subject: What Patients Should Know About Tummy Tuck Procedure [print this page] For many people, getting a flat stomach just isnt possible through the usual means of diet and exercise. For them, a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, can give them the flat stomach they desire. During this procedure, a surgeon removes the excess fat and skin in the abdomen while also tightening the muscles. This procedure should not be used in place of diet and exercise but is an option for some people who have lost weight but cant get rid of the fat in this area.
While men sometimes have this procedure performed, it is predominately used for woman who have had multiple pregnancies from which the skin and muscle has not recovered. People who have been on a weight loss program also may find that they have lost the weight everywhere else except in the abdominal area.
There are three different types of tummy tucks including the mini, standard, and extended. The mini is for those women who have had no more than one pregnancy and have only a small amount of skin that needs reduced. The standard tummy tuck is for women with several pregnancies and usually involves removal of excess skin in addition to repairing the underlying muscles. The extended tummy tuck is the most extensive procedure and is usually recommended for women with multiple pregnancies or if they have lost an excessive amount of weight loss. This procedure includes removal of the excess skin from both the abdomen and flanks.
The more extensive your surgery, the more scarring you will have as a result. Most incisions are made directly over the pubic area but with the extended tummy tuck, the scar will extend beyond the abdomen and towards the back. Tummy tucks are normally given under general anesthesia and, depending on the extent of your surgery, you may have to spend one night in the hospital. You will also need time for bed rest when you get home although you will need to move around several times throughout the day to prevent soreness. Recuperation time is usually two or three weeks.
Anyone considering abdominoplasty should have maintained their post-weight loss weight for a year and should not be considering pregnancies in the future in order to get the best results. The procedure should not be used in place of a diet and exercise plan for weight loss.
