In this modern day and age, advancements in science have provided us with a myriad of options when it comes to preserving or enhancing our appearances through surgery. One of the more popular surgical makeovers is the abdominoplasty surgery, or more popularly known as the tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure design to address the abdominal area. A tummy tuck will remove excess skin and some fat from the abdominal area and also tighten the stomach muscles as an added option. Do not expect to undergo a massive weight loss surgery with a tummy tuck as it was designed to tighten the tummy area and not to lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time. In some cases, a combination of a tummy tuck and liposuction will do the job in addressing your weight problem in the abdominal region. Depending on the extent of a tummy tuck surgery, the whole procedure can take from 2 to 5 hours for a major case while smaller cases can last from 1 to 2 hours. Major tummy tuck surgery is normally done under general anesthesia while a minor tummy tuck procedure will allow you the option of local anesthesia.
After the surgery, your belly will most likely be sore and swollen. Medical prescription drugs will help you deal with the pain. An overnight stay at the hospital is very much likely while an extended stay of two to three days should be expected if your tummy tuck procedure was a major one. When you are allowed to leave the hospital, the doctor will normally provide a firm abdominal binder to support the tightened areas of your tummy. Be prepared to spend most of your time lying in bed for another few days as you begin to recover. It is advisable to lie in bed with your legs bent at the hips to reduce the strain on your tummy.
Although standing up straight would not be possible for a couple of days after the tummy tuck, you should start walking as soon as you can to help with your recovery. The stitches on the surface of your skin would be removed after about a week. If you had your stomach muscles stitched during the tummy tuck, the deeper stitches that will have an end protrude through your skin, would be removed a couple of weeks later.
