Many women have gone under the knife for various aesthetic reasons and shaping their body to their ideal look. One of these procedures is the infamous abdominoplasty or otherwise known as the tummy tuck! This is rumoured to be the Hollywood elites favourite after having a baby - this can be doubled up with a caesarean section. However, there are a lot of implications and risks involved with getting a tummy tuck and those looking to get one will need to know the following things.



When opting for an abdominoplasty you should always be familiar with all of the risks involved with getting this procedure done. First, this is not a procedure to replace your normal exercise routine, nor is it a weight loss alternative. This is used purely improve elasticity in the skin, remove excess skin folds that have developed after child birth and removing excess fat which can look very similar to cellulite on your skin.

This can also help women improve the look of their skin by reducing the number of stretch marks left on the skin. It also helps to improve the tone of your muscles and skin after multiple pregnancies, which can have a damaging affect on the abdominal muscles. The abdominoplasty procedure only takes roughly three hours to complete and there three different tummy tucks to consider. These are the standard tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck and extended tummy tuck.

The standard abdominoplasty involves making small incisions in to the lower abdomen, just above your bikini line and the belly button is cut away. If you have extremely stretched skin or torn muscles then this is stitched together, which will be stitched in place. Excess fat is removed around the area, then your skin is pulled down with the excess skin trimmed off. You will then have your belly button repositioned to the new shape of your belly. This will leave the most amounts of scars around your belly button and a curved scar along the lower abdomen.

A mini tummy-tuck is when the lower abdomen is cut open removing the fat from this area. This will leave a long curved scar along the lower abdomen area; this can be covered with your underwear, as this will be along the bikini line. The extended tummy-tuck is when excess skin and fat are removed from your lower abdomen and on your back. In this instance, you will be left with the same scars as the standard tummy-tuck, only with the additional scar on your back.

As this is completed under a general anaesthetic, you will be required to rest for a prolonged period. You will expect to find a catheter to drain urine from your bladder, so there will be no need to move around and get up to go to the toilet. You will also have additional fine tubes along your tummy area, which will allow blood and fluid to drain from the stomach. You will also find that you will be required to make little movements, as this is the key stage to recovery.

Full recovery will take between three to six months, which will mean a prolonged period of little exercises. You will be encouraged to do some deep breathing exercises, this will prevent you suffering from a chest infection. For the first two to four weeks you will be required to bend forward slightly holding the bottom of your tummy when walking, so as not to strain your tummy muscles.

Before going for a surgery like this, always consult with your doctor and always follow the preparation procedure that your surgeon advices you of prior to the abdominoplasty.