Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Understanding How A Tummy Tuck Procedure Is Performed

By Shelly Murdock


A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that can be performed on both women and men over the age of eighteen who desire physical improvements that they could not achieve through dieting and exercising alone. The procedure is frequently performed on women who have lost elasticity in their abdominal muscles due to multiple pregnancies. It is also often performed on individuals who have gained and lost substantial amounts of fat.

Also referred to as abdominoplasty, the goal of the surgery is to re-tighten the skin and muscles in one's midsection. Numerous times, skin that has been stretched beyond what is considered normal is cut and re-sectioned to create a tighter waistline. Although cosmetic in nature, the procedure is regarded as major surgery and takes about 3 to 5 hours to perform.

General anesthesia is always used to perform the surgery. Recovery time vary significantly from person to person, as is the case with all cosmetic procedures. The average recovery time, however, is about 30 days.

There are two main approaches to the procedure. With a full tummy tuck, it is necessary for the surgeon to make two incisions. One is made at the patient's waistline, and the other directly above the pubic bone. The skin and muscles are then stitched together toward the center of the person's abdomen from his or her sides. Sutures are then used to close the two sections.

The excess fatty tissue and skin is then amputated and the individual's bellybutton is repositioned. The result of the procedure is a narrower waist, re-tightened muscles, and firmer skin. The majority of patients who choose to have the surgery are pleased with the outcome.

A partial tummy tuck is not as complex of a surgery as the aforementioned procedure. However, it generally only firms the skin and muscles that are situated directly below one's bellybutton. In addition, they usually only require a single incision and often include liposuction in the process.

A certain level of scarring at the incision areas can be expected with both procedures. However, cosmetic remedies are available after one's surgery that can lessen the appearance of such scars. Additionally, over time, such scars typically fade. Although they will not disappear completely, one can expect that in the future they will be less noticeable.

It is essential that patients understand a tummy tuck should not be pursued in lieu of weight loss: the best candidates for such procedures are individuals whose weight is essentially normal, but who cannot obtain a flat, firm midsection through exercise alone. Cosmetic surgery is not right for everyone, therefore one should give serious thought to this option before final decision is made.




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