A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a medical procedure that involves surgically removing excess fat or skin around the tummy. There are several causes of excessive skin and fat hanging around the tummy, which includes obesity, pregnancy, the rapid rate of weight loss, former surgery, or age. No matter what the cause of a flappy tummy is, it is a generous consensus that nobody likes it. Therefore most people are willing to do anything to lose theirs. One of the most popular and effective way of losing tummy fats and excess skin around the tummy is a tummy tuck.
A successful tummy tuck operation will result in a firm and flat tummy. There are 3 types of tummy tucks, namely;
- Full or standard tummy tuck
- Mini tummy tuck
- Circumferential lower body lift.
How is a tummy tuck surgery done?
Before undergoing a tummy tuck surgery, the surgeon will put you to sleep through a general anesthesia. After you have been sedated, an incision will be made at the bottom of the skin that covers your abdominal wall.
Once incision is made and the muscles are exposed, your surgeon will sew the muscles in your abdominal wall together if they have become stretched out. After that, they will pull the skin tightly over your abdomen, trim off excess skin, and close the incision with sutures.
A tummy tuck operation involves just one procedure, but the entire surgery typically takes two to three hours.
After a tummy tuck surgery, the results are permanent. Your abdominal wall will become stable and strong. The excess skin that has been removed will reappear unless there’s a major increase in weight or a subsequent pregnancy stretches out the area again.
The various process of tummy tuck operations is determined by what the person wants. Below are things to consider before getting a tummy tuck.
1. Age
When a person gets older, the skin gets thinner, making it more difficult to perform a surgical operation. Therefore, before embarking on a tummy tuck operation, it is advisable to be between the ages of 25 to 60 years. Ensure your age falls within the safety limits before going under the knife for a tummy tuck surgery.
2. Health condition
Ensure you’re in a healthy state before getting a tummy tuck. The surgical process is intense and will require a long time to fully recover. It is therefore very important to ensure you’re in a sound medical state both mentally and physically, before getting a tummy tuck operation conducted.
3. Cost
A tummy tuck operation is not cheap. It is important to consider the associated cost before deciding to get one. The average cost of a tummy tuck is over $6000, excluding the cost of anesthesia and other associated expenses. That’s quite expensive for the average earner. Therefore it is imperative to make these findings and be sure it suits your budget.
4. The different methods of a tummy tuck
Before getting a tummy tuck you must be fully informed about the different methods of tummy tuck operations, and know the one that best suits your desires and needs. Guided by the best medical expert you can be able to make an informed choice based on what you want to achieve from the operation.
5. Lifestyle and mental strength
Smokers are considered “not suitable” candidates for a tummy tuck. It is therefore important to consider whether or not you smoke before putting in for a tummy tuck operation. It is also very important to know that a tummy tuck operation is not a weight loss exercise. You must be mentally ready to undergo the process without losing sight of the desired goals, which is to have a body that you will be proud of. Mental strength is also required in waiting out the long process of healing.
6. Expertise of your medical consultant
Before booking for a tummy tuck operation, it is important to know the level of qualification your surgeon possesses. You must be sure that he or she has all the licenses required to perform such a major surgical procedure. This is very important because they’re several quack doctors parading as expert cosmetic surgeons, the risk of falling into the hands of an unqualified doctor can be life-threatening.
7. Risk factors
You must consider the various risks that are common with such a medical operation. Complications can arise after surgery and you must be ready to face every unforeseen eventuality before they even happen. Although some measures are taken before and during surgery to forestall negative occurrences. Some complications that might occur during a tummy tuck are tissue necrosis and fluid accumulation.
Bottom Line
A tummy tuck is a great way to lose those excess fats and skins to attain that desired body, but just like everything in life, some things must be considered to achieve the desired results.
