When you lose weight, your skin usually shrinks as you shed pounds. But if you’ve lost a significant amount of weight or given birth, often the fat is gone but the extra skin remains. A tummy tuck will remove the sagging skin and some fat, to reveal a brand new you. The tissue underneath can also be tightened to accentuate an hourglass shape.
Dr. Comizio is rated one of New Jersey’s top doctors for her exceptional style of patient care and surgical skill. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, she prioritizes life-changing treatments to boost her patients’ self-confidence in their bodies and bring the latest surgical techniques to plastic surgery. She recommends a tummy tuck for patients who want to tighten and firm their abdomen.
Is a Tummy Tuck Right for Me?
A tummy tuck targets the excess skin and fat on your abdomen after weight loss or childbirth. It can help:
- Trim skin and fat from the front of the stomach.
- Connect separated abdominal muscles, also known as rectus diastasis.
- Reposition the bellybutton, if needed.
- Reduce or eliminate stretch marks, depending on their location.
Dr. Comizio does not recommend a tummy tuck for women who plan to have more children because the likelihood that the results will change during pregnancy and after the birth of a child are very high.
Is There More Than One Option?
During your consultation, Dr. Comizio will conduct a comprehensive review of your medical history as well as a discussion based on the results of a physical exam. Most Morristown patients have specific problem areas that they want to correct, and Dr. Comizio will incorporate your individual needs into the treatment plan. The two options for a tummy tuck are:
- Mini: Focuses on the lower abdomen and has a smaller incision.
- Full: Targets the entire abdomen with an incision that extends longer but allows Dr. Comizio greater ability to sculpt the area.
Depending on your concerns and body type, Dr. Comizio will recommend one of these options and go through the procedure in detail during your consultation.
“Phenomenal Doctor. Dr Comizio is a talented compassionate Dr. I felt completely cared for emotionally and physically…” – Click Here To Read More Reviews
What Will Happen During My Procedure?
A tummy tuck is performed at a hospital or outpatient surgery center while you are under general anesthesia. During the surgery, Dr. Comizio will use the details from your consultation as a guideline for the procedure. Both the mini and full abdominoplasty involve:
- Making an incision that extends across the lower abdomen.
- Removing excess fat and skin.
- Repositioning the belly button, which may not be needed in the mini tummy tuck.
- Tightening abdominal muscles.
- Replacing the skin across your reshaped abdomen.
- Placing drains under the incisions.
- Closing the incision with sutures.
After time spent in the recovery room, you will be observed in the hospital overnight. You should arrange for a friend or relative to pick you up from the hospital the day after surgery.
Recovering From a Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck will take time to recover from, and you should plan to restrict your usual activities for at least two weeks following surgery. The majority of light, non-strenuous activities are fine after the initial healing period which can include symptoms such as:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
Dr. Comizio prescribes all tummy tuck patients with pain medication to help manage the initial discomfort. Most patients will not need more than five to seven days of pain medication and can switch to over-the-counter pain relievers afterwards.
How Long Will It Take to Recover?
Every patient has a different time for recovery that depends on their body. Some patients may be well enough to resume all normal activity four weeks after their operation, but Dr. Comizio recommends limiting more physically demanding activities such as heavy lifting or working out until six weeks after surgery. This ensures that your results will heal predictably and limit the chances for delayed healing.
