With cosmetic surgeries on the rise, numbers in abdominoplasties are increasing as well. An abdominoplasty is otherwise known as a tummy tuck. It is a serious surgery and the chosen doctor should be well researched with years of experience. Always seek a board certified plastic surgeon.

The majority of patients that seek a tummy tuck are those that have excess skin and fat around the abdominal section. This surgery is only necessary for patients who have used diet and exercise but cannot reduce the circumference of their waist or get rid of the bulge in their stomach.

Women who have had children often consider tummy tucks because their midsection doesn’t resemble the one they had before pregnancy. During pregnancy the muscles and skin often stretch beyond the point of return and can only be improved with surgery. A tummy tuck should be postponed until the definite decision to have no additional children has been made. If pregnancy occurs after a tummy tuck, the results of the surgery will be lost.

Patients who have undergone bypass surgery and have lost extreme amounts of weight often talk to their doctor about tummy tucks. The weight loss has left behind excess skin that does not go away on its own. Average aging can also cause the skin around the abdomen to sag and surgery is thought to put some youth back in bodies.

Serious consideration should be made before undergoing any surgery. While the benefits may add to a person’s self confidence, it may not affect how they are treated by other people. This surgery will not magically repair relationships or make a single individual more marketable in the dating scene. Those contemplating the surgery should expect scarring. However surgeons try to place the incision along the bikini line within a skin crease so it will be hidden by clothing.

The abdominoplasty procedure begins with an incision that extends from hip to hip. The skin is detached from the body so the abdominal muscles to be tightened are within reach of the surgeon. The muscle fascia wall is generally the muscle to be sutured to create a tighter abdomen. A new belly button will be created and liposuction will remove any lumps or groups of fat.

Full recovery from the procedure takes 3-6 months and doctors advise patients to stay out of work for at least 4 weeks. Post surgical patients are advised to avoid any strenuous activity and to avoid nicotine. An abdominal binder or compression garment can reduce pain and swelling as well as shorten recovery time.

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