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Many people who have been pregnant or have lost a significant amount of weight from their abdominal area find that the skin and fat in this area sag. Regardless of exercise and diet, they are unable to achieve the flat and/or sculpted look they want. Abdominoplasty For these people, a tummy tuck, or Abdominoplasty surgery may be what they need. A healthy diet and exercise will help, but this does nothing for the loose, saggy skin. Abdominoplasty is cosmetic surgery that removed excess fat and skin from the abdominal area and can tighten the related muscles. Preparing for Tummy Tuck Surgery A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the first step. Not everyone is a good candidate for abdominoplasty, and the surgeon will determine if it is the right procedure for you. In addition to looking at your medical history such as allergies, whether you are taking medication, have been pregnant or have had other surgeries, the surgeon will also examine you to determine how much extra skin and fat you have in your abdominal region. He or she will also asses your expectations during the consultation. During the exam, the surgeon will often take “before” photos and also check the condition of your abdominal muscles. If you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck and you decide you want to have the procedure, there are a few pre-operative protocols you must follow. You will receive a list of instructions from your doctor that may include stopping certain medications about 2 weeks prior to your surgery. These medications include aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and blood thinners, which can increase bleeding. Routine blood testing and a cardiac work-up will also be required. Some herbs may also increase bleeding risk, such as vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea and gingko biloba. These natural remedies must also be reported to your doctor. Your doctor may recommend taking some supplements prior to surgery, such as vitamin C. Smoking is not recommended before surgery, as it can cause a delay in wound healing and necrosis (death) of the skin. The Procedure Abdominoplasty is a major surgery that is performed with general anesthesia, and takes two to five hours. Sometimes a local anesthetic with a sedative can be used. The procedure consists of re-positioning the stretched abdominal muscles and stitching them into a new position, then removing excess skin and fat. The cut is done in a lateral direction between the pelvic bones. After Tummy Tuck Surgery Having a Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure. Many people take up to three weeks before returning to their normal life. Some people leave the hospital on the same day, while others stay 2-3 days. For the first few days, the abdomen will be swollen and sore, and your doctor may prescribe pain medication. Following initial healing, exercise is recommended. You will receive special tummy tuck exercise instructions that you can start after about 4 weeks post-op. These will be light to moderate, and after about six to eight weeks you can resume normal exercise and activity. You may find that your abdominal scars will appear to worsen during the first three to six months. They will eventually become lighter and smaller, which may take up to nine months. The scars will never disappear completely, but they are not difficult to conceal with clothing. There are many effective skin products that can help minimize your scars. Tummy Tuck Risks With every surgical procedure there are risks. Some of these are listed: Anesthesia risks Sub-cutaneous bleeding under the skin flap Insufficient healing Tissue loss Infection Collection of blood beneath the skin (hematoma) Collection of fluid under the skin (seroma) Blood clot to the lungs Aspiration pneumonia Death If you follow the pro-op and post op guidelines for your doctor, many of these potential complications can be mitigated. People with pre-conditions such as heart or lung disease, poor circulation or diabetes have a greater risk, as well as people with recent prior surgery in the abdominal region.. Tummy Tuck Alternatives – Mini Tummy Tuck People who have different needs can receive more personalized treatment. For example, if the problem is just loose skin, you can get a “skin only” tummy tuck, which removes excess skin, but leaves the muscles. A Mini Tummy tuck is effective when you have a small roll of loose skin and some muscle bulge from having children. This procedure is a smaller incision along your bikini line, and the doctor removes the extra skin. An endoscopic tummy tuck is done to tighten looses abdominal muscles alone, and for just fat you can use liposuction. Obese people are generally not good candidates for a tummy tuck. Weight loss is recommended before any surgical procedure is done. Diet and exercise recommendations, and referral to a bariatric surgeon may be suggested. Consult a Qualified Plastic Surgeon for your Tummy Tuck You should choose only doctors who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This ensures that your doctor has had extensive training and is up to date on new technology and techniques. Tummy Tuck Costs Since this surgery is cosmetic and elective, most insurance companies do not cover the costs. If you have a hernia that could be corrected by the surgery or have had surgery for weight loss, your insurance carrier may fund some of the cost.
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