Postpartum tummy tuck before and after skin#

Postpartum tummy tuck before and after skin#

During the typical tummy tuck, your plastic surgeon makes incisions to remove most of the skin and fat between your bellybutton and pubic hair in a horizontal oval or elliptical shape. There are a number of different procedures for a tummy tuck, depending on your goals and the extent of change you would like to see. In some cases, you might be given a pain-relieving medication and be moderately sedated (partially asleep). During a tummy tuck, you'll be under general anesthesia - which makes you completely unconscious and unable to feel pain. Make plans for someone to drive you home after you leave the hospital and stay with you for at least the first night of your recovery at home.Ī tummy tuck is done in a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility. Significant weight loss after the procedure can diminish your results. If you're severely overweight, your doctor will recommend that you lose weight before the procedure. Ideally, you'll maintain a stable weight for at least 12 months before having a tummy tuck. You'll likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding. If you smoke, your doctor will recommend that you stop smoking before surgery and during recovery. In addition, smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. Keep in mind that previous abdominal surgery might limit your results.īefore a tummy tuck you might also need to: Make sure you understand the benefits and risks of the procedure, including scarring. Explain why you want a tummy tuck, and what you're hoping for in terms of appearance after the procedure. The doctor might also take pictures of your abdomen for your medical record. To determine your treatment options, the doctor will examine your abdomen. If your desire for a tummy tuck is related to weight loss, your doctor will likely ask detailed questions about your weight gain and loss. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications. Talk about any medications you're taking or have taken recently, as well as any surgeries you've had. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions. During your first visit, your plastic surgeon will likely: You'll talk to a plastic surgeon about a tummy tuck. Like any other type of major surgery, a tummy tuck poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. This usually diminishes in the months after the procedure. You'll likely feel some reduced sensation or numbness. During a tummy tuck, the repositioning of your abdominal tissues can affect the nerves in the abdominal area, and infrequently, in the upper thighs. Depending on the size of the area, tissue might heal on its own or require a surgical touch-up procedure. Smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within your skin in the abdominal area might get damaged or die. The length and visibility of the scar varies from person to person. The incision scar from a tummy tuck is permanent, but it's typically placed along the easily hidden bikini line. You might be given antibiotics during and after surgery to prevent an infection. Sometimes areas along the incision line heal poorly or begin to separate. Your doctor might also remove fluid after surgery using a needle and syringe. Drainage tubes left in place after surgery can help reduce the risk of excess fluid. Fluid accumulation beneath the skin (seroma).Have had a previous abdominal surgery that caused significant scar tissueĪ tummy tuck poses various risks, including:.Have a body mass index that's greater than 30.Have a severe chronic condition, such as heart disease or diabetes.Plan to lose a significant amount of weight.Your doctor might caution against a tummy tuck if you:

If you've had fat removed from your abdomen (liposuction), you may decide to have a tummy tuck because liposuction removes tissue just under the skin and fat but not any excess skin.Ī tummy tuck isn't for everyone. If you've previously had a C-section, your plastic surgeon might be able to incorporate your existing C-section scar into your tummy tuck scar.Ī tummy tuck can also be done in combination with other body contouring cosmetic procedures, such as breast surgery. However, a tummy tuck won't correct stretch marks outside of this area. A tummy tuck may also remove stretch marks and excess skin in the lower abdomen below the bellybutton. These include:Ī tummy tuck can remove loose, excess skin and fat, and tighten weak fascia. There are a number of reasons you might have excess fat, poor elasticity of the skin or weakened connective tissue in your abdomen.