So you have scheduled your tummy tuck surgery, but are interested to know what you can expect with a tummy tuck to help you feel best prepared and ease any nerves? The team at The Lett center are here to break down what you can expect with a tummy tuck, how to have a smooth recovery, and things to look for that may warrant a phone call or visit your surgeon’s office.
Deciding to undergo a tummy tuck is an exciting time, as many look to tummy tucks to regain confidence or meet any specific aesthetic goals they may have. With the right plastic surgeon, realistic expectations, and a clear understanding of the procedure you should most likely feel thrilled with your results!
Let’s take a look at what you can anticipate for pre-, during, and post- tummy tuck procedure.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is an invasive procedure that removes excess skin on the abdomen, to tighten and contour the appearance of the stomach. There are two types of tummy tucks, a full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck. The former focuses on the entire abdomen, while the latter focuses on the portion of the abdomen below the belly button.
The procedure is performed by a plastic surgeon lifting the abdomen skin, pulling it down past the pubic bone, and removing the excess skin. Many patients look to tummy tucks if they have lost weight, but have stubborn fat on their abdomen or women who have been pregnant and looking to tighten that area of the body.
Whichever type of tummy tuck you decide to undergo, the key is to ensure your procedure is performed by a skilled, and board certified plastic surgeon. Tummy tucks are an investment, and not something worth cutting corners on, be it financial or with a surgeon.
What to Expect with a Tummy Tuck
With a tummy tuck, mini or full, there are a lot of moving parts, quite literally! It is important to know what goes into this procedure so that you feel prepared and ready for the preparation and healing process.
Preparation for a Tummy Tuck Procedure
After your consultation with your provider, and the procedure date is set, you will want to follow pre-procedure requirements from your surgeon. These can be:
- Meeting Weight Requirements: Since tummy tucks are not considered a weight loss solution, you will want to try to meet your goal weight and be able to maintain it for a few months. If you find yourself having difficulty losing weight beyond lifestyle changes, consider weight loss injections such as Ozempic that can help you reach your goals.
- Having Appropriate Transportation: Be sure that you have someone who can either take you to and from the surgery clinic, or somehow who can drive you home safely. You will most likely be able to drive once you have been cleared by your surgeon, are no longer on prescription pain medication, and if you are comfortable with driving.
- Avoiding or Stopping Certain Medications: Your surgeon may recommend that you stop taking medications which are usually aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs. Based on what medication(s) you’re taking and the reason for, your surgeon will be able to provide you with the right timeline as to when you should stop taking them and when you can resume your medications.
- Stock Up and Pack: Be sure to have all the right supplies you will need to recover comfortably while at home following your surgery. This can include things like extra pillows or blankets for comfort, clothing that is comfortable for you and easy to take on and off, and any additional supplies your surgeon may suggest like gauze or compression bandages/clothing. It can also be helpful to have your overnight bag packed and ready to go if you anticipate needing to stay the night at the clinic following your tummy tuck. Again, this will be based on a variety of factors such as certain health concerns, or if additional cosmetic procedures are performed with your tummy tuck.
- Following Any and All Surgeon Guidelines: Your surgeon will typically provide you with a paper that provides all guidelines and instructions to follow before your surgery. This can include when to avoid eating, drinking, what time to arrive, and other miscellaneous tips. It will be crucial that you follow each guideline they provide you with so that you can be assured you will have a successful and comfortable tummy tuck procedure. If you come across any questions, never hesitate to reach out to your surgeon for further clarity.
The Process During a Tummy Tuck Surgery
Tummy tuck surgeries have been around for decades and have evolved to be very straightforward procedures for the most part. When the time comes to undergo your tummy tuck here is a timeline of what happens:
- Mark Ups and Anesthesia: Once you arrive, don your hospital gown, and are cleared for your procedure your surgeon may “mark up” with a marking pen on your abdomen first. This serves as a general map for where your surgeon should “nip and tuck.” From here, your surgeon will give you general anesthesia so that you sleep throughout the procedure, unable to feel any pain during the tummy tuck.
- Incisions Made: Your plastic surgeon will make incisions on the abdomen along the lines they had initially mapped. Most of the time this incision is on the lower abdomen, below the belly button, but above the pubic bone.
- Lifting and Removal of Skin: Once the correct incisions are made, the surgeon will lift the skin, and pull it down towards and past the pubic bone. The excess skin that is pulled over the pubic bone will be removed.
