A
tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure where
your surgeon removes excess fat and skin and tightens your abdominal
wall muscles. A tummy tuck offers dramatic results by reducing the
appearance of a protruding abdomen that does not respond to diet and
exercise.
Our board-certified surgeons can perform a personalized tummy tuck surgery in Mishawaka to address your goals and needs. Before scheduling a consultation, however, it is important to understand how this body sculpting procedure might benefit you.
Who Can Benefit from a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tucks are particularly beneficial if you have had a pregnancy that have stretched your abdominal muscles and skin to a point beyond which they may return to normal. Abdominoplasty is also very helpful if your skin has lost elasticity due to age or weight loss.
Both men and women in Mishawaka can pursue a tummy tuck to remove excess skin, tighten their abdomens and improve their confidence in their appearance. To be considered an ideal candidate, however, you must be healthy overall. The surgery is not intended as a weight loss solution if you are overweight, nor should you have the surgery if you plan on becoming pregnant in the future.
Nutritional Requirements Before and After Abdominoplasty
If you undergo a tummy tuck, you must adhere to specific nutritional requirements. This is true both before your surgery and after. Getting the right nutrition plays a major role in the success of your surgery and how your body handles your recovery.
Vitamins are essential during your body's recovery journey. For this reason, The Centre, P.C. recommends a comprehensive pre- and post-surgery nutritional regimen designed specifically for surgical patients.
The system requires you to take special supplements to assist with tissue and cell growth and repair, help balance your body’s natural response to inflammation, and support healthy skin. The supplements aid with recovering from abdominoplasty and help minimize swelling and discomfort.
It is also vital to drink plenty of water to maintain your hydration levels. Healthy proteins from food sources, such as egg whites, yogurt, beans, and light meats are also important, as they help repair and build tissue. You should even consider eating plenty of grains and nuts that provide zinc and foods rich in Vitamin C, such as strawberries and leafy greens.
If you have further questions about nutritional requirements before tummy tuck surgery, our Mishawaka plastic surgeons can help you understand how to best prepare.
What Is the Recovery Process After a Tummy Tuck Like?
After undergoing a tummy tuck, your body will require some time to recover. Your surgeon can go over the details, so you fully understand what to expect before leaving the facility. It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions completely, so you do not inhibit your healing process.
After abdominoplasty, you might want to take a full month off work to give your body time to heal. You will likely need to change your bandages, and empty your drains during the process. You should avoid heavy exercise and other strenuous activities for up to six weeks.
When Do I See Final Results?
You will likely start to see the results of an abdominoplasty in just a few weeks. After your initial six weeks of avoiding strenuous activity and ensuring proper nutrition and care, you should notice a significant difference in the appearance of your abdomen. Your final results, however, may not be fully evident until your scarring has healed and all the swelling has subsided. Our compassionate team in Mishawaka can follow up with you to help address any recovery concerns associated with your tummy tuck.
Choose The Centre, P.C. for Tummy Tuck Surgery in Mishawaka
Abdominoplasty is a wonderful solution if you hope to regain your confidence and get a tighter, more toned tummy. To learn more about tummy tuck surgery in Mishawaka and schedule your cosmetic consultation, call or email the plastic surgery staff at The Centre, P.C.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons can explain everything you need to know about a tummy tuck, help you personalize the procedure to address your cosmetic goals, and follow up to help you feel comfortable with your results.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The tummy tuck procedure can be broken down into three specific types of tummy tucks offered at our clinic near Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana. A mini-abdominoplasty or mini- tummy tuck repairs the lower abdominal wall and involves removal of excess skin. The mini- tummy tuck leaves the smallest scar. However, ideal candidates should be no more than 10% over their ideal body weight with limited fat deposits in the abdomen.
A standard tummy tuck tightens the abdominal wall and removes excess fat and skin leaving a scar that extends across the lower abdomen that is easily concealed below the bikini line.
An extended tummy tuck tightens the abdominal wall and flanks, or sides, this procedure leaves the longest scar which extends around to the flanks onto the lower back.
