Pictures Of Tummy Tuck Results

Tummy tuck surgery is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, as well as tightening the muscles in this region.

The procedure is sometimes referred to as an abdominoplasty or a tummy tuck because it involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, as well as tightening the muscles in this region.

How does a tummy tuck work?

When you undergo a tummy tuck, your surgeon will make an incision near your belly button. The skin and fat are then removed from your abdomen, so that you have a flatter stomach with sharper contours. The muscle and connective tissue are tightened around your waistline to give your body an overall more toned appearance.

In this post, we’ll feature pictures of tummy tuck results and pictures of tummy tuck results pictures.

Pictures Of Tummy Tuck Results

Are sit-ups not giving you the taut tummy you want? If you’ve got too much flab or excess skin in your abdomen that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise, you may be considering a “tummy tuck,” which doctors call “abdominoplasty.”

This surgery flattens the abdomen by removing extra fat and skin, and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall.

It’s not the same as liposuction, although you may choose to get liposuction along with a tummy tuck.

This is a major surgery, so if you’re considering it, you should know the facts before you decide whether to go forward.

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is suitable for men and women who are in good health.

Women who have had several pregnancies may find the procedure useful for tightening their abdominal muscles and reducing skin.

A tummy tuck is also an option for men or women who were once obese and still have excess fat deposits or loose skin around the belly.

Who Should Not Consider a Tummy Tuck?

If you’re a woman who plans to get pregnant, then you may want to postpone a tummy tuck until you’re done having children. During surgery, your vertical muscles are tightened, and future pregnancies can separate those muscles.

Are you planning to lose a lot of weight? Then a tummy tuck also is not for you. A tummy tuck should be a last resort after you’ve tried everything else. It should not be used as an alternative to weight loss.

You should also consider the appearance of scars after a tummy tuck. You can talk about scar placement and length with the doctor before the surgery.

How to Prepare for Tummy Tuck Surgery

The first step is to choose a surgeon and see them for a consultation. At that meeting, you’ll talk about your goals and the following options:

• Complete abdominoplasty. The surgeon will cut your abdomen from hipbone to hipbone and then contour the skin, tissue, and muscle as needed. The surgery will involve moving your belly button, and you may need drainage tubes under your skin for a few days.
• Partial or mini abdominoplasty. Mini-abdominoplasties are often done on people whose fat deposits are located below the navel. During this procedure, the surgeon most likely will not move your belly button, and the procedure may only take up to two hours, depending on your case.

If you smoke, your doctor will ask that you quit smoking from at least two weeks before the surgery until two weeks after the surgery. It is not enough to just cut down on smoking. You must stop completely since smoking makes complications more likely and slows healing.

Don’t try a drastic diet before the surgery. Eat well-balanced, complete meals. A healthy diet may help you heal better.

Tell your doctor about everything you take, including prescription drugs, herbal medicines, and other supplements. Your surgeon may instruct you to stop taking certain medications for a time before and after the surgery.

Before getting the surgery, get your home ready. You’ll need:

• Ice packs
• Loose, comfortable clothing that can be put on and off very easily
• Petroleum jelly
• Hand-held shower head and bathroom chair

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

How a Tummy Tuck Is Done

This surgery can take anywhere from one to five hours. You may need to stay overnight in the hospital, depending on your case.

You will get general anesthesia, which will put you to “sleep” during the operation.

Signs of A Bad Tummy Tuck

Possible Complications

You will have pain and swelling in the days following surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medicine and tell you how to best handle the pain. You may be sore for several weeks or months.

You may also experience numbness, bruising, and tiredness during that time.

As with any surgery, there are risks. Though they’re rare, complications can include infection, bleeding under the skin flap, or blood clots. You may be more likely to have complications if you have poor circulation, diabetes, or heart, lung, or liver disease.

You may experience insufficient healing, which can cause more significant scarring or loss of skin. If you do heal poorly, you may require a second surgery.

A tummy tuck leaves scars. Though they may fade slightly, they will never completely disappear. Your surgeon may recommend certain creams or ointments to use after you’ve completely healed to help with scars.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

The timeline for tummy tuck recovery varies, based on the individual patient and factors such as age, general health, type of tummy tuck (extended or mini), and level of post-surgery care. After the procedure, your surgeon will discuss your specific road to healing, but patients typically see results and feel fully recovered eight weeks later. 

Long Island’s premier plastic surgery practice Buglino Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery developed a useful timeline explaining the various stages of recovery following your abdominoplasty. For more specific information, contact your surgeon. 

Tummy Tuck Scars After 2 Years Pictures

Immediately After Surgery

Your abdomen will be secured with an abdominal binder, which is later exchanged for a compression garment. A mesh strip surgical dressing will be placed along the incisions, and small tubes around these, to drain any built-up fluid.

Follow your surgeon’s instructions to ensure you are adequately prepared for a successful recovery. You’ll be told how to care for your drain tubes. The secured mesh over the incision will not require any daily maintenance. You will be instructed on the types of physical activity to avoid, how long to wear an abdominal pressure garment, and more. You won’t be able to drive yourself home, so make the proper arrangements.

Several Days After Surgery

Because you’ll have limited mobility for a few days following the abdominoplasty, you’ll need to recruit help. You’ll have difficulty bending, lifting, and standing for long periods, so having someone around to provide assistance can be beneficial to your recovery. 

You may feel some pain and tenderness at the site for several days. Most surgeons will prescribe antibiotics and anticoagulants for patients to take. An abdominal support garment should also help with swelling and discomfort. 

Patients may want to keep their diets light in the days following surgery to ensure they’re not straining their stomach muscles. Try to eat low-sodium foods to reduce inflammation, and increase fiber intake to decrease strain during bowel movements. 

Alcohol, smoking, and excessive sun exposure should be avoided for at least three months post-surgery.

One to Three Weeks After Surgery

It’s also essential to understand what recovery will look like, and how long it will take. This helps ensure you’ve set realistic expectations. 

During the follow-up visit with your surgeon, he or she will decide if it is the right time to remove your mesh strip bandage. At this time, you should already notice a significant change in your stomach’s contour.

After the checkup, you’ll need to continue wearing your support garment, based on your surgeon’s instructions. 

If you have a sedentary job, you can likely return to work. However, if it requires heavy lifting and constant standing or bending, you may not be able to resume work for two to three weeks. 

Those looking to jump back on the treadmill or elliptical machine will need to wait about three weeks. Although ultimately determined on a case-by-case basis, it will commonly take approximately six weeks to return to weight training. When you resume either of these activities, keep an eye on your incision. If you notice any swelling, limit your activity and contact your surgeon.

One to Three Months After Surgery

Many will still experience swelling in the months following a tummy tuck. You may also feel a numbness, pulling sensation, or experience bruising in your abdomen area. The incision should be fully healed, but it’s possible your remaining scar will still appear red and raised. This will eventually become flat and fade. 

One to two months after surgery, it’s generally safe to resume normal activities, including strength training or a profession that involves physical activity. However, your surgeon will make the ultimate determination. 

One Year After Surgery

One year later, your abdominoplasty should be fully healed, and results visible. Your inflammation should be gone, and your scar faded. Although the latter will never completely disappear, it should be nearly invisible, and hidden beneath your underwear line.

Ensure you’re maintaining your results with a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Gaining or losing weight may change the appearance of your abdominal area, and produce sagging skin. This is one of the reasons why patients should wait until they’ve had all their children before undergoing the procedure. If you maintain your weight, the results of an abdominoplasty by a board-certified surgeon will last a lifetime.