The Tummy Tuck Explained

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your midsection, a tummy tuck is one of the best options available. If you’re considering a tummy tuck, you should know you’re not alone. Available data shows roughly 130,000 tummy tucks are performed in the U.S. each year, making it the sixth-most-common cosmetic surgery. It might surprise you to learn that there are a variety of benefits to the tummy tuck, and it may be the best fit for your goals. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about the procedure and how Dr. Jeffery Sweat can help you reach your body goals.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Also known as abdominoplasty, a full tummy tuck (or traditional tummy tuck) is a surgical procedure that significantly improves the overall shape and appearance of the abdomen. The process begins with general anesthesia being administered. After that sets in, Dr. Sweat makes an incision across the lower abdomen and then a second smaller incision around the belly button. The next step includes separating the skin from the abdominal wall before realigning the abdominal muscles and removing excess fat, fatty tissue, and skin. From there, Dr. Sweat will create a new hole for the belly button before pulling down the remaining skin and stitching it back in place.

Tummy tuck surgery has a number of benefits, including getting rid of loose skin and stubborn fat, as well as tightening separated abdominal muscles when they become stretched from weight fluctuations or pregnancy. A tummy tuck is easily combined with liposuction for additional body contouring in areas like the hips, flanks, or thighs. Some women opt to combine the tummy tuck with breast procedures like breast augmentation for a personalized mommy makeover. Whatever your goals, Dr. Sweat can help you determine the right surgical approach for your tummy tuck.

What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

At J. Sweat Plastic Surgery, we also offer a mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty. The mini tummy tuck focuses only on the area below the belly button, but the goal of this procedure is the same as a traditional tummy tuck. The surgery involves removing excess skin and fat and tightening the abdominal muscles. The incision used is smaller, which means you may have a shorter recovery period.

What to Expect While Recovering From a Tummy Tuck

Before undergoing your tummy tuck, you should know the road to recovery is the most important part of your procedure. It’s normal to have mild discomfort and soreness after cosmetic surgery, but Dr. Sweat will give you prescription medications and aftercare instructions to manage it. You should plan to rest and avoid strenuous activity for at least 1-2 weeks, and you should wear your compression garment as much as possible to reduce swelling and the chance of complications. On average, it will take about six weeks to completely recover from a tummy tuck. At this point, you will see a noticeable improvement in the definition of your midsection and overall figure.

To maintain your results for years to come, stick to a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

Schedule a Consultation

The tummy tuck can be well worth the investment as it can significantly boost your confidence. To learn more about tummy tucks and whether it’s right for you, consider scheduling a consultation with J. Sweat Plastic Surgery today. You can get in touch with our Sacramento, CA office by calling (916) 400-0822 or filling out our online contact form.