What Does Recovery Look Like For A Tummy Tuck Procedure?

A tummy tuck procedure involves getting rid of fat around the belly and tightening the surrounding abdominal muscles for a flatter and tighter look. Many women will have this procedure done after they have gone through one, or multiple pregnancies, and are left with stretched and sagging skin. It is also common for people who have experienced massive weight loss to have excess skin left over, which cannot be eliminated through diet and exercise. When other treatments don’t seem to be doing the trick, a tummy tuck may be the only procedure to get the satisfaction you desire.

How Long Is The Recovery Process?

The recovery process after an abdominoplasty can take anywhere from six to eight weeks. However, each patient is different, and several factors like age, general health, type of tummy tuck, and how you take care of yourself post-op can play a role in how quickly you recover. Immediately following a tummy tuck you will have limited mobility and must abstain from lifting anything heavy. You will also have to stay away from any vigorous exercise for at least three weeks. Normal, light activities, like driving, can be resumed after a week or two. In total, recovery can take up to four months. Some ways to enhance your recovery include:

Fluids And Exercise

It is important to stay hydrated as much as possible. You should drink anywhere between six to eight glasses of water everyday. Your body mass and how much water you are getting from your daily diet will also determine how much water you should be drinking each day. While you will not be able to do any intense exercising, it is important to get your body moving in order to kick start your circulatory system. Going out and taking a light walk is a great way to incorporate some activity into your recovery. The goal is to get your circulatory system to deliver nutrients throughout your body which will help your incisions heal.

Eat A Well-Balanced Diet

Proper nutrition is also a big part of the recovery process. You need to consume the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients to produce an adequate amount of collagen. Stay away from unhealthy foods that will damage collagen production like processed sugars and fried foods.

Don’t Rush Your Recovery

After the tummy tuck procedure, you will experience some swelling, inflammation, and slight pain. It will usually take about three or four months for the swelling to completely subside and your new shape to show. Keep in mind, it can take up to a whole year to see the final results. Other factors can play a role like genetics. In most cases, people are very pleased with the outcome of their tummy tuck, even if they had to wait a while to see the results. If you have any issues with the recovery process, you should reach out to your plastic surgeon immediately.

Schedule a Consultation

To find out more about the tummy tuck procedure and to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Lorraine Golosow, please call us at 239-330-6448 or fill out our online contact form. We are excited to help patients in Fort Myers, FL, and Cape Coral, FL, start their aesthetic journeys.

Should You Get a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?

Are you looking to remove stubborn fat or excess skin after weight loss? Liposuction or a tummy tuck can be a life-changing procedure that will put the finishing touches on your weight loss journey. While both methods can flatten and smooth the stomach area, they vary in results, recovery time, and technique. Here is everything you need to know about these two procedures so you can determine which is right for you.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

The tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes loose, sagging skin from the stomach and tightens the abdominal muscles to create a sculpted, toned shape. This procedure is best for patients who have recently undergone significant weight loss or women who have recently given birth. During pregnancy and birth, the abdominal muscles can stretch so a tummy tuck has the additional benefit of strengthening patients’ cores.

The procedure requires anesthesia and is usually performed under IV sedation in an outpatient setting. During this procedure, your surgeon will make an incision at the bottom of your abdomen, along the “bikini line,” which will expose your muscles and the underlying fat and tissue. Dr. Golosow will then remove fat and excess skin while placing internal sutures to tighten the muscles and create a smooth, contoured stomach.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures because it reduces bulges of stubborn fat in a targeted area, such as the abdomen, enhancing the body’s contour. During the liposuction procedure, small incisions are made in the treatment area once the area is numbed with local anesthetic or you are put to sleep with general anesthesia. A thin metal tube called a cannula is inserted under the skin into the fatty layer and fat cells are suctioned out with a vacuum-like device.

Differences Between Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Both procedures aim to slim down your stomach but one of the main differences is that a tummy tuck can tighten loose skin. Liposuction only removes excess fat. However, the methods and techniques used for each are different. When compared with liposuction, tummy tucks are more invasive since the procedure entails large incisions and tightening of the muscles. Hence, the procedure takes longer, is more complex, and has a longer recovery time of about 4-6 weeks.

However, if you want a less invasive procedure with a slightly shorter recovery time (about 2 weeks), then liposuction is a good option. You can have small pockets of fat removed from your stomach, hips, thighs, or buttock area so liposuction also has an aspect of versatility. Patients with mild skin laxity mainly concerned about stubborn fat may benefit most from liposuction. Both procedures offer permanent results as long you maintain a stable weight since added weight gain can cause fat cells in the surrounding area to grow or the tightened muscles to re-stretch.

Schedule a Consultation

Liposuction and tummy tucks are similar procedures considering that they both aim to improve the appearance of the stomach. However, there are a few main differences relating to patients’ goals that may impact your decision about which surgery to receive. To learn more and discuss your options with Dr. Golosow, call our office in Fort Myers or Cape Coral, FL, or fill out an online contact form to schedule a consultation.

