Tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty is an efficient body reshaping surgery. In tummy tuck surgery, fat and skin are removed from the midsection and lower abdominal area. This will cause your muscles to contract and your abdomen will be firmer and appear slimmer.
Abdominoplasty is a famous surgery for women with loose skin and abdominal muscles due to numerous pregnancies. Those who have managed to lose a considerable amount of weight, as well as some excess skin in the abdomen area, are also recommended to have this surgery.
The usual cost of surgery in the US ranges from $4,000 to $20,000. Due to the high cost, there are some who would prefer to have a tummy tuck outside of the US, such as in Thailand, where reputable cosmetic surgery centers would charge much lower fees. A candidate thinking of undergoing surgery in Thailand or elsewhere in Southeast Asia should always be cautious and should ensure that the surgeon is a qualified and licensed cosmetic surgeon and that the hospital or facility is well equipped.
There are several types of tummy tucks available. They include full, partial, and extended tummy tucks. Full facelift can take longer, up to 5 hours, because it is a much more extensive procedure compared to partial facelift. Partial cosmetic surgery will only take one to two hours to perform. An extended facelift will also contain surgery, “tucking in” as well as shaping the thigh and hip areas.
The best candidates to undergo a tummy tuck should possess one or more of the following criteria:
o An extended abdomen that is not in proper proportion to the entire body.
o Abdominal weakened or separated by the weight of the pregnancy.
o Flaccidity plus excess abdominal skin.
o Excess fatty tissue mainly in the abdominal area.
While the bad candidates for the procedure are people who smoke, are diabetic, people who have trouble controlling their obesity, and also women who plan to have children after the procedure.
Like any other cosmetic surgery, risks always exist with tummy tuck surgery. For example, people who smoke may not be ideal candidates because there is an increased risk that the wound will slow healing, the veins in the legs will become infected, and there will be blood clots within the veins, potentially causing an embolism. In case the smoker wishes to undergo the procedure, he must stop smoking three weeks before the surgery and three weeks after the surgery.
The patient is required to wear a girdle or girdle after the tummy tuck. This will reduce the amount of swelling and also bruising in the area of the operation. By wearing the girdle, you will help maintain the shape of your newly sculpted abdomen. It should be worn daily, 24 hours a day for approximately three to four weeks after surgery, and the following three weeks the garment should only be worn during the day.
The patient who underwent surgery will be able to return to work approximately after ten days of the recovery period. It is vital that the patient maintain circulation by resting and walking around a bit. The patient can perform light exercise only about 10 days after surgery. To exercise, wait until four to five weeks after heavy surgery.
The speed of recovery from surgery will vary from patient to patient. It will depend on the health conditions of the patient and also on the state of the abdominal muscles. Patients who have strong abdominal muscles would normally recover from tummy tuck much faster compared to patients with weak abdominal muscles.