A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) may be one of the more popular cosmetic surgeries in the world, but it doesn’t mean that you know every single thing about the procedure.
A lot of people are still confused on what a tummy tuck is and isn’t.
Some believe that it’s purely cosmetic, not knowing that it can have medical benefits, too.
Others think it’s a procedure reserved for women, but it’s pretty prevalent among men, too.
To get your facts straight, check out these ten tummy tuck truths before you get one yourself.
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure.
Before getting a tummy tuck, you will be asked by your plastic surgeon to lose weight first, as the procedure will not solve any weight issues you may have. Operating on an overweight patient is also riskier than patients with normal weight.
But losing weight is not enough, as you need to maintain a stable weight for six months to one year before your scheduled operation.
Unless you have a lot of sagging skin in your abdominal area, don’t expect to shed more than five pounds after your surgery. Consider it as a way to sculpt your body, not to lose weight.
Men can get tummy tucks, too.
While women may be more inclined to get a tummy tuck especially those who have had multiple pregnancies, there’s nothing barring men from getting the same procedure, too.
Men can also have loose muscles and sagging skin that remain resistant to exercise or diet, and that is a good indication for a tummy tuck.
You’ll surely find male tummy tuck cosmetic surgeons in Miami plastic surgery medical tourism.
A tummy tuck is likely to be paired with liposuction.
Some patients may think that plastic surgeons offering liposuction on top of a tummy tuck are only upselling you, but that’s not always the case.
A tummy tuck alone can lead to an unnatural bulge on the hips once the skin from the upper abdomen gets pulled down. It can also lead to a lack of definition.
Your plastic surgeon may see the need for a liposuction if you have excess fat in your abdominal area. Liposuction can help contour the areas around your stomach like your waist, hips, and thighs, resulting in a much better figure.
Losing appetite is a side effect.
You might find yourself having a smaller appetite than usual after your abdominoplasty.
Since your muscles have been tightened internally, it results in decreased appetite, especially during the first few months after your surgery.
This might also be the reason why patients report losing a bit of weight after surgery, as they don’t eat as much as before.
You’ll likely be bent over in the first few days after your surgery.
While abdominoplasties are often treated as outpatient surgeries, that doesn’t mean you can already resume your tasks right after the operation.
It may take weeks to recover from a tummy tuck. It may even need more extensive recovery than other cosmetic procedures.
During the first few weeks, it’s normal to assume a bent over position to avoid straining your stitches. It can even impact how you sleep, so you should prepare to sleep in a recliner with a wedge pillow or a couch with pillows to prop your legs up.
Depending on the extent of your abdominoplasty, you may need assistance at home during the first week. Carrying heavy objects weighing 10 pounds or more is not allowed for at least four to six weeks post-surgery.
Going back to work is out of the picture as well. You will also need pain medications to ward off any discomfort.
You’ll experience numbness during recovery.
Numbness is a common side effect of abdominoplasty, not to mention other plastic surgeries as well.
It’s normal to feel numb on your abdominal area after surgery since your nerves are still recovering and getting used to your tighter muscles.
The lack of sensation may stretch from a couple of months up to a year, but it’s not supposed to be permanent. After that time has elapsed, your sensory nerves will go back to normal.
A tummy tuck might also have medical benefits.
Aside from looking great, an abdominoplasty can also provide medical benefits.
For instance, some studies show that a tummy tuck might help in urinary incontinence. Other studies show that it can also strengthen the body’s core.
One part of the procedure is repairing the rectus diastasis, which is a space between the rectus muscles that naturally appear due to massive weight loss or childbirth. After repairing this condition, patients have reported improved core stability and relief of bloating and back pain.
Abdominal wall reconstruction, another cosmetic surgery almost similar to abdominoplasty, can repair hernias and tumors.
Insurance isn’t likely to cover a tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck is by no means cheap, costing an average of $5,850 if you get it through Miami plastic surgery medical tourism.
Plus, it seldom gets covered by insurance as it isn’t considered medically important.
However, if you have reasons why you want to get an abdominoplasty other than having flat abs, your insurance may cover the procedure. Examples of these are when you use this procedure for hernia repair (in which case it becomes an abdominal wall reconstruction surgery), or you developed extremely uncomfortable excess sagging skin due to excessive weight loss.
To know if your procedure is going to be covered or not, make sure that you talk to your insurance company about it. Always have supporting documents if you have a medical problem that necessitates a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in Miami plastic surgery medical tourism.
Scars are not invisible.
There’s more than just one type of tummy tuck.
Perhaps the most popular one is the complete tummy tuck, which involves a hip-to-hip incision plus another one on the belly button.
The mini tummy tuck is another favorite, as it only requires a small incision.
But there’s also the extended tummy tuck, which targets the whole torso and therefore has a bigger incision that spans the length of the abdomen and extends to the back of the patient’s hips.
Another abdominoplasty that requires a massive incision is the circumferential tummy tuck, which is often used for body lift surgeries.
Because of these different types of a tummy tuck, there’s no assurance that your bikini or underwear will cover your scars.
You just have to be ready for the scarring, depending on which type of surgery you choose.
Choosing a plastic surgeon is extremely important.
Shopping for a plastic surgeon for your tummy tuck via Miami medical tourism isn’t easy.
For one, you need to find a well-trained surgeon who has done hundreds of tummy tucks in his life. You wouldn’t want a newbie surgeon slicing your stomach, would you?
You also have to look at the plastic surgeon’s reputation and make sure that his previous patients loved his work and that none of them developed life-threatening complications.
Finally, you have to make sure that your plastic surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Here at Face + Body Cosmetic Surgery, we offer double board-certified Miami plastic surgeons who have years of experience doing tummy tucks. If you’re contemplating on getting a tummy tuck in Miami, Schedule a Free Consultation with us now.
