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.
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.
Despite the high frequency of satisfied patients, we found that sensory abnormalities and pain caused by nerve injury were more common at the long-term follow-up after abdominoplasty than previously thought,4 and that persistent pain was strongly associated with dissatisfaction with the surgery.
The results of a tummy tuck can last indefinitely, but there are some factors which can impact the longevity of your results.
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.
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.
Where do patients gain weight after a tummy tuck? During body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck, fat cells are eliminated from the body and cannot return. Because of this, patients may gain weight in other places like the buttocks, legs, arms, and breasts.
Will my stomach be completely flat after tummy tuck? In some cases, the answer is yes, but this will depend on how much excess fat and skin are present to begin with, how much underlying musculature the patient has, and other factors.
Waldorf recommends waiting until you've finished bearing children to consider a tummy tuck. If you are at or close to your ideal weight and are finished having children, a tummy tuck might be right for you. There is no one right age for a tummy tuck. More than age, the right time depends on your situation.
The fat cells that are removed via liposuction during a tummy tuck will not return, but this doesn't necessarily mean the cosmetic results are permanent. Weight gain can generate new fat cells and cause the remaining fat cells to become enlarged.
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.
Swelling influences tummy tuck recovery and results
Swelling is usually the main reason why your tummy may not look flat during recovery.
A tummy tuck requires significant downtime
Patients should expect their recovery to take two to three weeks. At the beginning, you will be fatigued, swollen and sore. It is normal to have moderate pain during these first several days, although this will steadily improve.
Obese or overweight. Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30. Any previous clotting issues or surgical complications. Currently taking any medications, anticoagulants, or supplements that might interfere.
In fact, there is (almost) no limit to the number of tummy tucks that you can get, providing that you are a good candidate for the procedure. Your surgeon will evaluate you to make sure that you're a good candidate for a second procedure before proceeding with the treatment.
Improvements to your abdominal tone from a tummy tuck can last a lifetime. However, to expect long-lasting results, you should be finished having children since future pregnancies or weight gain can diminish results.
Most surgeons will recommend patients should be between 10-15 pounds from their goal weight. When you're in the range of your goal weight, you will feel confident without needing to go on a crash diet to maintain it. If you want to lose weight, do so before getting a tummy tuck so the excess skin left over is removed.
Full tummy tucks help patients lose clothing sizes and inches in their midsection, but weight loss is usually not more than a few pounds. The average woman can expect to lose two to three dress sizes after a tummy tuck, while men can expect to drop several pant sizes.
Findings from the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal
On average, participants lost 4.5% of their original BMI one year after their procedure. On average, study participants lost 4.5% of their original BMI one year after their tummy tuck.
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.
Note, the procedure permanently removes fat cells from the abdomen and your body cannot replace them. However, not all fat cells are removed. If you consume excess calories after your procedure, the remaining fat cells in your abdomen may expand and negate the results of your procedure.
Weight Loss After a Tummy Tuck
For example, if someone who has had a tummy tuck loses ten, twenty, or even thirty pounds after their procedure, their skin may shrink nicely enough to maintain their tummy tuck results.
So, let's answer the question, “Why are my thighs bigger after tummy tuck?” First, the thighs do not actually get bigger. While it is technically possible to experience some residual swelling, by the time a patient asks this question, this has usually resolved.