Men often develop them during teenage growth spurts, when the arms and legs are growing rapidly and the skin is being stretched intensely to keep up with the growth. And of course, massive weight gain or loss can make them appear on the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, lower backs, stomach, and breasts.
Stretch marks certainly fade over time, but they never completely disappear on their own. Fortunately there are several different treatments available for these pesky lines, one of the most effective being abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck.
What is a Tummy Tuck? Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery designed to remove excess skin from the abdomen area and tighten up the underlying muscles, creating a firmer looking torso. During the plastic surgery, a skilled surgeon makes an incision from hip to hip, running along the public bone.
The belly button tissue is cut out to be repositioned later. Then the skin is loosened from the muscles and tissues and the muscles are sutured together to make them tighter and better positioned. If liposuction is desired it is performed at this stage of the cosmetic surgery. Then the abdomen is pulled tight, the excess skin is removed, the belly button tissue is reinserted, and the remaining skin is stitched back together at the incision line.
Obviously this procedure can only get rid of stretch marks on the lower stomach and hips, and is therefore ideal for women seeking to eliminate the reminders of pregnancy. If there is plenty of excess skin after pregnancy and the stretch marks are located toward the lower abdomen, most of the stretch marks will be removed with the excision of the extra skin.
There are a few risks to an abdominoplasty that patients should be aware of. First, there will be a significant recovery and healing process as a tummy tuck is a major surgery. The recovery period will involve resting for about a week. There will also be some bruising, swelling, and scarring as the body works to repair itself. Any discomfort can be managed with prescribed pain medication.
Other Procedures Tummy tucks or abdominoplasty surgeries are not the only ways to get rid of stretch marks though. If you have stretch marks on your upper arms, an arm lift can remove those white lines by removing the skin where they are located. The same is true of stretch marks on the hips, thighs, and buttocks. There is a procedure for each of those areas.
And of course, even if you have a cosmetic surgery performed to eliminate some of them, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and get regular exercise. This will help your body stay healthy and prevent more stretch marks in the future.
Most of the patients who desire an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) are usually seeking to reduce the size of a protruding abdominal area and reduce the amount of excess skin or fat. This plastic surgery procedure is best for individuals who are unable to eliminate the excess skin and fat through exercise and dieting, although a tummy tuck procedure does not serve as a substitute for traditional weight loss methods, but as a supplement to them. This may affect an individual's confidence in and out of clothing.
An abdominoplasty can help such individuals restore a thinner and fitter looking contour to their bodies. The tummy area is made smaller to be in better proportion of the body. Plastic surgeons accomplish this by removing excess fat and skin in the abdominal area and tightening the underlying muscles. This not only helps to restore the physical appearance of the patient, but also restores self-confidence.
An abdominoplasty is a very individualized procedure in which your goals should be realistically determined and discussed with your surgeon. Together you will determine what specific procedures will be performed. An abdominoplasty is often performed in conjunction with other procedures such as liposuction so that the hips can be shaped to match the smaller tummy. Once your goals have been determined you will set a date for this plastic surgery procedure and will be given instructions about how to prepare.
When the date for your abdominoplasty has arrived, you should plan on the surgery taking several hours or more depending on which procedures you are having performed. There are several different types of tummy tucks - the mini tummy tuck, the standard tummy tuck and the extended tummy tuck. Your plastic surgeon will determine which type will meet your needs. Your surgeon creates an incision that runs along the lower waist line and then will remove excess fat and skin. The abdominal muscles will then be tightened and set into place.
You will experience some pain and swelling during the first few days following the procedure. You will go home with a pain pump, which will help minimize discomfort by delivering continuous medication throughout your abdominal area. Your plastic surgeon will advise you on precautions to take following the surgery. Most patients need a few weeks to recover but are usually back to work within 10 - 14 days. All tummy tucks are performed with general anesthesia to minimize any discomfort or pain.
Both Abigail Aaronson & Dave Stringham are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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