Excess fat and skin in your abdomen can be frustrating. Natural processes like pregnancy, childbirth, aging, and weight fluctuations cause excess skin and fat in your midriff. Unfortunately, dieting and exercising cannot reach some areas to help you achieve your desired waistline. Faced with this, most people turn to tummy tucks to reclaim their youthful curvaceous waists.
Many who consider cosmetic surgeries wonder how long the results can last before they invest their money into the tummy tuck procedure. Read on to learn if tummy tuck results are permanent to help you decide if you should go ahead and get it done.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure that thins and firms the abdomen. It eliminates excess skin and fat from the lower and middle abdomen. As a result, it tightens your abdominal wall’s fascia and muscles.
Tummy Tuck Consultation in San Diego
First, meet your board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation at Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa in San Diego. Doing so will allow you to discuss your expectations and goals from the tummy tuck. You can also talk about what motivated you to consider the procedure.
Your San Diego tummy tuck plastic surgeon will talk to you about the surgical plan. They will tell you about any potential complications and risks that could happen during or after you get a tummy tuck. Doing so will help you understand more so you can discuss the benefits and risks to decide whether to proceed with the surgery.
You will get a medical examination and various tests to ensure that no medical conditions or problems can affect the procedure.
Preparation Before A Tummy Tuck Surgery
Prepare both mentally and physically for the procedure. Do not eat for eight hours before your procedure. Your plastic surgeon is likely to use general anesthesia for the surgery. Once done, you may get hospitalized for a few hours but will still return home on the same day. Most times, hospitalization does not last for more than 12 hours if the patient does not develop complications.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
The recovery period is the third stage of the tummy tuck process. It can take two weeks to get back to your routine. Within this period, plastic surgeons advise patients to rest and take things slowly to allow their bodies to heal effectively.
Tummy Tuck Results
A tummy tuck strengthens the abdominal wall. It also removes excess fat and skin for a slimmer and more toned abdomen. Some patients see tummy tuck results shortly after their procedure. However, the results will be assessed after six to 12 months of the surgery. During this period, the outcome will stabilize as side effects such as bruising and swelling subside.
Are Tummy Tuck Results Permanent?
Tummy tuck results can last for decades or permanently for individuals who live a healthy lifestyle. The fat and skin cells your plastic surgeon removes during the surgery cannot regrow.
Unfortunately, weight fluctuations can cause the skin in your abdomen to lose its elasticity and begin sagging. Gaining weight substantially also enlarges the remaining fat cells in your midsection. Getting pregnant after a tummy tuck procedure can also affect the results of the surgery by causing damage to your stomach muscles.
Maintain a stable weight by eating healthy, working out consistently, and quitting smoking. For optimal results, women should thoroughly consider if they are finished having children before getting a tummy tuck.
To learn more about tummy tuck results or to schedule a consultation call Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa in San Diego, California at 858-264-3800 or browse our tummy tuck before and after gallery here.
