How Does A Tummy Tuck Work?

A tummy tuck, known in the medical community as abdominoplasty, is an incredibly popular procedure for a number of reasons. Two of the top reasons abdominoplasty is so popular are its safety and efficacy. However, there is something to be said about its simplicity, too. Today, our aesthetic experts at Northstate Plastic Surgery Associates in Chico, CA are taking a closer look at this procedure, including how it works and who generally qualifies.

How Does a Tummy Tuck Work?

A tummy tuck works in just a few simple steps. First, your skin is inspected to ensure it is free from irritation. Then, at least one incision is made in the abdominal region. Through the incision or incisions made, the appearance of the abdominal region is improved thanks to the tightening of loose skin. In the case of a full abdominoplasty, loose muscles can be tightened, too. Also, excess skin can be removed. Then, the incision or incisions are sutured closed and bandaged.

What If I Have Excess Abdominal Fat? 

A small amount of excess abdominal fat can be removed during abdominoplasty. However, if you are concerned about a significant amount of abdominal fat, you will most likely not be satisfied with the results of an abdominal tuck. Rather, you will need to get liposuction; a safe, effective fat removal procedure designed to remove excess subcutaneous fat from virtually any region of the body.

How Much Fat Can Liposuction Remove? 

How much fat liposuction can remove depends on a number of factors, like the size of the areas being targeted, your current aesthetic and goals, and your weight. The reason your weight affects how much fat can be removed is that only a percentage of your total body mass can be removed in fat at a time safely. If you don’t weigh much, it is possible that only a pound or a couple of pounds of fat can be removed safely.

The size of the areas being targeted affects how much fat can be removed because the larger the area targeted is, the smaller the percentage of fat that can be removed. For example, if you are targeting your abdominal region for fat removal, only around 26% of the localized subcutaneous adipose tissue can be removed. On the other hand, if you are targeting your underarms or submental region, closer to 80% of the localized adipose tissue can be removed.
 

Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure? 

There is a very good chance that you will be considered a good candidate for this procedure if you are concerned about the appearance or functionality of your abdominal region and you are in relatively good health. However, the only way to know for sure whether you are a good candidate for this procedure is to attend an initial consultation. To verify your candidacy, your medical history, health, concerns, and goals need to be discussed thoroughly.

Will I Qualify for This Procedure If I Have Medical Concerns? 

Yes, it is possible you will be considered a good tummy tuck candidate if you have medical concerns. If you get a full tuck, ventral hernias can be repaired. Furthermore, your pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened to treat stress urinary incontinence. This procedure can even ease lower back pain by strengthening the walls of the abdominal muscles, facilitating better posture. Other medical conditions can be treated with a full tuck, too.

What Medical Conditions Will Disqualify Me From Surgery? 

There are a number of medical conditions that may disqualify you from surgery. For example, if you have been diagnosed with cancer and it is not currently in remission, you will be considered a good fit for this procedure. Diabetes will also possibly disqualify you from surgery. If it is well-controlled, you may qualify for abdominoplasty. However, if it is not under control, you may not be healthy enough for surgery.

How Long Does Abdominoplasty Take? 

Most of the time, abdominoplasty takes between two and three hours to complete. However, it may take closer to five hours depending on the scope of your procedure, especially if you opt for an extended tuck or liposuction in addition to your abdominoplasty. We will give you a better idea of how long you can expect your body contouring to take during your initial consultation once we have a firm grasp on your current aesthetic and goals.

We will also advise you on all of the preparation steps you will need to take prior to surgery during your initial consultation. Some of the preparation steps will vary based on your health and the scope of your procedure. You will need to fast if you get general anesthesia.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today

A tummy tuck works in just a few quick and easy steps. Once it has been confirmed that this procedure will be safe for you, at least one incision will be made in your abdominal region. The incision allows for the tightening of loose skin and muscle and removal of excess skin. If you think you could benefit from this procedure, contact us today at Northstate Plastic Surgery Associates in Chico, CA to schedule your initial abdominoplasty consultation.