What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is surgery to create a firm, shapely abdomen. Dr. Creech targets your middle and lower abdomen, removing excess skin and fat and repairing weak or separated abdominal muscles to create strong support for your newly toned tummy.
Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are men and women who are in relatively good shape and who maintain a stable weight. If you want to lose weight or you’re on a diet roller coaster, you should have a tummy tuck after you reach your goals. Gaining or losing weight after a tummy tuck can ruin your results.
A tummy tuck is a good choice for anyone who wants to eliminate a protruding abdomen or who’s bothered by a fat deposit that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise. Aging naturally leads to loose, sagging skin and weak muscles — problems that are fixed with a tummy tuck.
The procedure is especially helpful for women who have had multiple pregnancies and now find that their abdominal muscles and skin are stretched beyond the point where they can return to normal.
What should I expect during a tummy tuck?
A complete tummy tuck restores your entire abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, tightening muscles, and repositioning the navel. This procedure uses a hip-to-hip incision placed below the navel and takes about three to four hours, depending on the extent of the work.
You can get other types of abdominoplasty procedures, however. A mini tummy tuck, for example, uses a shorter incision than a complete tummy tuck and only focuses on removing excess skin below the navel.
What should I expect during recovery after a tummy tuck?
Your recovery time depends in part on the strength and condition of your abdominal muscles prior to surgery. You may return to work in about two weeks if your muscles were strong before surgery. Otherwise, you may need three or four weeks to recuperate.
After eight weeks, you can begin a gentle exercise program, which promotes healing, reduces swelling, and strengthens your muscles. You need to avoid vigorous exercise until you’re cleared by Dr. Creech.
Tummy tucks produce excellent results for patients with excess skin and/or weakened abdominal muscles. To schedule a consultation, call David Creech, MD, today.
