A tummy tuck is an effective way to achieve a flatter, more toned stomach, but how long will it stay like that? The results of a tummy tuck can last indefinitely, but there are some factors which can impact the longevity of your results.
Tummy tuck results are considered permanent, insofar that the fat cells and skin removed during an abdominoplasty cannot grow back. Likewise, the internal sutures placed to repair abdominal muscles are designed to remain in place indefinitely.
Tummy tuck surgery results will vary depending on a person's age. For example, a younger patient can expect to see very smooth abdominal skin after abdominoplasty. However, an older patient's skin is typically less elastic than that of a younger person and won't automatically “snap back” to fit the body's new contours.
By removing excess skin and fat and strengthening your abdominal wall, a tummy tuck can give your abdomen a more toned and slimmer appearance. Tummy tuck results are usually long lasting if you maintain a stable weight.
Because a tummy tuck is a more extensive surgery, patients need around 10 to 14 days to recover. The results are long-lasting, and the removed fat cells won't grow back—but remaining fat cells may expand and the skin may re-stretch if you gain a large amount of weight.
Even in most normal weight and extremely fit women, the abdomen may not be completely flat following abdominoplasty. It is realistic for patients to expect improvement in the flatness of the stomach, but should not immediately assume that their abdomen will be entirely flat.
Sometimes people do not have a totally flat abdomen after tummy tuck even though the excess skin and fat is removed due to the fact that the intra-abdominal contents still remain intact and are still behind the tightened abdominal muscles.
This study found that 8.2% reported pain within the past week between 3 months and 9 years after abdominoplasty, most often located under the umbilicus in the same location as the incision line, suggesting direct nerve injury in this area as the primary cause.
It's important to know that the tummy tuck is a higher-risk procedure compared to other kinds of cosmetic surgery. There is a 4% risk of major complications such as hematoma or infection after a tummy tuck.
While it is absolutely possible to lose weight after abdominoplasty, the amount of weight you can expect to lose depends on the type of procedure performed, how much excess skin you have, how much excess abdominal fat you have, and how much overall fat you need to lose.
Most women who choose this procedure are in their late 30s, early 40s, or beyond. However, when it comes to your age, as long as you are committed to maintaining results, don't plan on getting pregnant again, and are in good health, any age is the right age.
Tummy tuck scars after 5 years will be nearly unnoticeable. Although it will have taken several years for the scars to lighten entirely (in most patients), by this point, they will be at their lightest. Those with darker skin, however, will generally have darker scars.
Troy Pittman, a board-certified Washington D.C.-based plastic surgeon, patients who have obesity, a lot of visceral fat (located near vital organs), underlying medical conditions or blood-clotting disorders should refrain from having tummy tucks.
Excess skin that is removed during tummy tuck surgery should not come back. However, body contouring procedures do not necessarily prevent unwanted changes in your appearance over time. For example, weight gain or pregnancy may cause the skin to stretch out again after a tummy tuck.
The short answer is yes; this treatment is totally worth it. Most patients start to see incredible results after about three months, and by six months after the treatment, they are amazed by how different their bodies look. Sometimes, the belly keeps getting flattered and better looking for up to a year.
How Many Times Can I Get abdominoplasty? There is no limit on the number of surgery you can undergo if you meet all the requirements and are surgically fit for the procedure. Ideally, abdominoplasty is only performed once on a patient. Abdominoplasty benefits can be lost following weight gain or pregnancy.
They say that hindsight is 20/20, but when it comes to a tummy tuck, the last thing you want is to come away with regrets. Luckily, few people regret the procedure itself. Instead, they wish they hadn't gone quite so conservative when planning their abdominoplasty.
Whether you're contemplating a Mommy Makeover package or just want to undergo a tummy tuck, you'll be relieved to know that any pain from this cosmetic procedure is far less than that experienced after a C-section.
If you have good scars, a normal-looking belly button and natural abdominal contours, hardly anyone will be able to tell you have had tummy tuck. They will simply admire your flat, firm abdomen!
The surgeon tightened the muscles optimally, but you were too active after surgery and stretched the muscles during repair, which resulted in the protrusion. Lie flat on your back. If the stomach is flat, re-tightening of the muscle surgically will help. If the stomach is protruding, you need to lose weight.
While minor weight fluctuations among adults are normal, significant weight gain (generally over ten pounds) after a tummy tuck can lead to the accumulation of excess fat in the stomach once again. In addition, stretch marks and loose skin may return, all of which can impact your tummy tuck results.
At around 7-10 weeks after your tummy tuck procedure, you should be cleared to ease into your normal exercise routine. You can begin doing crunches, sit ups, and planks, as long as you progressively increase your repetitions. We recommend focusing on performing these exercises with impeccable form.
Most swelling should have been resolved between 8 and 10 months after the tummy tuck. Yet, fluid retention due to diet and salt intake might be the reason behind a still swollen belly.