What are the options after a person has had pregnancies or large weight loss and the skin and muscles in the stomach have become flabby. Tummy tuck enhances your body contour by making your abdomen firmer and flatter. You may find that you feel more comfortable in your clothing and are more confident about your appearance.

Tummy tuck candidates are close to the ideal weight, have good skin tone and elasticity and usually exhibit one of the following characteristics: weakened abdominal muscles, protruding abdomen, excess or sagging abdominal skin or tissue. If you are planning to lose a lot of weight through dieting, or other means, wait before you schedule your consultation with your surgeon.

before the tummy tuck surgery
During your consultation, it is important that you fully understand the tummy tuck procedure and get all of your questions answered. You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. It is important for the doctor to have a clear understanding of your medical background to make a qualified decision about your potential for a tummy tuck procedure.

As with all procedures, it is important that you discuss your personal expectations with the doctor as well. All of these factors will weigh into the doctor’s decision about what is best for you.

Prior to the surgery, the physician should provide a list of guidelines for your preparation.

the tummy tuck surgery
A tummy tuck procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis or during a brief hospital stay. The most common method involves smoothing out the stomach muscles by placing a horizontal incision that generally spans the hips. To tighten the abdomen wall, the surgeon will bring together loose tissue and shorten muscle by suturing them. The excess skin which remains after this process is than pulled downward and removed. Depending on the amount of skin that exists, the navel may need to be repositioned. A small incision will create the new opening for the belly button. Resulting scars from the tummy tuck procedure are permanent but should fade over time.

after the tummy tuck surgery
The healing process for the tummy tuck procedure is a gradual one and varies depending upon each individual. You will probably be asked or advised to wear a support garment during the recovery period. The day after surgery, the doctor will probably have you take short walks to promote blood circulation.

As with any surgery, a tummy tuck does carry some uncertainty but is normally safe as long as it is performed by a Board-Certified plastic surgeon and the operating room is adequately equipped. Risk and complications of the surgery are best discussed between you and your surgeon. You can help to lessen certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after surgery.

Check-up visits after your tummy tuck surgery will be necessary to monitor progress after the surgery. If you have any discomfort or concerns following the surgery, call your doctor to discuss the problems immediately.

The information presented on this site is intended to be used for informational use only, it is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. If you are planning on having a procedure performed or if there is anything you don't understand about your procedure, please consult one of our physicians.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons click here or call (800) 505-3627.