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When it comes to having a tighter, flatter abdomen, diet and exercise might not be enough to get the job done. This is especially true if you have lost a lot of weight around your midsection.
Whether it be from extreme weight loss or a previous pregnancy, losing a large amount of weight in your abdominal area can leave you with loose or saggy skin.
Tummy tuck procedures are often the best way to get rid of excess skin in the abdominal area. A tummy tuck can remove loose skin, tighten the underlying muscles, and present a flatter, more toned abdomen.
The expert medical team at Premier Cosmetic Surgery & Med Spa offers tummy tuck procedures in Arcadia, CA. Read on to learn more about abdominoplasty and the kind of results that patients can experience from a top-quality plastic surgeon.
Also known as an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims to create a flatter, more toned abdomen. It is most effective for those who are suffering from excess loose skin around the torso, as it can be used to provide a more sculpted appearance.
One common misconception about tummy tucks is that they produce the same results as liposuction or weight loss surgery.
It is important for patients to understand that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure. Abdominoplasties do not remove fat from the midsection. A tummy tuck simply addresses sagging skin on the abdomen and improves the underlying muscles.
Individuals who have a large amount of weight to lose around the midsection may instead benefit from other procedures, including liposuction or gastric bypass surgery.
One option that may be suitable for certain patients is known as a lipo-abdominoplasty. A lipo-abdominoplasty incorporates 360-degree liposuction and a tummy tuck in the same procedure. This surgery is ideal for patients who have a small to moderate amount of excess weight in the midsection.
Before having a tummy tuck, it is important to understand everything that the procedure involves. Learn more about the entire abdominoplasty process below.
The first step in a tummy tuck treatment is to schedule a consultation with our experienced plastic surgeons. The surgeon will assess your current figure, discuss your specific concerns, and determine whether you are a good candidate for an abdominoplasty based on your needs and current health. Our team can also answer any specific questions or concerns that you have during your appointment.
If you are not a suitable candidate for a tummy tuck, don’t worry. Our medical team can tell you more about other cosmetic options that might be a better fit, such as a lipo-abdominoplasty or a liposuction.
If you decide to move forward with a tummy tuck, you’ll next need to get a comprehensive health check to get medical clearance for the procedure. Our scheduling team will help you to decide on a surgery date that works for your schedule. While you wait, it is important to follow a healthy diet and remain well hydrated to make sure your body is ready for surgery.
Tummy tucks are performed under general anesthesia in a plastic surgery suite. During an abdominoplasty, excess skin below the belly button will be excised and removed. The underlying rectus muscles in the midline will then be tightened.
The remaining skin will be placed to create a more defined appearance. Finally, the belly button is lifted to complement the positioning of the newly defined abdominal area.
There are variations of the tummy tuck that can be performed for certain patients, including a mini tummy tuck. The mini tummy tuck is often recommended for patients who have a slight pouch of skin sitting just above the pubic area.
In a mini tummy tuck, about two to three inches of excess skin are removed and the remaining skin is placed in a tighter, flatter manner. A mini tummy tuck is not as comprehensive as a full tummy tuck.
After your tummy tuck, you may need to remain in the plastic surgery center overnight. However, some patients are able to return home the same day as their procedure, as long as they’ve been cleared by the surgeon.
Recovery from a tummy tuck procedure takes about six to eight weeks. Patients are typically able to return to work after the first week. During your consultation, your surgeon will provide you with detailed information on what to expect during recovery.
In about two to three months, you will see the full effect of your tummy tuck. To maintain these results long-term, it’s important to continue to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck is someone who is within range of their optimal weight, but struggling to lose excess skin from the midsection. This may be someone who has already lost a significant amount of weight or an individual who has excess skin hanging from their abdomen after giving birth.
Patients who are well over their ideal weight are not good candidates for abdominoplasty. These patients can work with our medical team to learn the best ways to lose weight before having a tummy tuck. Patients can also discuss the option to have a weight loss procedure like liposuction instead.
Have you been striving to achieve a tighter, flatter abdomen? A tummy tuck procedure may be able to help you achieve a more toned appearance. At Premier Cosmetic Surgery & Med Spa in Arcadia, CA, we provide tummy tuck procedures to help patients attain their aesthetic goals.
If you are ready to drop excess skin from your waistline, contact our team online or by phone to schedule a consultation with one of our plastic surgery experts.
