At Tarola Plastic Surgery, with offices in Hendersonville and Murfreesboro, TN, we know that not everyone can achieve a flat, tight, and toned stomach with diet and exercise alone. Sometimes, too many factors work against you, like genetics, stubborn fat, and age. For that reason, we offer a body contouring procedure called the tummy tuck that will help you finally achieve your stomach goals.
How Much Weight Can We Lose With a Tummy Tuck?
Once you undergo this body contouring procedure, you may lose weight. However, this procedure isn’t designed to help you lose weight, although you can lose anywhere from five to ten pounds post-op. Instead, it is designed to remove excess fat cells and skin and tighten the entire area to help you reach your aesthetic goals.
The best way to measure your results is not through pounds lost but through inches lost. Once your procedure is complete, you may lose weight, but more importantly, you will lose inches. This procedure will contour your midsection and help you achieve a transformed stomach that you can enjoy long term.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is technically known as abdominoplasty. This procedure is designed to contour the entire midsection by removing excess fat cells and excess skin. Additionally, it can strengthen and re-structure the abdominal muscles that have weakened due to pregnancy, aging, or other factors.
Women who have experienced one or multiple pregnancies that have resulted in diastasis recti, a condition in which the abdominal muscles separate and don’t return to normal, can schedule this procedure to not only transform their midsection but help address this condition. A tummy tuck always results in a tighter, smoother, and toned abdominal profile.
What Causes Changes in the Midsection?
Different factors can affect your stomach and cause it to look anything but aesthetically pleasing. The most common factors that affect the appearance of the midsection include genetics, previous surgical procedures, weight fluctuations, one or more pregnancies, and the aging process. However, no matter what factors or conditions have caused your stomach to look less than ideal, we can help transform the area and help you achieve the midsection of your dreams.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Each procedure is tailored to the patient’s unique needs. However, the procedure follows a typical format in which the surgeon creates a horizontal incision in the mid-abdominal area between the pubic area and belly button. This incision is designed to allow the surgeon to easily remove excess fat from the area. Additionally, excess skin will be removed, and abdominal muscles that have separated or weakened will be re-repaired and sutured.
The surgeon will also tighten the surrounding muscles and tissue, which will result in a tighter and more contoured abdomen and a narrower waistline. This procedure can be completely customized to your needs and goals. An initial consultation at our office will help determine the best way to address your concerns so that you can reach all of your aesthetic goals after your procedure is complete.
What Type of Recovery Can I Expect?
Once your procedure is complete, we will discharge you once we ensure that you have all the directives you need to ensure a successful recovery. Patients typically spend the first few days post-op resting, so you will need to enlist help so that someone can assist you with meal preparation and household duties. The goal is to rest as much as possible so you can heal.
We advise patients to begin adding very slow yet precise movements to their daily routine after the surgical procedure to help prevent clotting. This will look different for different patients, but walking can help promote healthy recovery and healing. Patients typically take two to four weeks off of work after their procedure. However, when you focus on a healthy recovery, you will heal quickly and be able to enjoy your results as soon as possible.
Am I a Candidate?
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are healthy patients who understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and how it affects their results. Women who are done having children make good candidates since an additional pregnancy after the procedure is complete will negatively impact the results.
Patients who have realistic expectations, understand the procedure and its benefits and limitations, and are committed to following the recovery protocol make the best candidates for abdominoplasty.
The Importance of Maintaining Results
A tummy tuck is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. If you do gain weight after your procedure is complete, you will negatively affect the appearance of your midsection. Any remaining fat cells may expand, and your skin may experience additional looseness due to weight fluctuations. You can maintain your results long-term by eating a healthy diet, incorporating regular exercise into your weekly routine, and focusing on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Transform Your Midsection
If you are tired of living with a less-than-ideal midsection, you don’t have to. We can help transform your entire midsection so that you can experience all the benefits that come with reaching your body goals. Contact us today at one of our Tarola Plastic Surgery offices in Hendersonville or Murfreesboro, TN, to learn more about this procedure, see if you are a good candidate for Botox, and schedule your initial consultation.
