Tips to a Successful Tummy Tuck

Tummy tucks are becoming a popular cosmetic procedure to trim and smooth one’s midsection. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 129,753 tummy tucks were performed in 2017 alone, which is a 2% increase from the prior year.

If you are considering this life-changing procedure to improve your appearance and boost your confidence, you should understand the process of this procedure, which may help you have a better experience and successful outcome. The following tips are provided to you by one of Manhattan’s top-rated plastic surgeons, Dr. B. Aviva Preminger.

Basics of a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is clinically referred to as abdominoplasty, which is a procedure that reshapes and flattens the abdominal area while tightening the abdomen muscles. By removing excess skin and fat, and tightening the abdominal muscles, your surgeon can help you achieve a firmer and tighter midsection.

Different Types of Tummy Tucks

There are several different types of tummy tucks, and which one you choose will depend on various factors. During your tummy tuck consultation in Manhattan with Dr. Preminger, she will assess your health, and your desires for an improved appearance of your midsection, to determine which tummy tuck procedure is right for you.

Full or classic tummy tucks improves the appearance of the midsection both above and below the navel. This surgical approach is ideal to even out the overall roundness of the abdominal area. There will be one incision made above the pubic area, with the possibility of a second incision at the belly button. Results are natural looking and provide a firmer midsection.

Mini tummy tucks are less extensive than the full version because a mini aims to improve the abdomen below the bellow button. Popular among women post-childbearing years, the mini tummy tuck can eliminate the “pooch” and stretch marks prone to the lower abdominal area after pregnancy. For this procedure, Dr. Preminger will also tighten loose abdominal muscles to provide you with a smoother, firmer tummy.

Extended tummy tucks involve a full tummy tuck of the abdominal area, as well as removing excess skin and fat from the hips and flanks. Both horizontal and vertical incisions are made in predetermined areas to allow your surgeon access to tighten abdominal muscles, as well as remove excess skin and fat tissue. An extended tummy tuck is ideal for someone who has had multiple pregnancies or for those who have lost a significant amount of weight and need an extra boost to tighten and firm their midsection.

Risks of a Tummy Tuck

As with any surgical procedure, tummy tucks come with their own set of risks. It is important to discuss risks of the procedure with your surgeon, but risks may include bleeding, swelling, numbness, skin discoloration, skin loss, and fluid accumulation. Choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon in Manhattan will help minimize these risks, as well as following any post-op care instructions provided to you by your doctor.

Is a tummy tuck right for me?

This is really a question that only you can answer for yourself. The biggest factor in deciding if a tummy tuck is right for you is making sure that you are doing it for you and not for someone else or to impress your significant other. Also, there are some medical and physical factors to consider in determining whether you are a candidate for this procedure.

Ideal candidates should:

• Have weak or stretched abdominal muscles
• Have excess or loose skin or fat in the abdomen
• Be at a stable weight
• Be in good overall health
• Be a nonsmoker
• Have realistic expectations about the overall outcome of the procedure

Your surgeon will discuss these factors with you during your consultation, which is also an ideal time to ask any questions that you may have.

Recovery

There will be some downtime expected following a tummy tuck. Plan on taking the first full week following your surgery to rest and recover. Compression garments will be provided by your surgeon, and are to be worn as advised to help facilitate healing. In some instances, a drain tube may need to be placed to allow excess blood or fluid to drain. Your surgeon will provide you with a specific list of post-op recovery instructions that you should follow such as drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy diet of fruits and veggie, get plenty of rest, and how to take care of your surgical site. Keep in mind that scarring is inevitable with this type of procedure, and will depend on the location and type of incisions as to their severity. Dr. Preminger is an expert surgeon that knows just how to make incisions in areas, as well as recommend special creams that you can apply, to minimize the appearance of scars.

Tummy Tuck in Manhattan

If you would like to seek advice on receiving a tummy tuck, please contact Dr. B. Aviva Preminger. Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, Preminger Plastic Surgery is a boutique practice dedicated to serving all of your aesthetic plastic surgery needs. Dr. B. Aviva Preminger’s goal with all of her patients is to provide you with a truly individualized treatment plan that reflects your personal cosmetic surgery goals. For more information, please call us at 866-201-9828.