Abdominoplasty, often called a tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery procedure intended to tighten abdominal muscles and remove loose, excess skin. As a result, this procedure is frequently requested following childbirth as part of a ‘mommy makeover,’ or after significant weight loss, which can leave people with sagging, excess skin. In addition, some patients choose to undergo abdominoplasty to reduce skin laxity which is often a result of the natural aging process.
While a tummy tuck can be an excellent solution for individuals hoping to restore their waistline, unfortunately, in some instances, excess skin remains following the procedure. If you are troubled by the appearance of loose skin after your tummy tuck, the following solutions are recommended to help you achieve your desired results.
Although exercise cannot remove excess skin, it can reduce fat and tighten muscles, which may help you appear more toned following your tummy tuck procedure. It is crucial, however, to ensure that you allow your body sufficient time to heal before you introduce strenuous activities. In most cases, this means waiting at least 3 weeks before resuming cardio and six weeks prior to resuming your abdominal muscle exercise routine.
While it may be difficult, it is important to be patient following your tummy tuck. Abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure and as such, your body needs sufficient time to heal. The final results of the procedure will not be visible for up to six months as a result of residual swelling. While immediately following the procedure skin may appear tight, gradually, as swelling subsides, it may loosen. Since swelling persists in the lower abdominal tissue for longer, however, it is necessary to wait for this swelling to subside before judging the results.
Patients who are troubled by the appearance of excess skin after undergoing a tummy tuck should first ensure that their expectations for the procedure were realistic. It is important to be aware that even the thinnest of individuals will have some excess skin, which is visible when bending over or sitting down. In fact, this skin is necessary in order to perform these actions. Thus, it is crucial to recognize that the goal of abdominoplasty is correction, not perfection.
Once you have healed from your tummy tuck, if you are unhappy with any remaining excess skin, it may be necessary to undergo revision surgery, provided that you have realistic expectations for the procedure. In some cases, a small amount of loose skin remains above the incision line; this can easily be removed during revision abdominoplasty and it may be best to return to your surgeon, provided that you still have trust in their ability.
If more extensive revision is required, however, and you are not comfortable with your primary surgeon, you may wish to consult with another board-certified surgeon in order to ensure that you achieve your desired results.
To learn more about abdominoplasty and determine your candidacy for this procedure, please contact our clinic to schedule a consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons who are dedicated to helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals.
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