Wednesday, November 3, 2010

When To Tummy Tuck



A tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure that addresses the abdominal region. The abdominal walls and muscles are tightened and loose skin is stretched over the abdomen to create a tight look. Excess skin that creates a saggy look is trimmed off. A tummy tuck is good way of addressing saggy tummies. It does come with side effects that include scarring and a lengthy recovery period.


Tummy tuck is not a magical procedure if you are thinking of losing a lot of weight quickly. You should address your weight problem with proper diet and exercise first before even considering a tummy tuck. The main reason is you overall state of health. Being overweight greatly increases you risk while undergoing major surgery. The amount of fat and skin that needs to be removed could also cause too much trauma for your body. As such, get your weight down to a stable level first before considering a tummy tuck.


Pregnancy can be a cause for a saggy tummy. Some pregnancies can overstretch the skin to an extent that it cannot recover its natural shape due to loss of elasticity. If you are considering post-pregnancy tummy tuck, then make sure that you have fully recovered from your pregnancy before undergoing a tummy tuck. This is to give your abdomen time to heal and build its strength before being subjected to surgical trauma. If you are considering more pregnancies, then it may be worth it to see out all planned pregnancies before going for a tummy tuck. Some pregnancies can undo the effects of a tummy tuck.


If you have undergone some other abdominal surgery, then consult your doctor and a tummy tuck surgeon about what effects a tummy tuck would have on your old surgical scars. Small surgeries like removing the appendix would probably not complicate a tummy tuck, but having an intestinal resection could rule you out of having tummy tuck. Giving birth via cesarean could also be a factor that can complicate a tummy tuck.


Overall, it is good ideas to consult a doctor and go through every detail of your health before undergoing a tummy tuck to reduce the risk of complications during and after surgery.


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Thursday, October 21, 2010

Tummy Tuck - Look Before You Leap


Abdominoplasty surgery is a surgical procedure that will attempt to address the problem of loose skin that normally occurs after drastic weight loss. More popularly known as a tummy tuck, the procedure is a major one that sees the surgeon cut away excess loose skin, sew together abdominal muscles and finally close by sewing back the remaining skin.

Tummy tuck surgery results vary from patient to patient. To get a good idea of possible outcomes - especially in terms of scarring - it is a good idea to have a look at before and after pictures of tummy tucks. There are also pictures of what the actual procedure would look like but you might want to avoid these if you cannot stand the sight of blood. By learning about tummy tucks and looking at relevant pictures, your fear of a tummy tuck can be better addressed since the procedure and the outcome would not be a mystery anymore.

If the picture convinces you that a full tummy tuck is not what you need or not what you want to go through, then you can explore the mini tummy tuck option. A mini tummy tuck calls for a much smaller incision and a much less invasive surgery compared to a full blown tummy tuck. The whole surgical procedure will also cause you to spend less time in the operating theatre. A mini tummy tuck will last about one or two hours whereas a full tummy tuck might take up to six hours to complete. The before and after pictures of the two types of tummy tuck surgeries will allow you to compare the scarring that is left behind after the surgery.

After undergoing a tummy tuck, you would need to go through a recovery process. Mini tummy tucks take a shorter time to recover from but a full tummy tuck can take from a few months to a year for you to fully recuperate from. Going through recovery pictures will help you understand what to expect in the months that it takes to recover from a full tummy tuck.








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Friday, October 1, 2010

Tummy Tuck Cosmetic Surgery - An Overview

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction - Which Cosmetic Surgery Is Right For Me?


A common misconception amongst patients considering cosmetic surgery of the abdominal area is that the choice exists to have either a tummy tuck or liposuction and that either of these two procedures will produce similar results. In most cases, a patient is a far better candidate for either a tummy tuck or liposuction and the procedures are not interchangeable.


