When To Wear Stage 2 Faja After Tummy Tuck

If you’re considering a tummy tuck, you’re probably already thinking about how it will help you look and feel better. But before you commit to an invasive surgery, it’s important to consider what a tummy tuck actually does.

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles. The surgery is often done to improve the appearance of loose skin after significant weight loss, but it can also be performed for other reasons, including poor muscle tone or trauma to the abdomen.

But there’s more to a tummy tuck than just getting rid of excess skin and tightening up your belly button. You should also consider whether your reason for wanting one is valid—and whether or not it will have lasting effects on your health.

What is a tummy tuck?

Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a popular surgical procedure that aims to improve the appearance of the abdomen by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying abdominal muscles. This body contouring procedure is often sought after by individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight, women who have had multiple pregnancies, or individuals who simply want to achieve a firmer, more toned abdomen.

During a tummy tuck procedure, the surgeon will make an incision in the lower abdominal area to remove excess skin and fat. In some cases, the surgeon may also tighten the abdominal muscles to create a smoother, more contoured appearance. While a tummy tuck can provide dramatic results, it is important for patients to understand that it is a surgical procedure that carries certain risks and requires a recovery period.

In many cases, surgeons will combine liposuction with a tummy tuck to remove stubborn areas of fat and further enhance the results of the procedure. Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin tube called a cannula to suction out fat from specific areas of the body. By combining liposuction with a tummy tuck, surgeons can achieve more comprehensive results and help patients achieve their desired body contour.

Before undergoing a tummy tuck procedure, patients should schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss their goals and expectations. During the consultation, the surgeon will evaluate the patient’s medical history, examine their abdomen, and recommend the best course of treatment. It is important for patients to be realistic about the results they can achieve with a tummy tuck and to have a clear understanding of the potential risks and complications associated with the procedure.

Overall, a tummy tuck can be a highly effective way to improve the appearance of the abdomen and achieve a more toned, contoured silhouette. By combining liposuction with a tummy tuck, patients can achieve even more dramatic results and enhance their overall body contour. With careful consideration and proper medical guidance, individuals can achieve the firmer, more toned abdomen they desire through abdominoplasty.

Why it’s done

There are a number of reasons you might have excess fat, poor elasticity of the skin or weakened connective tissue in your abdomen. These include:

• Significant changes in weight
• Pregnancy
• Abdominal surgery, such as a C-section
• Aging
• Your natural body type

A tummy tuck can remove loose, excess skin and fat, and tighten weak fascia. A tummy tuck may also remove stretch marks and excess skin in the lower abdomen below the bellybutton. However, a tummy tuck won’t correct stretch marks outside of this area.

If you’ve previously had a C-section, your plastic surgeon might be able to incorporate your existing C-section scar into your tummy tuck scar.

A tummy tuck can also be done in combination with other body contouring cosmetic procedures, such as breast surgery. If you’ve had fat removed from your abdomen (liposuction), you may decide to have a tummy tuck because liposuction removes tissue just under the skin and fat but not any excess skin.

A tummy tuck isn’t for everyone. Your doctor might caution against a tummy tuck if you:

• Plan to lose a significant amount of weight
• Might consider pregnancy in the future
• Have a severe chronic condition, such as heart disease or diabetes
• Have a body mass index that’s greater than 30
• Smoke
• Have had a previous abdominal surgery that caused significant scar tissue

Types of tummy tuck surgeries

A cosmetic surgeon may recommend one of the following tummy tuck surgery procedures to help give you a firmer, flatter, abdominal contour with minimal scarring:

Mini Tummy Tuck: If you’re mainly concerned about stretch marks and loose skin below your belly button, then the mini tummy tuck surgery is the ideal option. This procedure involves making one horizontal incision below your belly button, from which your surgeon then effectively tightens the loose abdominal muscles. Surplus skin is also removed to create a flat and firm abdominal wall.

