May 07, 2015 | El Paso Office, Las Cruces, Mommy Makeover, Tummy Tuck
More and more frequently, women are turning to plastic surgery to help them regain their pre-baby shape or after large amounts of weight loss to remove excess skin and to restore their figures. Tummy tucks are not gender exclusive; many men have also sought the tummy tuck as a solution for eliminating or decreasing those spare tires and love handles.
If you’re considering it, you’re not alone. For a lot of people in America, the most wanted surgery is a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. The proof is in the numbers; according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons between 2000 and 2014 the number of tummy tuck procedures increased 87%!
Most people are familiar with the outer physical benefits, the creation of a flatter and toned mid-section, improved waistline, and elimination of stretch marks. What’s not usually known are these three physical benefits that can be achieved with a tummy tuck:
- Reduction of Urinary Incontinence – Some women develop Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), or bladder control issues, after a vaginal birth. While most patients are treated with a specific SUI surgery, it has been noted that the incontinence is often resolved after an abdominoplasty.
- Tightened Abdominal Muscles– An additional benefit to a tummy tuck has been seen when the abdominal muscles are tightened. Not only is the mid-section visually flatter, but a lot of patients experience significantly better standing and seated posture. The tightening of these muscles and better posture can also sometimes lead to the relief of back pain associated with a weak core or incorrect posture. The tightened abdominal muscles also contribute to a smaller intra-abdominal space, with patients experiencing fullness with smaller amounts of food intake, which contributes to weight maintenance or even weight loss.
Ventral Hernia Correction if Needed – Many times patients experience ventral hernias associated with abdominal weakness. This can be caused by a multitude of factors including but not limited to extreme weight loss, C-sections, appendectomies, multiple pregnancies, etc. If you’ve been diagnosed with a ventral hernia, it might be worth speaking with your doctor about adding an abdominoplasty to strengthen the abdominal wall and prevent any future hernia occurrences.
Though the tummy tuck is increasingly popular in men and women, it’s important to take several steps to educate yourself before committing to the procedure. Knowing as much as possible about the actual surgery and recovery is very important for your health, your life schedule, and to help your family plan accordingly. Therefore, here are some important things you should know about tummy tuck surgery:
- The procedure is still a major operation.
- The surgery lasts, on average, two to three hours.
- You will be under an anesthetic during the procedure.
- You can expect your recovery time to take several weeks.
- You will need to refrain from heavy lifting, quick movement etc., for a period of time after your surgery.
Dr. Frank Agullo is an award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeon who performs a large number of tummy tucks and Mommy Makeovers in El Paso and Las Cruces at Southwest Plastic Surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Agullo will take the time to explain why his technique is better, the pros and cons of surgery, the expected recovery time, and his post-operative recovery recommendations.
To schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Agullo, please call our El Paso office at (915) 590-7900 or our Las Cruces office at (575) 520-5041. We look forward to helping you achieve the confidence you deserve!