The decision as to which plastic surgery procedure is best must be made in conjunction with a qualified plastic surgeon but the following is a general guideline:


Typically, patients whose abdominal area has loose excess skin, or significant stretch marks will need a tummy tuck and will not benefit from liposuction alone. This is because liposuction is a procedure that only removes
fat. Skin is esentially unaffected. Therefore if there is substantial loose skin or stretch marks to start with,
liposuction will not remove any of the extra skin or any of the stretch mark-bearing skin. Furthermore,
liposuction in these circumstances can actually worsen the problem by removing the "foundation" on which
the skin rests, i.e. the underlying fat thereby leaving even looser skin than the patient started with.


Liposuction to the abdominal area is more appropriate in cases of younger patients with firm, taut
abdominal skin whose main problem is extra fat. In these cases, skin reliably shrinks over the liposucked
area and a great cosmetic result can be obtained. Remember that this is only a guideline. The ultimate
decision as to which procedure(s) is best for you should be made during a private consultation with a
qualified surgeon.


Who is a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?


A tummy tuck can benefit individuals with the following features of the abdominal area:


(1) excessive, loose, sagging skin


(2) stretch marks, such as after pregnancy


(3) excess fat on the abdomen


(4) a rounded tummy that would benefit from flattening


How is a Tummy Tuck Done?


A tummy tuck involves multiple surgical steps, each designed to enhance the cosmetic appearance and
feel of your abdominal area.
The tummy tuck starts by making an incision low down on the abdominal wall. Dr. Backstein places this
incision as low down as possible so that it is generally not detectable in a bathing suit or a bikini.
Depending on your body structure, fully hiding the incision scar may not be feasible.
Following the initial incision, a tummy tuck will involve plication (firm tightening) of the muscle layer,
excision and removal of as much excess skin and fat as possible, and placement of the umbilicus (belly
button) into an anatomically pleasing location on the abdominal wall. Dr. Backstein includes liposuction of
the upper abdominal area and love handles as part of the tummy tuck procedure.


Tummy Tuck Cosmetic Surgery Scars.


There are two scars that are left by a tummy tuck. These are a horizontal scar placed low down above the
pubic area and a circular scar carefully placed around the belly button.
Both of these scars are absolutely needed if a tummy tuck is to be done properly and effectively. Any
procedure that attempts to avoid these scars will always compromise the result of the surgery in terms of
tightening, flattening, and overall abdominal beauty.
Scars in general are dynamic. This means that scars go through phases during which the visibility of the
scar changes from more to less. During the first two months after a tummy tuck or liposuction, scars will
usually have a certain amount of redness to them. This is called the inflammatory phase of wound healing.


Following this, for up to a full year, the scars will fade more and more.
It is important to note that healing of surgical incisions is very much an individual trait much like hair colour
or skin tone. People will heal incisions and form scars differently even when undergoing the exact same
surgery done by the same surgeon. As a rule, patients are so thrilled and excited by the dramatic
flattening of their abdomens and the psychological lift that this provides that tummy tuck scars are quickly
overlooked and ignored.


Tummy Tuck Recovery.


How Much Pain Will I Have?


Following a tummy tuck, patients describe a major feeling of tightness around the abdomen. The
discomfort is described as an intense muscle ache similar to the feeling after an aggressive abdominal
workout. Dr. Backstein feels that the best tummy tucks will cause a certain amount of post operative
discomfort. This is related to the extent of tightening that the surgeon has achieved. If a tummy tuck
doesn't hurt at all, the abdomen was likely not tightened adequately.
Swelling and bruising is always seen after a tummy tuck or liposuction. Dr. Backstein always provides
supplemental liposuction to the upper abdominal area and love handles and bruising will be seen in these
areas.


Do I Need To Stay Overnight?


Most patients are able to leave the hospital on the evening of the surgical day. Arrangements can always
be made for patients to stay overnight if so desired. Although straining, heavy lifting and bending should
be avoided, tummy tuck patients must start minimal walking and leg exercises the day of the surgery. Lying
in bed for hours at a time is dangerous and must be avoided to minimize the risk of blood clots. When
going to sleep, a couple of pillows under the knees and behind the head will act to ease the tension on the
surgical incision and will help relieve discomfort.


