Tummy tucks, also known as abdominoplasty, is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed today. The goal of the surgery is to improve the look of the patients\u2019 abdomen. Any excess skin and fat are removed from the abdomen area and the connective tissues in the abdomen are usually tightened with sutures. The skin that remains is repositioned around the stomach to create a toned and uniform look.<\/span><\/p>\n

You may choose to have a tummy tuck done for a number of reasons; for example, if you have excess fat, loose skin or weakened connective tissues. This may be caused by:<\/span><\/p>\n

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• Pregnancy<\/span><\/li>\n
• Ageing<\/span><\/li>\n
• Losing\/gaining a significant amount of weight<\/span><\/li>\n
• Your natural body type<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Due to these factors and more, some people are just unable to achieve the flat stomach that they so desire. With a tummy tuck procedure, you can gain your confidence back and start loving your body.<\/span><\/p>\n

  Tummy tucks can also remove those pesky stretch marks, and loose skin underneath your belly button. If you gave birth and had to have a c-section, you can ask your surgeon to incorporate your c-section scar into your tummy tuck scar.<\/span><\/p>\n

  Tummy tucks are able to be done in combination with other cosmetic surgeries, like breast surgery or liposuction. In fact, a tummy tuck is usually done in conjunction with lipo because there is usually excess skin remaining after getting lipo.<\/span><\/p>\n

  There are some risks that a tummy tuck poses, and you should be aware of them before making a decision to go through with the procedure. Those include:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Excess fluids\/fluid accumulation beneath the skin. This is known as seroma.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Unexpected scarring along the incision line. Varies from person to person.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Slow or poor healing.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Changes in sensation on the skin around the incision line.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Tissue damage in the abdominal area or tissue death.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Like any other major surgical procedures, cosmetic or not, there are risks associated with the operation. Other than the ones mentioned above, a tummy tuck can pose the risk of bleeding, infection or an adverse reaction to anesthesia used.<\/span><\/p>\n

    With all this being said, there can be excessive scarring involved after the procedure, because the incision needed to perform the surgery is a considerable length. While this is completely normal, some patients may wish to minimize the amount of scarring as much as possible. Read on to find out measures you can take in order to minimize the appearance of scars.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Reduce Scarring From A Tummy Tuck: Pre-Op<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Here are some things you can do before your operation to reduce scarring:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Select the Right Surgeon<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Selecting the right surgeon is the first step in making sure you can minimize the look of scarring. Take a look at your potential surgeon\u2019s portfolio to see before and after pictures. This will give you an idea of their skillset and their results. You will want to hire a surgeon who is reputable and has proven themselves to be skillful.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Stop Smoking<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Smoking affects your skin\u2019s ability to heal itself and turn over new skin cells, which affects your body\u2019s ability to heal cuts or bruises. If you\u2019re serious about minimizing your scars, you should stop smoking at least six weeks before your tummy tuck operation. This will also reduce the chance of complications during the surgery.<\/span><\/p>