What Can Be Done to Best Preserve Tummy Tuck Results?
It can sometimes be challenging to get toned, flat abs and a tiny waist if genetics or hormones make you prone to storing more fat on the midsection. Whether you have a naturally apple-shaped body that makes it difficult for you to get a slim waistline or want to reduce sagging skin and weakened muscles due to weight gain or pregnancy, a tummy tuck may be the ideal plastic surgery for you. The question many patients ask us is, “How do you keep results after a tummy tuck?” Our New Jersey-based team at Burnett Plastic Surgery can explain more about the procedure and answer any questions you have about maintaining results, but here are some basic things to know about tummy tuck results:
Initial swelling while you’re healing will prevent you from seeing the full results right away. Some improvements from the tummy tuck will be technically noticeable just after the procedure, but the full benefits will not be completely visible for some time. The ultimate results from the surgery should be seen within six months as the residual swelling goes down.
Once subcutaneous fat cells have been removed from the stomach area, they can’t come back—but if you were to gain weight in the future, the remaining fat cells in this area could become enlarged. Therefore, although the results of a tummy tuck are long-lasting, future weight gain or pregnancy can have an effect on them. The most important thing patients can do is maintain a healthy lifestyle.
It will be important to exercise, maintain a stable weight, and avoid smoking after this procedure. Although it is safe to become pregnant and give birth after a tummy tuck, patients should be aware that the skin and tissue will be stretched anew to accommodate the pregnancy. Some patients may not notice major changes to their tummy tuck results if they get pregnant after the surgery, but there’s a good chance that there will be excess skin, excess fat, and/or separated abdominal muscles, so they may need an additional cosmetic surgery to address these concerns.
Our New Jersey-based Burnett Plastic Surgery team can explain more during your consultation. Call us at 908.233.0200 or fill out a contact form to request an appointment if you would like to discuss tummy tuck surgery.
