What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, used to tighten and smooth the abdomen region by removing excess skin and fat tissue around the area.
Tummy tucks are a desirable procedure for patients who’ve gone through pregnancy or drastic weight loss. No matter how often these patients train, the remaining troublesome stretched skin over the abdomen is nearly impossible to tighten without surgery. As well as creating a flat front abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, the procedure restores muscles that have been weakened or separated to create a firmer profile.
Facts about tummy tucks you should know
If you are considering undergoing a tummy tuck procedure to restore a smooth, tight abdomen, we encourage all to-be-patients to understand everything about the procedure. Here are some of the tummy tuck facts you should know:
1) Tummy tucks won’t help you lose weight
A tummy tuck is designed to sculpt and shape the body figure, but should not be relied upon as a weight-loss method. Patients need to be at a stable weight, within 15 pounds of their ideal weight before undergoing a tummy tuck. Ensuring the patient is at a stable weight is important because fluctuations can stretch the abdominal tissues, reversing the contoured shape achieved with the tummy tuck.
2) Tummy tucks will not remove all stretch marks
Tummy tuck patients often have stretch marks in the abdomen area due to the abrupt change to the skin that comes with pregnancy and weight fluctuations. Patients often envisage that the procedure will clear up all of the stretch marks in the area, but only the stretch marks found on the excess skin will be removed. At Egozi Plastic Surgery, we aim to maximize the amount of stretch mark removal by removing tissue that contains the majority of stretch marks.
3) Tummy tucks will not leave you permanent nerve damage
This is a myth surrounding tummy tucks. The procedure involves repairing the abdominal muscles and removing excess skin – nothing that involves the nerves. Some minor, temporary nerve damage can be expected but this will subside over a few days or weeks. Permanent nerve damage is a very rare occurrence that can be eliminated by using a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Egozi.
4) Tummy tucks are low-risk
All surgical procedures come with some risks but the tummy tuck is generally considered safe. Following our thorough consultation that properly selects the right patients, as a highly-skilled surgeon, Dr. Egozi is able to perform a tummy tuck with minimal risk and no complication. If the muscle repair is included in the tummy tuck, the procedure will involve more abdominal discomfort and downtime, whereas skin-only tummy tucks come with relatively little pain.
5) Tummy tucks are a standalone procedure
Tummy tuck and liposuction are two separate procedures often used to complement one and other. A tummy tuck removes the excess skin while the liposuction effectively removes fat cells. Although a strong pairing provides excellent results in certain scenarios, the two don’t always have to be combined. During your initial consultation, your goals will be assessed and Dr. Egozi will determine whether a tummy tuck should be performed as a standalone procedure or alongside liposuction.
Tummy tuck in Tampa Bay
Before undergoing a tummy tuck, you will first meet with Dr. Egozi to undergo a thorough consultation, during which he will make recommendations unique to your case. To book your tummy tuck consultation in Tampa Bay, contact Egozi Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule an appointment!