WILL MY STOMACH BE FLAT AFTER ABDOMINOPLASTY?

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) patients frequently ask, “Will my stomach be flat after abdominoplasty?” Several factors can affect the contour of the abdomen. This includes the patient’s extramuscular fat (fat on the abdomen that you can pinch with your fingers), visceral fat (the fat inside the abdomen around the organs), and integrity and tone of the abdominal muscles (sit-up muscles). These three factors vary from patient to patient and, in combination, determine how much the abdomen (stomach) will protrude after abdominoplasty.
For most patients, the extra-muscular fat can be reduced to a significant degree with abdominoplasty. The position of the abdominal muscles can also be improved for some patients. The third factor, which is the volume of visceral fat, cannot be reduced with tummy tuck surgery. Visceral fat can only be improved by weight loss. The amount of visceral fat in part determines how flat the abdomen will be after surgery. The more visceral fat that exists, the more the abdomen will protrude after abdominoplasty. In this guide, we find out the following: will my stomach be flat after pregnancy, why is my lower stomach hard after a tummy tuck, what does your stomach look like after a tummy tuck, and lower belly pooch after a tummy tuck?
Your belly’s appearance may change postpartum due to stretched abdominal muscles, weight gain, and hormones. Certain exercises and eating a nutritious diet can help reduce its appearance.
Congratulations! Your body just grew a new human being. That’s super incredible!
If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably got a few “battle wounds” to prove you came through. Yup, we’re talking about postpartum fun like exhaustion, roller-coaster emotions, tears… and that postpartum belly.
On some days, you might even feel like you have to choose between a flat tummy and newborn cuddles!
But at least initially, celebrate your body for what it’s done and know that an immediate flat tummy is overrated and perhaps better suited to celebrities with personal trainers and live-in nannies.
After that, you can find comfort in the knowledge that there are strategies you can implement to shed the excess weight that persistently accumulates around your midsection.
So are you a couple of months postpartum and feeling stronger and more like your old self?
Exercise right
Getting some exercise and eating healthfully will help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight within a few months.
But if you want to see that tummy flat, you’ll have to do some exercises that target your abdominal muscles.
And here’s the secret: Don’t immediately go for crunches.
Remember the connective tissue between your abdominal muscles that stretched out? A small amount of stretching happens in all pregnancies and that’s normal. As the tissue starts to heal, it’ll repair itself.
But preliminary research shows that tummy crunches done too early actually stretch the connective tissue even more and make it thinner and weaker. Not what you want for a strong, supportive core.
To start off with the right exercises, you want to strengthen your deepest abdominal muscle — your transverse abdominis. Think of this muscle as your body’s internal “girdle.”
While you’ll want to speak to a physical therapist or your doctor for similar exercises that you can do safely, pelvic tilts are a good way to start off. Tie a sheet tightly around your tummy to support your abs and do this:
Within 8 to 12 weeks, you should be ready to move on to deeper abdominal exercises. A study of 40 postpartum women with diastasis recti showed that core-strengthening exercises work!
Wondering how often is enough? According to the American Council on Exercise, you can perform muscle-toning abdominal exercises 2–3 times a week.
Here are some great tummy-tightening exercises that you might want to try:
If your abs have separated more than 2 to 2.5 centimeters, this is known as diastasis recti. Most cases of diastasis recti resolve with time, weight loss, yoga, and core exercises like the MUTU system.
Because diastasis recti is not a true hernia, surgical repair is not necessarily required and is generally considered elective or cosmetic.

why is my lower stomach hard after tummy tuck
Are you self-conscious of your stomach? Sometimes, exercising our core isn’t enough to get the desired results, no matter how hard we try. People may become frustrated and be unable to confidently display their bodies as a result. For both men and women who wish to give their midsection more definition, stomach tuck surgery might be a fantastic option. Give Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, Arizona, a call if you’re thinking about getting a stomach tuck and have concerns regarding the recovery period and potential side effects. Dr. Arun Rao, a renowned plastic surgeon, will be pleased to talk about your particular objectives and if stomach tuck surgery is the best option for you.
Tightness after a tummy tuck
Tightness in the abdomen is a common side effect of a stomach tuck. Whenever an incision is made, the nerves are cut off. This cannot be prevented. When it comes to a tummy tuck, nerve damage is the cause of tightness in the abdomen. However, when you recover, this feeling will go away. Abdominal tightness may last six to twelve weeks. In certain situations, returning to normal nerve function may take up to a year. This may sound concerning, but it’s a normal aspect of the healing process. Muscle contraction and the pulling and stitching of the skin are other causes of tightness in the abdomen. As the body heals, these feelings should also get better.
Strategies to reduce constriction
There are a number of ways to relieve tightness in the abdomen following stomach tuck surgery. Dry brushing and massage are examples of at-home care that is typically involved. These two techniques encourage lymphatic evacuation and improve blood circulation for organic cleansing. In addition to helping to relax you, the physical contact will aid in activating your neurological system. If these methods aren’t providing the relief you need, Dr. Rao may recommend prescription medication. During your follow-up exams, let Dr. Rao know how you are feeling so he can determine which therapies may provide you with the most benefits.

lower belly pooch after tummy tuck
Abdominoplasty, another name for tummy tuck surgery, is a cosmetic surgery technique that strengthens weak abdominal muscles and eliminates extra skin and fat to produce a smoother and firmer abdominal profile. One of the more common cosmetic procedures is abdominoplasty. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, about 123,000 of these operations were performed in the United States in 2019.
It’s critical that you comprehend the dangers, potential side effects, and expected results of any tummy tuck if you’ve had one or are thinking about getting one. It is your job to understand as much as you can about what a stomach tuck involves, even though your plastic surgeon will provide you with the majority of the information you want during the initial appointment. This article describes the frequent post-tummy tuck problem of having a hard stomach and examines the rehabilitation process.

