Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a procedure to flatten your abdomen and waist. This is done by getting rid of excess skin and fat and tightening muscles through surgery. The end result is a flatter, more appealing stomach.
What You Should Know
- Qualities of a good candidate: You should have loose skin or fat pockets that have not been affected by exercise and diet. You should also be in a good physical condition. Older people who have lost elasticity of their skin can also undergo abdominoplasty. It is particularly helpful for women who have pregnancy related stretched muscles and skin. However, if you plan to have more children, then you should wait. It also helps if you lose weight before the procedure.
- The procedure: Requiring around two and a half hours, the procedure is conducted with general anesthesia. There will be two incisions made: one around your navel, and another from one hipbone to the other, near your pubic area. The skin will be separated from the muscles. The latter are pulled together to give firmness and a shapely waist. Liposuction may also be required. The skin will then be pulled down on to the tightened muscles. The excess skin will be cut off and then the remaining will be sutured back together. Surgical dressings will then be placed.
- Recovery, side effects, and complications: The time required to fully recover will range from two to three months. Sometimes, a tube may be inserted for a short period to drain out any excess fluid from the area of surgery. The results can last for a long time, provided you follow a proper diet and exercise regularly. Scars are inevitable but it is possible to make incisions in such a way that the resulting scars can be covered by a bikini. Of course, if you do not properly take care of yourself, you may require another surgery in due time. You may also need a surgery to deal with your scars, old and new.
Interested in Learning More about Tummy Tucks? Contact Dr. Frank.
If you are interested in abdominoplasty in Calgary, contact us today. We can be reached at (403) 245-1228. We look forward to hearing from you.