When Can I Return To Work?


Patients with jobs that require significant physical activity including bending, lifting, or quick movement will
need about 4 weeks off before being able to return to full duties comfortably.
Those patients with jobs not demanding physical activity can return to work after 2 weeks.


When Can I Work Out?


Light work outs involving exercises that do not strain the surgical incision or the abdominal muscles can
begin at 2-3 weeks. This includes brisk walking or stationary bike riding.
Heavier work outs including abdominal crunches, sit-ups and running should not be attempted for about 1
month.


Do I Need to Wear a Special Garment?


Yes, tummy tuck patients should wear a compressive corset provided by Dr. Backstein for the first 3-4
weeks post plastic surgery.


Complications Associated with Tummy Tucks.


Significant complications following a tummy tuck are rare. This is very much related to the fact that a
tummy tuck is a superficial cosmetic surgery focusing on the skin and fat and upper muscle layers and not involving
major or vital organs.
All potential tummy tuck complications will be reviewed with you in detail by Dr. Backstein during your initial
consultation. These include:


anesthesia side effects and complications


infections


post-operative bleeding


incision separation


blood clots


slow healing areas


Tummy Tuck: The Only Cure For Stretch Marks.


One thing is abundantly clear about stretch marks and that is that absolutely no cream or topical
ointments exist to remove them. Stretch marks are scars that occur within the substance of the skin when it
is exposed to excessive stretching or shearing force. The abdominal area develops stretch marks during
pregnancy due to the stretching of the skin by the growing fetus in the womb.


Just as no cream exists to erase scars on the skin, none exists to eliminate stretch marks either although
there are many products on the market that claim to do so.
A tummy tuck will remove about 90% of stretch marks from the abdominal wall. As a rule of thumb, all the
stretch marks below the level of the belly button will be removed with the large piece of skin and fat that is
discarded during the tummy tuck surgery. Moreover, the stretch marks that are above the belly button get
pulled far down on the abdomen, just above the pubic area as part of the tummy tuck procedure. This
means that about 90% of your stretch marks are removed completely and the rest shift to a much less
visible area. It truly is fair to say that tummy tuck surgery is the only cure for abdominal stretch marks.


The Effects of Pregnancy On Tummy Tuck Surgery.


It is all too clear that pregnancy induces unwanted changes in the abdominal area that often lead people
to seeking surgical improvement. These pregnancy-induced changes include general weight gain,
looseness and laxity of abdominal skin, and of course, stretch marks.


A tummy tuck operation is the very best surgical procedure to dramatically improve all of the above
mentioned changes of the abdominal region. Unfortunately, much of the improvement achieved through a
tummy tuck can, at least in part, be diminished by the effects of subsequent pregnancy. It is important to
remember that our bodies are dynamic and constantly changing. The beneficial effects of tummy tuck
surgery are not "carved in stone", but need to be maintained. Pregnancy after a tummy tuck will lead to
generalized weight gain, and stretching and distension of the abdominal wall as the baby grows in the
womb. This will cause some degree of skin laxity and stretch marks similar to that present prior to the
tummy tuck surgery. Your tummy area will,however, still look better than it would have had you never
undergone tummy tuck surgery.


Exercise and Diet: Maintaining The Results of Your Cosmetic Surgery.


The human body is dynamic and always in a state of change. No surgical procedure exists to reshape,
recontour or tighten a body region that is absolutely permanent. The results of a tummy tuck and
liposuction need to be maintained. A healthy lifestyle must be followed after surgery to maintain the
dramatic flattening and tightness of the abdominal region that a tummy tuck or liposuction provides. Poor
diet and sedentary lifestyle will, over time cause weight gain and skin stretching after tummy tuck surgery.
Happily, the vast majority of patients find that after a tummy tuck or liposuction, they feel so good both
mentally and physically that excercise and healthy eating become a welcome part of their post surgical
lifestyle.


Dr. Robert Backstein, Cosmetic Surgeon Toronto Ontario
Website: http://www.cosmeticsurgerytoronto.com