A tummy tuck is cosmetic surgery procedure that will tighten the muscles, remove loose skin and fat from the abdomen making it look flat and toned.
This procedure is most common with mums to allow them to restore their figure after having children, abdominoplasty is also a viable option for people who have recently gone through extreme weight loss.
Statistics show that there was a rapid increase in the procedure from the periods of 2000 – 2014 with an 87% rise, most of the operations were for cosmetic reasons, however there are medical benefits that can be gained.
How to regain control of your bladder
After having a child some women develop Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), this is a bladder control problem that occurs when coughing, exercising, laughing and sneezing.
Most SUI is treated without the use of surgery, but for patients that require more care a tummy tuck would be ideal for a quicker recovery, while going through this process a slight bladder obstruction is created using soft tissue around the pelvic area, reducing the lack of control.
More defined abdominal tone and straighter posture
In the case of extreme weight loss and numerous pregnancies, stomach muscles become inflated, something diet and exercise can’t remove. Having a tummy tuck will surgically tighten the muscles, while removing excess skin and fat to flatten the abdomen.
Weak abdominal muscles are often associated with lordosis, After the surgery patients may notice a better stance within their posture, this is thanks to the tightened muscles supporting the spinal area. The support from this can have a positive effect on relieving specific back pains.
Ventral Hernia Correction Surgery
This is a type scarring which occurs from extreme weight loss, C-sections and appendectomies, it leaves behind a sack or pocket.
Ventral Hernia Correction is a very similar surgery to the abdominoplasty. Both of the different surgeries strengthen abdominal muscles and put pressure onto the skin. No matter what the cause is (weight loss or pregnancy) a weak abdominal will allow a hernia to form.
If you do develop a ventral hernia is can be common for the problem to occur twice, most surgeons will explain the benefits of abdominoplasty surgery to help strengthen the abdominal wall and prevent future occurrences. Having both the surgeries done around the same time can be more practical, reduce medical expenses and decrease recovery time.
Risks and Benefits
The tummy tuck is becoming increasingly popular procedure, however it is important for patients to realise that this is still a major operation. The operation will take anywhere from 1 hour to 5 hours on the operating table.
A normal abdominoplasty will remove 10 pounds of fat from the stomach, done by disconnecting the skin from the underlying tissue, suturing the abdominal tissue and cutting away any excess skin. The recovery process from this will take quite a few weeks, and just like most surgeries there is a risk of infection and other complications.
The benefits of a tummy tuck can be appealing to most people. Patients that are interested should discuss the procedure with their surgeon and take into mind all the advice before deciding whether to undergo the surgery.
