Swelling is often the main culprit of why the tummy may not look flat during recovery. As this resolves, the tummy will begin to show it's new shape. Additionally, the skin, muscles, and fat of the abdomen were all repaired or altered during the procedure.
Swelling in the abdominal area is perfectly normal and expected after a tummy tuck. In this area of the body, the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels work as a drainage system for fluids. During a tummy tuck, these vessels are cut.
Some patients have too much fat within the abdominal cavity to be flat until they lose that fat. The intraabdominal fat is not removed in a tummy tuck. There can be fluid collections (seromas) that can cause prolonged swelling and an ultrasound can determine if you have that.
A tummy tuck can create a new, flat abdomen by removing extra fat. This can be a great, life-changing procedure if you've been carrying extra fat around your stomach area and can't get rid of it. However, it can only do so much in giving you a toned, contoured abdomen.
Generally, it takes two to three months to see results, depending on the tummy tuck technique that was performed, the extent of skin laxity, and the patient's general state of health.
A common sign of an undesirable tummy tuck is poor repositioning of the belly button. If you see that your navel is too high or too low, it might be that it's been misshapen, while pulling and tightening of the skin has distorted the original shape and position.
You should bear in mind that you won't be able to lift yourself into a completely upright position immediately after one week. Rather, straightening after tummy tuck is a slow and gradual process, with most patients recovering their straightened posture in 2-3 weeks.
Answer: Why is Waist Bigger After Tummy Tuck
If it is soon after your surgery, this could be due to swelling. If it is more than 6 weeks after surgery, it is possible that you have gained weight.
Answer: Upper tummy bulge despite tummy tuck
The most likely reason for your persistent upper abdominal bulge is residual laxity (looseness) of the paired midline muscles of the upper abdomen.
A properly performed tummy tuck can reduce your waist size and help you feel confident about your curves again. Some patients may lose many inches off their waist, while others will see more subtle results. It all depends on how much tissue can be removed safely.
In the first week after tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Patronella recommends patients take short walks of 10 minutes, gradually increasing this to one mile, twice daily by days 10 to 14 days after the procedure.
We suggest scar massage many times throughout the day for 5-10 minutes each session. It is important to strictly follow your post-operative tummy tuck instructions. We encourage you to walk around immediately in the post- operative period.
A great-looking stomach isn't flat as a board — it has normal hills and valleys, particularly around the belly button. A well performed tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin but also recreates normal and attractive contours around the navel. An attractive stomach also has a gentle sloping contour around the waistline.
When the muscle repair comes "undone" it usually manifests as a bulge above the belly button. This can be accentuated by lying flat then lifting both your head and feet off the floor.
Is it possible to have a second tummy tuck? Yes, a tummy tuck can be done again. Some or all of the components of a tummy tuck can be performed a second time, including removal of excess skin, tightening of the abdominal wall and liposuction of any excess fat.
Most women lose between 2 and 3 pants sizes after a tuck, but there are patients who lose even more. If you had a lot of loose skin before the procedure, for example, you could go down 4 more pants sizes.
A belly button shaper is not required after a tummy tuck procedure as the area can not close assuming no healing issues develop.
A tummy tuck can result in a weight loss of approximately four pounds. If you opt for a mini truck, you can expect to lose around three pounds of excess skin and fat. If you opt for an extended tuck, you can expect to lose around five pounds of excess skin and fat.
Answer: Hardness after tummy tuck
This is probably due to the damage in your lymphatic layer, which triggers your body to send more blood into the area to help heal your traumatized tissues. It results in hardness in your belly, but it resolves on its own over time, typically around six months.
Tummy tucks flatten the patient's stomach but they don't necessarily give them an hourglass silhouette. To achieve that, patients also need targeted liposuction.
Gaining a handful of pounds after your procedure won't compromise your final tummy tuck results. You can usually fluctuate within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight without any significant issues. However, weight gain over the 15-pound mark can cause skin and abdominal muscles to slowly stretch out of place.
Answer: Hourglass after tummy tuck
If you are not a candidate for a fleur de lis due to minimal skin excess vertically, options include aggressive waist liposuction and fat grafting to the hips to help improve the hourglass shape.