What Is Procedure Of A Tummy Tuck?

Demystifying The Tummy Tuck Procedure

The tummy tuck procedure, otherwise known by its medical term, the abdominoplasty, is an elective, cosmetic surgery. The tummy tuck procedure takes away extra fat and skin from the abdomen and tightens the muscles and skin left behind. Women who have had children or people that have recently lost a great deal of weight quickly turn to this procedure because they have stretched or loose skin that no amount of working out can eliminate.

To be considered a candidate for a tummy tuck procedure you need to be in good health and relatively fit as well. If you’re a woman considering becoming pregnant later on, you should put off getting a tummy tuck. The risk of tightened vertical muscles breaking while pregnant is far too great.

Just as you find with other surgeries, there is a considerable amount of risk to the patient. Thousands of uncomplicated tummy tucks are done every year. The surgeries completed by qualified plastic surgeons with body contouring experience usually are the most positive. Still, there is the risk for developing a post-surgical blood clot. Immediate but non-rigorous movement after surgery can help to reduce such a risk. Post-operative infection can occur and could lead to a round of antibiotics or the need for drainage, thus lengthening a patient’s recovery time.

A tummy tuck procedure takes two to five hours. The surgeon creates a long cut from one hip bone to the other. A second incision then loosens the navel from the surrounding tissue. The doctor separates the skin from the wall of the abdomen up to the patient’s rib area to reveal the vertical muscles. The surgeon tightens the muscles by pulling them and stitching them more closely to one another. This makes the abdominal wall firmer and waistline narrower. The flap of skin is then pulled and reattached. Any extra skin remaining is then removed. The surgeon then creates a new navel which is put in place and secured by stitched. Dressings are applied and a short-term drainage tube might be inserted as well.

By getting a tummy tuck you can improve your self-confidence and appearance but it’s not a silver bullet. It’s important that you do your homework first and know the risks before you go under the knife.


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