Abdominoplasty” can be done as early as 6 weeks after pregnancy, but unless you have someone reliable to help with the baby, it’s best to wait 6 months to give your body time to recover from the pregnancy and delivery. If diet and exercise have not helped flatten your stomach, a tummy tuck can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen, giving you flatter and firmer stomach.

Otherwise known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a operative method intended to make the abdominal region look better. By getting rid of the extra fat and skin and reducing the muscles of the abdomen, the tummy is made flat. Usually the price of a tummy tuck is not covered by insurance, although in some situations, such as spreading of the anterior muscles or a hernia, insurance may cover a portion of the cost.

Seek specific instructions from your surgeon. Most patients are able to drive after about 2 weeks. It is unsafe to drive while still on narcotic medications and recovering from surgery.

The same rules of heavy lifting apply to picking up your child; this can cause disruption of your muscle tightening procedures.

A tummy tuck can be performed once you have recovered from your pregnancy; however, it is not advisable for women needing to frequently lift a young baby. It is preferable to wait until you have strong family support is in place and the immediate need to lift your child has passed.

How long you will need to take off work depends on your general fitness and the extent of your surgery. If you feel well, you may return to light work in one to three weeks. Heavy lifting requires a month or more of recovery.

Tummy tuck results can be extremely long-term. By eating well and remaining in good physical shape you can preserve it.

Even though times are different depending on each individuals situation, the common tummy tuck surgery can be anywhere from two to five hours long.

If anesthesia is used for the operation then it should not be hurt. You will, however, feel uncomfortable and have some tenderness. Your surgeon will provide you with medicine for these symptoms.

The panniculectomy or tummy tuck removes the excess skin and fat from the abdomen as well as tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. Liposuction of the abdominal region removes deposits of excess fat only. Liposuction is a less invasive procedure than the panniculectomy.

This partial procedure removes excess skin in a smaller area of the belly (just the lower part of the abdomen) than with a complete abdominoplasty. Unlike in a full abdominoplasty, the belly button is usually not moved. The surgeon may tighten the abdominal muscles along with removing skin and fat. A mini-abdominoplasty can give very good results.

Tummy tucks are often associated with a scar from hip bone to hip bone. In this procedure, the belly button is repositioned causing a small scar surrounding it. Although the lower abdominal/pubic scar is usually covered when a bathing suit is worn, the scars are visible without clothes. The scars will fade with time.

Recovery time is different for each individual. Some, within two to four weeks, can go back to work after the operation, however laborious work should be delayed for four to six weeks after.

Danger can be involved with many types of surgeries. During tummy tuck surgery, the possible problems that can happen are: bleeding under the skin flap, blood clotting, prominent scarring, a virus, slow healing, loss of skin, and the requirement for additional surgery.

Usually for a tummy tuck a lengthy cut is made right over the pubic region and runs across to each hipbone. Another cut is typically around the belly button, too. If you're getting a partial abdominoplasty than the belly button is not cut and the opening over the pubic region is considerably shorter. The resulting scars will become paler and smooth out over a period of time.

If you are in good health and have hanging abdominal skin or a fat deposit that is large and doesn't go away with exercise and eating right then you may be a good person for getting a tummy tuck. Some women after being pregnant or after gaining a large amount of weight will predominantly have an advantage from getting the operation.

Yes, your tummy tuck results will change should you get pregnant. Pregnancy can take apart the tightening of the vertical muscles which is done during the procedure. If you plan on getting pregnant then it's best to wait until afterwards to get the operation.

If the stretch marks are in the lower abdomen region, then a tummy tuck generally will get rid of them, however other stretch marks may not be removed. For an example, on the upper abdomen, stretch marks can be relocated further down, but they could become visually smoother and flatter. Spalding Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology | 120 S. Spalding Drive, Suite 315 | Beverly Hills, CA 90212