During a tummy tuck, the skin through the lower abdomen is removed, and the rest is pulled downward. The natural belly button is removed completely at the same time, because its new location ends up much lower than before and it would look very strange to have a navel set that far down.
There are several reasons for an uneven tummy following surgery, however the most common is that the abdominal muscles were not tightened adequately during surgery, and have started to separate. This can result in a lopsided or uneven stomach.
There is an art to tummy tuck because simply removing excess skin and fat will not look good. For an aesthetically-pleasing look, your doctor must tighten up the area to achieve the kind of contour that appears on natural bodies, resting well against your ribs. Part of that art is dictated by the gender of the patient.
Most surgeons only perform the tummy tuck without liposuction, which often results in a square-shaped appearance.
A botched belly button is the most disconcerting complication after the tummy tuck procedure. Although the problem rarely occurs, depending on how well the surgeon has performed the procedure, the belly button may alter, move, or appear weird after the surgery.
Yes, it's normal to regret having cosmetic surgery due to the physical and emotional toll the procedure takes on your body. However, there are a few steps you can take to minimize these feelings of regret. This includes discussing your goals with the plastic surgeon and having realistic expectations.
While abdominoplasty can be effective in treating cosmetic concerns and repairing muscle separation, a tummy tuck can't actually make your abs stronger. Since only your hard work can achieve that, don't ditch the ab work just yet if a strong core is part of your goal.
A tummy tuck surgery not only has a big effect on the look of the abdomen, but it can also affect the appearance of other bodily structures. It is not uncommon for patients to report that people believed their breasts looked bigger.
Tummy tucks can produce belly buttons that are too round, too narrow or too tight and have a visible circular scar around them. “This is often a dead giveaway for a tummy tuck.”
Does a tummy tuck make your waist smaller? Yes, it does. By removing excess fat and skin, and tightening abdominal muscles, you will see a smoother surface and a smaller waistline.
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.
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.
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.
One Year After Surgery
One year later, your abdominoplasty should be fully healed, and results visible. Your inflammation should be gone, and your scar faded.
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.
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.
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. *Individual Results May Vary.
Can I get a six-pack after a tummy tuck? While an abdominoplasty does tighten the abdominal muscles, the surgery alone isn't designed to give you the appearance of a six pack. However, it is typically possible for the patient to achieve this look through an exercise routine once their recovery process is complete.
You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day.
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.
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.
Can I do squats after a tummy tuck? You can do squats four to eight weeks after the surgery along with any other lower body exercises.
It is even harder to keep the weight at bay from your tummy once you've lost it. Recent studies are showing patients who undergo abdominoplasty – better known as a tummy tuck – are keeping the weight off and even losing weight long after their surgery. Learn more about the long lasting benefits of the tummy tuck.
Muscle repair is often performed during a tummy tuck procedure and is considered by many to be an integral part of the surgery. If the abdominal muscles are stretched out or torn, the newly tightened skin will not lay as nicely over them.