TUMMY TUCK FAQS DR. WILLIAM ALBRIGHT
TUMMY TUCK FAQ’S
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgery that will remove excess skin and stretch marks, typically from the lower part of the abdomen and leave a scar that can be hidden under most underwear and bikini bottoms.
Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
Good candidates for a tummy tuck are women who are finished with child-bearing (not planning future pregnancies) and at a stable, preferably ideal, body weight. For the best cosmetic results, patients should have a body mass index (BMI) less than 30, and have most of their fat located under the skin instead of inside the abdominal wall. Alamo Plastic Surgery is one of the best plastic surgery clinics for tummy tuck surgery for women in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Albright will assess this during the physical exam. As safety is of utmost importance to Dr. Albright, patients should be medically healthy enough for general anesthesia, and should not have had major abdominal surgeries or mesh-based large hernia repairs. Patients who have had bariatric surgery, should be at least 1 year after their procedure, and have stable weight with adequate follow up and laboratory studies by their bariatric surgeons prior to considering body contouring procedures.
When will I see my Tummy Tuck results?
As the proverb goes, good things come to those who wait. The healing process takes time. The initial swelling from surgery is the body’s response to inflammation caused by surgical injury. When a surgically created space is made and inflammation is present, the body will allow clear fluid (serous fluid) from your circulation to move into the space. Swelling may take as long as 3-5 months after surgery to completely resolve and reveal your postoperative figure. Additionally, the scars will continue to mature their appearance over 8-12 month time period. Dr. Albright and his staff will help you through this transition period. He will tailor the procedures to best fit your goals! He is one of the best Tummy Tuck surgeons in San Antonio TX.
What is the recovery like for a tummy tuck and when can I resume exercise / weightlifting?
In the first week after surgery, the patient will need to maintain a flexed waist (bent-over) position while standing, sitting and lying down. In the days following surgery if drains are used, they will typically be removed by the second week. In the first week patients will wear an abdominal binder 24/7, followed by 5 weeks of a compression garment. Walking exercise may be resumed by 4 weeks in most patients, followed by advancing to strenuous activities at 6 weeks. Most patients will be unrestricted by 2 months after surgery (out of compression and performing all normal exercise activities). However, if a rectus diastasis repair was performed, Dr. A will recommend avoiding intense abdominal bracing movements like heavy weightlifting, until 3 months after surgery, and with precautions. One of the biggest reasons for the tremendous growth in non-surgical or minimally-invasive body contouring procedures is the longer recovery involved with surgery. However the surgical result can not be replicated with these other technologies. Every month, Dr A works with patients who have high work / life demands, including parental responsibilities. Although individual recommendations may vary, most patients will need at least 2 weeks to recover from surgery prior to resuming less physically demanding work assignments, regular household chores and primary child care. Ideally the patient’s younger children do not need to be lifted routinely, and are able to climb in and out of their car seat without help. Most patients benefit from the assistance of a spouse or partner for the first week, and a family member for the second week.
Can I get other surgery procedures like breast surgery or arm/thigh lift, at the same time as my tummy tuck?
Yes, it is common to combine procedures as there is usually less total expense and only one postoperative recovery period. Additionally, patients will have a much more profound body makeover. The most common procedures performed with a tummy tuck plastic surgery are breast surgeries (breast augmentation, breast lift, augmentation mastopexy or fat transfer to the breasts) and is commonly described as a "mommy makeover". However, there are drawbacks to combining procedures and it may not be ideal for all patients. The complications from combined surgeries is slightly higher than doing the procedures independently especially for blood clots. Dr. William Albright, one of the best surgeons for tummy tuck surgery, and he will assess these risks and will be happy to give you his honest opinion.
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Originally published on https://www.alamoplasticsurgery.com/surgical-procedures/female-tummy-tuck-san-antonio-tx
