If you have been pregnant or experienced major weight loss, you may have stubborn fat and loose skin in your abdominal area. Underlying this skin and fat, the abdominal muscles may have become loosened and slack, making it almost impossible to tighten up that abdominal area with diet or exercise.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a procedure that uses a single long incision to remove loose skin and fat around the abdominal area. At the same time, Dr. Mashhadian will tighten abdominal muscles to restore a flatter, smoother stomach.
How Does A Tummy Tuck Work?
Dr. Mashhadian performs tummy tucks in the AAAHC certified surgical facility at Rodeo Surgical Art. The procedure begins with an incision. The traditional tummy tuck incision runs from hip to hip and allows for maximum loose skin removal, but some procedures, such as a mini tummy tuck, will use a smaller incision. Dr. Mashhadian will then pull down the loose skin and remove any excess, along with excess fat. He will reposition the belly button back in its proper location and tighten the abdominal muscles to restore a flatter stomach.
Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
If you have significant loose skin around the abdominal area, you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. You should be in good health and have no issues with bleeding or clotting. If you plan to lose weight, you may want to wait to have a tummy tuck since this could result in more loose skin. The ideal candidate has maintained a stable weight and plans to continue, which will keep their results looking optimal.
How Do I Prepare for a Tummy Tuck?
One important way to prepare for any surgery, including a tummy tuck, is to quit smoking. Using nicotine can cause healing and blood flow issues after surgery and could compromise your results. You should also consult with Dr. Mashhadian about any medications you take, and he may recommend that you stop taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin prior to surgery.
What is Recovery Like From a Tummy Tuck?
You should plan to have someone stay and help you for the first day or two after your procedure since you will need to rest and recover. After a few days, you can move around more. You may have a small tube to drain fluids from the incision during the early days of healing. Dr. Mashhadian may prescribe medications for discomfort, blood thinners to prevent clots, or antibiotics. You will have a compression garment for a few weeks to prevent fluid accumulation and support the surgical area.
You will need to move carefully and avoid any sudden motions for at least six weeks while your incision heals. A tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure, so you should be prepared for several weeks of recovery before you can resume normal activities. Once you have healed, however, the results will make the healing process more than worthwhile.
What are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?
Some benefits of a tummy tuck include:
Long-Lasting Results
Tummy tuck results can last for many years. The fat removed will not return, although other fat cells in the area can still get larger or smaller. Maintaining a stable weight will help you maintain your results. Unless you have another pregnancy or gain and lose a lot of weight, your abdominal muscles will not separate again.
Flatter Abdomen
You will look and feel better with a flatter abdomen. Although you have a scar, it hides below the bikini line, so you can feel comfortable wearing things that show off your flatter stomach or simply feel better in your clothes.
Tighter Abdominal Muscles
The abdominal muscles loosened during pregnancy or weight gain, the rectus muscles, form part of the core muscles that people work hard to build. Before the correction, they could not do their work properly, but now they can help support your body.
Reduced Stretch Marks
A tummy tuck usually removes a significant amount of loose skin. If you have stretch marks, they have probably formed in areas where you now have loose skin, so removing the loose skin often gets rid of the majority of your stretch marks.
Stubborn Fat Removal
The abdominal area accumulates stubborn fat, and this becomes even harder to get rid of when you also have loose skin. Dr. Madhhashian will remove enough fat to leave you with a slimmer figure and no more abdominal bulge.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for a tummy tuck is $6154. This does not include fees, anesthesia and medication costs, or other expenses, so the best way to get an accurate estimate is to meet with Dr. Mashhadian. The cost will also vary depending on your location, your provider, and other factors.
