5 Tummy Tuck Facts to Know

Thursday, July 16, 2015
Many Americans continuously struggle with losing weight and on and off dieting and exercise. Unfortunately, sometimes a healthy diet and some exercises aren't just enough to give you the flat and toned stomach you really want. Especially when you've already lost a big amount of weight, it can be difficult to get the toned and tight stomach you once had. Sometimes, a person's skin just won't go back to the way it used to be. For people who struggle with wanting this flat stomach that seems impossible to achieve, a tummy tuck may be the perfect answer. This procedure, which is also referred to as an abdominoplasty, restores your abdominal muscles and removes excess skin and fat to create a smoother and more youthful looking tummy. Before getting a tummy tuck or considering it, there are a couple of things you should know:
1. A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure. Although a tummy tuck does remove some fat, it is not meant to treat overweight patients as a tool of weight loss. If you have already lost a great amount of weight, it is recommended that you wait a while before doing this procedure, just to make sure it is stable.
2. Recovery will last a few weeks. This procedure is one of the most extensive cosmetic procedures that does require a few weeks of recovery. For about the first five days after your procedure, you will need help from a friend or family member. You must rest your body and take your pain medications to help you recover faster.
3. There are different types of tummy tucks. Luckily, you have several choices when considering this procedure. The traditional abdominoplastic removes skin and fat as well as tightens the abdominal muscles. The mini-tummy tuck focuses on the loose skin only below the belly button. The extended tuck targets your whole lower torso. You should speak to your doctor before deciding which fits your needs best.
4. Men can get abdominoplastic too. Although abdominoplastic are more common among women after pregnancy, men are also great candidates for anaplasty after losing an extreme amount of weight. Men can also have loose abdominal muscles and sagging skin in the tummy area that just can't be fixed with exercise.
5. Results of a tummy tuck are fairly permanent. The results of your tummy tuck are permanent as long as your maintain your weight. You should definitely avoid any fluctuations in weight.