What happens Before and After a Tummy Tuck

Preparing for a tummy tuck (Credit: Glaurent)

Tina Martin, is a 32-year-old mother. She had put on a lot of weight during her pregnancy and now two years after the birth of her daughter, she has lost all that extra weight through a controlled diet and plenty of exercise. In spite of all the effort, she still couldn’t get back her pre-pregnancy figure – tight abs sans loose skin. That’s when she started thinking of getting a tummy tuck.

A tummy tuck is for all those who just can’t manage to get rid of a protruding abdomen and loose skin, despite all the effort. Whether you can have abdinoplasty or not will depend on your health and the type of procedure that you want to have.

When Tina was thinking of having a tummy tuck, she spoke to a plastic surgeon. A plastic surgeon can explain the procedure of a tummy tuck to you and can also tell you whether you can go ahead with the surgery or not. It is also important that you explain what you want out of a tummy tuck and convey your expectations to the surgeon. Also, ask your surgeon to show you before and after pictures of tummy tuck patients and give you references of patients.

You also need to know the difference between a full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck. Mini-tummy tucks are often performed on patients whose fat deposits are located below the navel and require shorter incisions. While, full tummy tucks are for those who have more fat deposits and require more work.

Many surgeons will take digital photos during the examination, and will be able to show you on a computer what a tummy tuck before and after would look like for you. You will be asked questions about your general health, as well.

After you decided on the proper procedure with your surgeon, your operation will be scheduled and your surgeon will discuss price and financing options. On the day of your surgery you will either be given general or local anesthesia prior to the operation. Depending on the type of tummy tuck, you may be admitted overnight to the hospital, but in most cases you will be in a recovery room for several hours before being released.

Before your surgery, be sure to follow instructions about medications, what time you must stop eating and drinking, as well as the activities you should limit. By following your surgeon’s instructions, you will greatly increase your chances for a good recovery. With self-care and proper diet and exercise, your tummy tuck should allow you to have that flat, firm stomach you desire for many years to come.