Tummy Tucks – A Study about Three Different Tuck Procedures

• A tummy tuck is a form of reconstructive and/or cosmetic surgery underwent by a patient who is suffering from flabs in their abdomen area due to weight loss or pregnancy. On my end, I try to avoid studying about surgery in general because results are always subjective, even though the results will only lead to either success or failure. What drove me to study this procedure was my cousin. She planned on getting a tummy tuck procedure because of the flabs in her stomach. She gave birth to a baby boy a couple of months ago and she lost weight faster than she gained them.

  

  Meaning of the Term

  Though slammed in the court of public opinion as a way to increase simple vanity, plastic surgery is actually a term used in the medical field to denote any surgery that restores form or function. It is originally derived from a Greek word, plastike, that means ‘the art of modeling’. Aside from the more commonly known cosmetic surgeries like face lifts, the treatment of burns and other reconstructive surgeries are also held under the umbrella that is plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is divided into two categories: reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries.

  

  I decided to help her out by taking a look at some of the most common tummy tuck procedures.
  The general procedure of a tummy tuck is as follows:

  1. An incision is made just above the pubic area to remove the excess fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen region.
  2. Skin is then separated from the abdominal wall.
  3. Underlying muscle and tissue is drawn and stitched together and tightening them to give you a narrow waistline and increasing your abdominal wall’s strength.
  4. You will now have a flatter abdomen after the surgery. Scars are permanent but they will disappear.

  Sounds painful, right?

  Now, here are the three common procedures:

  1. Partial tummy tuck or mini abdominoplasty – This is an ideal procedure for people who only have a few amount of skin or fat to remove from their abdomen area. People whose abdomens are sagging with age may find this procedure useful for them. This procedure is performed under local anaesthetics, but sometimes, general anaesthetics are used. This procedure is also used together with liposuction.
  2. Full tummy tucks are for people who are fit but can’t seem to get rid of the flabs. This is also the most traditional procedure. Women whose abdomen were stretched due to pregnancy or damaged by caesarean are the most common patients for this procedure. Liposuction is an optional procedure that follows this procedure to give your body a nice contour.
  3. Extended tummy tucks are for obese people with excess fats that and overhanging skin. This procedure is only done when there is a significant amount of fat or skin in his flank or hip region.

  After giving it much thought, my cousin went for procedure number 2, a full tummy tuck. She did great in recovery and her wounds healed in less than a month.