire process can take anywhere from one to three hours to complete, depending on your needs.
After your tummy tuck, you will be moved to an aftercare area to awaken from anesthesia. Once you are fully awake, you may be sent home within several hours. Some patients need to remain overnight for observation.
About one week after your procedure, your sutures can be removed. You will need to be very careful during this time and avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting. You may be asked to wear a compression garment around your abdomen to reduce swelling and provide additional support to the healing tissues in your midsection. Most people see their final results about four to six weeks after their surgery.
Have you been considering a tummy tuck procedure to achieve a flatter, more toned abdomen? At Plastic Surgery Specialists of South Florida, we offer tummy tuck procedures for patients throughout Hollywood, FL, including mini abdominoplasty. We take pride in consistently delivering the results our patients envision. Contact us online or by phone to learn more today.
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