Losing weight is such a tremendous achievement. However, many people who lose a significant amount of weight are burdened with sagging or loose skin around their midsection. Others find that no amount of exercise or dieting seems to impact the stubborn fat around their abdomens. It can be frustrating when after all that hard work to tone your body and lose weight, you still feel ashamed of how you look.
Fortunately, plastic surgery procedures are available that address the sagging skin around your belly that will not go away with diet and exercise. You should consider a tummy tuck in Lee’s Summit. It is a body sculpting option that will allow you to fully appreciate your weight loss successes and embrace the life you worked so hard to have.
The technical term for a tummy tuck is abdominoplasty, which is a major form of plastic reconstructive surgery that involves the removal of loose skin and, in some cases, the repair of the underlying abdominal muscles that may be stretched and weakened. The procedure must be performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgical center or hospital.
The procedure itself involves two incisions – one stretching horizontally across the hips slightly above the pubic bone and one that encircles the belly button. Once these incisions are made, your plastic surgeon can access the underlying fascia and muscle and stitch together muscles along your midsection to give you a more toned appearance. After reconstructing underlying tissues and muscles, your surgeon will then pull the skin down, remove excess skin from the lower part of the abdomen, cut a new opening for your belly button, and close the incisions along the lower abdomen and around your belly button.
There are variations of this classic tummy tuck procedure in Lee’s Summit. For instance, a mini-tummy tuck is a popular alternative to a full tummy tuck. Mini tummy tucks require a smaller incision and shorter recovery times; however, the procedure is limited to the area under the belly button. A mini tummy tuck is ideal if you have moderate skin laxity or fat accumulation on the lower part of your abdomen.
Following your procedure, you will be sent home with your incisions bandaged, a compression garment to minimize swelling, and small tubes will be inserted under the skin to allow for excess fluids to drain from the wound site. The first two weeks post-surgery are the hardest in terms of pain and discomfort, and most patients opt to remain at home during this period.
By the second week, you will feel better with more energy, and this is also the time when stitches and drainage tubes are removed. You can resume light activity during this period, with most patients returning to light duty at work or working from home. It may take up to 6 months for all swelling to subside and for the full effects of the tummy tuck to be observed and appreciated.
In general, you are a good candidate in Lee’s Summit for a tummy tuck if your weight is fairly stable and you do not plan to become pregnant in the future.
After working so hard to lose weight, having loose or sagging skin and stubborn fat around your belly can be frustrating and leave you with diminishing returns for all your hard work. For those of you who have just had a baby, seeing your body change so dramatically and look so different from before can be incredibly discouraging. It is hard not having the body you have worked so hard for.
With a tummy tuck in Lee’s Summit, you can address that stubborn fat and loose sagging skin around your midsection and get yourself looking your best. Our team of plastic surgeons brings over 40 years of experience and a genuine enthusiasm about their work, knowing they can make a meaningful difference in your life. If you are ready to take that next step in your journey toward your ideal body, give our office a call today.
(913) 451-3722