Tummy Tuck Procedure    

The Basics Of A Tummy Tuck Procedure

A tummy tuck procedure, is basically an elective, cosmetic surgery. The tummy tuck procedure removes unwanted skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the muscles and skin left behind. Females who have given birth and those who have lost a considerable amount of weight in a short period of time often seek this surgery because they have stretched or loose skin that no amount of working out can eliminate.

To be considered a candidate for a tummy tuck procedure you need to be healthy and in relatively good shape. If you�re a woman considering becoming pregnant later on, you should put off getting a tummy tuck. The risk of tightened vertical muscles breaking while pregnant is far too great.

As with any surgery, there is a considerable amount of risk to the patient. Countless successful tummy tucks are done every year. The surgeries performed by qualified plastic surgeons with body contouring experience are by and large the ones with the most positive outcomes. However, there is the risk for developing a post-surgical blood clot. Immediate but non-rigorous movement after surgery can help to reduce such a risk. There is also the risk for infection and could lead to a round of antibiotics or the need for drainage, and add to the time you'll need to heal.

A tummy tuck procedure takes between two to five hours. The surgeon creates a long incision just above the pubic area from one hip to the other hip. A second incision is made to pull the navel away from the body. The cosmetic surgeon pulls the skin away from the abdominal wall up to the patient's rib area in order to expose the vertical muscles. The doctor then tightens these vertical muscles by pulling them and stitching them more closely to one another. This makes the abdominal wall firmer and waistline narrower. The skin flap is pulled to fit the area and attached again. The surgeon then eliminates any excess skin. A hole for the new navel is cut and attached with stitches. Lastly the site is dressed and a short-term drainage tube might be inserted as well.