A tummy tuck is a plastic surgery procedure that tightens weak or stretched muscles in the abdomen area and also eliminates extra skin to make a flatter abdomen. This procedure is also called abdominoplasty. This procedure can remove some stretch marks in the abdomen but is should not be considered an ever lasting solution to eliminating all stretch marks in the stomach area. Doctors suggest that patients attempt having a regular diet and exercise to get rid of that excess fat and tighten the skin before deciding to have a procedure performed on their abdominal area.

TUMMY TUCK TYPES

There are two fundamental kinds of tummy tucks available to patients who are wanting to modify their external features. The customary tummy tuck, and the mini-tummy tuck (which is often times called the scarless tummy tuck). The scarring with the mini-tummy-tuck is considerably less versus the primary customary tummy tuck procedure.

People who have retained deposits of fat primarily in the lower abdominal section, the scarless tummy tuck procedure could be the preferred choice. This procedure leaves behind just a minor scar made by the surgeon’s vertical incision across the lower abdomen when taking off the undesirable fat and skin. This minor scar is easily hideable below panties or a beach bikini.

The scarless tummy tuck procedure is less risky versus the first conventional procedure which includes a much lengthier straight up and down scar from one hip-side to the other. Moreover, during the traditional procedure, a patient's belly button is withdrawn and then reaffixed.

By choosing a scarless tummy tuck a patient can be in and out in approximately two hours or less. The advantage of less time under anesthesia correlates to lower risk for the patient. Plus, there is not a mandatory extended hospital stay for recovery either. Patients are often times free to leave the same day of treatment to recover.

An abdominoplasty (endoscopic tummy tuck) is commonly called a scarless tummy tuck as well. However, it doesn't mean there won’t be any scarring but it’s the only procedure that has the lowest occurences of scarring. This procedure is advantageous to the patient due to there being less bleeding, less swelling and bruises because of the minimal scars.

It is important to understand that a tummy tuck procedure includes the removal of the belly button during the procedure so the muscles and skin can be better tightened and will be returned to the body following the procedure. If excess fat is still evident in the area where the tummy tuck will be performed, doctors will do liposuction on the patient to remove that fat to make the procedure easier to work on.

WHO GETS A TUMMY TUCK?

Both women and men elect to get the procedure done. For people who are fortunate enough to lose weight on their own and now have excess skin around the belly or mid-section it is a popular procedure to rid stretch marks.

RECOVERY TIME

The recovery time from a tummy tuck procedure is not as long as people may think. However, it is important to understand that there are activity limits following the procedure. The most important issue is there should be no heavy lifting! This is for a minimum of six to eight weeks. And once that period comes you still should take it easy when the chance to lift a heavy object comes forth. Another issue is the scar. It takes a minimum of one year to arrive to the final result.

The Liposuction cosmetic procedure is a process where a surgeon removes fat from beneath the skin in desired areas with excess fat. Liposuction can be used primarily to reshape your body back to a healthy condition. However, this surgery does not promise to give you long lasting weight loss. There are various liposuction procedures used today.

1.) Tumescent liposuction (fluid injection) is the most common type of liposuction. It is also known as conventional liposuction, lipoplasty, liposculpture and suction-assisted lipoplasty.

2.) Super-wet technique is pretty much the same as tumescent liposuction

3.) Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL); Ultrasonic vibrations are used to liquefy fat cells so they can be vacuumed out.

4.) VASER®-assisted Liposuction (VAL); sporadical or continuous bursts of ultrasonic energy can be used to tear down fat cells which are them removed by suction.

Areas where liposuction is often applied include:

• Abdomen (stomach area) and waist
• Cheeks, chin, and neck
• Upper arms
• Breasts or chest area
• Back
• Hips, thighs, and buttocks
• Inner knees
• Calves and ankles

Popular reasons that people select liposuction include:

• To reshape the body to an individuals desires and preferred image
• To remove undesirable fat deposits that were not lost with normal diet and exercise
• To raise self-confidence and feelings about appearance
• To reduce male chest size (gynecomastia)

How Long is The Procedure?

The length of time depends on the quantity of fat to be taken off, areas being treated, and the liposuction method used. The tumescent technique may take 4 to 5 hours, while the super wet technique may only demand a half-hour. The UAL procedure typically requires the most amount of time.

The tendency to gain fat in the abdominal area ( or stomach ) may be hereditary, and this fat is most likely immune to hard diet and rigorous exercise. As a result, many patients may become discouraged by not losing unwanted fat and not having a flatter abdomen.

In situations such as above, liposuction can successfully get rid of or minimize excess abdomen fat for a trimmer, flatter "stomach" or a thinner waist, thereby getting you a slimmer and balanced body shape.

What is the typical outcome? Patients should have noticeable results within 14 to 21 days, but the total effects may not be clear for six months up to a twelve months. The more fat that you had taken off, the longer it will require to show the maximum results, because the skin needs to get accustomed to the basic change in form. The majority of patients are delighrted with the new appearance of their abdomen and often experience more energy and their self-confidence rises. Although liposuction does not change skin characteristics, it is not an alternative for regular exercise and a well-balanced diet, your waistline will always be leaner than if the procedure was never performed.

Now that you have had an area of fat cells permanently removed by liposuction, you will not be susceptible to regain weight in that specific area. However, abdominal liposuction does not promise that you will not have weight gain or deposits of fat in other areas. In addition, since fat cells have been taken away from the procedure area but not from adjacent areas, some weight gain may emerge as disproportionate.

Source: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)

Liposuction Resources

* The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery http://www.surgery.org/public

* Liposuction Information US Food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/liposuction

* MEDLINEPlus Health Information - Fat removal - by suctioning http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002985.htm

* MEDLINEPlus Health Information - Liposuction - series: Indications http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/presentations/100185_1.htm

* Do's and don’ts for liposuction (Copyright © ASDS) - In this fact sheet the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery offers some tips to ensure a positive result from tumescent liposuction. The list of do's and don'ts encourages you to do your research and understand your options, but not to have unrealistic expectations, among other things. http://www.asds-net.org/DosAndDontsLiposuction.aspx

Liposuction Clinics

Tummy Tuck Resources

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

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