What to Expect Before and After Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tuck surgery is performed to remove excess skin and fat around the abdomen, when diet and exercise has failed to achieve the desired results. Tummy tucks are popular with moms after they give birth and with patients who have recently undergone a major weight loss or who simply have a genetic predisposition to excess abdominal skin and fat. If you decide with your cosmetic surgeon that a tummy tuck is right for you, here is what you can expect before and after the procedure.

Before the Surgery

Before your tummy tuck, your cosmetic surgeon will review your medical records with you and determine if you are a good candidate for surgery. Because tummy tucks are performed under general anesthesia, it is important for your surgeon to review your medical history to see if you have any conditions that could make anesthesia unsafe for you.

Your cosmetic surgeon will also ensure that you are at a healthy weight and will ask questions about your future plans to lose weight or become pregnant. Since a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure, it is best to have the surgery performed after you have reached your goal weight, as further weight loss after surgery could cause new loose skin. Likewise, pregnancy can re-stretch the skin, so your surgeon may recommend that you wait to have a tummy tuck until you are done having children.

After the Surgery

Most tummy tucks are performed as outpatient procedures, but some patients do require an overnight hospital stay. You will receive pain medication after surgery to manage your discomfort, and you will need to wear a compression garment until your surgeon says that it is no longer necessary. You will need to rest for approximately 48 hours before you start moving around. Generally, recovery takes about six weeks.

Could a tummy tuck be right for you? Make an appointment at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates to find out. During a consultation with one of our cosmetic surgeons in Oklahoma City, OK, you can learn more about all of our procedures so you can determine which ones can help you reach your treatment goals. To book your appointment, call (405) 546-2702.