Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the abdominal contour by removing excess skin and fat, often by tightening the underlying muscles.
Before choosing this procedure, it is important to consider five key factors:
1) Understand the surgery and its possible outcomes,
2) Assess your overall health and candidacy,
3) Discuss expectations with a board-certified plastic surgeon,
4) Understand the recovery process and required aftercare and
5) Be aware of the potential risks and complications associated with surgery.
Making informed decisions ensures a smoother journey towards achieving the desired results.
In an exclusive interview with Zee News English, Dr Rajat Gupta, Delhi-based board certified plastic surgeon and founder of RG Aesthetics, addresses 5 of the common doubts and provides clarity to help you make an informed decision.
Doubt 1: Does a tummy tuck actually give a flatter stomach and a more refined shape?
Abdominoplasty is designed to address problems such as excess skin and fat in the abdominal area. During the procedure, an experienced surgeon removes this excess tissue and tightens the weakened or separated abdominal muscles, a condition known as proper dissection. This results in a flatter and firmer stomach. Think of it as a way to sculpt your waist and give it the toned look you’ve always wanted.
Doubt 2: How do I know if I am a suitable candidate for abdominoplasty?
If you have excess fat in your abdominal area, love handles, and lower back, along with some loose skin in your upper or lower abdomen, you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck or tummy tuck. The procedure treats the problems of fat and loose skin at the same time. If you are a woman and experience muscle weakness in your central abdominal area, an abdominoplasty procedure is ideal to address the problem. Women suffering from a small hernia can also benefit from a tummy tuck surgery to lead a healthy life.
Doubt 3: What is a high-definition or natural-looking tummy tuck?
High Definition Tummy Tuck is a specialized technique used by Dr Rajat Gupta, a board certified plastic surgeon in Delhi, to create a more natural and defined tummy area. In this technique, a central depression is created and the edges of the muscles are defined to give a more athletic and aesthetic appearance. So basically, it’s not just a procedure to get a flat stomach, but a highly refined and sophisticated technique to create a distinctive abdominal area where the highs and lows are prominent.
Also, during this specialized technique, Dr. Gupta corrects diastasis recti, which is the condition of separation of the abdominal muscles that women go through during pregnancy. During the procedure, the muscles are joined and tightened, which helps improve the overall shape of the abdomen and improves core strength multiples.
Doubt 4: Will it take months to get back to normal life after a tummy tuck?
You will be surprised to know that after a tummy tuck procedure, you can return to your normal daily activities within 3-4 days.
Modern and highly sophisticated surgical techniques incorporate anesthesia that must be administered to the abdominal muscles during surgery. Thus, patients feel extremely comfortable and can walk the same day. There is only a slight discomfort, more than pain, as the skin and muscles tighten in the area, which remains for 4-5 days.
Patients with work from home options can resume work in 3-4 days. those with office jobs can return to the office within 6-7 days. Someone with a strict field job should wait for 15 days. Strength training and serious training can only be resumed after 3-4 weeks.
You will be given post-operative care instructions, including the use of compression garments and keeping appointments. While some swelling and bruising is common, these results should gradually improve over time. So overall, a month’s time is ideal for anyone to fully recover from surgery.
Doubt 5: Are the results from the operation natural and long-term?
Yes, when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon who knows the anatomy of the abdomen, the folds of the skin, where to place the incisions and how much tightening and contouring to do, the results look completely natural. You must commit to a healthy lifestyle to maintain the results of your tummy tuck. This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet and maintaining a stable weight. Significant weight fluctuations or future pregnancies may affect the result, so it is necessary to plan your procedure carefully.
Your concerns about tummy tucks are valid, and addressing them is an essential step in making a wise choice. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in body contouring if you are considering this life-changing treatment. They can provide you with personalized advice, address your specific concerns and make sure that the tummy tuck procedure is successful.
(Views expressed by experts in articles are their own, Zee News does not endorse or endorse the same.)
