Understanding The Tummy Tuck
The Tummy Tuck is a Medical Procedure
There are numerous factors which help determine our waist size. For some of us, those days of size 2 jeans and bikinis went out the door when we had children. For other, we have struggled all our life to trim our waistline. Time, age, and environmental factors can rob us of the figure we are more comfortable with and leave us with a very stubborn waistline that won’t seem to firm up no matter what we do.
Some of us choose to remedy the situation with what we consider to be a quick little tummy tuck. Tummy tucks are in fact medical procedures, and while many people are quite happy with the results, patients who understand the mechanics and expectations after the procedure are more likely to fair much better afterward.
All surgery, including cosmetic surgery, comes with its share of risks. Anesthesia does occasionally throw out a few unexpected complications. However, when we weigh the risks against the benefits, most people feel the risks are small enough to accept. Cosmetic surgery will require ample recovery time.
The recovery times for cosmetic surgery various with each procedure. Obviously a tummy tuck will be more initially restricting than a nose job, although most people can return to work within about two to three weeks. People with more physically demanding jobs may require an extra week or two at home.
The tummy tuck is a medical procedure that requires cautious movement in recovery and ample understanding of the restrictions imposed for recovery prior to going through with this particular cosmetic procedure.
The Tummy Tuck
The tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that is based on surgically tightening up the abdominal muscles in order to slim down the waistline. You are essentially “tucking” the unwanted body layers underneath itself much the same way we fold clothes. Naturally it’s a little more complicated than that, but you get the idea.
When a cosmetic surgeon begins the tummy tuck process, he makes two incisions. One along the hip bone around the pubic area and the other releases the belly button so it can be reattached in a new position later. The skin is then separated from the torso in order to reveal the muscle underneath. This is where the heart of the tummy tuck occurs. This exposed abdominal muscle is what the surgeon will the stitch into a tighter, reshaped waistline. By tightening up the muscle and actually stitching it in place, new definition to the lower abdomen if formed and the results are typically a smaller waistline.
The description of the tummy tuck may not sound pleasant, but it is important for patients to understand what is happening to their body so they can recover accordingly. Understanding the procedure prepares patients better and they often have shorter recovery time because they don’t try to take on too much too early.
Recovering from the Tummy Tuck
Recovering from any cosmetic procedure can be a timely process. It is still surgery after all. Tummy tucks take a fair amount of recovery time and absolutely a time frame that does not allow the patient to lift or carry. The first few days after surgery are the roughest, and the patient must experience the discomfort of the natural bruising and swelling that occurs when the body is rearranged.
Typically it only takes about five day for the incisions to heal after surgery and the stitches are removed. This does not mean, however, that the patient can then return to anything resembling normal activities. There is still a lot of healing to be done after this type of cosmetic procedure.
The patient will be required to wear a support specifically designed for post tummy tuck recovery time to help the muscles adjust and stay in place, as well as to protect the new waistline from harm while it heals. Most patients report that the support also relieves pain initially as it helps to hold everything in the abdomen in place and relieves stress.
The tummy tuck does leave scars. Most cosmetic procedures will leave minimal scarring, and while the tummy tuck is no different it can take anywhere from nine to twelve months before the scarring has reduced enough to show off the new waistline.
The Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
Tummy tucks are a method of returning a figure, most often, to a pre-child bearing condition. The vast majority of tummy tuck patients are women whose abdomens lost their elasticity due to childbirth. Often the muscles can not regain their original structure which is why simply dieting and exercise may help but won’t work.
We live in a society where overweight and out of shape people often do not receive the same opportunities as healthy looking slender people. For women and men who are trying alternative methods of weight reduction without success, the tummy tuck offers a positive solution.
Just like nose jobs, face lifts, and other cosmetic procedures, tummy tucks are effective tools to bringing about the best physical body possible for any individual wishing to attain a higher level of appearance. There is great debate whether this is an emotionally healthy approach, however a society will not change overnight and criticism can be fierce.
For the most part tummy tucks are a permanent solution to the battle of the waistline. Although bearing more children may result in terminating the effects of the initial tummy tuck at least partially if not all the way.
Important Considerations
Cosmetic procedures are not for everyone. People who are in very poor physical shape may not recover as quickly or thoroughly as those who exercise regularly. People who are sensitive to anesthesia also may want to seriously consider the risk benefit ratio before having any cosmetic procedure attempted.
Cosmetic surgery is a science and an art. The human body is the canvas and it is important to take into consideration that the canvases are not perfect. Cosmetic surgeons can not guarantee results because our bodies are simply never going to be perfect. Often the cosmetic surgeon can significantly enhance our appearance, but they can not fix everything.
Taking your recovery seriously is one way to help ensure that the expected results become the final results. Whether it’s a tummy tuck or a nose job or liposuction, following your surgeon’s post operative instructions is imperative to good results.
Prior to attempting the tummy tuck, you should do your very best to get in good shape with strong abdominal muscles. I know we said that we’re doing this because exercising wasn’t producing the results desired, but at least strengthening your muscles should help not only in shorter recovery periods, but with the over all success of the operation as well.
Talk to your plastic surgeon well in advance about pre operative exercise that can help him do his job better. Tummy tucks take better on firmer muscles than on loose muscles. He should be able to advise you of which exercises will target the specific muscles he believes will assist you in your recovery and success.
While you are firming up, remember your diet. Vegetables and protein can help to prepare your body for the cosmetic procedure, but beware of any vegetable containing high amounts of vitamin K in the two weeks prior to your tummy tuck. Vitamin K is a natural blood thinner and can enhance bleeding during your tummy tuck. Ibuprofen can do this as well.
Preparing your body well for any cosmetic procedure can help your surgeon do a better job and assist your recovery is many ways. After all, you are commencing on the tummy tuck to improve your overall look.
The Final Result
After you have prepared your body, watched your diet, done your exercises, and gone through with the cosmetic procedure it is now time to take special care of yourself. If you can afford it, a few recovery days in a spa or inclusive result can do a world of good toward your final results.
However, perhaps an alternative to an expensive spa if you’re lucky, is an especially attentive significant other to tend to your needs during those first few painful days. The rest will do you well and the care can boost your recovery.
Once you have put in the effort throughout your recovery from your tummy tuck, it won’t be long before you begin to see actual results. The swelling will reduce and give way to a shapelier you within a couple of short weeks. Over time, your body will heal and slowly reveal its new self.
The scarring will eventually subside and you will be left with a flatter, firmer tummy and a sexier body. After all, that was the point of all this wasn’t it? Luckily you will be able to see some results along the way until you are finally recovered from your tummy tuck. If you timed it well, you may even have that brand new shape just as swim suit season comes rolling. Perhaps it’s time to hit the beach.
There are more resources, articles, and helpful information waiting for you. All you have to do to further your education in plastic surgery procedures is point your browser toward lifeplasticsurgery website . Here, you can gather the facts and information you need to help you through every single step of the cosmetic improvement arena.
Bobby Ryatt
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