3 Things To Consider Before Going for a Tummy Tuck

Among some of the most frustrating areas of the body is the stomach. As you go through your normal physical changes like weight fluctuations, childbirth, and the aging process, you will find that excess skin and fat accumulate around your middle. Sometimes, exercise and diet, though important in getting rid of excess body fat, when it comes to belly fat, can prove unsuccessful. You may not be able to reclaim the curvaceous waist of your youth by just exercising and dieting. If it works for you, that is pretty good. However, if you find that no matter how many hours you are hitting the gym and jogging around or how many squats, chair leg raises, and ball crunches you do, you cannot seem to shed off the belly fat, you want to consider a tummy tuck procedure. Seeking the help of tummy tuck doctors can help do away with the stubborn fat on your stomach and allow you to regain your youthful curvaceous waist and look. That being said, you want to consider these three things before you receive a tummy tuck procedure:

1. It requires a substantial downtime

Having a major surgical procedure, tummy tuck or abdominoplasty requires adequate time to heal. You will need weeks to have the area of surgery heal. Abdominoplasty involves an incision that runs from hip to hip. You should expect to take about 2 to 3 weeks to recover. In the beginning, you will feel fatigued, sore, and swollen. You are also likely to experience moderate pain, especially in the first few days – that is normal. The pain will improve over time. Allow yourself to rest and heal, so refrain from strenuous activities. You may want to take time off and ensure you have someone to assist you with your household chores.

2. Need to be at a stable weight

Your weight will need to stable before having a tummy tuck. Although abdominoplasty offers a great way of sculpting the body’s shape and figure, it is not a replacement for weight loss. So, you want to remain close to your normal weight for about 6 to 12 months before undergoing a tummy tuck. Losing or gaining additional weight may undo the contoured shape you have achieved through the surgery. Your surgeon may recommend that you be between 10 and 15 pounds of your goal weight. Weight fluctuations may stretch the abdomen tissues, causing you to go for a revision procedure to try restoring the benefits of the initial surgery.

3. It leaves a scar

While being a valued cosmetic surgery, the incision leaves a scar on your abdomen. The scar runs along the incision line from hip to hip just above your pubic bone. The scar may fade with time, but it remains visible for many years. Your plastic surgeon needs to carefully place the incision so that the scar remains concerned under your clothing, swimsuit bottoms, and underwear.

Knowing what to expect when going for a tummy tuck procedure places you in a better position to make an informed choice. You can also know how you will take care of your body and the treated areas to ensure a safe, uncomplicated healing process.