Deciding to have cosmetic surgery is a big choice. But you must consider how to maintain those results after your surgery. Although a great plastic surgeon can deliver fantastic results for you, you’re in charge of maintaining those results in the long term. With tummy tuck surgery, you’re not only making a significant investment but a personal commitment to living a healthier life. Keep reading to find out how you can keep your tummy tuck results looking great and feel amazing.
What Happens During and After a Tummy Tuck Procedure?
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a highly invasive procedure. The surgeon makes incisions in the abdomen, removes excess skin and fat, and tightens the muscles underneath to give you a flat and firmer tummy. You might consider a tummy tuck if you have excess fat in your abdominal area, weakened abdominal connective tissue or poor skin elasticity.
There are different types of tummy tuck procedures. They include:
- Standard Tummy Tuck – This is the most common abdominoplasty procedure that concentrates on reshaping and toning the lower abdominal area. It is common for women who’ve gone through pregnancy and childbirth and have been left with excess fat in the lower abdomen. The surgeon makes a long incision, usually from hip to hip, to allow optimal removal of excess fatty tissue and skin. Recovery from the procedure takes longer. A standard tummy tuck allows for great tummy tuck results with the surgeon repositioning the belly button sometimes.
- Mini Tummy Tuck – This is an ideal procedure for anyone with a small amount of skin and fatty tissue below their belly button. It is less invasive and is ideal for patients who’ve hit a plateau in their weight loss journey, leaving them with a small tummy below the belly button. Despite being less invasive, mini tummy tuck results are just as great as when you have a traditional tummy tuck.
- Extended tummy tuck – This is an ideal procedure for patients with a significant amount of fatty tissue and excess skin in the abdominal area, hip and lower back (love handles). It is a much more invasive procedure because the surgeon makes a large incision above the pubic area and extends it to the back of each hip. The belly button is removed and repositioned during an extended tummy tuck.
Before And After Mini Tummy Tuck Results
Mini Tummy Tuck Results Photos
After a tummy tuck, go easy on yourself and be patient; recovery will take time. For many people, the initial recovery takes about a week, but full recovery can take up to six weeks. You might be able to go back to work after 7 to 10 days and resume vigorous activities in three weeks.
The swelling will initially obscure the final tummy tuck results. Once that goes down in a few weeks, you will be able to see the results. Within a week or two, when you can finally stand tall and sit upright, you will notice a flatter and firmer abdominal contour that is proportionate with the rest of your body and weight. But tummy tuck results after 2 months are more conclusive because all the swelling has gone down, and the incision has healed internally.
Tummy Tuck Scarring and Long-Term Lifestyle Changes
If you have a tummy tuck after undergoing a caesarian section, a good surgeon will incorporate the existing scars into the new tummy tuck scar to minimise scarring. The tummy tuck scar will fade as time goes by but will always be visible. But here’s the thing; most surgeons make the incision where the scar can be hidden by underwear or a bikini.
Although you can expect excellent tummy tuck results, this is never guaranteed. In some cases, a single surgery may not help achieve optimal results and some need to have multiple procedures.
Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions will go a long way in ensuring that you get optimal results. First, ensure you don’t stress your surgical incisions and limit your movement when recovering.
The results of a tummy tuck procedure will not last a lifetime. Why? The procedure removes excess skin and fat tissue, but as your body bounces back and if you resume unhealthy habits, the stretching and weight gain start all over again. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly can have many benefits.
If you are considering getting a tummy tuck, most surgeons recommend starting to live a healthy lifestyle long before your procedure rather than after. Maintaining the new results is much easier if you already lead a healthy lifestyle. No spell or secret potion can make your tummy tuck results last; dedication and determination are what will see you through.
Liposuction Vs Tummy Tuck Results
You may be considering alternative procedures. Both procedures aim to trim excess fat from the midsection, but there are some key differences regarding the ideal candidate. Liposuction is recommended for people with an unwanted accumulation of excess fat that won’t go away despite exercise and diet. A tummy tuck removes excess fat from the midsection, but it also removes excess tissue.
But what about the results? Both a tummy tuck and liposuction produce great results. Liposuction reduces fat around the abdomen, giving you a flatter and better-proportioned midsection. The results from a liposuction procedure are usually more permanent since it removes existing fatty tissue from the abdomen. However, the fat tissue will return if you gain weight after the procedure.
A tummy tuck results in a firmer, slimmer and more toned midsection. Since the abdominal muscles are tightened, the abdomen will be significantly firmer. That, combined with the loss of excess fat tissue and skin, results in a flatter midsection. The results are also permanent, as mentioned, but how you live your life going forward will determine how long they last. Pregnancy and weight gain will re-stretch the skin, reversing the procedure’s results.
So, while both procedures guarantee great results, it’s your job to help maintain them by living a healthy lifestyle.
5 Ways to Maintain Your Tummy Tuck Results
A tummy tuck can be an effective surgery for people who want a flatter, smoother, and more toned abdomen. This type of procedure doesn’t aid weight loss. Instead, it removes excess skin and fat while repairing and reshaping the abdominal muscles. Here are five tips to help you maintain your tummy tuck results.
1. Regular Exercise
Abdominoplasty reshapes and tightens the stomach muscles. But it would be best to keep these muscles engaged, so you don’t lose firmness. After you have the all-clear to exercise from your plastic surgeon, committing to regular exercise is crucial. This doesn’t mean you have to solely focus on crunches and ab workouts for the foreseeable future. As exercise becomes a part of your routine, you can begin to increase your activity levels.
2. Maintain Your Weight
When you gain weight, your skin stretches. So, coming to your surgery at your goal weight is essential. Following the procedure, try to maintain your weight. Proactively keep your current weight for optimum and long-lasting tummy tuck results.
3. Quit Smoking
If you smoke, stopping smoking is one of the best ways to maintain your results. This applies to any cosmetic procedure, as smoking restricts blood circulation and can impair your body’s healing ability. All of this can impact your skin and organs.
4. Follow a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet helps maintain your weight after your procedure. Eating healthy foods can nourish your body with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Opt for lean protein, whole foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
5. Listen to Your Doctor’s Instructions
Every person is different and can experience different results. To achieve the best results, it’s vital that you follow your doctor’s post-operative instructions. These will be guidelines for the varying stages of the healing process. Your surgeon will give you the best advice for your specific situation and offer guidance on how you can maintain tummy tuck surgery results long-term.
Consult With a Tummy Tuck Specialist at the Harley Clinic
Tummy tucks can result in a leaner, smoother, and firmer abdomen and midsection. Living a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a healthy diet is vital for creating and maintaining optimum tummy tuck results. By listening to your surgeon and following these tips, you can stay looking and feeling good for longer.
But first thing’s first, if you want to ensure optimal results, choose a qualified plastic surgeon to perform the procedure. At the Harley Clinic, we are dedicated to every patient’s comfort and confidence during the procedure, recovery and beyond. Your plastic surgeon will discuss everything about the procedure to prepare you for the road ahead. Book a consultation today if you want to learn more about the tummy tuck procedure and determine if you’re a suitable candidate.
