The Purpose of Abdominoplasty and its Patients

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as tummy tuck, is a cosmetic procedure done to remove excess fat and skin on one's stomach. It is usually compared to liposuction, as the end result of the surgery is a more refined body mass and a much thinner figure. The difference between the two operations is that abdominoplasty is much more focused on reshaping a person's tummy through surgery while liposuction removes excess fat in multiple parts of a person's body.

The Basics of Tummy Tuck Surgery

If you just can’t seem to remove excess skin around your abdomen despite following a strict daily exercise regimen, you might want to consider undergoing a tummy tuck. Also known as an abdominoplasty, tummy tuck surgery removes excess skin and tightens the muscles around the abdominal area.

This type of surgery is a great solution for people who have recently lost a large amount of weight. As the body stores fat, the skin is stretched to accommodate the increase in fat deposits. However, the skin may stay in its stretched form even if fat has been reduced. That said, tummy tucks are also a great option for women looking to shed off excess skin gained from previous pregnancies.

Tummy tuck surgery is available for both men and women in good physical health. Those interested in undergoing the procedure should speak with an experienced plastic surgeon. The procedure is not advised for people whose sole purpose for undergoing a tummy tuck is to lose weight. At the same time, women who plan to get pregnant again later on in life should also avoid the procedure.

The recovery period after a tummy tuck usually ranges between 2 to 6 weeks. During this period, follow the instructions your doctor will give you to help your body recover quickly.

Things to Look Out for in Your Cosmetic Doctor

You’ve decided to take a step to regaining your looks and confidence by undergoing surgery. That’s great, but you must remember that there are several things you should watch out for, especially if you’re planning to get the treatment through medical tourism. Here are critical issues to be mindful of:

Can Tummy Tucks Do More Than Make You Look Good?

Vanity can sometimes influence you to make big decisions about your body. One is to undergo abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, after a major weight loss episode or pregnancy. Without knowing much about this procedure, you may think that it's all about keeping your torso attractive since it involves the removal of fat and excess skin from the abdomen area.

While this is true, a tummy tuck also has health benefits you may not be aware of and weight maintenance is one of them. A study concludes that patients who have gone through the procedure tend to keep their weight off right after the surgery. This allows them to shed off more pounds and reach their weight goals. It is also believed that the removal of abdominal fat cells reduces the level of hormones responsible for appetite. This is proven by the fact that most patients who’ve undergone the procedure tend to feel less hungry and feel full right after a meal.

Moreover, abdominoplasty when combined with other surgical procedures like hysterectomies and kidney transplant is a good strategy when done safely. Removing abdomen fat and extra skin lessens the risk of infection and improves the healing process after a surgery.

The Tummy Tuck & Post-Operative Care

While tummy tucks yield great results, post-operative care can be hard to bear. The procedure is designed to remove excess skin and fat, while helping tighten the muscles. While you may be familiar with the benefits that come with tummy tucks, how will you recover from the procedure successfully?

The most critical period after the operation will be the first 48 hours, during which the harshest pain will occur. Take the medication that was prescribed by your doctor, and consume light snacks to help you combat nausea. Food may include hot soups and biscuits; consuming these before you drink the medicine may work as well. Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as any ibuprofen-based product, are out of the question for the next two weeks after the operation as they may cause the bruising to swell.

Your surgeon will recommend that you wear special compression garments after the operation. This is designed to reinforce back support and reduce abdominal swelling. However, take care not to adjust it too tightly to prevent constricting the blood flow in the affected area. While hot or cold compresses are known to ease the pain, such is not the case for tummy tuck recovery; applying them will reduce your ability to determine temperatures.