- Repositioning of the Belly Button: Depending on if your tummy tuck is a full or mini, the surgeon may have to reposition the belly button. This is common for a full tummy tuck and is important to keep the abdomen looking natural in appearance with the belly button placed appropriately.
- Drainage Tubes and Closures: For optimal recovery, your surgeon may place drainage tubes to help with fluid drainage and build up, but is not always necessary. Most surgeons use sutures, staples, or glue to close up the incisions.
- Additional Cosmetic Procedures: At this point your surgeon may perform additional cosmetic procedures if that has been requested. It is common for there to be multiple cosmetic procedures alongside a tummy tuck which many women opt for when looking for a “Mommy Makeover.”
Full tummy tuck surgeries can be performed anywhere between 2 hours to 5 hours, just depending on how much is worked on and if additional procedures are performed. Once you wake up from anesthesia, then your recovery timeline starts.
Following a Tummy Tuck Surgery
Post-tummy tuck surgery it is completely normal to experience soreness, bruising, and discomfort around the abdomen. Your surgeon will also provide you with clear guidelines to follow after your surgery so that you can ensure your recovery is smooth and successful. Some common recovery guidelines after a tummy tuck include:
- Quality Rest and Hydration: It is crucial during this time that you get rest so that your body can better recover from surgery. In addition, hydration is helpful with fluid retention that causes swelling.
- Proper Diet: During the recovery phase it is also helpful to focus on nutrient rich meals that can aid in the recovery process. Think of foods that help with inflammation such as berries, citrus fruits, and foods with omega-3s.
- Light Walking: Your surgeon may recommend light walking a week out from surgery, as this can also help with swelling and promotes blood circulation.
- Avoiding Strenuous Exercise: In the recovery process from a tummy tuck surgery it will be important to avoid strenuous exercises, especially in those first few weeks following surgery. If you are part of an active lifestyle, check in with your surgeon to determine when you can get back into that rhythm.
Ultimately, you will want to follow your surgeon’s direct guidelines for recovering from a tummy tuck surgery. If you have any questions, or are unclear about certain directions, do not hesitate to contact your clinic for clarification.
Severe Side Effects Following a Tummy Tuck
While most tummy tucks are successful, especially with a reputable, board-certified plastic surgeon, there are certain risks to be aware of. Some severe side effects and risks associated with tummy tucks include:
- Infection: Since this is a major surgery there is a higher risk of infection. You will want to contact your surgeon if you believe you have an infection at the incision sight if it’s associated with warmth, redness, pus, or increased pain and swelling. Infection does not occur often in tummy tuck patients if the post surgery guidelines are followed, it is something to be aware of.
- Blood Clots: While not too common, blood clotting is a potential risk with a tummy tuck surgery. Signs of blood clotting to look out for include pain, swelling, warmth in the leg, thigh, or lower extremities. If you find yourself with these symptoms alongside shortness of breath or chest pain, you will want to contact emergency services and your surgeon as soon as possible.
Additional risks included with tummy tucks include scaring or poor wound healing. To better avoid these complications its best to not cut corners when finding a plastic surgeon. Certification, experience, and education are paramount when seeking out a plastic surgeon for this invasive procedure.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
There are quite a few factors that play into making someone the ideal candidate for a tummy tuck. First, many women look to tummy tucks to restore the appearance of their abdomen following a pregnancy or multiple pregnancies. Since the skin and muscles are stretched during pregnancy, they may not also go back to how they were after giving birth. However, if a patient undergoes a tummy tuck, then gets pregnant, they may need another tummy tuck surgery following their pregnancy as the skin will be stretched once again.
Individuals who have also undergone weight loss, have met their weight goal, but are dealing with stubborn, loose abdominal skin can also benefit from a tummy tuck.
Tummy Tucks in Nashville, Tennessee
At The Lett Center our focus is to restore confidence through aesthetic and cosmetic procedures for all our patients. With over a decade of plastic surgery experience, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Dwayne Lett would be happy to connect with you to answer any and all questions you may have regarding a tummy tuck surgery. Beyond tummy tuck procedures, we also offer:
Ready to meet and see your aesthetic goals come to life? Then contact our office in Mt. Juliet today to learn more about your options and the next steps you can take with the help of The Lett Center.
Disclaimer: Dr. Lett & The Lett Center for Plastic Surgery, Mt. Juliet, TN. The information on this site is intended for general purposes only and is not intended to nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The photos on this website are not intended to represent the results that every patient can expect. Surgical results are not guaranteed and can vary greatly from patient to patient.