Abdominoplasty, otherwise known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure designed to improve the appearance and functionality of the abdominal region. At Real Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery in Moonee ponds, Victoria, Mr. Salerno offers this procedure. Today, we’re taking a closer look at how long the results of this procedure may last, who may qualify for it, and more.
How Long Do Abdominoplasty Results Last?
Abdominoplasty results may last for a lifetime, but individual results vary. During the procedure, a small amount of fat may be excised from the abdominal region. Since your body can’t grow new fat cells after you reach a certain age, there is a good chance that you do not need to worry about increasing the number of fat cells in the abdominal region once some of the fat cells are removed.
However, even if this procedure results in the slimming of your abdominal region, you should not expect the slimming effects of your abdominoplasty to last forever. By no means does this procedure result in the removal of all of the fat cells in the abdominal region. Any remaining fat cells have the potential to expand and fill with excess energy in the future.
How Long Loose Skin Results May Last
The loose skin tightening results of this procedure may last a long time. However, they may not last for the rest of your life. You may experience noticeable skin laxity as you age due to a slowdown in the production of supportive structures of the skin. Therefore, you may need a follow-up procedure as your skin continues to age and succumb to the constant force of gravity.
Now, you should be aware that you may be able to extend the longevity of the skin tightening results by taking steps to maintain the health of your skin. For example, your results may last longer if you protect your skin from abdominal damage, stay hydrated, and eat a mostly nutritious diet. Also, your results may last longer if you refrain from tobacco use and drink alcohol only in moderation.
How Long Excess Skin Removal May Last
Like loose skin tightening results, like excess skin removal results, may last for a very long time. However, it is possible for excess skin to become a problem in the future. Your skin grows new skin cells to accommodate extreme changes to your contours when you put on a lot of weight in a particular area, like your abdominal region. Therefore, if you put on a significant amount of abdominal fat after your procedure, you may end up with excess skin.
To help your skin removal results last for as long as possible, you should do your best to maintain your weight following your tummy tuck. Typically, it is advisable to gain no more than 10 pounds of fat following the operation. Also, pregnancy doesn’t always just stretch your skin. It can also cause so much abdominal fat gain that extra skin is grown. Therefore, you may need a follow-up procedure to remove excess skin after pregnancy.
How Long Muscle Tightening Results May Last
It is not unreasonable to expect the muscle tightening results of this procedure to last for a long time, but they may not last forever. For example, if you seek your abdominoplasty to tighten your pelvic floor muscles to treat stress urinary incontinence, you may need a follow-up procedure if your pelvic floor muscles weaken again following a pregnancy.
Similarly, you may need a follow-up muscle repair procedure if you develop a ventral hernia after seeking this procedure to repair torn abdominal muscles following an initial ventral hernia. Also, your abdominal muscles may weaken after your procedure if you do not exercise them weekly. However, if you do not get pregnant after your procedure and exercise your abdominal muscles regularly, your results may last for a very long time.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
You need to come in for a meeting with Mr. Salerno to determine definitively whether you are a good candidate for this procedure. However, there is a good chance that you will be deemed a good fit for this procedure if you are concerned about loose or excess abdominal skin, a small amount of excess abdominal fat, or the strength of your abdominal muscles.
Nevertheless, you should be aware that regardless of your aesthetic or medical concerns, you need to be in fairly good health to qualify for this procedure. Mr. Salerno will discuss your health history to help determine whether you are healthy enough to receive abdominoplasty. However, your health history isn’t the only important piece in the puzzle that he needs to determine your candidacy. You will also need to be healthy at the time of your procedure.
How Soon Can I Expect to See the Results of My Procedure?
You can expect to see the results of your procedure once your skin is done healing from the incisions made. How long this takes may be affected by the health of your skin, your adherence to post-operative guidelines, and the scope of the procedure. Typically, the results of a tummy tuck become apparent within a week or two of the procedure.
To help your skin heal as quickly as possible, it is highly advisable to wear your compression garment after your tummy tuck exactly as instructed. The longer you wear your compression garment for, the longer your circulation should be increased in your abdominal region. Since your circulatory system is responsible for delivering nutrients and growth factors throughout your body, you should see a shorter recovery period.
What Should I Expect During the Recovery Process?
During the first one to three days following your tummy tuck, you may feel exceptionally tired. Feeling very tired after any cosmetic procedure is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. If you feel your eyelids getting heavy, you should not fight to stay awake. You should nap whenever you feel too tired because adequate rest is essential for your recovery.
How long you feel particularly tired after your procedure depends on several factors, including the type of anesthesia you receive to keep you comfortable during your procedure. If you opt for a mini tummy tuck, you will probably receive local anesthesia and sedation to keep your abdominal region numb and keep you asleep. If you only receive local anesthesia and a gentle sedative, you may only feel tired for one day post-op.
An Additional Note
It is highly advisable to sleep on your back following your procedure to prevent too much pressure from being applied to your incisions. While the pressure from the compression garment may speed up your recovery process, you should not expect to enjoy a speedy recovery if you sleep on your stomach or side following your procedure.
Also, you should be aware that you should try your best to sleep for at least nine hours nightly. Most of your body’s healing occurs during the rapid eye movement phase of the sleep cycle. The length of your sleep cycle may be between 90 and 110 minutes, and the rapid eye movement phase of the sleep cycle is the final phase of the sleep cycle. Therefore, to get the most healing benefits out of sleep, you should sleep for nine hours and get six cycles.
Another Note
We strongly recommend that you have someone stay with you for a day or two after your tummy tuck. Since the medication used during the procedure may make you feel very tired, you may benefit from having someone to ensure you have plenty of water and food and a clean home.
Book Your First Appointment Today
It is possible for the results of a tummy tuck to last for a lifetime, but follow-up procedures may be necessary in the future. This procedure can be tailored to your unique goals, but it always is used in an attempt to correct the abdominal region. To find out whether you may be a good fit for this procedure, contact us today to book your initial evaluation with Mr. Salerno at Real Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery in Melbourne.
We have one office conveniently located on Derimutt Rd in Werribee, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne. We also have an office conveniently located in Moonee Ponds, one of Melbourne’s inner suburbs, just seven km northwest from the central business district. Just let us know when you book your initial evaluation which location you would prefer to meet at.
