A tummy tuck is another name for a cosmetic surgery called an abdominoplasty.
The abdomen is a region of the human body that commonly stores fat and gets stretched out.
Reasons for the stretching include pregnancy, aging, overeating and rapid weight loss.
Fatty deposits accumulate in this area according to a person's genetic predisposition and diet.
Tummy tucks are performed in a medical facility by a plastic surgeon and take approximately three hours to complete.
General anesthesia is the pain management technique used during the operation.
After the surgery, patients will typically need to stay in the hospital for two or three days.
Bellies which have become flabby often have excess skin that has lost some of its elasticity.
The inner girdle of connective tissue is also a culprit in the bulging midsection.
This girdle is comprised of fascia and muscles that are designed to hold organs in place.
When it loses its effectiveness, tone is lost as well.
The result is flab and protrusion.
During an abdominoplasty, a surgeon will remove skin and fat between the pubic bone and the navel.
The fascia will be tightened up before the belly is sutured closed.
The belly button will have to be moved to a more centralized location so that it appears natural on the newly taut surface.
Incisions are placed above the pubic hair and should be hidden by bikini bottoms.
Scar size will depend on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed.
In order to keep fluid from accumulating post-op, drains are placed during the course of the operation.
These drains will be left for a few weeks and the patients will need to empty them.
A garment called an abdominal binder, which is similar to a supportive compression device, is worn for at least one month following the surgery.
This pressurized device will aid in healing and recovery.
If a person is planning to have more children or to lose a lot of weight, they should do it before having an abdominoplasty.
Otherwise, they will end up with the same problem.
If the patient is also troubled with fatty deposits in the region, liposuction may be performed simultaneously.
If a patient smokes cigarettes, they should quit several months prior to the surgery and not start again for several weeks post-op.
Tobacco products hamper the immune system which could lead to difficulty in healing.
After a patient has given up smoking for that length of time, it may be possible to stop altogether.
They've already gone through withdrawals, so why start again? During the recovery period, a patient will experience swelling, bruising and discomfort.
In the initial days, pain medications will be prescribed.
The swelling may take up to three months to completely disappear.
After that, the effects are permanent as long as the patient maintains a healthy diet and exercise routine.
If a person is interested in learning more about whether the tummy tuck is right for them, they should see their doctor.
An initial consultation with a plastic surgeon should provide all the answers to their questions.