Tuesday, 01 September 2009 06:18
Tummy tuck procedure isn’t as easy as, say, a facelift. The tummy tuck is fairly extensive surgery, depending upon the kind of tummy tuck one chooses: a ‘mini’ tummy tuck involving a small incision; or a tummy tuck/abdominoplasty that involves a larger procedure. The ugly scar is the main drawback, but folks who have chosen to undergo the tummy tuck say the scars are worth the positive feeling experienced afterward.
Going Beyond Liposuction
Like liposuction, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that gets rid of excess fat. However, it goes beyond liposuction to remove loose skin and tighten the inner girdle as well. In the tummy tuck procedure, under general anesthesia, an incision is made from one hip bone to the other providing the option of tightening abdominal muscles. A full tummy tuck involves making an incision as low as possible so that the scars won't show. Tummy tucks can also result in scars that start from the top of the abdomen and run downwards between the ribs.
Dealing with the Scars
The general rule regarding tummy tuck scars is that the longer and more difficult the recovery process, the more noticeable the scars will be. Here’re some quick facts:
* If you smoke, quit before and after the tummy tuck procedure. Cigarette smoke causes the blood vessels in your skin to constrict, decreasing the amount of oxygen being delivered to the skin cells, slowing the body’s immune response. In addition you also have a higher risk of developing complications after the surgery.
* Taking aspirin products can compromise successful healing after the tummy tuck procedure.
* Select a qualified cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure and carefully follow post-surgical care instructions. Good plastic surgeons zip up the incisions using absorbable sutures or skin adhesive tapes; scars are also hidden in skin creases wherever possible.
* Although the scars are permanent, their location is usually below the swimsuit line so they are not easily visible. Scars may actually worsen during the first three to six months as they heal, but this is normal. It usually takes nine months to a year before scars flatten out and lighten in color.
* Interestingly, the intensity of the scars depends a lot on the melanin content of the skin. Dark skinned individuals, for example, exhibit a tendency to scar more intensely than light toned people.
Thankfully, modern medicine has made it possible to apply lotions and other treatments that can help the tummy tuck scars fade. In time, you can be wearing swim suits and feeling good, without being conscious that you have undergone a tummy tuck procedure recently. Opting for laser resurfacing treatments and chemical peels after the tummy tuck are other ways to lighten the scars quicker.
Dramatic, Long Lasting Effects
Despite tummy tuck scars, the long term results of the procedure are dramatic and long lasting. A tummy tuck procedure can greatly enhance the appearance and contour of the abdominal region, making you feel extremely good about your body. Good candidates for this procedure however must have realistic expectations of the results and fully understand what to expect before, during and after surgery.
