| When people talk about tummy tuck surgery, you | | | | deal more visible than you expected. |
| could almost be forgiven for thinking it's some sort of | | | | You also need to think about how a tummy tuck will |
| miracle operation that will change you overnight with | | | | affect your life in general. Yes, your general state of |
| no obvious after effects. In fact, nothing could be | | | | health needs to be good in order to have the surgery, |
| further from the truth. Undergoing a tummy tuck | | | | but you need to allow time to prepare for the |
| procedure is a major surgical procedure, and a great | | | | operation, as well as being able to take life easy for |
| deal of thought should go into the decision to go ahead. | | | | many months afterwards. This can be particularly |
| For starters, are you the best candidate for having a | | | | difficult if you have dependents, or your job requires |
| tummy tuck? This isn't some sort of rapid weight loss | | | | you to be very active. After the operation you will |
| surgery - in fact, it's mostly suitable for people with an | | | | most likely find yourself physically unable to care for |
| excess of skin in the abdominal region. This has usually | | | | others, and may find your energy levels are |
| been caused by multiple pregnancies or the loss of a | | | | substantially lower than normal.' |
| great deal of weight. When the abdominal muscles | | | | If you have strong abdominal muscles and good health, |
| have been repeatedly or extensively stretched, they | | | | then your recovery time will be on the shorter end of |
| may struggle to regain their elasticity, leading to sagging | | | | the scale, but some patients take as many as eight |
| skin and an unsightly abdomen. The procedure can | | | | months to get completely back to normal. During this |
| also help improve the skin's appearance where the | | | | time they may be unable to drive or lift any heavy |
| patient has excessive sub-navel stretch marks. | | | | objects. If you know you can't afford to be restricted |
| Any candidate for a tummy tuck needs to be in good | | | | for such a long period, then perhaps you should |
| physical health. It's also important to realize that you will | | | | consider waiting to have a tummy tuck until your |
| be left with permanent scarring after the operation, | | | | circumstances will allow you an extended recovery |
| and you also have to accept all the usual risks involved | | | | period. Make sure you have discussed the operation |
| in undergoing a general anesthetic. An abdominoplasty | | | | with family and friends, as you may find yourself |
| requires months of recovery time, as well as careful | | | | needing their support in the months to come. |
| preparation prior to the operation, and good | | | | Although abdominoplasty can improve the appearance |
| post-operative care. | | | | of your abdomen, it's important to realize this isn't a |
| If you're planning further pregnancies, or intending to | | | | miracle operation. It may help to improve your |
| lose a significant amount of weight, then a tummy tuck | | | | self-confidence, but you still need to be realistic about |
| isn't a good idea. You are better off postponing the | | | | the results of the surgery. Make sure you've discussed |
| surgery, or else you risk having the vertical abdominal | | | | the operation fully with your surgeon, and also |
| muscles separate, which requires more surgery to | | | | discussed the expected outcomes, so that you're not |
| repair. If you've already had some type of abdominal | | | | left believing that a tummy tuck will achieve things that |
| surgery, your surgeon may advise against a tummy | | | | are impossible. |
| tuck, or you may find that the new scars are a great | | | | |