Complete Guide to Tummy Tuck Surgery

If you’ve noticed that you have excess skin or fat pockets in your abdominal area that you just can’t seem to get rid of, no matter how much you exercise or diet, you may think that there’s nothing more you can do to achieve your aesthetic goals. However, that’s not the case.

One of the options you may have is to get a tummy tuck, which helps to tighten abdominal muscles, remove sagging skin, and address pockets of fat that could be impacting your self-esteem. These cosmetic services can offer the chance to get the silhouette you’ve always wanted, but it’s important to understand exactly what they offer.

So what is a tummy tuck, and how do you know if it’s right for you? Take a closer look at this common type of cosmetic surgery and why it could be the solution you’re searching for.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Often, people assume that a tummy tuck is simply a skin removal procedure that is actually known as a panniculectomy, but it goes beyond that. Also called an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck involves the process of tightening the muscles in your abdomen while removing excess skin and fat.

If you’ve had any kind of weight loss services, like bariatric surgery, or have lost a significant amount of weight in a short period, you may have noticed loose skin around your abdomen.

A tummy tuck procedure addresses this by removing that excess skin.

Keep in mind that a tummy tuck procedure is not a weight loss solution, however. It won’t prevent you from gaining weight.

Tummy Tuck Types

There are a few different types of abdominoplasty procedures. Your surgeon can help you find the option that can offer the best results for your particular needs.

Complete Abdominoplasty

A full tummy tuck is a procedure in which your surgeon makes a large incision in your lower abdomen. This is typically a horizontal cut that goes from one hip to the next. Because of this, full tummy tuck scars tend to be larger, though they are often made low enough that they can be concealed by clothing.

The procedure also involves placing stitches in the abdominal muscles to give you a more defined waistline. Your surgeon may reposition your belly button as well. It might have sagged with the extra skin, so giving you the results you want could require shifting it up.

Partial or Mini Abdominoplasty

A mini tummy tuck, or partial abdominoplasty, is a procedure that focuses on removing excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. Usually, this means addressing these issues below the belly button. It’s a less invasive version of the tummy tuck, though it’s still a surgical procedure. Mini tummy tuck scars are smaller and are located above the pubic area.

Circumferential Abdominoplasty

This option is an extended tummy tuck that targets the front of the abdomen as well as the love handles and hips. The incision will be longer and the procedure more invasive, but it can help if you’re struggling to lose excess fat in these other areas. With a circumferential abdominoplasty, you can achieve a change in your body from all sides.

Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck

This type of tummy tuck tends to be best suited for people who have lost a large amount of weight, typically 100 pounds or more. It requires a vertical incision and a horizontal one, forming a “T” in your abdominal region. Your surgeon can then remove skin and fat in both of these directions, providing better tightening results.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

To receive this type of reconstructive surgery, you’ll first need to meet a few criteria. For one, you must be at a stable weight. Rapid or excessive weight gain can undo all of the results. You must also not be planning future pregnancies.

Your medical history will also be important. Because these are surgical cosmetic procedures, you must be healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia. If you have blood-clotting issues or any other health problems that make you more likely to experience excessive bleeding, you might not be a good candidate for the procedure.

Because this is not a weight loss solution, you’ll want to ensure you’re committed to following a healthy lifestyle afterward. You must be ready to eat a healthy diet and exercise, both to ensure that you have an easier time during the tummy tuck recovery process and to get the most out of the results.

It’s important to have realistic expectations and be ready to take time off to recover. If you can’t dedicate the time to fully rest after the operation, less invasive procedures might be right for you.

Additionally, it’s best if you’re a non-smoker. If you do smoke, you must be willing to quit before the surgery.

Preparing for a Tummy Tuck

The first step in the process is to have a consultation with your chosen board-certified cosmetic surgeon. During this visit, you have a chance to ask questions about what to expect from the procedure, and the surgeon will look through your medical records and discuss your aesthetic goals.

These goals play a key role because they can help your surgeon offer the best possible treatments for your unique needs. For example, after a significant amount of weight loss, you could be experiencing excess skin throughout your body. This could mean that you might benefit not just from a tummy tuck, but also from an arm lift procedure and a thigh lift procedure, among other options.

If the surgeon determines that you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck, they can schedule the surgery and give you instructions for how to prepare. You will need to adjust medications, including anti-inflammatory drugs, and if you take certain herbal supplements, you may need to stop in the weeks leading up to the procedure.

Give your body the fuel it needs by sticking to fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Avoid alcohol, and drink plenty of water so that your body is in the best possible shape to undergo surgery.

You’ll also need to prepare your recovery space. You will not be able to move very much in the first couple of weeks, so ensuring that you have a comfortable place to rest and things to do that don’t require effort is essential.

The Tummy Tuck Procedure

On the day of your surgery, you will need to have someone with you. You will receive general anesthesia, so you won’t be able to drive yourself home.

Once you’ve received the anesthetic, your surgeon will begin by making the appropriate incision, depending on the procedure you’ve decided on. They will then separate your skin from the abdominal wall, lifting it up so that your muscles are exposed. The surgeon will tighten these muscles by stitching them into the new position.

Next, the surgeon removes excess fat by using liposuction techniques and cuts away sagging skin. Your belly button is then moved up and sutured in place. Your surgeon pulls the remaining skin tightly and applies sutures. In some cases, the surgeon will place a drainage tube to remove fluids as you recover.

The entire procedure can take between two and five hours. You will then be taken to a recovery room where the team will monitor you. Once you stabilize, you’ll be able to go home.

The Tummy Tuck Recovery Process

You will need to rest for the first two weeks. This means lying in bed or sitting up slightly, depending on what your surgeon recommends. You’ll need help with daily activities throughout these two weeks and should not be doing anything too strenuous. As you recover, it’s helpful to walk slowly in your home to prevent blood clots.

You’ll also need to wear a compression garment to support the healing process and minimize swelling. If you have a drainage tube, your surgeon will tell you how to care for it. Make sure to go to all of your follow-up appointments.

Once you get into week three, you may be able to increase walking distances. Some people may even be able to return to work if their job doesn’t require heavy lifting or other similar activities. The swelling and pain will begin to decrease at this point, and you may be able to get your stitches removed.

From week four onward, the recovery will be almost complete. This doesn’t mean that you will necessarily see the full results yet because there could still be swelling that doesn’t allow the tissues to settle into their new locations. You’ll be able to exercise more and start getting back to your regular life from this phase onward.

Achieve Your Aesthetic Goals in New York City

If you’d like to improve the way your abdomen looks, whether because you’re not happy with pockets of fat or excess skin in the area, a tummy tuck could offer the results you’re looking for. At New Look New Life, our board-certified surgeons provide exquisite cosmetic surgery procedures in New York City that are personalized to your exact preferences.

To find out whether you’re a good candidate for one of our services, contact our New Look New Life team of doctors to schedule a consultation today.