A “tummy tuck” surgery (also called abdominoplasty) sounds like it should help you lose lots of weight, right? Well, that’s usually not the case. Tummy tuck surgery near McKinney, TX is a procedure that actually focuses on excising loose skin, rather than shedding pounds. If you’ve recently lost a significant amount of weight, or want to get rid of baggy skin around your tummy area from previous pregnancies, you can get your waist back with a tummy tuck from board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Naveen Setty. Here’s what you need to know about preparing for your tummy tuck, the surgery, and your tummy tuck recovery.
Prepping for Your Tummy Tuck Surgery Near McKinney
At your initial consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to talk to Dr. Setty about the tummy tuck procedure from start to finish. It’s a good idea to ask some or all of these questions to make sure you have a good understanding of what to expect:
-Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
-What will be expected of me to get the best results?
-What surgical technique is recommended for me?
-What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
-How are complications handled?
-How can I expect my stomach to look over time?
-What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my tummy tuck?
-Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?
It’s important that you’re in generally good health and that you have quit smoking before your tummy tuck procedure. Smoking can cause complications during and after surgery. Dr. Setty will discuss your personal goals and what you hope to look like after your tummy tuck recovery to be sure a tummy tuck will get you the results you want.
The Tummy Tuck Surgery
The type of incision Dr. Setty will use is chosen based upon the level of excess skin that needs to be excised. Patients with extensive loose skin might benefit most from an extended tummy tuck, while patients with less to remove may only need a mini tummy tuck. During your full or extended tummy tuck surgery near McKinney, Dr. Setty will make an incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision may be needed to excise loose skin from the upper abdomen. Next, the skin will be separated from the abdominal wall to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. The abdominal muscles are tightened by being pulled together and then sutured into their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline. The extra skin is removed and the skin flap is pulled down and sutured in place.
Your Tummy Tuck Recovery
After your tummy tuck, you will be sent home wearing a compression garment to decrease swelling. Dr. Setty will prescribe you medicine to manage your pain and to prevent infection. Walking upright will be challenging in the first few hours, so you should take it easy for a few days. After about two weeks, you should be able to resume your day-to-day activities. Workouts can begin around 6 – 8 weeks, or earlier if you are given permission by Dr. Setty. The stomach will feel tight and uncomfortable, but once healed you will look and feel normal again. Though the incision from your tummy tuck will be in a hidden area, you should expect to see some scarring. Over time the scar should fade. Dr. Setty may encourage the use of a scar therapy medication (such as Silagen®) that helps decrease the visibility of the scars.
Combining Tummy Tuck with Liposuction or Other Procedures
You can combine your tummy tuck surgery near McKinney with liposuction and a breast augmentation or breast lift in a “Mommy Makeover”. Since each body is different, your “Mommy Makeover” will be catered to your individual needs and wants. Dr. Setty is one of a select group of doctors to offer the new IDEAL IMPLANT® for breast augmentation, and was recently recognized as an IDEAL IMPLANT Premier Network Surgeon.
One of Dr. Setty’s patients went into her consultation knowing she wanted breast implants, liposuction on her back and sides, a tummy tuck, and a few skin tags removed. Here’s what she had to say about her experience:
“From the moment I scheduled my consult I was put at ease. . . Dr. Settys himself is a truly amazing artist, and life changer. I call him my angel in disguise. He makes you feel the most comfortable you have ever felt . . . No question or concern is unacceptable. He listens to you and what you want and gives you exactly that plus more. My body did not look this amazing even before my first pregnancy. . . . I will be forever grateful to Dr. Setty and his staff which I consider my family for giving me back my body and most important my life.” - Google review from Denise L.
Change your life today with a stunning transformation from Dr. Setty and his staff at Setty Plastics & Aesthetics. Call 972-842-0900 to book your no-obligation consultation!