Tummy Tuck: Improving the Abdomen

There are still a lot of people that see the tummy tuck as something fat people get when they give up on the traditional method of losing weight. Many people see it in the same way that they see liposuction—an easy way out: in other terms, a form of cheating. These people, in both instances, are particularly misinformed in holding this belief. Abdominoplasty, as it is known in medical circles, is designed for those people who have lost weight already and are now faced with an unsightly mess of loose skin and drooping fat in their lower bellies. This is a common situation following pregnancy and following an obese person losing a great deal of weight, especially if the weight loss happened in a short period of time or at an older age. 

While a tummy tuck can be a real cosmetic miracle for good candidates, you should be aware of the fact that it is not light surgery. Compared with other cosmetic procedures, abdominoplasty is probably right up there at the top of the list when it comes to invasiveness and the time needed to recover. Along with this comes added risk, so no one should make the decision to have the procedure done based on an article they read online or a friend telling them that a tummy tuck was the best decision that they have ever made. Do the research yourself and make yourself aware of every facet of the risk, complications, and recovery problems that can arise. Only after you’ve satisfied yourself on all counts should you make an appointment with a surgeon. It is here that you can again bring up your concerns and have them addressed by a qualified professional in the field.

When you do make your appointment, be frank and honest with your surgeon about your goals and expectations from a tummy tuck. There are few ways to better ensure a successful cosmetic surgery than making sure you are sure of what to expect going into the procedure. Those who think they will be back out on the beach in their skimpiest bikini a week after surgery are in for a surprise. When people have unrealistic expectations they can often fall into a state of depression following the surgery. When combined with a lack of mobility and the pain of recovery, this can be a really dark time in a patient’s life. If you have realistic expectations and the support of friends and family, you can wade through the recovery process, knowing that what you are dealing with is worth it—because you made that decision before having the surgery.