Important Facts You Should Know About Tummy Tuck

If you are looking to address a flabby tummy and achieve a trimmer, tighter midsection, consider getting tummy tuck surgery in Manhattan. Those who are worried about excess abdominal skin after weight loss or childbirth may not find a fruitful solution with just exercise and diet and this is where the advanced abdominoplasty procedure can prove effective. It removes excess abdominal fat and loose skin, and tightens the muscles. In comparison to 2022, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported a 5% increase in plastic surgery operations and a 7% increase in minimally invasive treatments in their 2023 ASPS Procedural Statistics. Tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, accounted for 170,110 of the almost 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures carried out in 2023, making it the third most common surgery which represents a 5% increase. This rise indicates a continued demand for lower abdominal contouring and tightening operations.

Excess fat and sagging skin in the abdomen are the result of factors such as genetics, pregnancy and excessive weight loss. Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck addresses these concerns and provides a slimmer, firmer and smoother tummy. NYC plastic surgeons use the FDA-approved, minimally-invasive advanced liposuction devices such as BodyTite and VASER to perform tummy tuck surgery and provide optimal outcomes. However, making a decision to undergo the procedure is not a simple one and you have to learn more about the procedure from your surgeon during the initial consultation.

How a Tummy Tuck Is Performed

A complete abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia and involves incisions. Minimally invasive techniques such as radiofrequency-assisted BodyTite or ultrasound-assisted VASER require only local anesthesia, allowing the procedure to be performed on an outpatient basis. These safe body contouring technologies come with high-definition sculpting capabilities, and proven tissue coagulation and skin tightening benefits.

Different Types of Tummy Tuck Procedures

AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery practices in NYC provide different types of tummy tuck procedures:

• Complete or Full Abdominoplasty: In this tummy tuck procedure, two incisions are needed to remove excess fat and skin, and to tighten the muscles. One is placed in the lower abdomen from one hip to the other, and a second one is made around the navel.
• Partial Abdominoplasty or Mini Tummy Tuck: Suitable to address a lesser degree of skin laxity and mild lower abdominal skin excess, this tummy tuck procedure requires only a small incision, which is made above the pubic region.
• High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty: This procedure tightens the abdominal muscles and skin as well as the skin that lies just below the breasts on the upper abdomen, providing a visibly improved contour.
• Liposuction-only Abdominoplasty: This procedure is ideal for younger patients with good skin elasticity and moderate fat deposits.
• Brazilian Tummy Tuck: This procedure is a good option when the patient has more excess fat than skin. As the incision for this procedure is placed very low in the pubic area, the surgical scar will not be visible even in a low-cut bikini. The treatment pulls the waist in and removes excess skin, resulting in a smaller-looking waist. It also pulls up the pubic area that tends to drop with age and pregnancy, and can even reduce incontinence that occurs after pregnancy.

Not all are men and women are candidates for tummy tuck surgery. It is a highly personalized procedure, keeping in mind that outcomes will differ based on individual considerations. To be a good candidate for the procedure, you should be healthy and close to your ideal weight. It can help people who have lost weight but still have excess fat deposits or loose skin around the tummy. It can also tighten the abdominal muscles and reduce sagging skin that persists after pregnancy. Women should postpone the procedure until they are done having children. The surgery tightens the vertical muscles and pregnancy can separate those muscles. As smoking can compromise healing, patients are advised to quit at least two weeks prior to and after the procedure.

Some Key Facts about Tummy Tuck

• It’s Not a Weight Loss Procedure: Tummy tuck is not a weight loss or bariatric procedure; it is a body contouring procedure that removes excess stubborn fat pockets that have proven resistant to diet and exercise. It helps to improve the contour and tone of your midsection.
• Tummy Tuck Results Are Permanent: Though the outcome of a tummy tuck is technically permanent, significant fluctuations in weight may affect the outcome. Surgeons advise patients to get as close as possible to their ideal weight before the procedure and as weight gain can affect your results, they would advise you to follow a proper diet and exercise regimen to maintain your new shape. In fact, individuals who are planning to lose weight or women planning to get pregnant in the future should postpone tummy tuck surgery.
• Do Your Research Before Choosing a Tummy Tuck Surgeon and Practice: Make sure your procedure is performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center that is accredited by one of the recognized national certifying agencies such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Institute for Medical Quality, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organization, State-licensed or Medicare-certified. This is very important to ensure a safe and effective body contouring procedure. Just as choosing an accredited plastic surgery practice is critical, it is equally important to choose a qualified plastic surgeon who is experienced in the procedure you are considering. Do your research and find out if your plastic surgeon is well-qualified and well-trained in this particular procedure. A reliable surgeon would explain the benefits as well as risks of the surgery to you, including the potential complications, which in turn helps you take an informed decision.
• Tummy Tuck Can Be Considered by Men Too: Even though tummy tuck is more popular among women who tend to accumulate abdominal fat and saggy skin following pregnancy and childbirth, it can benefit men as well. Weight gain, aging, and other factors can affect the appearance of a man’s midsection. A tummy tuck can remove stubborn belly fat or loose skin and help men achieve a well-toned, firm abdomen.
• Preparing for the Treatment: Preparing for the treatment is an important phase when you have to follow all the instructions from your surgeon and make necessary changes in your lifestyle. This includes avoiding habits such as smoking and eating a balanced diet; and the medications you are taking should be under strict guidance from the surgeon.
• Expect Benefits Beyond the Aesthetic: We know that tummy tuck offers effective fat reduction, tightening of sagging skin and weak abdomen muscles, and provides a flatter, smoother tummy and improved body contour. However, apart from these cosmetic rewards, tummy tuck also provides certain medical benefits – such as it reduces stress urinary incontinence, addresses back pain, corrects a ventral hernia, improves posture, and increases exercise tolerance.
• Following Post-op Instructions Diligently During the Recovery Period Is Very Important: Tummy tuck surgery is performed using minimally-invasive techniques. In most cases, the recovery period ranges from 2-4 weeks. For smooth healing and optimal results, follow your surgeon’s instructions diligently.
• Recovering after the Procedure: Recovery time will vary depending on individual considerations and other factors. Going by your surgeon’s instructions is crucial for smooth healing and optimal results. Here are some things you should know about recovery:
  • Mild to moderate discomfort is common after the surgery. You will have some swelling and bruising, and may experience some tightness for the first two weeks.
  • Your bed will be positioned to keep your upper body slightly raised and your knees at an angle for the first few days after surgery.
  • Light activities are encouraged to prevent the formation of blood clots.
  • Strenuous activity should be avoided for at least six weeks.
  • Follow your surgeon’s instructions about care of your drains.
  • Take the prescribed antibiotics.
  • You will be advised to wear an abdominal binder during the first week post surgery until most of the swelling resolves and a compression garment in the second week which has to be worn for 6 to 8 weeks to support your tissues as they heal.
  • Avoid positions that strain your incision line
  • For proper wound healing and to minimize scarring, follow your surgeon’s instructions.
  • Inform your plastic surgeon if symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling take too long to resolve.
  • Schedule and keep follow-up visits with your surgeon.

To make your results last, make sure you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Gaining weight can affect the outcomes of abdominoplasty. If you are considering tummy tuck surgery in Manhattan, choose an AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery practice with plastic surgeons who are experts in performing the procedure. Undergoing treatment in a reliable plastic surgery practice is important for standardized care processes and your safety.