5 Things To Consider Before Tummy Tuck Surgery

The stomach is a prime location for fat. When you think about weight, it isn’t always just the weight of the muscle but also the fat underneath the skin. A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from your abdominal wall to make your tummy appear firmer and flatter. Removing the excess skin and fat can result in a leaner-looking tummy. This article will explain five things you should consider before undergoing tummy tuck surgery.

WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK?

A tummy tuck is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat surrounding the abdominal muscles to make your tummy appear firmer and flatter. The procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, meaning you will be completely asleep for the duration of the surgery. You will wake up in the recovery room following your procedure where you will be closely monitored for a couple of hours before you are released. Following the procedure, you will be able to go home within a few hours with the help of a companion. You will be pain-free during this time, but you could feel some tugging and pulling sensations as the body heals itself. The recovery process will continue for around six weeks, when you will be released by your physician to resume all normal activities (considering there are no post-operative complications or healing issues). You will notice a difference immediately after surgery but please allow several months for all swelling to subside and scars to begin to fade from pink/red to more of a flesh tone.

5 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE TUMMY TUCK SURGERY

Age/Health

Your age and health are important factors in deciding upon a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure, which means that there are chances for complications during the procedure or recovery. If done on older people or people in poor overall health, it can be risky, which could lead to larger complications and a longer recovery process. It is recommended that you consult your doctor and discuss all health considerations before deciding to undergo a tummy tuck procedure.

Exercise

Tummy tucks are usually done for cosmetic reasons. Even if you have been exercising regularly, it does not mean that you have been able to remove all the excess fat or loose skin from your tummy. Events such as weight loss, pregnancy, and age cause changes to the tummy area, sometimes making excess extra skin, and fat nearly impossible to get rid of through diet and exercise alone. However, if you exercise regularly, you might be in a better position than others to get better results. After your tummy tuck surgery, regular exercise is important to maintain your results. We recommend you get as close to your maintainable goal weight as possible before surgery for optimal surgical results.

Home Preparation

The preparation for tummy tuck surgery is important. You need to avoid certain foods, supplements, and medications for two weeks before the procedure to prepare your body for surgery. Your surgeon will provide a chart of items to avoid leading up to surgery. You will also be required to discontinue the use of any tobacco, nicotine, THC, and CBD products for 3-4 weeks before your tummy tuck scar and surgery as the use of these products can drastically increase the risk of complications during and after your tummy tuck.

Eating a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet is important both leading up to and following your tummy tuck. Before surgery, a balanced diet will help you reach your most significant weight loss-related goals, thus improving the result of your tummy tuck. Following surgery, a balanced diet promotes the recovery process as you are feeding your body with the nutrients it needs to properly heal. At this point, a balanced diet and exercise routine (once cleared by your physician) are key to maintaining a stable weight and allowing your full results from surgery to be seen.

Cost

The cost of tummy tuck surgery varies from patient to patient, depending on the amount of surgery time needed to perform the procedure and any additional procedures that need to be combined with your tummy tuck, such as liposuction. During your consultation, a fully itemized cost proposal will be provided.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Heartland Plastic & Hand Surgery is a top-rated cosmetic surgery practice in Cape Girardeau, MO. Our surgeons and other staff members are dedicated to providing excellent care for our patients. We encourage you to contact us today to schedule your consultation.