What causes a pulling feeling after a tummy tuck?
Like all surgeries, abdominoplasty involves making incisions into the body. Naturally, this causes some harm to the nerves. Due to the injured nerves in the lower abdominal region, many patients who undergo abdominoplasty develop numbness over this area following stomach tucking. The patient will eventually begin to feel sensation again as the nerves begin to reconstruct their correct routes.
Patients who have had their stomachs tucked may also feel constricted because the skin has been sliced and reassembled. Furthermore, a harder tissue sensation during healing may result from tense muscles after surgery.
This tightening and pulling sensation may cause you anxiety, but remember that it is a natural part of the healing process. After having an abdominoplasty, most patients may have these side effects for up to 12 weeks. In certain instances, the healing of the nerves in the abdomen region may take up to a year. It is quite unlikely that this type of soreness will recur once the nerves have returned to their normal sensory function.

What is the treatment for hardened tissue after a tummy tuck?
As a natural process, nerve regeneration has its own natural timetable. Participating in the retraining process, however, can enable you to accelerate this process. Dr. LaBarbera suggests gently rubbing variously textured objects across your abdomen. Items like cotton, lotion, washcloths, and loofahs may fall under this category. To encourage the nerves to discover their correct paths and heal considerably more quickly is the aim. If a patient has severe nerve pain, the surgeon might suggest Neurontin or other drugs. To alleviate pain and a pulling sensation following an abdominoplasty, make sure you obtain a prescription from your doctor and clear instructions before taking any medicine.

Tummy tuck recovery Tips/FAQs
Knowing what causes a hard stomach following a tummy tuck will help you better understand the healing process. Here are some additional frequently asked questions:
How soon after having an abdominoplasty will I feel normal?
Because of the anesthesia used during the procedure, most patients experience drowsiness right away. Bruising and post-operative pain will also be present throughout the first one to two weeks. Medication is an option for this pain, and it will get better every day. You will only be allowed to do minor tasks for the first two to three weeks, and you might be able to resume a desk job after that. Those who have recently undergone an abdominoplasty typically need four to six weeks to feel normal again. Remember, however, that the exact healing time will differ for each individual based on the sort of stomach tuck they had, their age, the type of post-operative care they receive, and their overall health.
How long after a tummy tuck will I be stooped over?
Once you have had a tummy tuck, you won’t be able to stand up straight. Actually, in order to preserve the treatment area, the surgeon will ask you to remain stooped over. The length of time you must remain in this role varies based on who you ask. Until they have his approval, Dr. LaBarbera advises his patients to stoop for one to two weeks. After you are given permission to straighten up again, you should do so slowly and softly until you are able to stand up straight again.
How long will post-tummy tuck edema last?
The body naturally experiences swelling as a result of fluid building up around the treatment site to shield the healing tissues. Plastic surgeons frequently place drains to remove extra fluid and ease abdominal discomfort. After 10–14 days, depending on your development, these are usually taken off. Once this is done, the results of your stomach tuck may be obscured by mild swelling that may continue for weeks or even months. Following your surgeon’s recommendations is crucial to ensuring a positive surgical outcome and a speedy resolution of postoperative edema.
When will I view the finished product?
After a tummy tuck procedure, your abdomen’s shape will progressively get better as you heal. After six months, most patients can see a final image of their new belly. This is the amount of time it takes for the procedure’s pink linear scar to disappear. In order to hasten the fading of scars, Dr. LaBarbera says his patients should use high-quality scar care products. However, it is best to use these items only after the areas of the incision have completely healed, which may take many months.
Conclusion
Do the correct kind of exercise
You can return to your pre-pregnancy weight in a few months by exercising and eating a healthy diet.
Exercises that focus on your abdominal muscles are necessary if you want to see that flat stomach.
Here’s the trick: Don’t go for crunches right away.
Recall the stretchy connective tissue that existed between your abdominal muscles. It is usual for all pregnancies to involve some stretching. The tissue will mend itself as the healing process begins.
According to an early study, however, abdominal crunches performed too soon actually weaken and strain the connective tissue even more. It’s not what you want for a solid, encouraging core.
You want to build your transverse abdominis, which is the deepest abdominal muscle, before beginning the appropriate workouts. Consider your body’s internal “girdle” to be this muscle.
Pelvic tilts are an excellent place to start, but you should see your physician or physical therapist for similar safe exercises. This is how you support your abs by tying a sheet securely around your stomach:
Deeper abdominal exercises should be within your reach in 8 to 12 weeks. According to a study conducted on 40 postpartum women with diastasis recti, core-strengthening activities are effective!
Wondering how frequent is sufficient? Muscle-toning abdominal workouts can be done two to three times a week, according to the American Council on Exercise.
The following are excellent exercises for tightening your stomach that you may wish to try:
Diastasis recti is the term used to describe the separation of your abs of more than 2 to 2.5 millimeters. Diastasis recti usually goes away with time, yoga, weight loss, and core workouts like the MUTU method.
Generally regarded as elective or cosmetic, diastasis recti does not necessarily require surgical treatment because it is not a genuine hernia.