Medically reviewed by Dr. Omar Tillo MD, MS, EBOPRAS, FRCS (Plast) An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a popular cosmetic procedure to remove the excess skin and fat from the abdomen to create a noticeably slimmer and more contoured tummy.
In this article, we will discuss the permanence of a tummy tuck procedure and how you can get the most out of your newly taut tummy.
Is a Tummy Tuck Permanent?
A tummy tuck is a permanent procedure in that it involves removing skin and fat that won’t grow back. In addition, the benefits of repairing muscle separation should also remain intact in the long term.
However, maintaining both the aesthetic and functional benefits of a tummy tuck in the long term requires patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow their surgeon’s aftercare advice.
Factors that Impact Tummy Tuck Results
Drastic weight fluctuations can mean that the remaining skin begins to sag and loosen in appearance. The amount of fat around the abdomen can also increase, with the leftover fat cells from surgery also growing in size. Overall, this can add additional strain to the abdominal muscles, which may result in separation.
Pregnancy can also cause the skin to become loose and the abdominal muscles to become damaged, leading to health issues like back pain and stress incontinence.
Therefore, patients should wait until they are at their ideal weight before undergoing a tummy tuck and should feel able to maintain this in the long term after surgery. Women should also wait until after their final pregnancy to undergo this procedure to ensure long-lasting tummy tuck results.
In addition, ageing also has an inevitable effect on skin laxity, which can affect the contouring results of your tummy tuck. For this reason, we offer a range of non-invasive body contouring treatments such as BodyTite and Morpheus8 to ensure you can get the most out of your surgery.
When Can You See Results from a Tummy Tuck?
Immediately after surgery, patients are able to notice their flatter and more contoured abdomen after the removal of skin and fat excess. The timeline of your results will depend on a range of factors, including the type of tummy tuck you have undergone.
For a full abdominoplasty, patients must wait until after any post-surgical swelling completely dissipates to see the final results of their tummy tuck, which can take up to 6-12 months. After this, patients are able to enjoy the full effect of their tight and toned abdomen.
How to Maintain Tummy Tuck Results
To maintain the results of a tummy tuck, patients should stick to the following tips:
Exercise Regularly
Exercise can help to maintain a stable weight and strong abdominal muscles. After your tummy tuck, you should start walking as soon as possible, taking it slow at first.
You will be able to recommence light exercise 3-4 weeks after surgery, and more strenuous activity after 6 weeks. Patients should regularly engage in both cardio and ab exercises to get the most out of their taut tummy.
Work with a Dietician
Sticking to a healthy diet can be challenging but is an essential element to staying at a stable weight. For this reason, many patients find that using a dietician to help them better understand their nutritional needs is of great benefit.
At the CREO Clinic, we work with a team of nutritionists to help patients get in shape before their procedure and maximize the aesthetic effects of their tummy tuck long after surgery.
Consider Liposuction
Although a tummy tuck removes some fat cells from the abdomen that are attached to the lax skin, it is not designed to remove large quantities. Liposuction provides a means of permanently removing larger amounts of stubborn fat deposits and is often combined with a tummy tuck to further contour the abdomen (a procedure known as lipoabdominoplasty).
Is a Tummy Tuck Worth It?
A tummy tuck provides an aesthetically pleasing, slimmer waistline, helping patients to feel comfortable in tight clothing and when engaging in exercise.
In instances of muscle repair, a tummy tuck can give relief to associated health conditions like back pain and stress incontinence, which can boost quality of life. For these reasons, many men and women consider a tummy tuck to be worth it.
Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic Today
At the CREO Clinic, our body contouring surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo, has mastered the specialized art of tummy tuck procedures. Through his vast clinical knowledge and experience, he is able to provide bespoke solutions tailored to the individual needs of his patients.
If you are seeking to tone your tummy, book a consultation with Dr Tillo and get on track to your dream body.