If you’re worried about the appearance of your abdominal region, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are procedures that can help you improve your self-confidence. One such procedure is a tummy tuck, proudly offered at Nuance Cosmetic Surgery in Folsom, CA. Also known as abdominoplasty, the scope of this procedure varies significantly from person to person.
However, the bottom line is the same. Abdominoplasty can be used to increase one’s quality of life significantly. We get a lot of frequently asked questions about this procedure, not the least of which is how long will my results last. Today, we are going to be answering some of the most frequently asked questions about this procedure. Keep reading to learn more about this life-changing procedure.
Is a Tummy Tuck Permanent?
A tummy tuck provides very long-lasting results. In fact, you can feel confident that your ideal results will last for years. However, there are exceptions to every rule. For example, one of the benefits of this procedure is that it can result in back pain reduction. This is because your abdominal muscles are tightened during the procedure, and your posture may improve as a result.
Nonetheless, if your posture becomes poor again post-op, you may experience lower back pain once again. Similarly, this procedure is often used to treat stress urinary incontinence in women who had delivered vaginally. You may notice symptom relief for years. However, you may find your stress-related urinary incontinence returns if you get pregnant in the future.
Other FAQs Answered
Am I a Good Candidate for This Tummy Tuck Procedure?
Another one of the most frequently asked questions about abdominoplasty is do I qualify? There is no way to say for certain without evaluating you and discussing your goals. However, there is a very good chance that you will qualify for this procedure if you are concerned about the aesthetic or functionality of your core.
Nevertheless, you need to come in for an initial evaluation to determine definitively whether this procedure is right for you. For example, we need to ensure your heart and lungs are healthy to verify that general anesthesia will be safe for you. We also need to verify that you are currently in good health. If you are ill within 14 days of your scheduled procedure, your abdominoplasty will need to be rescheduled.
What Type of Tummy Tuck Do I Need?
If you’re a good fit for abdominoplasty, we have to determine what type of abdominoplasty is a good fit for you. There are three types of abdominoplasty – mini, full, and extended. A mini-tuck is popular because it is less extensive than a full or extended tuck, and the recovery tends to be much faster. However, it only improves the abdomen below the navel. If you have upper abdominal concerns, you will need a full or extended tuck.
Notably, your abdominal walls will not be tightened if you do not opt for a full or extended tuck. If your abdominal walls are damaged and need to be repaired, you will need to opt for a full or extended tuck. The difference between a full and extended tuck is that the former tightens loose muscle and skin and excises some fat above and below the navel. The latter provides all the benefits of the former plus tightens loose skin circumferentially.
How Long Will My Procedure Take?
How long your tuck takes depends on the scope of the procedure. If you opt for a mini tuck, your procedure should only take around an hour or two. On the other hand, if you opt for extended abdominoplasty, your procedure may take closer to five hours. This is because the lower back, flanks, and hips need to be improved upon, too.
How Long Will My Recovery Take?
For the most part, you can expect your abdominoplasty recovery to take a couple of weeks. Depending on the nature of your occupation and the scope of the procedure, you may have to take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks off from work. However, you should not need to take several months off from work.
Nevertheless, you should understand that your recovery period does not end when you are allowed to return to work. Complete recovery takes several months. Also, you should understand that your ability to lift heavy weights and perform other vigorous activities will be restricted for six to eight weeks. If you have a vigorous job, you will need to return on modified duty when you feel up to returning.
What Can I Expect During My Recovery Period?
During the first one to three days following your abdominoplasty, you can expect to feel unusually tired. While you may not be used to feeling so tired, it is a perfectly normal response to general anesthesia. It is important to keep in mind that you should not fight any feelings of exhaustion you may have.
Let yourself rest, and do your best to rest as deeply as you can. Take steps to create a healthy sleeping environment by turning your AC down, buying a mattress pad to make your mattress firmer, wearing comfortable earplugs, and wearing an eye mask to bed.
Can I Take a Bath After My Procedure?
No, you cannot take a bath after your procedure. In fact, you will not be able to take a bath during the first 42 days of your recovery. This is because it is crucial that your incision sites are not submerged while they are healing. It is also important that you do not submerge your incisions in a hot tub or jacuzzi. Furthermore, you will not be allowed to swim in a pool or submerge your incisions in a lake or another body of water.
Can I Take a Shower After My Procedure?
You may not take a shower within the first 24 hours following your procedure. After that, showering is okay. Just make sure to leave the steri-strips over your incisions in place.
Can This Procedure Be Combined With Others?
Yes, it is possible to combine this procedure with others. In fact, many Citrus Heights women love to get mommy makeovers. A mommy makeover is a suite of procedures designed to help mothers restore their prenatal body. In addition to abdominoplasty, women who get mommy makeovers often get such procedures as a breast lift, breast reduction or augmentation, an arm lift, or a thigh lift. Liposuction is also common.
Do I Need Liposuction To Achieve My Desired Results?
You may need liposuction to achieve your desired results if you have a significant amount of abdominal fat. One of the most exciting benefits of this procedure is that a small amount of fat can be excised, improving the visibility of the abdominal muscles. To reiterate, these results are permanent because the human body can no longer produce fat cells after the age of 25.
Unfortunately, you may have a hard time seeing your newly tightened abdominal muscles if you have a significant amount of subcutaneous abdominal fat. That’s where liposuction comes in. With liposuction, over a quarter of the localized fat cells can be suctioned out safely. All told, it is possible to move approximately 11 pounds of fat during liposuction, depending on your starting body mass.
Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
You may be considered a good lipo candidate if you do not suffer from such medical conditions as obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease. However, you should keep in mind that the amount of excess subcutaneous fat you have in your areas of concern also affects your eligibility.
There Are Many Benefits
The results of a tummy tuck will last a very long time. However, several factors affect the longevity of the results. For example, you may need a follow-up procedure if you sought abdominoplasty to treat a ventral hernia and you injure your abdomen again. On the other hand, any fat that is excised during the procedure is gone for good.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
To find out whether abdominoplasty is right for you, schedule an initial consultation with us today at Nuance Cosmetic Surgery in Folsom, CA if you are in the Sacramento, CA area. If it is, we will work with you to determine the scope of the procedure necessary to achieve your goals. If you also have cosmetic concerns that can’t be corrected by abdominoplasty, we will tailor a treatment plan that helps you achieve each of your goals.