Posts Tagged ‘Excess Skin’
Mini Tummy Tuck?
There’s nothing more depressing that looking down at your stomach and seeing it bulging outwards. Luckily now however you can easily get rid of that “beer gut” with a procedure known as the “tummy tuck” or as the medical fraternity would call it, an Abdominoplasy procedure.
Here are a few common questions regarding tummy tucks:
How will I know if I’m right for the procedure?
Typically a good candidate will have excess skin around their stomach following excessive weight loss or perhaps even the birth of their child. Other reasons such as stretch marks and muscles that have weakened considerably are good candidates for this operation.
You need to make sure you that you declare any other health issues to your surgeon while discussing the procedure so that you can make sure that you are fit to undertake the operation.
What types of tummy tucks are available?
There are quite a few different techniques and methods with this treatment available. Typically, the traditional method of removing large parts of excess skin and tightening the muscle underneath still applies.
Another option is a min tuck which is when the problem area lies just beneath the belly button and where the skin has a bit more elasticity. One of the most recent procedures that have come into favor recently is the endoscopic tummy tuck. This is usually reserved for those who only need minor muscle tightening or stomach smoothing. The great thing about this procedure is that the recovery time is much faster.
Will I be left with a huge scar?
It really does vary from case to case and is largely determined on how well you heal. Surgeons are very aware however about scars and make sure that they are easily hidden from plain view if possible. Mini tummy tucks generally have less scarring because the operation is smaller. An endoscopic tummy tuck as the least scarring of all.
How long before I’m back on my feet?
This will vary from person to person, the fast that you heal the better. In general however you will be looking at 3-4 weeks before you can resume your normal activities. This period may be even longer if you regularly engage in vigorous exercise.
Is it safe to undergo?
Like any operation, it has its risks but these are pretty minimal. If there are any problems it’s generally limited to bleeding, bruising, swelling, infection and slow healing. These risks can be greatly reduced if you make sure to choose wisely when picking a surgeon.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is normally an elective procedure, meaning that it generally is considered a cosmetic procedure although there are exceptions to the case when other medical conditions arise. It is important to note however that this procedure is not strictly for weight loss or appearance reasons.
If you are interested in losing weight then this option is probably not your best option. Losing weight consists of good nutrition and proper exercise to help you shed the pounds. A tummy tuck can be used to further emphasize your well toned body. A tummy tuck should be the last resort after you have followed your exercise and diet plan, think of it as just adding a cherry on the top.
The procedure itself is simply removing excess skin around the abdomen. In addition liposuction can also be used to remove excess fat. The simplest way to imagine it is to think of your skin being pulled tight and then any excess skin cut off.
Once the tummy tuck has been completed there will only be a small scar left after the operation. In addition the patient abdominal wall muscles are made tighter which makes your stomach look even more contoured.
It is common to also have other procedures done while you are undergoing a tummy tuck like combining your tummy tuck with some liposuction around your stomach and thighs.
Anesthesia is required but which type is used will depend on what type of tummy tuck you are going under, this of course will be discussed with your anesthesiologist.
If for example you are only having a partial tummy tuck then you are more likely to be put under a local anesthetic meaning you will be awake while the procedure is taking place. If you are having a full abdominoplasy then you will be given a general anesthetic.
Both men and woman can enjoy the benefits of a tummy tuck and it is becoming more and more popular with both sexes. More men in general are undergoing this procedure as they tend to lose weight faster. It is important to be realistic about the end results however, as the chances are that you will not go from someone who is 40 pounds overweight to a Baywatch model overnight.
However, the better shape that you are before the operation the more likely you are to have a better looking stomach post operation.