| Stretch marks are red or purple lines in the skin, that | | | | and the remaining skin is stitched back together at the |
| often turn silvery or white over time. They are the | | | | incision line. |
| result of rapid weight gain or loss, or from rapid growth | | | | Obviously this procedure can only get rid of stretch |
| of bones and tissues. For women, the most common | | | | marks on the lower stomach and hips, and is therefore |
| time for developing them is during pregnancy. | | | | ideal for women seeking to eliminate the reminders of |
| Men often develop them during teenage growth spurts, | | | | pregnancy. If there is plenty of excess skin after |
| when the arms and legs are growing rapidly and the | | | | pregnancy and the stretch marks are located toward |
| skin is being stretched intensely to keep up with the | | | | the lower abdomen, most of the stretch marks will be |
| growth. And of course, massive weight gain or loss | | | | removed with the excision of the extra skin. |
| can make them appear on the upper arms, thighs, | | | | There are a few risks to an abdominoplasty that |
| buttocks, lower backs, stomach, and breasts. | | | | patients should be aware of. First, there will be a |
| Stretch marks certainly fade over time, but they never | | | | significant recovery and healing process as a tummy |
| completely disappear on their own. Fortunately there | | | | tuck is a major surgery. The recovery period will |
| are several different treatments available for these | | | | involve resting for about a week. There will also be |
| pesky lines, one of the most effective being | | | | some bruising, swelling, and scarring as the body works |
| abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck. | | | | to repair itself. Any discomfort can be managed with |
| What is a Tummy Tuck? | | | | prescribed pain medication. |
| Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a | | | | Other Procedures |
| cosmetic surgery designed to remove excess skin | | | | Tummy tucks or abdominoplasty surgeries are not the |
| from the abdomen area and tighten up the underlying | | | | only ways to get rid of stretch marks though. If you |
| muscles, creating a firmer looking torso. During the | | | | have stretch marks on your upper arms, an arm lift |
| plastic surgery, a skilled surgeon makes an incision | | | | can remove those white lines by removing the skin |
| from hip to hip, running along the public bone. | | | | where they are located. The same is true of stretch |
| The belly button tissue is cut out to be repositioned | | | | marks on the hips, thighs, and buttocks. There is a |
| later. Then the skin is loosened from the muscles and | | | | procedure for each of those areas. |
| tissues and the muscles are sutured together to make | | | | And of course, even if you have a cosmetic surgery |
| them tighter and better positioned. If liposuction is | | | | performed to eliminate some of them, it is important to |
| desired it is performed at this stage of the cosmetic | | | | maintain a healthy lifestyle and get regular exercise. |
| surgery. Then the abdomen is pulled tight, the excess | | | | This will help your body stay healthy and prevent more |
| skin is removed, the belly button tissue is reinserted, | | | | stretch marks in the future. |