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What You Should Know Before Having Your Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is done to correct a protruding abdomen, loose skin around the abdominal area, and to flatten and tone the abdomen after pregnancy or after the affects of aging. The tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin, and can restore weakened or separated abdominal muscles.

You should not use a tummy tuck as a substitute for good ole fashioned exercise and dieting.

The results of a tummy tuck should be permanent unless your weight fluctuates or you have twins. Women are advised against a tummy tuck if they plan on losing a substantial amount of weight in the future or if they plan on becoming pregnant again.

A tummy tuck should not be used to correct stretch marks although if you have stretch marks below your naval they may be improved with a tummy tuck.

A tummy tuck is called an abdominoplasty and should not be done if you are currently a smoker, have unrealistic expectations about the outcome or are doing it for someone other than for yourself.

During your consultation with your surgeon prior to the surgery you should discuss your expectations and what you vision as your desired outcome from the cosmetic surgery. You should also discuss any medical condition, drug allergies, and other medical treatments and medications that you are currently participating in. Your doctor should know about any previous surgeries that you have had performed.

Your surgeon will need to evaluate your current health state, your risk factors for surgery, and may ask you to take lab tests in order to determine your health.

You may also be subjected to having your photograph taken for your medical record. You will want to discuss your options at this time and any risks or benefits of the surgery.

Discuss the course of recovery so you will know what to expect not only during the surgery but afterwards as well.

You will be given instructions to follow for the night before your surgery and the morning of your surgery.

Ask any questions that you have so that you can make an informed decision regarding whether to have the tummy tuck or not.

If you are a smoker you will be asked to quit, and you will also be asked to avoid taking any aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications prior to your surgery. You also will be asked to avoid taking any herbal supplements before your surgery.

The tummy tuck is surgery and it carries with it the same risk of complications that all surgeries carry including the risk of infection, bleeding, unfavorable scarring, fluid accumulation, poor wound healing, blood clots, numbness, the risks associated with anesthesia, skin discoloration, pain, nerve damage and persistent swelling.