How Do I Prepare for a Tummy Tuck?

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is an operation that tightens excess skin and underlying tissue in the abdominal area to create a flat, firm abdomen. This excess skin is often caused by pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. When planning for your tummy tuck, there are several things you can do to prepare your body for the best outcome.

 

Tips on How to Prepare for a Tummy Tuck

Don’t Smoke

Tobacco smoke can cause many complications with healing, and it is best to avoid smoking for at least two weeks before and four weeks after the tummy tuck. If you need to stop smoking, your doctor may advise using nicotine patches and gum.

 

Eat a Healthy Diet

A balanced diet with abundant vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and essential fatty acids will help your body heal quickly. Mainly focus on vitamins A, C, and E for healthy scar tissue. You can also get minerals and vitamins from drinking plenty of water and eating healthy fresh fruits and vegetables.

Exercise

Since the procedure is to tighten the skin, exercise is essential to help you lose weight, and you should develop a routine to follow before and after your surgery. Routine exercise such as walking, swimming, or cycling can help prevent excess skin from redistributing in your abdomen after surgery. Your exercise routine should include abdominal and strengthening exercises to achieve a flat belly, firm muscles, and a good posture.

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking water will help you flush out toxins and reduce the risk of infection. Losing weight can dehydrate the body, so water is essential when trying to lose weight. You should drink at least ten 8oz glasses of water a day.

 

Avoid Aspirin, Advil, and Aleve

Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) slow down healing, so it is best to avoid taking these medications unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. If you need pain relief, you can take acetaminophen and your doctor will prescribe you stronger medication.

 

Use Buttock and Thigh Pads

Tummy tuck surgery will leave scars on your abdomen. You can minimize the appearance of scars by wearing specially designed body-shaping underwear, which is made to compress the tummy and give a smoother appearance when wearing clothes that fit closely. You can buy these undergarments at underwear specialty shops, or your doctor may recommend you wear them after surgery.

 

Practice Patience

The results of tummy tuck surgery take time to develop, so be patient with yourself as you recover. The first few weeks and months following abdominoplasty will require you to focus on the healing process and allow your body time to adapt. When the scars have healed, your body will be in the best condition possible for trying to achieve your desired weight.

 

Abdominoplasty is a standard procedure that can help you achieve a flat, firm abdomen and remove excess skin and fat. Having realistic expectations of the procedure will ensure you are satisfied with your results. By preparing yourself before surgery, you can ensure a smoother recovery. Your body will take time to heal, but with patience and time, it will be in the best shape possible to achieve your ideal weight and appearance.

 

Schedule a Consultation

Dr. Lorraine Golosow is an experienced plastic surgeon who can help you decide if you are a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery. To schedule a consultation to discuss your plans for a tummy tuck, fill out our online form or call one of our two offices located in Cape Coral and Fort Myers, FL.

 

How to Get a Slim Waist

Achieving your ideal figure isn’t easy. When it comes to having a flat stomach, diet and exercise alone don’t always produce the results you want. This is often because of factors like weight gain and pregnancy which stretch the skin and underlying muscles. In this case, surgical options are often the best way to slim your waist. If you’re looking at your best options for a new figure, here’s what to know about body contouring options with Dr. Golosow.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a minimally-invasive procedure that concentrates on the removal of small areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. It’s commonly used in the abdominal region but can also be an effective way to contour the outlying areas like the hips and thighs. During the procedure, small incisions are made in the treatment area and a cannula is interested to break up and remove the excess fat. Once removed, the fat will no longer expand with weight gain so you can enjoy a slimmer, more contoured figure afterward.

Mini Tummy Tuck

The mini tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdominal region. It’s ideal for those who have mild to moderate skin stretching and laxity from things like pregnancy, aging, or weight loss. Many patients opt for the mini tummy tuck because the scar is much smaller than that of a full tummy tuck scar. A mini tummy tuck procedure can sometimes include minor tightening of the underlying muscles. Tightening the muscles helps increase abdominal strength as well as give the stomach a flatter, smoother look. A mini tummy tuck removes less skin than a full tummy tuck, so Dr. Golosow can discuss whether the mini tummy tuck can achieve the look you’re hoping for.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck is one of the most aggressive options since it can remove the largest amount of skin tissue. It also involves a much larger incision, as well as moving and replacing the belly button. Like the mini tummy tuck, there can also be a tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles to restore their function and flat appearance. A full tummy tuck is ideal for people who have a significant amount of loose skin and stretching in the abdomen. This is the most transformative option and can even come with medical benefits like reduced back pain and incontinence after pregnancy.

Schedule a Consultation

There are many different options for achieving your ideal figure through plastic surgery. To meet with Dr. Golosow and learn more about your options, we invite you to contact our Fort Myers area offices by calling or filling out our online form.