Every person ages differently. And even those that age more gracefully than others can experience aesthetic imperfections that make them self-conscious or unsatisfied with their appearance. The abdomen can be an area especially susceptible to visible signs of aging like loose, sagging skin. This is especially true in cases where a person has lost a considerable amount of weight in the past. This is why tummy tuck surgery is so consistently popular among my patients. For more information on tummy tuck surgery and who it can help, I have answered some common questions about the procedure.
Question #1: Can similar results to a tummy tuck be achieved without surgery?
Unfortunately not. Because the primary functions of a tummy tuck are to remove loose, stretched skin, and repair muscle separation, nonsurgical fat reduction treatments will not be able to help. Nonsurgical skin tightening can only do so much. Only undergoing tummy tuck surgery can provide patients with the level of results that will be required to truly rejuvenate their physique.
Question #2: What complications are commonly associated with tummy tuck surgery?
Although every surgery carries a small risk, tummy tuck surgery complications are actually very rare. Some patients may experience an accumulation of fluid beneath the skin after surgery, but surgical drains will help mitigate this. Still, it’s very important to find an experienced surgeon who is board-certified in plastic surgery to perform your tummy tuck. Doing so will further negate the risk of potential complications and promote the best, longest-lasting tummy tuck results.
Question #3: Will I be required to stay in the hospital overnight following my tummy tuck?
Although there are exceptions to this, tummy tuck surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. That means that the patient is allowed to go home the same day as their surgery and no overnight hospital stay will be required. In cases of more extensive tummy tuck procedures, I may recommend an overnight stay but we will discuss this during the pre-surgery consultation appointment.
Hopefully these questions and answers helped clear things up for prospective tummy tuck patients. I have been performing this procedure for decades on patients of all body types and am always amazed at how significant the results can be. For more information, contact me, Dr. David Whiteman, at Southern Plastic Surgery to schedule your complimentary plastic surgery consultation today. Don’t forget to follow along with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for additional plastic surgery tips, news, practice updates, and much more.