What to Expect with a Tummy Tuck

Whether it is from childbirth, fluctuations in weight or just the natural aging process, physical changes often manifest around our middle. Changing the appearance of the stomach can be easier said than done; even exercise and diet may not be enough to achieve having a flat stomach and curvaceous waist.  Luckily, hope is at hand. Experienced, plastic surgeons like Manhattan’s B. Aviva Preminger, MD, can perform a tummy tuck. Also known as an abdominoplasty, this procedure sculpts the waistline and makes the stomach smooth A tummy tuck also can repair muscles that are damaged or weakened, tightening the stomach even further.

Here is more information on what you can expect from a tummy tuck:

• If you have a tummy tuck, you are undergoing a major surgery that will require significant recovery time. In addition to taking time off from work after a tummy tuck, you also will need to arrange help with household tasks and children for at least two to three weeks following the procedure. Any strenuous physical activity needs to be postponed for a minimum of four to six weeks after an abdominoplasty. You also can expect to have a drain put in place immediately following the operation. These drains help prevent accumulation of blood or fluids, while also minimizing swelling and helping the overall healing process. Your surgeon should go through the maintenance process for your drain, as well as any limitations the drain places on bathing.
• Remember, a tummy tuck is not considered a substitute for weight loss. In fact, you should be close to your desired weight at the time of the procedure—and should remain close to that weight for at least six months before the surgery. Most plastic surgeons recommend that patients be within 10 to 15 pounds of their goal weight. After a tummy tuck, gaining or losing significant weight can undo the results of the procedure; fluctuations in weight may stretch your abdominal tissues and even require another abdominoplasty to restore the results of the initial procedure, which will force you to go through the entire process all over again.
• Having a tummy tuck will leave you with a permanent scar. This incision will stretch from hip to hip, immediately above the pubic bone. An experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Preminger knows how to place this incision in a strategic location so that it remains concealed by underwear, clothing, and swimsuit bottoms.
• You will not be able to notice the benefits of a tummy tuck right away. In fact, your stomach may look worse at first; redness, bruising, stiffness, and swelling are common symptoms immediately following an abdominoplasty. After about four to six weeks, you will begin to see the results, although residual swelling may linger for six or more months. It can take as long as a full calendar year before your body completes the entire healing process and the full results of your surgery will be visible.

Abdominoplasty in Manhattan

Remember that this is a surgical procedure and, like any surgery, you should do your research so that you understand the benefits and risks. It is also important to choose a well-trained, board-certified surgeon with significant experience performing this procedure. Not only is Dr. Preminger, Ivy League-educated and board-certified, but also she specializes in the abdominoplasty. To learn more about the tummy tuck or any of the other cosmetic procedures offered at Preminger Plastic Surgery, call our office at (866) 201-9828.

Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Preminger Plastic Surgery is proud to offer world-class services in plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery to patients throughout New York City.