If loose skin and sagging around your belly have you feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable with your body, but no amount of dieting or exercise is fixing it, it may be time to consider a tummy tuck. This is a common cosmetic procedure undergone by well over 100,000 women and men each year in order for them to achieve a flatter, firmer midsection. Finding the right time to have this procedure can be challenging, though, so to help you plan, Dr. Ortiz, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Raleigh, is sharing some tips on when it’s the best time to get a tummy tuck.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
Also called an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a procedure to repair damaged or separated abdominal muscles and remove loose skin from the abdomen. After removing excess skin and reshaping the abdominal muscles, the result is a more contoured midsection without the sagging or protruding often caused by age, pregnancy, or weight loss.
Choosing the Right Time to Get a Tummy Tuck
In order to get the proper results and maintain them, let’s look at when it’s the right time to schedule your procedure.
You’re Maintaining a Healthy, Stable Weight
If you are still working to lose weight, you should wait until you’ve reached a healthy, stable weight to have a tummy tuck. Losing additional weight can lead to more excess skin and sagging and gaining can stretch out the skin and muscles all over again. Instead, have the procedure when you’ve reached your target weight in order to get the most accurate, long-lasting results (and to celebrate your hard work).
You’ve Quit Nicotine
We’ve talked numerous times about the dangers of using nicotine before or after plastic surgery. Nicotine slows down circulation and can prevent healthy, oxygen-rich blood from nourishing tissues which can slow down or prevent healing. Vaping or smoking can increase your risk of serious complications including tissue necrosis and blood clots.
You’re Done Having Children
Many women choose to have a tummy tuck after having a baby to repair damaged abdominal muscles and get their pre-baby body back. If you have abdominoplasty and then plan on having more children, it may undo the procedure by stretching the skin, damaging and weakening abdominal muscles, and leaving fat deposits around the belly. Instead, it’s best to wait until you are done having children to have this procedure done.
You Can Take Time Off Work
While a tummy tuck is a safe, commonly performed procedure, it does require time to heal. We recommend taking around 10 to 14 days off work generally in order to give your incisions time to properly heal, reduce post-procedure complications, and give you time to get up and moving at a comfortable pace. Make sure you have vacation time or sick time accrued and you have help with children and housework before scheduling your tummy tuck.
Schedule a Consultation for a Tummy Tuck in Raleigh
If you are considering a tummy tuck and would like to start your journey to getting a flatter, firm midsection, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ortiz today. He will help you determine if abdominoplasty is right for you and how to prepare for the procedure. Call us today at (919) 532-2270 or fill out the form below to get started.