Fat around the middle is definitely not an attractive feature, but you can slim inches off your abdomen with a tummy tuck. In Irvine an abdominoplasty is a very common procedure that is designed to give you a tighter tummy. It is done to get rid of excess skin, and strengthen abdominal muscles that may have been stretched due to pregnancy or other factors.
Are you a good candidate?
People with redundant skin around the abdomen are usually considered good candidates for abdominoplasty. This is usually the case with women who have had multiple pregnancies, as well as individuals that have lost a significant amount of weight. A tummy tuck can get rid of both the fat and excess skin in the mid to lower abdomen.
The ultimate determination about whether or not to have a tummy tuck should be based on consultations with your plastic surgeon in Irvine. Typically, your plastic surgeon will make that decision on the strength of discussions about the procedure, as well as a comprehensive examination.
About Abdominoplasty
Depending on the amount of excess skin and fat, the plastic surgeon may choose to do a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck. Both procedures are intended to create a tighter, flatter tummy.
A full tummy tuck focuses on removing fat and tissue from the upper and lower abdomen. In contrast, the mini tummy tuck concentrates on correcting the lower portion of the tummy.
The procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia, and the incisions are made around the navel and lower abdomen. The length of the incisions will be determined by the amount of correction that is required.
After surgery tiny tubes may be placed in the incisions in order to drain any fluid. Alternatively, a compression garment may be worn so as to reduce swelling. Due to the invasive nature of this type of surgery, patients are generally required to stay overnight for monitoring, and to ensure a comfortable recovery.
Patients are discharged the following day with the requisite instructions for post-op care. This includes drinking lots of fluids, and getting as much rest as possible. Standing may be may be very uncomfortable at first, but this will gradually ease as the days pass. The recovery period for a tummy tuck can last up to 1 month, but plastic surgeons in Irvine advise patients to be prepared for some amount of discomfort and soreness in the abdomen.