Tummy Tuck Results

Tummy tuck plastic surgery, or complete abdominiplasty, is procedure that involves removing loose skin and excessive fat from the middle and lower part of the abdomen. The procedure also can entail tightening the abdominal muscles. The result is a flatter and smoother abdomen, and sometimes, a smaller waist. Mini tummy tuck plastic surgery, or partial abdominiplasty, is a similar, less-invasive procedure that targets the lower abdomen only.

Tummy tuck surgery can accomplish many things that you normally would not be able to accomplish on your own - no matter how much you diet and/or how intense you work out. Dieting and working out may tone your muscles and help you lose weight, but they will not tighten your loose skin, nor will they tighten your loose inner girdle.

The inner girdle extends from your rib cage down to your pubic bone and from one side of your abdomen to the other. The inner girdle is made of the same stuff as gristle on a steak. It is situated between your rectus muscles and your abdominal fat. It is tough and serves to support the contents of your abdomen so that they don't bulge outward. For women, the inner girdle often will become extended and loose following multiple pregnancies.

A tummy tuck will tighten your inner girdle, which will result in a flat stomach. Tummy tuck also removes loose skin of your lower abdomen and tightens the skin of your upper abdomen. Abdominoplasty can also remove nearly all the fat of your lower abdomen as well as any present stretch marks. In fact, there is practically nothing that pregnancy can do to your abdomen that a tummy tuck can't fix.

The best candidates for tummy tucks or mini tummy tucks are people whose weight is fairly normal. A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss technique and is not suitable for obese people. The surgery generally helps:

• Men and women who have a large amount of fat and loose skin on the abdomen that will not go away with exercise or diet, and whose skin is not elastic enough to have liposuction
• Women who have baggy folds of skin on the abdomen and/or weakened abdominal muscles after pregnancy
• Older people who, due to age and being a little overweight, have sagging, loose skin on the abdomen or weakened abdominal muscles

Tummy tuck operation will always result in scar(s) due to incisions. For complete abdominiplasty, there will be a scar from hip to hip and also another scar around the umbilical (belly button) area. For partial abdominiplasty, the incision is much smaller leading to significantly smaller small scar. Swimming suits commonly hides these scars. They will usually heal discretely over time, but others remain quite visible. The amount of improvement depends upon the extent of surgery and the patient's skin tone, body build, and healing process.

Following tummy tuck operation, it is common for your abdomen to swell. Results will become more apparent as swelling goes down. Some patients may not see the final result for three to six months or longer. But in the long run, abdominiplasty produces excellent results, enhancing your body contour by making your abdomen firmer and flatter. You may find that you feel more comfortable in your clothing and are more confident about your appearance.

Unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant, your abdomen should remain firmer and flatter for many years. It is important to follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain these results. If you're realistic in your expectations and prepared for the consequences of a permanent scar and a lengthy recovery period, abdominoplasty may be just the answer for you.