Posted March 30, 2015
There are always a lot of questions when it comes to cosmetic surgery, and doing your homework to make the best decision for yourself personally is essential. Below are several answers to frequently asked questions about Tummy Tucks or Abdominoplasty surgery.
Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
Good candidates for tummy tucks have some excess skin, loose muscle and may have some excess fat. This commonly occurs after pregnancy and good candidates will not want to get pregnant after the procedure so they do not ruin the result. Ideal patients will be within 20% of their ideal body weight. Other good candidates are patients who have had significant weight loss, either through diet and exercise, or from surgery.
Should you lose weight before the procedure?
Weight loss is useful, but not essential. In general, the closer you are to your ideal body weight, the better the result.
Is a tummy tuck only for females post-pregnancy or can anyone get it?
Patients who undergo weight loss surgery are often good candidates for tummy tuck when their weight is stable. Men are also candidates for a tummy tuck, especially if they have had weight loss from diet and exercise or from surgery.
Is liposuction involved?
Liposuction is used to remove excess fat if it is present.
What type of anesthesia is used?
Most surgeons perform tummy tuck surgery using general anesthesia. Some surgeons use local anesthesia and sedation.
How long is the procedure?
The length of surgery varies with the amount of surgery needed and the surgeon’s experience. Most cases take 2-3 hours.
Will a tummy tuck rid you of stretch marks?
A tummy tuck removes those stretch marks that are below the belly button in many cases. Stretch marks that are above the belly button are moved down, but not removed.
Are there scars after the procedure?
Scars after surgery are permanent. The length and appearance of the scar varies among patients. In general, scars fade with time.
Is a tummy tuck a permanent solution or will the skin lose its firmness over time?
Results from these procedures are permanent. However, if you gain weight, you can adversely affect the result.
How long can you wait after pregnancy before it is too late for the procedure to work?
You should not undergo a tummy tuck after pregnancy until your body changes have stabilized from your pregnancy. There is no limit on the time that you can wait before having the procedure after a pregnancy.
Are there any alternatives to a tummy tuck that are as effective without anesthesia?
Only a tummy tuck can remove excess skin, contour fat and tighten muscle. A tummy tuck will flatten the tummy and narrow the waist at the same time. Liposuction removes fat, but skin shrinkage after liposuction varies from patient to patient, even if ultrasound or laser is used to assist with the liposuction. There are some devices that can be used to heat and shrink skin, but they do not remove fat and do not affect the muscle in any way.
So the good news is that any of us can regain our pre-pregnancy or pre-weight loss abdominal tone after undergoing a tummy tuck along with some liposuction and even see some improvement in our stretch marks as well. It is just a matter of getting to our near ideal weight and then making the decision to have the procedure!
