Interesting Facts About Tummy Tucks | Biodermis.com

A tummy tuck, known clinically as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure done to remove excess fat from the midsection to create a leaner physique. Fat removal around the stomach area allows the surgeon to contour the shape of the body to create a firmer, tighter waist and midsection. Tummy tucks are one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed today, so it’s important to understand as much as you can before jumping in. In this article, we will go over some interesting facts about tummy tucks so that you can be as informed as possible.

Tummy tucks are for men and women

While a majority of tummy tuck procedures are performed on women, men can undergo this procedure too. One of the reasons tummy tucks are more popular among women is because pregnancy makes it difficult to achieve a lean figure, especially if the abdominal muscles were torn during labor. Men, on the other hand, can sometimes cut weight around their midsection by dieting and exercise alone. In cases where stubborn fat persists, men may opt for a tummy tuck.   

Tummy tucks aren’t for weight loss

It’s important to know that if you are considering a tummy tuck that you aren’t doing it as a weight-loss procedure—that’s not what it’s designed to do. While tummy tucks will remove excess fat from problem areas, the fat will come back if you don’t maintain a healthy diet and exercise. Most cosmetic surgeons will require that you be in otherwise good physical shape prior to undergoing surgery to reduce the risk of complications. Surgery is never a substitute for living a healthy lifestyle.

Different types of tummy tucks

There are three main categories of tummy tucks: mini tummy tuck, complete or “full” tummy tuck, and extended tummy tuck. The mini tummy tuck is strictly a lower abdomen procedure designed to remove excess fat from the lower stomach region. Mini tummy tucks will leave a smaller incision scar than the other types. A complete or full tummy tuck addresses the upper and lower abdomen. This procedure will also help tighten the abdominal muscles caused by abdominal separation (diastasis recti) during childbirth. The extended tummy tuck targets the upper and lower abdomen in addition to the hip and thighs. This procedure is ideal for patients who have excess, sagging skin as a result of dramatic weight loss. Scarring from an extended tummy tuck will be greater than the other two procedures.

Recovery time can last weeks

Tummy tucks are invasive procedures that may require up to three weeks to fully recover from. If you’ve had a C-section in the past, you can compare the recovery time to that. Depending on what type of tummy tuck you had, you may be put on pain medication and require assistance when doing chores around the house. Your age and physical health are also factors that come into play when recovering from an extensive procedure. Make sure not to drink or smoke during the recovery period, as these can slow down the wound-healing process.

You can treat your scars

One of the factors many people worry about when considering surgery is how much scarring they will be left with. Luckily, post-operative scars can be treated with topical, medical-grade silicone gel. Silicone gel is a clinically-proven method for preventing and reducing scars after surgery or injury. Ask your doctor if silicone is right for you or order online at biodermis.com.  

Biodermis is an innovative market leader with 30 years of expertise in the medical silicone industry. Visit Biodermis.com today to explore a complete range of scar management and post-operative care solutions.