The Scoop On Tummy Tucks
A tummy tuck is a colloquial name for a surgery technically known as abdominoplasty which removes excess fat and skin from the midsection. A tummy tuck will help tighten your abdominal muscles in order to improve the look and health of your waistline.
In the Chicago Land area the Women’s Institute of Cosmetic & Laser Surgery does abdominoplasty and other types of cosmetic and laser surgery. The Institute is for women wanting effective, low risk procedures to change their body image. The Institute is an all female Illinois cosmetic surgery practice with medical offices throughout Chicagoland.
At the start of an abdominoplasty, an incision is made across the abdomen, in the lower area of the stomach. The doctor makes a second incision to free the belly button from the belly button stalk. The skin is then pulled up along the rib cage, separating it from the abdominal wall and excess fat is removed. Next the surgeon tightens the underlying tissue and muscle by suturing it together, revealing a tighter, more toned waistline.
The surgeon then pulls the skin back down, removing any excess, and makes a new incision for the belly button. A compete abdominoplasty takes about two to five hours, while a partial one which only focuses on the lower abdominal area takes an hour or two.
Ideal candidates for this procedure include people who retain excess fat and skin around their midsections even if they adhere to a healthy diet and exercise routine, especially people who have loose skin after weight loss or multiple pregnancies.
Before administering an abdominoplasty, a surgeon will consult with a patient and get all of their relevant personal medical details to decide whether the procedure is right for them. He will then examine your abdominal area to measure fat deposits, their distribution, and your general skin tone. After going over the process, the surgeon will then explain the recovery process to you and estimate how long it’s likely to take, and give you an honest assessment of what results you should ultimately expect from your surgery.
If you choose to go ahead with the plastic surgery, your doctor will give you specific instructions before surgery, including not smoking for two weeks before and two weeks after the procedure to ensure that your abdominal area heals properly.
Recovery times depends upon the individual, but many people are able to return to work after only one to two weeks, even though they may not fully recover for several months. There will be some scarring that lasts a while longer.
