Many women have loose skin in the abdomen after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Unfortunately, diet and exercise cannot do anything about loose abdominal skin, and Beverly Hills liposuction alone won’t help, either.
But there is an answer: Abdominoplasty, also called a Beverly Hills tummy tuck, is a popular procedure that flattens the belly by taking out extra skin and fat and tightens the abdominal muscles.
Depending on your body’s needs, a tummy tuck can involve removing extra skin from above or below the belly button.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
A tummy tuck usually has the following steps:
Anesthesia
Your surgeon will provide IV or general sedation before the tummy tuck begins. If you have an allergy to anesthesia, it’s critical to let your surgeon know during your consultation.
Incision
If you have a full tummy tuck, there will be a horizontal incision between the pubic area and the navel. The length and shape of the incision depend on how much extra skin you have on the abdomen.
After the skin is lifted, the surgeon will tighten the abdominal muscles with internal sutures.
Another incision will be made around the belly button to remove extra skin in the upper abdomen.
Your surgeon will pull down the skin on the upper abdomen and the extra skin trimmed away. Next, the remaining skin is sewn together, and an opening for the belly button is made.
Closing Incisions
Your surgeon may use surgical adhesives or stitches to close your incisions.
The result is a flatter abdomen that matches your body type and weight.
Preparing For A Tummy Tuck
If you smoke, you’ll need to stop for at least a month before and two weeks after your tummy tuck. Any nicotine, including patches, gum, and e-cigarettes, will interfere with the healing process. But quitting entirely is best for your recovery and long-term health.
Next, remember to eat nutritious food and well-balanced meals, and don’t go on a diet before surgery. Having good nutrition is essential for rapid healing and recovery.
When you schedule surgery, your surgeon may tell you to stop taking certain medications, especially any that thin the blood. For example, you shouldn’t take NSAIDs or aspirin before having a tummy tuck, and it’s essential to tell the surgeon if you take blood thinners.
Also, you should set up a comfortable place for your recovery before you leave for surgery. Have some loose, comfortable clothing, a telephone nearby, and a bathroom chain and handheld shower.
Be prepared to spend a lot of time lying down and resting for one or two weeks, so make sure your Netflix subscription is paid and you have plenty of books!
Tummy Tuck Recovery
After the procedure, your incision will be stitched and covered with a surgical dressing and bandages. In addition, your surgeon will probably have you wear a compression garment after your tummy tuck, which will reduce pain and swelling.
You must wear your compression garment at all times for several weeks, except when taking a shower or bath. Your plastic surgeon will also give you directions for sitting and lying down for the first month.
Keep in mind that you will be sore and stiff for several weeks, so you will probably need help around the home. In addition, if you have small children, you’ll need help caring for them because you cannot lift anything heavy for at least four to six weeks.
If you’re physically active, you need to avoid strenuous workouts for at least a month. Most patients take two or three weeks off work. However, if your job involves bending or lifting, you will likely need more time to rest.
You will have swelling for two or three months, so it’s essential to be patient with your tummy tuck results. But once the swelling disappears, you’ll be thrilled with your flat, slim abdomen.
Tummy Tuck Risks And Complications
You will have some amount of pain and swelling after your tummy tuck, and your surgeon will give you prescription pain medication for the first week.
Soreness can last a month or so, and you may experience bruising, numbness, and overall fatigue for several weeks.
As with all surgeries, there are risks to having a tummy tuck. Also, you may have a higher risk if you have diabetes, heart disease, poor circulation, or liver disease. The most common complications are:
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Seroma
- Poor incision healing
- Blood clots
- Numbness in the abdomen
- Wound separation
- Fat necrosis
The good news is that patients who use a board-certified plastic surgeon usually have excellent results, and most people love how they look after recovery.
Also, patients who have other procedures with their tummy tuck almost always love their new look. Popular procedures include Beverly Hills breast augmentation, Beverly Hills breast lift, and Beverly Hills Botox or dermal fillers.
Request A Tummy Tuck Consultation
Thinking about a tummy tuck in Beverly Hills? Dr. Nicholas Lahar is pleased to provide plastic surgery procedures to his Beverly Hills patients. He will talk about your goals during your consultation and decide if a tummy tuck is a good fit.
References
Tummy Tuck Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tummy-tuck/about/pac-20384892
About Tummy Tuck. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/tummy-tuck/procedure
About Tummy Tuck. (n.d.). Accessed at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11017-abdominoplasty-tummy-tuck
