Without a doubt, losing weight and getting in shape is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your health and overall well-being. From improving how your organs function to boosting your confidence, weight loss can have a profound impact on nearly every facet of your life. In many cases, however, after weight loss patients are left with loose, hanging skin that can be discouraging, embarrassing, and keep them from enjoying the results of their hard work.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Erick Sanchez is proud to help Baton Rouge, LA patients reach their ultimate goals and realize the final stage in their weight loss transformation through a variety of exciting and innovative skin removal procedures, including the tummy tuck. Find out more about how tummy tuck after weight loss may be the solution you’ve been searching for.
What does a tummy tuck do?
The tummy tuck, formally known as abdominoplasty, is primarily a skin removal surgery designed to create a slimmer, firmer, more contoured midsection. For Baton Rouge, LA patients who have lost a great deal of weight, as well as women who have had children, oftentimes, the skin around the abdomen is not able to “snap back” to its original shape due to having been stretched out for an extended period of time. When this happens, patients are left with loose, hanging skin that can make it difficult to wear certain styles of clothing or comfortably participate in physical activities, including exercise. Furthermore, having stretched out skin can make many after weight loss patients feel defeated and unable to enjoy the body they have worked so hard to achieve. By having tummy tuck surgery to remove excess skin on the stomach, patients are finally able to reach their goals and realize a gorgeous, slim, smooth physique.
While a great deal of patients use tummy tuck for excess skin removal, some men and women undergo the procedure to correct various other concerns, both cosmetic and health-related. Some of the most common uses and benefits of tummy tuck surgery include:
- Excess skin removal
- Diastasis recti repair
- Hernia repair
- Improved posture
- Fewer aches and pains
- Improved continence
- Boosted self-esteem
During your initial consultation, Dr. Sanchez will thoroughly discuss your specific concerns and goals, explain all of your options in detail, and answer your questions at length before creating a customized surgical plan to best meet your individual needs.
How does a tummy tuck work?
To better understand how abdominoplasty can help after weight loss, it is important to know what the procedure entails and what to expect after a tummy tuck. During tummy tuck surgery, which is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia and typically takes about 2 – 3 hours, Dr. Sanchez will carefully make a horizontal incision just above the pubic area. The exact length and position of the incision will depend on the amount of excess skin being removed, the patient’s anatomy, any scar tissue that may be present, and other factors. Dr. Sanchez fully understands the desire for minimal visible scarring and takes great care to place his tummy tuck incisions where they can be concealed or camouflaged as much as possible.
Once the incision has been made, Dr. Sanchez will be able to correct separated or weakened abdominal muscles, if needed. In many cases, liposuction will be used to address stubborn pockets of fat and further enhance the patient’s results. Finally, the loose skin will be excised, and Dr. Sanchez will pull the remaining skin tight and secure it with sutures for a stunning, smoother, sleeker new shape.
After tummy tuck surgery, patients can expect some level of discomfort, bruising, swelling, and fairly limited mobility for the first few days. It is strongly encouraged that patients plan to have help around the house in the first several days after a tummy tuck, particularly if they have young children. While many patients are able to return to very light daily household activities after the first week, it can take several weeks before they are ready to return to work. More strenuous physical activities, such as exercise, should not be resumed for at least eight weeks, or until the patient is cleared by their surgeon. The dramatic improvement in a patient’s figure can be seen almost immediately after tummy tuck surgery, though the final results will continue to develop over several weeks and months as the swelling subsides, and the scar begins to fade.
Can tummy tuck be combined with other after weight loss surgeries?
Absolutely! Many patients choose to pair their tummy tuck with an arm lift, thigh lift, butt lift, or liposuction as part of a more transformative combination procedure, such as a lower body lift or mommy makeover.
The best way to find out how tummy tuck or a combination of skin removal surgeries can help you achieve the final phase of your weight loss transformation is to be evaluated by a highly qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable plastic surgeon. Call our friendly team in Baton Rouge, LA to schedule your consultation with exceptional board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Erick Sanchez, and learn more about how the body of your dreams may be closer than you think!