If you aren’t familiar with the term abdominoplasty, perhaps you may know it for its popular term: the “tummy tuck.” This procedure involves taking out some of the excess skin and fat from the abdomen.
Tummy tucks are different from liposuction, which is fat removal to contour your body. While liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss, it can help those who have gone through an intense weight loss journey. Here is what you need to know.
Who Qualifies for Abdominoplasty?
People who are in good health and are preferably non-smokers can get the procedure.
This procedure is much more common in women because it can help get rid of loose skin after pregnancies. Men and women who have gone through considerable weight loss are also good candidates as they may have some skin or hard-to-lose fat sagging from their abdomens. For many of them, getting to this point is a milestone in their journey to regain their confidence.
How Does the Procedure Go?
This procedure varies for every patient, but it can last around 3 hours. Patients are given anesthesia for the procedure and will need to recover after. This is often an outpatient procedure, so you will be recommended to stay overnight in a hotel or nearby area if you’re from out of town.
Here is a rundown of possible procedures your plastic surgeon may recommend:
Complete Abdominoplasty
Patients who have loose skin in the middle and lower abdominal areas are recommended for this type of procedure. A horizontal incision in the area between the pubic hairline and belly button along with another incision around the navel may be necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen. The scars length will depend on how much loose skin you have. All this will be up to your plastic surgeon depending on your individual needs.
Mini-Abdominoplasty
This type of surgery is for those patients who have loose skin mainly below the belly button. The scars are shorter and the procedure will generally last for two to three hours. Healing time will also be a bit shorter.
Circumferential Abdominoplasty
Such as the name suggests, this surgery will involve procedures done from front to back. Excess skin and fat will be taken out from all sides of your body to reveal the shape underneath.
Weighing the Risks and Benefits
Like most surgical procedures, there are discomforts that you may experience. You may feel soreness, and the scars will be visible for some time. However, incisions for the mini tummy tuck are placed just above the pubic line so they are easily hidden under your clothes.
Despite these considerations, most people who get this procedure come out feeling better. You just have to trust the process and remember that everything is temporary. Once the scars heal and the discomfort subsides, you’ll get the flat stomach you wanted.
Conclusion
Tummy tucks are more than just a procedure to enhance your body shape. If you’ve had insecurities about loose areas or hard-to-tone parts of your body, then the procedure will definitely help you regain some of your lost confidence. You can ask your plastic surgeon if you are the right candidate for a tummy tuck.
Are you looking for a good plastic surgery center for abdominoplasty in Torrance? Peninsula Plastic Surgery provides procedures such as tummy tucks, breast augmentation, breast lifts, breast reconstruction, facelifts, eyelid lifts, rhinoplasty, and more. For more information on what you can do for your face and body, schedule a free cosmetic consultation today.