Everyone has felt it, that roll of skin that peeps out over the top of your jeans just when you are sitting down to a big meal. The go-to list of ways to overcome this problem include, running, crunches and diet changes. When all ese fails, many turn to the tummy tuck. Opting for a tummy tuck to deal with some extra stomach pooch is a serious life choice as the procedure, cost, and recovery time are all major decisions. This may have you wondering, what is a tummy tuck or how does a tummy tuck work?
Break Up with Belly Fat
An abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure to remove excess fat and skin while also restoring the weakened or separated muscles resulting in a smoother and firmer stomach area. Depending on where the excess fat and skin are removed, patients may need a new belly button through a surgery called an umbilicoplastly.
The surgery takes about three hours and patients are put under general anesthesia for the procedure. The pre-operative procedures begin with marking where the surgeon will indicate where the incisions occur and determine the location of the re-positioned navel. The first incision typically occurs from one hipbone to the other, right above the pubic mound while the second incisions is a circular ring around the belly button. After making the initial decisions, the surgeon will place sutures in the abdominal muscle to draw them into a tighter position. Next, the surgeon will remove the extra fat through liposuction. Once the skin is pulled down below the lower incision line, the excessive skin is trimmed off. Tummy tuck, success!
Determine Reasons for Surgery
Removing excess fat from the abdomen can be one of the most difficult areas of the body to tone and trim. Stubborn belly fat lead to overall bodily dissatisfaction even when a person has achieved impressive weight loss making it difficult to feel confident in certain articles of clothing or diminishing overall self-confidence. If a person has sought to minimize excess fat in this area or has loose skin due to significant weight loss, a tummy tuck is likely a good approach for restoring the skin and muscles of the stomach to their former glory.
Why Me?
Do you ever stand in front of the mirror after a long run, hot yoga, and 500 crunches wondering, “why me?” Sometimes post-pregnancy recovery, heredity, or constantly fluctuating weight can lead to the extra ripple on your midsection.
Keep Expectations Realistic
While a tummy tuck will work to remove stomach fat and improve the overall appearance of the abdominal area, these procedures are not permanent. Living a lifestyle that yields itself to weight fluctuation or weight. Also, pregnancies can quickly diminish the effects of a tummy tuck, so women who plan to become pregnant in the near future may want to consider staving off the procedure until after birth.
Regardless of where you are in the decision-making process to get a tummy tuck, be sure you seek advice from a board certified surgeon to ensure the best outcomes possible.