Many women follow a healthy diet and exercise routine in order to stay in shape and maintain their figure. But what about those stubborn bits of excess skin around your midsection that don’t seem to go away no matter how hard you try?
If you’ve found yourself avoiding the clothes you can no longer fit into or not doing the things you love because you lack confidence in your body, you’re not alone! Loose skin around the midsection can occur for various reasons, including pregnancy, C-section, drastic weight loss, and even natural aging. Dieting and exercising can reduce your overall body fat, but it won’t help you with excess skin. This is where the tummy tuck comes in.
What is a tummy tuck?
Also referred to as an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure designed to remove extra skin and tissue around the abdominal muscles while simultaneously repairing abdominal muscles that have been damaged or stretched. Though the tummy tuck focuses on excess skin removal as opposed to fat removal, many patients will opt to receive liposuction to create the figure they’ve always wanted.
Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
Tummy tucks can be life-changing for any woman who is ready for a change within her midsection. If you’ve been leading a healthy lifestyle for years, and yet the shape of your stomach never seems to change, you’re probably dealing with loose skin that no amount of dieting will get rid of. This can occur if you’ve been pregnant or if you've experienced drastic weight loss in a short period of time.
Women who have been pregnant will also sometimes notice that their stomach appears to be bloated regardless of what they eat. This can be caused by the stretching or separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy and is easily taken care of with a tummy tuck to give you your self-confidence back.
At ACPS, we also offer what we call a “Mommy Makeover.” We know, as mothers, our bodies change significantly during that magical time. Our bodies go through many changes and can make our bodies change permanently. There are small nips and tucks that can make a huge difference and we can help you get your confidence back! Our Mommy Makeover helps to address post-pregnancy concerns of deflated breasts and changes to our stomach. The packages include a tummy tuck, breast enhancement, or you can choose both!
How do you prepare for a tummy tuck?
Before a tummy tuck, it’s important to go over your medical history and confirm that you’re not allergic to any medications or anesthetics. You should also receive a physical exam from your doctor to confirm that you’re physically up for the surgery. Be prepared to discuss your reasoning for wanting a tummy tuck with your surgeon as well as your expectations from the procedure.
If you are overweight, most doctors will recommend that you lose some weight before having a tummy tuck in order to achieve the best results. Once your tummy tuck is scheduled, be sure to arrange for someone to take you home after your surgery and help you through the first few nights of recovery.
What is tummy tuck recovery like?
After a tummy tuck, you can expect moderate pain and swelling in the abdomen area for several days. You’ll have to wear an abdominal binder for around six weeks post-op to provide the abdominal support your recovering muscles will need to heal. You’ll also have to use drains to prevent fluid buildup for about a week after surgery, which your surgeon will explain how to use in detail. Generally, tummy tuck recipients should avoid strenuous movement and heavy lifting for up to six weeks post-op in order to ensure that their incisions heal completely.
Explore a Mommy Makeover or Daddy Do-Over
It’s very common to explore other procedures and surgeries while you’re receiving your tummy tuck. Mommy Makeover and Daddy Do-overs can include a variety of procedures that help you become confident in yourself again. A Mommy Makeover usually targets the main areas affected by pregnancy: the stomach area and breasts. A Daddy Do-Over can help a dad to tackle his dad bod or even his tired eyes. Both men and women walk away from these procedures refreshed and ready to conquer motherhood.
What is the cost of a tummy tuck?
Pricing for tummy tucks can vary depending on a patient’s needs, but most will spend between $8,000 and $10,000 for their procedure.
If you have been thinking about a tummy tuck, now is the time! Contact the experts at the Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery online or at 410-308-4700.
