There are many normal reasons that your weight can fluctuate around your midsection. From pregnancy to aging, a youthful tummy is hard to maintain! Working out and eating healthy can help you keep your figure trim, however, sometimes exercise and diet don’t cut it.
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a common option for removing excess weight from the stomach area. This procedure reshapes your midsection, leaving you with a youthful and healthy appearance.
Though tummy tucks are routine surgeries, patients need to consider the recovery time before opting for one. If you’re considering this self-esteem-boosting surgery, keep on reading to explore all you need to know!
Table of Contents
There’s More Than One Type of Tummy Tuck
A Tummy Tuck is a Common Procedure
You’ll Need To Call Your Family and Friends!
You’ll Need To Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
The Procedure Will Leave a Scar
Drains Will Help You Heal Faster
There’s More Than One Type of Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck actually refers to three types of surgeries! When you have a tummy tuck consultation, you’ll be considered for a mini surgery, a traditional surgery, and an extended surgery too.
Mini Tummy Tuck
The mini-abdominoplasty focuses on the skin around the navel area. When you opt for this surgery any excess fat and skin are removed to reduce a bulge appearance. This surgery doesn’t include the repair of abdominal muscles.
Traditional Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck usually refers to this type of abdominal surgery. The traditional method involves repairing muscles that have been stretched and any excess skin is repaired or removed. This method is often combined with liposuction too.
Extended Tummy Tuck
The extended tummy tuck is usually chosen by candidates that have lost a significant amount of weight. This procedure involves tissues and excess skin removed from the abdomen, thighs, back, and hips too. The extended tummy tuck also repairs and tones muscles in the abdomen, flanks, and back.
A Tummy Tuck is a Common Procedure
Tummy tucks are very common and surgeons are well experienced when performing them. Though they’re more complex than liposuction, you’ll always be in good hands with an experienced doctor. A tummy tuck is perfect for removing any excess tissue or sagging skin, delivering results where exercise and diet can’t.
You’ll Need To Call Your Family and Friends!
Healing from major surgery can be tough, so make sure you ask your family or friends to be your designated helpers. Your body needs lots of rest and recovery, meaning you will have limited movement for a few weeks post-operation.
To make sure your healing runs smoothly, have a trusted helper by your side for cooking, cleaning, childcare, or any other day-to-day jobs. It’s common for a partner or friend to assist recovery time by knowing your recovery rules, medications, and diet plan for the weeks following the tummy tuck.
You’ll Need To Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
While tummy tucks are proven to give you a smaller and tighter stomach, the possibility of gaining weight after the surgery is still there. Due to this, tummy tuck surgeries are usually recommended to those who are dedicated to a healthy lifestyle as they won’t likely experience any weight fluctuations in the future.
A 2013 study from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons proved that a large number of tummy tuck patients felt increased satisfaction when eating post-abdominoplasty. Their study also proved that women with a BMI of 24.5 and over before the procedure tended to keep any additional weight off!
The Procedure Will Leave a Scar
Though a tummy tuck will give you a new and improved look, the surgery will leave a scar. Even though this procedure is common, surgeons need to use incisions that leave scar tissue after. While no one wants a scar, the tummy tuck scar is very thin and can be easily hidden by swimsuits or underwear. Surgeons will always keep incisions as small as possible to guarantee results you will love.
Drains Will Help You Heal Faster
Many patients worry about the drains used in the procedure. This is a frequently discussed topic in consultations and though we understand the worry, drains are so useful in the healing process!
Drains are used to remove any excess fluids that accumulate post-surgery, removing this fluid minimizes swelling and boosts healthy healing. If drains aren’t used, any fluid will cause discomfort and a longer recovery time. Your doctor will show you the best way to deal with drains to make sure you heal well and can enjoy your results quickly!
Your Recovery Will Take Time
Even though we can speed healing up with drains and good recovery practice, the tummy tuck recovery period will take time. For the first week, you will have little energy and you’ll experience swelling and bruising too. Patients are always advised to participate in light movement to keep blood flowing, but any exercise or strenuous activity is discouraged.
Two weeks at least will be needed off from work, but this depends on how active your job is. After a month, patients are usually able to take part in light activities. Exercise can be continued after 12 weeks of healing. This may sound like a long time, but remember a tummy tuck involves invasive surgery and your body will take months to heal!
The Results Will Be Worth It!
Reading about the recovery time may put you off getting a tummy tuck – but it shouldn’t! Patients always rave about their results and many also experience a healthier mindset too. Tummy tucks are a great solution for candidates that want to shift excess skin and weight, alongside repairing their muscles.
How Can Beautifi Help?
If you’re interested in achieving a sculpted shape through a tummy tuck, book a consultation to discuss the procedure with an expert. While performing your own research is important, working with an experienced doctor will help you work out which procedure will be best for your body. A doctor can walk you through the procedure and they’ll also tailor it to you so you can enjoy great results. Get ready to experience a more youthful and contoured look!
Your dream body isn’t far away, the Beautifi team is always here to help when choosing a surgeon or financially planning for a cosmetic procedure. Learn how our process works or fill out an application to start your procedure journey!