A tummy tuck is an excellent option for almost any healthy adult who has been struggling with loose abdominal skin. That cosmetic issue typically occurs when an individual loses quite a bit of weight, and it can be an incredibly frustrating problem to deal with. Even if your skin partially shrinks over the years, you might still be left with unsightly bulges and folds. Luckily, all of those issues can easily be taken care of with the tummy tuck procedure. That popular cosmetic operation is now being carried out hundreds of thousands of times a year, and it has helped countless patients restore their confidence.
Common Causes of Loose Skin
Your body produces a few different proteins that protect your skin and keep it healthy, and that includes elastin, collagen, and keratin. Those proteins give your skin the ability to withstand damage and maintain its elasticity. As you grow older, your body’s ability to produce those proteins will slowly begin to diminish. At that point, you might be left with loose skin if you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or give birth. If that sounds like your own situation, then you might want to take a look at some tummy tuck before and after photos to see if that procedure might be right for you.
What Takes Place During a Tummy Tuck?
This relatively straightforward operation can typically be completed in one or two hours. If your tummy tuck procedure is going to be combined with liposuction or any other treatments, then it could take considerably longer. In most cases, a general anesthetic is used during a tummy tuck so that the patients remain asleep throughout the entire operation. After a patient has been anesthetized, the surgeon can make a small incision just below the waistline. The next step in the process is carefully removing all of the excess fat and skin. In some cases, the patient might also need to have the underlying abdominal muscles adjusted.
Once all of the soft tissue is in the correct position, the surgeon will fully or partially suture the incision shut. Most patients return home on the same day, but you must plan on resting in bed for at least a few days. As soon as the incisions have begun to heal, you will be able to move around, bathe, and change the bandages. A few weeks after the procedure, you will need to schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure that the soft tissue has fully healed. During that appointment, the surgeon will be able to give you more post-op instructions.
The Benefits of Abdominoplasty
As you can see from the tummy tuck before and after photos, this operation often produces amazing results. It is also an exceptionally safe procedure, and very few patients have to deal with any unwanted complications. Those who follow all of the aftercare instructions are typically back on their feet within a week, and most can resume exercising after five or six weeks. As an added bonus, the results of this procedure can last a lifetime with the proper lifestyle happens. As long as you take care of your skin and stay at a healthy weight, you should be able to enjoy your toned and sculpted midsection for many years to come.