Your plastic surgeon will evaluate your health and assess your abdominal region at your consultation. Your abdomen will be assessed for fat deposits and skin tone to help determine which procedure would be most suitable. One of the plastic surgeons at The Centre, P.C. will see you at your consultation and one additional appointment will be scheduled prior to your surgery.
At that time, pre- and post-operative instructions will be explained to help ensure the best possible recovery for you. Your plastic surgeon will monitor your progress closely he following surgery to ensure you have the best possible results.
A tummy tuck is performed by making a long incision just above the pubic area. The length of the incision will depend on the type of tummy tuck being performed. Another incision is made around the navel or belly button. The skin is then separated from the abdominal wall to reveal the vertical muscles. The muscles are tightened by pulling them together and stitching them into a new position which results in a firmer abdomen and reduction in the waistline. The skin is then stretched over the abdomen and extra skin is removed. A new incision is made for the navel.
Finally, the incision is closed and a bandage is applied. In most cases, a temporary tube may be placed in the suture line to help drain excess fluid built up due to the procedure. This drain would be removed five to seven days following your surgery.
After your tummy tuck procedure at our Mishawaka office, your abdomen will be swollen. Moderate pain and discomfort are expected. Most women square it to the pain felt following a C-section. You may not be able to stand straight immediately following surgery, but you will be able to walk shortly after surgery.
A support garment will be worn to help reduce swelling and provide extra support to the abdomen. You should be feeling like your old self within several weeks.
You will have a noticeable scar line from hipbone to hipbone just above the pubic area. The scar will be permanent but will fade with time. You will be able to wear a low-cut suit or undergarments, since the incision is made within that area. If you have questions regarding a certain garment or suit, you should ask your cosmetic surgeon if there might be any problem with coverage.
If you intend to lose a lot of weight, you should wait to have abdominoplasty until you have reached your desired goal.
Many abdominoplasties are successfully performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. As with all procedures, there is always a possibility of certain risks and complications. Complications such as infections and blood clots are rare but can occur. Infections can be treated with drainage and antibiotics but could cause a day or more stay in a hospital for monitoring. Poor healing can cause a larger scar than necessary, which may require a second procedure.
All risks and complications can be reduced by carefully following your surgeon's instructions.
The tummy tuck is one of the most popular and most requested procedures at our plastic surgery practice. Many of our patients opt for a tummy tuck to address stubborn, excess stomach fat. They complain of their stomach looking “flabby”, “droopy” or “saggy”. This can be psychologically distressing, which result in a lack of confidence, and reduced self-esteem. When performed by one of our highly trained and experienced plastic surgeons, a tummy tuck can correct this issue and give you a flatter, more toned stomach.
If you have pursued a tummy tuck and you are still planning your family or considering adding a new addition to the family, it is natural to be concerned. You might be worrying about any potential negative effects or risks that your tummy tuck procedure would have on your pregnancy. Additionally, you may be wondering if your tummy tuck will prevent you from having more children in the future.
While our board-certified plastic surgeons do recommend that you should opt for a tummy tuck only after you have completed your family, it is key to understand that your tummy tuck will not prevent you from having children in the future, nor does it put you at a heightened risk for pregnancy complications. If you have been asking yourself whether you can have children after a tummy tuck, read on to learn more.
If you have received a tummy tuck procedure, you should understand that you are generally not at a heightened risk for future pregnancy complications. All pregnancies, regardless of whether they happen before or after you have abdominoplasty, can have complications. Patients who get pregnant following their tummy tuck procedure have an equally high chance of carrying a healthy, full-term pregnancy as women who have never had an abdominoplasty.
You may be concerned about the potential negative effect that your tummy tuck can have on your future pregnancy and family planning. Additionally, you might be anxious about potentially wasting your beautiful tummy tuck results and the money that you have spent to get them. These are very real concerns.
Unfortunately, your pregnancy may result in significant weight gain and abdominal stretching. You could once again have loose, excess, sagging skin and flabby, drooping stomach tissue. These issues will likely require surgical correction and revision in order to restore your original tummy tuck results. It is very likely that, if you do become pregnant following abdominoplasty, you may be required to have a revision procedure completed in the future.