Sit ups not giving you the taut tummy you'd like?

If you have too much flab or excess skin in your abdomen that does not respond to diet or exercise, you may consider a "tummy tuck" called abdominoplasty by doctors.

This operation flattens the abdomen by removing extra fat and skin and tightening the abdominal wall muscles.

Although you may choose to get liposuction along with a tummy tuck, it is not the same as liposuction.

This is a major operation, so if you are considering it, you should be aware of the facts before deciding whether to proceed.

 

Best Candidates for Tummy Tuck surgery

For men and women in good health, a tummy tuck is suitable.Women with multiple pregnancies may find the procedure useful to tighten their abdominal muscles and reduce skin. For men or women who once were obese and still have excess fat deposits or loose skin around the belly, a tummy tuck is also an option.

 

Who should not think for tummy tuck surgery?

If you are a woman who is planning to become pregnant, you may want to postpone a tummy tuck until you have kids. Your vertical muscles are tightened during surgery, and these muscles can be separated by future pregnancies.

If you plan to lose a lot of weight then tummy tuck surgery is not for you. After you have tried everything else, a tummy tuck should be a last option. It should not be used as a weight loss alternative.

The appearance of scars after a tummy tuck surgery should also be considered. Before the surgery, you can talk to the doctor about scar placement and length.

 

How to Prepare for Tummy Tuck Surgery

Choosing a surgeon and seeing him or her for consultation is the first step. You will be discussing your goals and the following options at that meeting:

• Complete abdominoplasty: The surgeon will cut your abdomen from hipbone to hipbone and then, if necessary, contour the skin, tissue, and muscle. The operation will involve moving your belly button, and a few days under your skin you may need drainage tubes.
• Partial or mini abdominoplasty: Mini - abdominoplasty is often performed on people whose fat deposits are under the navel. The surgeon will most likely not move your belly button during this procedure, and depending on your case, the procedure may only take up to two hours.

Before the operation, do not try a drastic diet. Eat well-equilibrated, full meals. A healthy diet can improve your healing. Tell your doctor what you are taking, including prescription medicines, herbal medicines, and other supplements. Your surgeon may instruct you to stop taking certain medicines a while before and after the operation.

Get your home ready before the surgery. You're going to need:

• Loose, comfortable clothes that can be easily put on and off
• Ice packs
• Petroleum jelly
• Hand - held head and chair for the bathroom

You'll also need someone after the tummy tuck to drive you home. If you live alone, at least the first night you're going to want someone to stay with you. Make a plan to do that.

Possible problems

In the days after the surgery, you will have pain and swelling. Your doctor will prescribe medicine for pain and will tell you how to handle the pain best. For several weeks or months, you may be sore.

During that time, you may also experience numbness, bruising, and fatigue.

There are risks, as with any operation. Complications may include infection, bleeding under the skin flap, or blood clots, although they are rare. If you have poor circulation, diabetes, or heart, lung, or liver disease, you may be more likely to have complications.

You may experience insufficient healing, which may lead to greater scarring or skin loss. If you do not heal well, you may need a second operation.

There are scars left by a tummy tuck. Although they may slightly disappear, they will never disappear completely. After you have completely healed to help with scars, your surgeon may recommend certain creams or ointments.