There are several reasons a person may think about having a tummy tuck. While this operation might improve your appearance and possibly your quality of life, it is important to remember that it is major surgery and not suitable for everyone.
It can also tighten the muscles in the abdominal wall. While it may be undertaken for cosmetic purposes, a tummy tuck is a major surgery which you should give due consideration before deciding to go ahead with.
Whether you're contemplating a Mommy Makeover package or just want to undergo a tummy tuck, you'll be relieved to know that any pain from this cosmetic procedure is far less than that experienced after a C-section.
While a tummy tuck incision is similar to a C-section, the intra abdominal component of the operation is not there. This essentially means that a tummy tuck is less invasive procedure compared to the cesarean section.
The potential downsides of a tummy tuck are that there's a large scar, it runs from hipbone to hipbone, right across the bikini line. Some women are not really prepared to accept the scar, in most patients it fades, but it never disappears, it's always there.
There will be some discomfort after a tummy tuck, with the worst discomfort experienced within the first week. On a scale of 1 – 10, pain is often estimated at around a 6-7 for the the first few days to a week, reducing to around a 3 – 4 in the second week. This would, of course, depend on the individual.
Many patients wonder if you can be too old for a tummy tuck, such as 50 or more. There's no age limit for having this procedure; it's possible to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen in older patients.
Medicare only covers tummy tuck surgery if it is deemed as a medical necessity. Medicare does not cover elective cosmetic tummy tucks. Patients can get coverage under Medicare if it is deemed as a medical necessity by their GP. You need to have a valid medical referral and meet the strict criteria.
While pain tolerance can differ from individual to individual, patients often say the process of recovering from tummy tuck surgery is more painful than liposuction. While liposuction requires small incisions in the skin only, many tummy tuck techniques involve incisions that penetrate the muscle.
The first three to five days are the most difficult period of tummy tuck recovery. You will spend much of this time reclining – often even sleeping in a recliner. During this first week when the pain is most severe, Dr. Slack will prescribe a combination of narcotics and muscle relaxers.
It's important to know that the tummy tuck is a higher-risk procedure compared to other kinds of cosmetic surgery. There is a 4% risk of major complications such as hematoma or infection after a tummy tuck.
Tissue damage.
During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within your skin in the abdominal area might get damaged or die. Smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. Depending on the size of the area, tissue might heal on its own or require a surgical touch-up procedure.
The surgery will take about 3 to 5 hours. You may have one or two drain tubes near the incision to drain fluid. These will stay in for 2 to 10 days after surgery.
How long do you walk hunched over after a tummy tuck? You will need to walk hunched over or bent at the waist for about a week. This helps prevent additional pressure on your incision lines.
If you are planning to have a tummy tuck, you should be prepared for one to two months of recovery, and you may experience pain throughout this time. In general, pain is mild to moderate after a tummy tuck. Rarely, pain or sensory abnormalities can persist for months or even years after the procedure.
Gaining a handful of pounds after your procedure won't compromise your final tummy tuck results. You can usually fluctuate within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight without any significant issues. However, weight gain over the 15-pound mark can cause skin and abdominal muscles to slowly stretch out of place.
Whilst the removal of this can result in some loss of body mass, a tummy tuck is not a weight loss solution. In fact, removing excess skin can make it easier for patients to shed pounds and contour their bodies post-surgery.
Your belly will be sore and swollen for the first week after surgery. You may need to wear a compression garment as you heal. The skin on your stomach will be mostly numb for several weeks to months. Feeling will return slowly.
2023 Melbourne Abdominoplasty price ranges
$11,000 – $15,000 for a low-cost cheaper surgery – sometimes a mini Abdominoplasty “skin-only” with no muscle repair. $15,000 – $19,000 for mid-range Abdominoplasty surgery. $19,000 and above for premier Abdominoplasty surgery.
But even after working hard at losing weight, pounds and pounds of heavy skin can stick around and cause both physical and psychological pain. Thankfully, excess skin removal surgery can eliminate 15 pounds or more of weight and help you conquer all of your weight loss goals.
Yes, you can ask for a tummy tuck during a caesarean section however, that does not mean that it is recommended or that you should definitely do so.
NOTE: Most plastic surgeons will not perform a tummy tuck on patients with a BMI of more than 40. Patients with a BMI > 40 would be advised to lose additional weight before surgery.
This study found that 8.2% reported pain within the past week between 3 months and 9 years after abdominoplasty, most often located under the umbilicus in the same location as the incision line, suggesting direct nerve injury in this area as the primary cause.
Bloating, gas pains, and abdominal distention are common features of tummy tuck recovery. Taking pain medication is part of the reason this is seen as it can effect intestinal motility or movement.