Many people looking to alter their midsection appearance opt for an abdominoplasty. An abdominoplasty is referred to as a tummy tuck and can change the appearance of your midsection to make it appear flatter and smaller.

A plastic surgeon performs a tummy tuck and can help you achieve your cosmetic goals within a stipulated time. It is different from liposuction that aims to remove fat deposits from other areas of your body.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

When you opt to get this procedure, you remove excess fat from your abdomen and the excess skin that is present. When you remove fat from any part of your body, the skin is bound to sag and look unappealing.

The excess skin can make you look like you have a lot of weight, even if that’s not the case. The excess skin is removed in a surgical method that ensures that it doesn’t leave lasting marks on your abdomen.

Why is it Done?

People who consider abdominoplasty have excess fat on their abdomen and need to restore it to normal. If you are working out and have lost a lot of weight, you might have excess skin that needs to be removed. Those who have recently undergone pregnancy or a significant weight shift are also ideal patients for this procedure.

You should think about getting this procedure if:

• Your BMI is over 30
• If you’re planning on getting pregnant in the future
• When you’re trying to lose weight
• If you’re suffering from a chronic heart condition
• If you can’t seem to lose the last bit of weight despite working out
• If you’re looking for a contoured and toned midsection
• If you feel like getting a tummy tuck will boost your image.

Preparing For It

When you’re looking to get abdominoplasty done, you have to talk to a plastic surgeon about your eligibility for it. A plastic surgeon will comprehensively inform you about the procedure and what it entails.

If you’ve taken any medications or undergone a medical or cosmetic procedure in the past, you have to inform the plastic surgeon beforehand. You have to ensure that you cover your entire medical history with the surgeon.

A physical examination will be conducted to ensure that your abdomen doesn’t have any problems and might even take photos to show you where and what the changes will be. You will also need to:

• Stop smoking before the surgery to fasten the healing process
• Avoid specific medications that can increase bleeding
• Maintain your current weight for at least twelve months before the procedure
• You might also need to arrange for someone to help you recover after the procedure.

How It Works

There are various ways that it can occur, depending on what kind of change you’re looking for. Typically, incisions are made to remove the fat and skin between your belly button and pubic area. The cut is usually either in a horizontal oval shape.

The connective tissues over your abdominal muscles are tightened with permanent sutures. The skin is repositioned around your belly button, and the incision made is stitched together. It will leave a scar that falls along a natural crease within the bikini line.

Precautions to Be Taken

Surgeons will also give antibiotics to prevent an infection from happening after the procedure. You might also have to stop taking any of your regular medication on advice from your surgeon.

The procedure takes two or three hours to complete, and you might need to stay at the facility depending on your unique conditions. The targeted area where the procedure has been done will be covered in surgical dressing to prevent infections and bleeding.

You might also need to take pain medication depending on how severe you feel your pain may be. Surgeons can also prescribe blood-thinning medications for some time after your tummy tuck to prevent any clots.

Expectations

An abdominoplasty is usually done at a hospital or even an outpatient facility with surgical functions. You will also be given general anesthesia, which will make you unconscious while the procedure is being conducted. It will ensure that you don’t feel any pain while the procedure happens.

Results

Don’t expect to see results right away, as your tummy will be covered with surgical dressing during the first few days. Your surgeon might also give you a compression garment to aid the results and process.

You can expect to be up and walking within a day and have medications to prevent excessive pain and blood clots.