5 Frequently Asked Questions about Tummy Tucks

There are many reasons you would start to consider having tummy tuck surgery (also known as abdominoplasty). Maybe you just finished having your last child and are unhappy with your post-pregnancy body, or maybe you recently lost a ton of weight and want to reward yourself with cosmetic surgery to show off those new results.

Whatever reason you have for considering tummy tuck surgery, you will likely have a ton of questions when you first start thinking about whether a tummy tuck is right for you. We found that most of our patients who come into Muse Plastic Surgery with a tummy tuck in mind usually have these five questions.   

1) How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?

This is a pretty standard question that most people have. After all, why wouldn’t you want to know exactly what was happening to your body during this procedure?  

A tummy tuck starts with general anesthesia. Then, a series of incisions are made low on the bikini line and around the belly button. Your surgeon will use these incisions to tighten abdominal muscles (when necessary) to address diastasis recti. After the muscle has been managed, Dr. Jones will redrape your abdominal skin, excising any excess to create a smooth, contoured appearance.

Your incisions are then closed via sutures or skin adhesives, and you are sent on your way to begin your recovery process. These steps may vary depending on your unique conditions, but this is generally what most patients can expect. 

2) Where Are Tummy Tuck Scars Located?

One of the biggest concerns about tummy tuck surgery is the extent and appearance of scarring. Luckily, Dr. Jones has a wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to tummy tuck procedures. He will make all of the incisions for your tummy tuck around your hips and pelvis inside the bikini line, which will be easily hidden by most undergarments and bathing suits. 

In some rare cases where the amount of correction needed is minimal, a mini tummy tuck can be performed instead of a traditional tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck requires significantly smaller incisions and consequently causes substantially less scarring. You can schedule a consultation to see if a mini tummy tuck is the right fit for your conditions. 

3) Is a Tummy Tuck Worth it?

There are some instances where patients may come to regret their surgery, but these are usually cases like breast or butt augmentation where a drastically new appearance is being created. However, a tummy tuck is not creating a new appearance as much as it is revealing what is already hiding underneath.

For this reason, there is a high satisfaction rate among tummy tuck patients, especially patients who choose to come to Muse Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia. Most patients consider this procedure’s cost to be worth having much more self-confidence and reclaiming their ideal body shape. 

4) Are Tummy Tuck Results Permanent?

The excess skin that is removed during a tummy tuck will always be gone, and the tightening of the muscles will remain taut unless an external factor loosens them once more. These external factors could include additional pregnancies or even weight gain. 

But if you plan ahead and finish having children and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, you can enjoy the results of your tummy tuck surgery for the rest of your life.

5) How Long Is Tummy Tuck Recovery?

Since a tummy tuck is still a surgical procedure, it does require a significant amount of recovery time. Most patients make a full recovery between four and six months, but there are several stages you will go through during that time.

In the first day or two, you will be mostly confined to bed, and most rigorous activities should be avoided for a minimum of six to eight weeks or until cleared by your surgeon. During this time, you may experience varying levels of pain, discomfort and swelling, but prescription or over-the-counter medications are available to help ease those symptoms.  

You must also give yourself enough time away from work to recover. Some patients find that they require up to a month off before they are able to return after their surgeries comfortably, but this also depends on what you do for a living and how quickly your body goes through the healing process. Generally, Dr. Wright Jones recommends that you allow two weeks off from desk work after your surgery.

Bonus Question: Can Tummy Tucks Be Combined With Other Procedures?

So, you are already sold on the idea of a tummy tuck, but what if you wanted to take care of some other problem areas around your body? Well, you are in luck: tummy tucks are often performed alongside other surgical procedures. This helps create balance and a sense of harmony throughout the body aesthetic. In fact, a Mommy Makeover is a combination of a tummy tuck and numerous other procedures that can be perfectly tailored to address your exact needs. 

Here is a list of other procedures that are commonly performed alongside tummy tucks:

• Breast Augmentation – Helps provide additional impact to the overall body contours
• Breast Lift – Addresses similar sagging and excess tissue that is found around the tummy, creates a balance between the two areas
• Body Lift – Addresses a much more extensive region of the body, including the back and buttocks
• Georgia Peach Lift™ – Lifts and adds volume to the buttocks to better compliment the new tummy contours

Tummy Tuck in Georgia

If you are interested in learning more about how a tummy tuck can help improve the contours of your body, or if you would like to get started in your tummy tuck process, give Muse Plastic Surgery a call at 404-994-5937 or fill out our online contact form.

We look forward to helping you get rid of excess skin tissue and body fat and reclaiming your ideal body shape!