Tummy Tuck

Sometimes, our midsection gives us the biggest problem. But thanks to technology, people who are concerned about the “size” of their abdomens need not have to do a hundred sit-ups everyday just to achieve a better-looking midsection.

Tummy tuck, or known in the medical field as sbdominoplasty, is a rapidly-growing cosmetic surgery technique. In fact, it was found out to have the greatest increase rate within the last three years. Its growth rate was more than 60% compared to the other methods of plastic surgery.

Tummy tucks are major surgery techniques that work to eliminate excess fat and skin along the midsection of the body. These procedures also tighten the abdominal wall muscles, and are capable of significantly reducing a “protruding abdomen” look. However, patients should understand that they are likely to deal with permanent scars after undergoing a tummy tuck. Sometimes, if the surgery was an extensive one, the scar can run from one hip to the other.

People who are thinking about having a tummy tuck should be well-versed with the procedure. They should have enough knowledge on its benefits, limitations, procedure, possible complications, recovery period, and cost. If something about the surgery is unclear, their surgeons should be able to explain it to them.

Tummy tuck surgery is highly appropriate for men and women in good health, but who are uncomfortable of their fat deposits or hanging abdominal skin, which were not responsive to diet or exercise. The procedure is especially beneficial to those women whose abdominal skin and muscles have stretched extensive due to multiple pregnancies. Older patients may also benefit from tummy tuck to correct the effect of lost skin elasticity.

Patients who are still planning to lose more weight should put off the surgery until after they have achieved the desired weight. Women who are thinking about getting pregnant in the future should not undergo a tummy tuck prior pregnancy, as the tightened abdominal muscles during surgery are likely to separate. Patients who have scars left by a previous surgery in the abdomen may be cautioned against going through a tummy tuck. Abdominoplasty cause the scars to be very prominent.

All types of surgery come with inevitable risks. However, a tummy tuck that is performed by a qualified surgeon, may have reduced risks. However, patients should be informed about certain post-operative complications like blood clots and infections. The occurrence of blood clots can be avoided by moving about, if possible, right after surgery. Infections, on the other hand, may be treated by draining or through antibiotics. Slower healing process, which leads to prominent scars, may require the patient to undergo a second operation. Patients should be advised to stop smoking as this can delay the healing process, and can heighten the risks of complications.

The surgeon may choose to use a general anesthesia to allow you to sleep during the surgery. A local anesthesia may also be used instead, and is mostly given along with a sedative, so that even if you are awake, you will feel relaxed. Although you are likely to feel some tugging or discomfort along your midsection, you are not generally going to feel any pain.

Majority of the time, incision during a tummy tuck goes from one hipbone to another, directly on top of the pubic area. Another incision is also made to get the surrounding tissue away from the navel.

The tummy or abdomen comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, only a few of these are regarded as “appealing” by modern society. And as long as what we perceive as “appealing” remain so, there will always be that need for tummy tucks.