The abdomen can lead to more dissatisfaction with one’s body than almost anything else. But a tummy tuck is a fantastic procedure that can make the belly smooth and taut again.
If you have been thinking about having a flat midsection after pregnancy or weight loss, a tummy tuck can trim away extra skin and fat and tighten the abdominal muscles to transform your abdomen.
But before you have a tummy tuck, you’ll have a consultation with your surgeon, and some of the critical questions you should ask are:
Am I A Good Candidate For This Procedure?
One of the essential parts of a tummy tuck consultation is determining if you’re a good candidate. Your surgeon will talk to you about your body and aesthetic goals to decide if the procedure is correct for you.
Many tummy tuck candidates were pregnant and have loose and sagging skin in the belly. This tissue comes from the abdomen stretching during pregnancy, but it cannot bounce back enough after childbirth.
Some people also lose a lot of weight and may also have sagging skin too. A tummy tuck can trim away this extra tissue and give you a flat abdomen again.
However, if you have too much fat in your abdomen, your surgeon may recommend that you lose weight first. Another option for a small amount of fat is to have Beverly Hills liposuction before your tummy tuck.
Also, the best candidates for this procedure have these characteristics:
- Unhappy with sagging skin in the abdomen
- Want to correct a belly that sticks out or lax abdominal muscles that aren’t corrected with diet and exercise
- Don’t smoke
- Is in good health
What Will Scarring Be Like?
A tummy tuck is one of the most invasive cosmetic procedures, and you’ll have a scar that runs from hip to hip, but it will be under the waistline and belly button. So it won’t be visible when wearing your underwear or swimsuit.
After the surgery, the incisions will be raised and red, but they fade after several months and will be hard to see after a year.
How Will My Recovery Be?
Most patients need one or two weeks off work after a tummy tuck. You’ll be sore and bent over for the first week, so you may need help in the home, especially if you have young children.
While vigorous exercise isn’t an option for three or four weeks, your surgeon should encourage you to take short walks the first full day after surgery.
Walking increases circulation and will speed your healing process. Make sure you slowly increase your exercise each day but don’t push it too hard, or you may affect the results.
How Many Tummy Tucks Do You Do?
A tummy tuck is a complex procedure, and you want a surgeon who does many of them every year. If your surgeon usually does Beverly Hills Brazilian butt lifts, Beverly Hills breast lifts, or Beverly Hills breast augmentations, you might want to find another surgeon.
There is a true art involved in a great tummy tuck, and you’re more likely to love the results if your surgeon does these procedures regularly.
Will I Have Liposuction, Too?
The tummy tuck fixes flabby skin in the belly and tightens the underlying muscles. But if you still have extra fat in the abdomen, a tummy tuck won’t help. You can ask your surgeon to perform liposuction before the tummy tuck for the best results.
Will I Need Drains?
Some patients may not want a tummy tuck because they think they will need to have surgical drains. But some board-certified plastic surgeons use methods that do not require drains.
If you’re concerned about this issue, ask your surgeon if he uses drains for his tummy tuck surgeries.
What Complications Do You See The Most?
A tummy tuck is a major surgery, so you may have complications. Most patients have no significant problems, but the most common complications are bruising, bleeding, infection, and dissatisfaction with the results.
Are The Results Permanent?
The results of this procedure are usually permanent. However, if you gain a lot of weight or become pregnant, it will undo the results.
Your surgeon will recommend that you don’t get pregnant again before your procedure unless you have another tummy tuck after giving birth.
Should I Lose Weight Before A Tummy Tuck?
The ideal candidate is near their ideal body weight but has loose and sagging skin in the midsection. If you are well above your goal weight, your surgeon may recommend you lose weight first.
If a tummy tuck is performed when you are too heavy, you may be disappointed with the results. Slimming down as much as possible before surgery will give you ideal tummy tuck results.
Request A Tummy Tuck Consultation
Thinking about a Beverly Hills tummy tuck by Dr. Lahar? Dr. Nicholas Lahar is proud to serve Beverly Hills patients in his plastic surgery practice. During your consultation, he will review the options and goals to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck.
References
Tummy Tuck Consultation. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/tummy-tuck/consultation
Tummy Tuck. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tummy-tuck/about/pac-20384892#:~:text
Tummy Tuck Procedure Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.smartbeautyguide.com/procedures/body/tummy-tuck/
