Do you feel like your belly is out of place with the rest of your body? Are you unhappy with the shape of your body and it is keeping you from wearing the clothes you love?
Many people are dissatisfied with the look of their abdomen, especially following weight loss or pregnancy, which can leave you with stretch marks and sagging skin. In these cases, diet and exercise can only do so much to get you back to a flat stomach. If you are someone looking for a more reliable solution, a tummy tuck in Memphis may be the right body contouring option for you.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a major form of plastic surgery that involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen, and the tightening of underlying connective tissues or fascia. They are performed in a hospital or accredited outpatient surgical facilities. Because tummy tucks involve the removal of excess skin and the rebuilding of underlying connective tissue, patients in Memphis must undergo general anesthesia during the procedure and should expect a six-to-eight-week recovery period.
This procedure should not be seen as a substitute for diet or an appropriate exercise program.
During a typical tummy tuck procedure, Dr. Sarah Hammond will make a long incision above your pubic bone that stretches from one hip bone to the other. If you have had a previous C-section, she may also make the incision along your existing C-section scar. With this initial incision, she can remove excess fat and tighten underlying connective tissues.
To remove excess skin, Dr. Hammond will pull the skin downwards and excise any skin that overlaps with the incision, which is essential for creating a flat, taut belly. She will make an additional incision that circles the belly button as well, then suture your incisions closed and, in some circumstances, temporarily insert small tubes under the skin to allow for post-operative drainage.
There are certain contraindications to having a tummy tuck. Frequent weight fluctuations and the desire to get pregnant are the top reasons to postpone having this procedure. Since abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure that involves trauma to healthy tissue, you should also stop smoking and be cleared for other conditions that might impact the healing process. Having significant scarred tissue from previous abdominal surgeries is also not ideal when getting a tummy tuck.
Because it is a major surgery, you should only consider a tummy tuck procedure if you have the support and time needed for a safe and full recovery. A full recovery from a tummy tuck requires about eight weeks, with most patients able to return to daily activities at six weeks. This means that for the first month and a half after surgery, your main job will be to relax and allow the surgical area to heal. Not everyone can devote this much time to an elective surgery. If you are serious about getting a tummy tuck in Memphis, you must be certain you can adjust your schedule to give yourself time to heal.
Additionally, a tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be removed.
If you are generally healthy, have a stable weight, and do not plan to have more children, you are a candidate for a tummy tuck. To ensure a successful procedure and a speedy recovery, you should discuss any previous or ongoing conditions you might have with Dr. Hammond during a consultation.
If you are fed up with your muffin top, and diet and exercise are not having an impact, a tummy tuck might be an option for you to look and feel your best. Tummy tucks reliably result in a flat, taut belly with scars that are carefully placed to minimize visibility.
This major surgery that should only be performed by licensed and experienced professionals. Dr. Sarah Hammond is board-certified and will work with you to give you the best possible outcome. If you are seriously considering a tummy tuck in Memphis, call our office and book a consultation today.
