It’s a good question you’re asking, because it’s true that a tummy tuck will not cure diabetes. However, it can help with some of the other symptoms of diabetes, including excess skin and stretch marks.
A tummy tuck is an operation that removes fat and skin from the lower abdomen. It can be performed on patients who have lost a significant amount of weight or have experienced massive weight loss due to other causes. This surgery can help improve your appearance and self-confidence by removing excess fat and skin from areas such as your waistline, hips, back rolls or love handles.
Your doctor will discuss with you if you are a good candidate for this procedure. If you are interested in having this procedure done, please contact our office today!
Because only a certain amount of body fat is safe to remove, abdominoplasty should not be viewed as a method for weight loss. Furthermore, a tummy tuck does not necessarily improve your blood pressure, cholesterol level or other effects stemming from obesity. For these very reasons, we don’t recommend abdominoplasty as a way for you to treat obesity or diabetes.
On the other hand, we can recommend abdominoplasty for diabetic patients, as long as you meet certain conditions:
- The diabetic condition is under control and not causing any complications
- There is no history of kidney ailments
- You agree to additional blood tests to ensure your diabetes is under control and it is safe to proceed with the operation
What is Diabetes?
For those who may or may not be familiar with the specific details of diabetes. There are two types of Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
In type 1 Diabetes, the disorder arises due to a deficiency of insulin production. This may manifest itself at an early age.
Type 2 Diabetes occurs due to a decreased response of Insulin on the insulin receptors, disrupting the overall sugar metabolism.
Either ways, the patient suffers a high blood glucose levels than normal. This may result in multiple manifestations as neuropathy or tingling feeling, blindness, renal issues, cardiac problems and most important in regards to this article’s premise: impaired wound healing.
What is a tummy tuck?
Formally known as abdominoplasty, the tummy tuck is a surgical body contouring procedure designed to improve the appearance of the abdomen by removing excess skin and, in some cases, tightening the underlying abdominal muscles. Oftentimes, the surgeon will combine liposuction with a tummy tuck to remove stubborn areas of fat and further enhance the results of the procedure.
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
BENEFITS OF TUMMY TUCK SURGERY
- Treat diastasis recti: Why is this important? For moms frustrated that they can’t get rid of the post-baby pooches even though they spend hours working out and doing crunches, repairing the condition responsible for those bellies is certainly a benefit of a tummy tuck. This condition can also be linked to post-pregnancy urinary incontinence, which I mention below. A tummy tuck can also be part of a comprehensive combination of procedures, called a mommy makeover, to address other post-pregnancy issues.
- Reduce back pain and improved posture: Weakened core muscles, which often occur after pregnancy or other major weight loss, cause back muscles to overcompensate and lead to lower back pain. Because tummy tuck surgery tightens the abdominal muscles and helps strengthen the core, it can also improve your posture and reduce back pain. A study published earlier this year in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® revealed the link between tummy tucks and decreased back pain.
- Reduce urinary incontinence: The same study mentioned above also showed that tummy tuck surgery helped women who suffer from a weak bladder caused by having children or aging. The “pee-when-you-sneeze” leaking that can occur often improves after a tummy tuck procedure.
- Correct ventral hernias: Abdominal hernias occur when there’s weakness in the muscle wall, causing intestinal organs to push through and create a bulge around the area of the belly button. It’s common to combine a tummy tuck with hernia repair, a safe and cost-effective surgery. Having both procedures done at the same time means patients only have to recover from one surgery. Some people worry that having a tummy tuck may make them more susceptible to hernias. Watch the video below for our answer to that concern.
- Help maintain weight loss: Patients who get tummy tucks after weight-loss surgery are more likely to maintain their new body contours if they have plastic surgery to remove excess skin. A tummy tuck and other body contouring procedures often can be combined, depending on the extent of surgery needed.
Will A Tummy Tuck Help With Back Pain?
Yes, a tummy tuck can help with back pain!
When you get a tummy tuck, your surgeon will remove excess skin and fat in the abdominal area. This can help tighten up some of the abdominal muscles, which might improve your posture and reduce back pain.
It’s important to note that this is just one possible benefit of getting a tummy tuck. Your body will be different after surgery—and it might take some time for you to adjust to the changes.
Disadvantages Of Tummy Tuck
- You’ll need time to recover after your tummy tuck. At first, your posture will be stooped forward due to tightness. This isn’t painful, but it takes time for the muscle and skin to relax. Most patients can go back to work two to three weeks after abdominoplasty but they continue healing for up to 12 weeks.
- A tummy tuck leaves a mark. Most of the mark of a tummy tuck is cosmetically pleasing. However, expect a relatively long scar at the bikini line. Once your incisions have healed fully, you can begin a scar treatment program using silicone sheets or other modalities. Over time, the scar fades very nicely.
- A tummy tuck isn’t guaranteed to last. The results of your tummy tuck can last many years if not indefinitely. That said, if you become pregnant or gain a substantial amount of weight, your results may be diminished.
Which tummy tuck is right for me?
If you’re looking to get a tummy tuck, you’ve probably seen that there are a lot of options out there. The first thing to consider is whether you want to have a full abdominoplasty or a mini-tummy tuck. A full abdominoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightening muscles.
If you’re looking to have more than just skin tightening, but also some muscle tightening, then this might be the procedure for you. On the other hand, if you’re not interested in muscle tightening but would like some extra skin removal, then a mini-tummy tuck might be right for you.
Another factor to consider when deciding whether to go with a mini-tummy tuck or full abdominoplasty is how many incisions will be required to do the surgery.
