Tummy tucks (normally referred to as abdominoplasty) are becoming more and more popular these days due to the obvious benefits that appear. The problem is that there are so many misconceptions that appear. Some people will tell you that the procedure is really dangerous, which is not the case, although some risks and side effects have to be understood. Others will simply go in for a tummy tuck and not properly prepare for the procedure. Because of this, we do need to understand the reality of these two aspects related to abdominoplasty.
Preparing For The Surgery
For starters, if you are a smoker, you do need to stop for a period of time that is determined by the doctor before the surgery. Contrary to popular belief, cutting down will simply not be enough. In most cases the surgeon will tell you to stop for a minimum of 2 weeks before the surgery and then keep the habit for a minimum of two weeks after the tummy tuck. That is due to the fact that smoking will increase complication risks and will delay healing.
Before the surgery happens, you will need to avoid excessive diets but you do need a really well-balanced nutrition plan. Proper healing is automatically connected with proper nutrition. In the event that you take medication, including alternative and complementary medicine, you will have to talk with the doctor to see if you can continue or alternatives have to be considered.
One thing that many do not know is that your home will need to be prepared for caring before the tummy tuck surgery. It is important to have a home recovery area set up, one that will include:
- Comfortable, loose clothing that you can easily take off and on
- Ice packs
- A telephone placed in a reaching distance
- Petroleum jelly for the incision sites
- Bathroom chair
- Hand-held shower
Alternatively, you can arrange for post-surgery care at the facility where the procedure is done.
Tummy Tuck Risks And Potential Side Effects
Just as with all operations, you can expect swelling and pain to appear after the surgery. Doctors can prescribe painkiller for use when they are needed and you will be told how pain can be handled. Soreness around incision spots can last for weeks or months, based on your body. The same thing can be said about overall tiredness, bruising and numbness.
When referring to complications, the good news is that they are quite rare. They include bleeding, infection, blood clots travelling to lungs and insufficient healing, which can lead to more skin loss and scarring. Complication risks increase when you suffer from liver, lung or heart diseases, have a history of blood clot development or your circulation is poor. In the event that healing does not happen properly, another surgery will be needed.
The last thing that we should mention is that tummy tuck scars can fade slightly but they will always be prominent. They simply never disappear. Surgeons usually recommend ointments and creams that have to be used after healing is complete so that you can be helped get rid of scars.