Mini tummy tuck surgeries usually take a relatively shorter time and will often have a faster recovery time, along with minimal scarring. Expect a thin scar, usually a couple of inches, along with a firmer and flatter lower abdomen.

Full or Classic Tummy Tuck: This tummy tuck addresses both the upper and lower abdomen areas and will typically yield great results in removing excess fat. Your cosmetic surgeon will use either a U-shaped or horizontal incision below the belly button or the navel. Excess fat and skin are then eliminated to achieve a slim abdomen that looks natural.

The full or classic tummy tuck will typically leave a longer scar due to the extensive incisions required. However, the scar will hide below a swimsuit bottom. This type of tummy tuck benefits includes a considerably smoother, slimmer abdomen with fewer stretch marks and more comfort wearing skirts and pants.

Extended Tummy Tuck: The extended abdominoplasty is the standard tummy tuck that includes recontouring the flanks, hips, or even lateral thigh. It is quite useful for those who have experienced significant weight loss and are now dealing with excessively saggy skin on their abdomen. In most cases, the surgeon will perform liposuction around the flanks during the tummy tuck.

Risks

A tummy tuck poses various risks, including:

• Fluid accumulation beneath the skin (seroma). Drainage tubes left in place after surgery can help reduce the risk of excess fluid. Your doctor might also remove fluid after surgery using a needle and syringe.
• Poor wound healing. Sometimes areas along the incision line heal poorly or begin to separate. You might be given antibiotics during and after surgery to prevent an infection.
• Unexpected scarring. The incision scar from a tummy tuck is permanent, but it’s typically placed along the easily hidden bikini line. The length and visibility of the scar varies from person to person.
• Tissue damage. During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within your skin in the abdominal area might get damaged or die. Smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. Depending on the size of the area, tissue might heal on its own or require a surgical touch-up procedure.
• Changes in skin sensation. During a tummy tuck, the repositioning of your abdominal tissues can affect the nerves in the abdominal area, and infrequently, in the upper thighs. You’ll likely feel some reduced sensation or numbness. This usually diminishes in the months after the procedure.

Like any other type of major surgery, a tummy tuck poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anesthesia.

When to schedule that appointment

Is a tummy tuck covered by insurance?

Tummy tucks, also known as abdominoplasty, are popular cosmetic surgical procedures that help flatten and shape the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat. While there are numerous medical and functional benefits to be gained through a tummy tuck, it is important to note that the procedure is typically considered elective and not covered by insurance.However, there are some exceptions to this rule. In cases where the excess skin is causing medical issues or discomfort, insurance may cover a related procedure known as a panniculectomy. A panniculectomy specifically targets the removal of the pannus, the hanging flap of skin that often remains after significant weight loss.

Medical Benefits of Tummy Tucks

Tummy tucks can have a variety of medical benefits for individuals who undergo the procedure. These include:

• Improved posture and abdominal muscle tone


• Reduction of stress urinary incontinence


• Correction of ventral hernias


• Relief from back pain caused by excess abdominal skin
Insurance Coverage for Panniculectomy

Unlike tummy tucks, panniculectomies may be covered by insurance in certain cases. To qualify for insurance coverage, patients must typically demonstrate that the excess skin is causing medical issues such as rashes, infections, or difficulty with mobility.It is important to consult with your insurance provider and plastic surgeon to determine if a panniculectomy may be covered under your policy. Additionally, medical documentation and photos may be required to support the medical necessity of the procedure.

Can I combine a tummy tuck with other procedures?

Yes! Many patients choose to combine their tummy tuck with additional procedures in order to maximize the results of their transformation as well as to cut down on expensive surgical fees in the long run. After weight loss patients may choose to have a tummy tuck, arm lift (brachioplasty), and thigh lift all performed simultaneously, for instance.

Another example of a combined procedure is the mommy makeover, which can be highly beneficial for women who have had children – and even those who haven’t. Some of the procedures most commonly combined with a tummy tuck as part of a mommy makeover include breast augmentation, breast lift, and Brazilian butt lift (BBL).