One of the most common experiences after tummy tuck surgery is tightness in the abdominal area. This sensation is a natural result of the skin and muscles being tightened during the procedure. Tightness typically peaks within the first few weeks and can last for several months as your body continues to heal.
Tummy tuck tightness should begin to improve within a few weeks after your procedure. Plan to take around two weeks off work and six weeks off intense exercise to heal after a tummy tuck. For some people, it can take 6 to 12 weeks for all tightness and other related sensations to diminish.
Muscle Weakness
During a tummy tuck, the plastic surgeon tightens the skin and may also repair the abdominal muscles; however, if the underlying muscles are not sufficiently strengthened over time, they may not provide the support needed to maintain a flat appearance.
A tummy tuck also doesn't make you immune to weight gain and further stretching in the future. You need to maintain the results we provide you and avoid gaining weight again. This means that you need to be sure you're done having children before you opt for an abdominoplasty.
The first three weeks after surgery are critical to the skin/fat layer reattaching to the fascia/muscle layer. If the two layers don't reconnect, there can be a permanent space that will fill with fluid (Seroma).
It is not uncommon for patients to experience some loose or wrinkled skin after a tummy tuck, especially if they had significant weight loss or if they had excess skin for a long period.
The recuperation process following rhinoplasty, frequently referred to as a nose job, presents a recovery challenge. Patients commonly experience discomfort in the facial and neck areas. Rhinoplasty is often considered the hardest plastic surgery procedures to recovery from.
Tissue damage.
During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within the skin in the abdominal area might get damaged or die. Smoking raises the risk of tissue damage. Depending on the size of the area, the tissue might heal on its own or another surgery may be needed.
As such, muscle repair IS NOT always necessary with a tummy tuck. In fact, many patients contemplating a tummy tuck will benefit greatly from not having muscle repair, as they will pay less for the procedure and have significantly less downtime as they recover from the surgery.
Insurance Coverage for Tummy Tucks
Functional Impairment – if excess skin or abdominal wall laxity causes significant functional limitations, such as difficulty walking, chronic skin irritation, or back pain, insurance may consider covering the procedure.
Will my stomach be completely flat after tummy tuck? In some cases, the answer is yes, but this will depend on how much excess fat and skin are present to begin with, how much underlying musculature the patient has, and other factors.
How long does post tummy tuck swelling last? Many patients experience post-surgical swelling that peaks within the first few days after surgery and gradually decreases over the next several weeks. Mild swelling can persist for up to 6 months as the body continues its healing process.
Though its primary function is to tighten the belly, some fat will likely be removed during a tummy tuck. But, if you have a full tummy tuck, in which the incision extends from hip bone to hip bone, you may still find you have fat on your sides or “flanks” and even along the lower back—those pesky muffin tops.
Swelling is usually the main reason why your tummy may not look flat during recovery. As this resolves, the tummy will begin to show its new shape with little visible swelling left within three to four months. However, it can take one full year for your final results to appear.
Compression garments are recommended following several types of plastic surgery, including tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and liposuction procedures. They should generally be worn full-time – even when sleeping – over the first 6 weeks post-op.
Beldholm's experience, patients often say they start feeling “normal” again by three months post-op. But even at this stage, there is ongoing swelling and the scar is still red. Keep reading to find out more about what to expect as you recover from abdominoplasty.
In other words, a tummy tuck can't replace the benefits of regular exercise for developing muscle tone and definition. However, one of the best advantages of a tummy tuck is that it makes it easier to achieve washboard abs if that's your main goal.
If the condition causes significant pain, functional limitations, or is associated with a hernia, insurance may cover part or all of the surgery. However, if the procedure is primarily for cosmetic reasons, it is unlikely to be covered.
After the surgery, the patient will be required to stay overnight in the clinic. The level of pain experienced during a tummy tuck varies based on individual pain tolerance. Some discomfort can be expected following the procedure, with the most intense discomfort occurring within the first week.
Blood clots and fluid buildup after a tummy tuck can be dangerous and need immediate attention. Severe pain beyond normal discomfort could mean infection, nerve damage, or other serious complications. Poor scarring after a tummy tuck may result from improper care, genetics, or surgical technique.
Will fat come back after liposuction and tummy tuck? The fat cells that are removed via liposuction during a tummy tuck will not return, but this doesn't necessarily mean the cosmetic results are permanent. Weight gain can generate new fat cells and cause the remaining fat cells to become enlarged.
Strengthening the abdominal wall also helps improve comfort and balance, and can help ensure ideal posture as you age. This is just as important for people in their 20s as people 50 and older, making tummy tuck a suitable treatment for ideal candidates of all ages.
Disc surgeries of the spine have a failure rate greater than 50%. 10% of patients experience a worsening of symptoms after surgical intervention.
Full abdominoplasty can be accompanied by significant pain and discomfort, which can last for several days and is considered by many, the most painful plastic surgery that can be endured.