Giving birth to another human being is one of the most wonderful experiences in life, but it comes at a price. Many women experience sagging in the lower area of their abdomen after they deliver their child.
During pregnancy, a woman’s belly expands to house the baby, which stretches the midline tissue and creates excess and loose skin after the baby is born. Generally, diet and exercise are just not enough to deal with the looming problems of belly fat and excess skin that follow pregnancy. A tummy tuck is the only way to deal with the problem.
How Can A Tummy Tuck Help
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery to improve the shape of the abdominal area. The goal is to remove excess skin from the abdomen area that otherwise cannot be removed through exercise – for example, after losing a lot of weight or after pregnancy. But it is not an alternative to losing weight.
A standard tummy tuck is specially designed to tighten the abdominal muscles, remove excess skin, and contour the lower abdomen. It is usually a routine procedure, and also a remarkably extensive one.
Who Are The Best Candidates For Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tucks?
The best candidates to undergo a tummy tuck surgery are people who have:
– Stable body weight, but excess, saggy skin
– Stubborn fatty deposits
– Weak/damaged abdominal muscles
What Happens During A Tummy Tuck Surgery?
During a traditional or full abdominoplasty, a horizontal incision is made between the pelvic bone and the belly button. The incision varies in size from a few inches to the entire length of the abdomen, depending on the person’s anatomy and needs. The skin is then stretched back, excess fat is removed, and if necessary, the abdominal muscles are repaired.
Once the corrections are made, the skin will then be pulled down and the incisions are closed to form the new contours of the abdomen. It results in a tight stomach with no flabbiness. The resulting post-surgical mark is at a low position, and it is easily hidden by underwear or swimsuits.
The Recovery Period for a Tummy Tuck
The time it takes to recover from a tummy tuck surgery varies from person to person and depends on the extent of the surgery. Generally, you can expect to require about four weeks to heal and in that time, you will need to refrain from strenuous activities. You will notice results immediately after the surgery, but the final results will take several weeks to show.
You will be fitted with a garment to help keep everything in place while you heal. Generally, you will need to take it easy for a few weeks and keep your knees bent while you are in bed, to avoid any strain on your stitches. A wound check will be carried out after a week or two to ensure you’re healing properly.
After a few weeks, the garment can be removed and you’ll be able to return to most of your normal daily activities.
Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Consultation in Dallas
If you’re interested in learning more about the tummy tuck surgery, contact the Dallas Plastic Surgery Center to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gregory Stagnone. As a highly skilled and board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Stagnone will help you in your journey toward the body of your dreams.