If your doctor recommends that one or two small incisions are all that’s needed, then you may want to choose this option as it will be much less painful and scarring afterward than if he requires more incisions (though there is no guarantee that multiple incisions are always necessary).
Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
To be a suitable tummy tuck candidate, you should be in good overall health but have excess skin (that has lost its elasticity) throughout the abdominal area. You may also have severely weakened or separated stomach muscles. You should be at a stable weight that you feel you can maintain following tummy tuck surgery. You must not smoke, or be prepared to stop smoking for several weeks prior to and after surgery.
Finally, you should have realistic expectations for the outcome of tummy tuck surgery. For instance, while tummy tuck surgery will give you a firmer abdominal profile, it also leaves a horizontal scar that extends from hip bone to hip bone. If you are okay with having a scar that you can hide beneath an underwear or bathing suit line in exchange for having the appearance of a six pack, you may benefit from tummy tuck surgery.
When will my stomach feel normal after tummy tuck?
Let’s be honest…A tummy tuck is a big operation and you can expect it to take a couple of months before you get back to normal. There are many types of tummy tucks, and the recovery time can vary depending on the extent of the surgery.
Tummy tuck recovery stages
Below, you’ll find a handy timeline for what to expect after tummy tuck surgery. Again, keep in mind the extent of your surgery can vary. For example, a mini tummy tuck is far less invasive than an extended Sculpt tummy tuck, which means a shorter recovery time. Your mileage may vary.
Now that we’ve said that, let’s dive into a typical tummy tuck recovery timeline that you may find useful as you prepare for tummy tuck surgery:
Week 1: This is no doubt the most difficult part of tummy tuck recovery. Tummy tuck pain, swelling and even bruising are common.You may even regret having a tummy tuck. Don’t worry – these feelings are normal and this, too, shall pass.
You’ll be walking bent over at this point, and will be spending most of your time resting from the comfort of your bed or sofa. Walking every day is vital to recovery. Even just a few minutes every few hours can help.
Driving is off limits for the first 2-3 weeks.
At the 7 day mark, you will come in for a follow-up appointment. Dr. Beldholm will change the PICO dressings. Click here to learn the benefits of PICO negative pressure dressings.
Week 2: The worst is behind you. You’ll still have some discomfort, but it will decrease day by day. Swelling is still prevalent. Numbness in the lower abdomen is also normal. Your tummy still feels tender, so you will likely still need help around the house from friends, family members or an aid. By day 10, most patients will start walking upright. You’re doing great. Hang in there!
Week 3: Congrats! Most patients are allowed to start driving after a tummy tuck at 2 to 3 weeks. Now that you can drive, it frees you up to have a lot more independence. You’ll still need assistance carrying heavy groceries, etc. at this point, though. By now, you should be feeling a lot better overall.
Swelling, discomfort and bruising will decrease greatly by this stage.
The lower tummy will most likely still be numb and feel a bit “alien” for the time being. That’s because the sensory nerves in the skin were damaged during surgery (this is normal, after all, you just had surgery). Feeling will return eventually. Numbness usually subsides within 3 months as the nerves repair themselves.
Week 4: Most patients return to work around 4 weeks post-op. Returning to work signals how far you have made it in recovery. It also helps patients feel good knowing they are back in a familiar routine, so you will start to feel more “normal” again.
Week 5-8: Each day is easier and easier. You will be amazed at how far you have come in such a short time. The worst of the swelling will start going away 1 to 2 months after surgery. Most patients can resume a full exercise routine at the 8-week mark.
Exercising after tummy tuck is beneficial. It not only shows how far you have come physically, but exercise can also improve your tummy tuck results by keeping you fit and healthy. You’ll also be able to handle lifting heavy objects like groceries without assistance, which makes life easier.
Week 9: You’ve made it to the 3-month mark. This is when most of Dr. Beldholm’s patients say they really start feeling “back to normal”. Some swelling will still be present, but it will be substantially less than it was a few weeks ago. There shouldn’t be any pain or discomfort at this stage and you will be completely independent. The scars will still be red at this stage. It can take a long time for surgical scars to mature.
In the weeks and months that follow, you will notice swelling reduce even more. As the swelling settles, your tummy tuck results will become more visible. It’s amazing to see the transformation that takes place.
Remember, just a few months ago you had a totally different body with loose skin and unwanted fat that made you feel pretty low. Clothes will fit better now, and you will start feeling more like yourself as you get used to your beautiful, flat tummy.
How long until I see the results of a tummy tuck?
Getting a tummy tuck is a big landmark in many patients’ lives. It is no wonder that they feel both excited and anxious to see the results of surgery. After all, it took a lot of time and effort finding the right surgeon, taking time off work, arranging rides to doctor appointments, etc. Not to mention, the cost of tummy tuck surgery.
After all that, of course patients wish they could see results right away. The truth is, you will see a noticeable improvement immediately after surgery. That unwanted loose skin and fat will finally be gone for good. But — and this is a BIG “but” — it takes a while to see the final results because of the swelling after surgery.
In Doctor Bernard’s experience, 12 to 18 months is how long it takes to see the final results of tummy tuck surgery. However, you will feel “normal” again by the 3-month mark.
Tummy tuck scar fading is usually what takes the longest. (Hint: If you want to fade tummy tuck scars faster, try Laser Genesis to reduce scar redness.)
Is a tummy tuck covered by insurance?
Although there are certainly medical and functional benefits to be gained through a tummy tuck, the procedure is not typically covered by insurance. Some related procedures, such as the panniculectomy – which is used to remove the excess skin of the pannus after weight loss – may be covered by insurance in certain cases.
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).