Top 7 Tummy Tuck Questions Answered

Many women who have been pregnant work hard to lose their baby weight but still may have loose skin and extra fat in the midsection.

Pregnancy stretches the abdominal skin and may separate the abdominal muscles, leaving the belly with loose, sagging skin. A Chicago tummy tuck can eliminate this extra skin and give you a smooth, taut stomach like before you were pregnant.

Before having a tummy tuck, it’s essential to learn as much as you can. Below are the most common questions about tummy tucks.

Do I Need A Tummy Tuck?

Do you have a lot of extra skin and fat around the belly that diet and exercise don’t eliminate? Many women develop this problem after pregnancy, and both men and women may have loose, sagging belly skin after losing a lot of weight.

It’s essential to be healthy before having a tummy tuck because it’s a serious surgery with a long recovery.

Also, you should get a tummy tuck for yourself and not make your partner happy. Further, you should wait to have a tummy tuck if you plan to get pregnant or lose a lot of weight.

What Happens During A Tummy Tuck?

Your plastic surgeon will make a long incision from hip to hip. The location depends on whether you have loose skin above or below the navel.

Next, they will trim away the extra skin and place internal sutures to tighten the abdominal muscles that may have separated during pregnancy.

Your surgeon also may use Chicago liposuction to remove extra fat before completing the tummy tuck. If you like, the surgeon also can perform other procedures, such as a Chicago Brazilian butt lift.

What Happens After A Tummy Tuck?

After the tummy tuck, your surgeon will put you in a compression garment that you should wear all the time for four to six weeks. Wearing the garment will reduce swelling, and you only should take it off when taking a shower.

You will probably feel mild to moderate discomfort during the first few days. But most patients only need pain medication for three or four days.

It’s important to remember that a tummy tuck is one of the most invasive plastic surgeries, and you will need an extensive recovery. You will need to be bent at the waist when you stand or lie down for up to 10 days. This protects the incision and lets the tighter abdominal skin adapt.

After the initial recovery is over, you will be able to stand up straight. If the surgeon puts in a drain, it will be removed after one or two weeks.

What Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Like?

While it’s essential to get plenty of rest during your recovery, and can and should walk the day of surgery. Most surgeons encourage their patients to walk three times within a few hours of surgery to boost blood circulation.

However, you should avoid strenuous workouts such as running or lifting for about six weeks. Most patients go back to work after two weeks, and bruising should fade around this time.

Talk to your surgeon about when you return to vigorous workouts, such as running and lifting.

Swelling will continue to diminish for three months, and scars will heal and become less evident after about a year. After that, the surgeon will try to make the tummy tuck incision near the underwear line, so it’s not visible.

What Kind Of Scars Will I Have?

A tummy tuck will give you scars. Some patients may have more serious scars than others. Much depends on how much skin is removed and how well your body heals.

The surgeon’s skill and the tummy tuck incision used are also essential to determine the amount of scarring. Most surgeons attempt to use an incision that a bikini or underwear will conceal.

If you are concerned about scarring, remember to talk to your surgeon about it during the consultation.

What Are Some Tummy Tuck Risks?

Most patients have a successful tummy tuck, but you should remember that any surgery has risks.

Any surgery has a slight risk of infection and bleeding. Your board-certified surgeon will take as much care as possible to ensure these risks are minimized.

There also is a small risk of blood clots getting into the legs or lungs. Because of this potential complication, the surgical team will put compression boots on your lower legs to increase circulation.

It’s critical to drink plenty of water and go for walks after surgery to minimize blood clot risks. Also, eating lean protein and plenty of fruits and vegetables will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to heal quickly.

How Long Will The Tummy Tuck Last?

If you keep a stable weight, you can expect the tummy tuck to last for decades. However, gaining or losing weight will affect your results, so eating healthy and exercising is essential.

Also, it’s recommended to wait to have a tummy tuck until you are finished having children. Getting pregnant will undo your tummy tuck, and you will need a revision procedure.

A tummy tuck is one of the most popular plastic surgeries because it can transform the patient’s belly and look slimmer and younger. Talk to your plastic surgeon today about a tummy tuck to find out if it is a good fit for you.

Request A Tummy Tuck Consultation

Thinking about a tummy tuck in Chicago? Dr. Otto Placik is proud to serve Chicago area patients at his practice. He’ll go over the options, goals, and more to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck.

 References

Answers to Common Tummy Tuck Questions. (2020). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/answers-to-common-tummy-tuck-questions

8 Questions To Ask When Considering A Tummy Tuck. (2019). Accessed at https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/tummy-tuck/8-questions-to-ask-when-considering-a-tummy-tuck