TUMMY TUCK

Tummy Tuck

An abdominoplasty directly alters your waist size according to your circumstances and your preference.
Not everyone is happy with their weight and it can’t always be improved by dieting and exercise alone. Everyone’s body is different, requiring varying levels of discipline and attention. Your journey isn’t meant for anyone else but yourself. If you have been exhausted by stubborn body fat or excess skin in the journey to have a smaller abdominal area, a Tummy Tuck at Weight Loss Los Angeles may be the operation you’ve been in need of.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

This is a traditional bariatric surgical procedure that involves removing the extra skin, tissue, and fat from around the abdomen. It is an operation that can be done in conjunction with liposuction for adjusted results. Liposuction can remove fat as well as reduce body mass, but doesn’t have an effect on the excess skin around the abdomen. After healing, this procedure shrinks the appearance of the stomach by tightening the areas of the abdomen with sutures while changing the position of excess skin. WLLA professionals are here to assist you in your weight loss journey with pre-surgical consultations and post-surgical management plans that are catered to your situation. All of our patients are special, in need of personalized care according to their situation in life.

Should You Get a Tummy Tuck

Going into a Tummy Tuck procedure can be intimidating from the very first consultation but WLLA is here to ensure all of your needs are satisfied and you fully understand the procedure you’re getting into. This is for your own confidence. One of the very initial effects this procedure has is on your emotional impact, after the first procedure your body image is instantly boosted. Your situation can range from a recent pregnancy to old age to simply your natural body type. Atop reducing excess skin and weight, it also succeeds in erasing visible stretch marks that are below the belly button. Stretch marks any higher won’t be affected, but our physicians build a plan to help you lighten and tighten those areas.

Some situations are more advantageous for a tummy tuck than others. If you are in a post-c-section period and ready to get rid of the weight, it is possible to have the tummy tuck scar match where your c-section scar is. With our facility, we can correlate your tummy tuck to other desire procedures such as, taking fat and tissue from your abdominal areas and using it in other places such as breasts.

A tummy tuck may not be suited for everyone. If you match any of the following circumstances, you may be advised against a Tummy Tuck.

If you have a possibility of getting pregnant or possibly are already pregnant, then it is advised to not undergo this kind of surgery. This can cause complications for the baby or negatively affect your healing process, especially since the cosmetic arrangement of the abdomen can impact your hormone production. The same goes for exercising to maintain that weight because exerting too much energy following your healing can cause unwanted damage. When it comes to managing your weight following your procedure it is advised that you work out gradually and take your time to ensure that you do not cause strain or unwanted pressure. Also, be cautious of this procedure if you are a consistent smoker, have a BMI over 30, or have had a similar surgery that caused excess scar tissue.

Risks of a Tummy Tuck

All surgical procedures have underlying risks that vary from person to person. Some of the risks are more urgent than others. Be sure to thoroughly consider these before continuing the decision to pursue a tummy tuck.

• Fluid build up beneath the skin
• Slow healing process
• Permanent Surgical Scarring
• Tissue Damage
• In extreme cases of poor healing, care, and infection, possible death. 
• Weakened nerves and potential numbness

Properly Prepare for Your Surgery

The first step is always choosing the best surgeon and facility for your procedure. Ask your doctor the hard questions during your consultation. Find out how many procedures they have done, what their success rate is, how much experience they have in the field, and what the risks are for you. You must feel comfortable that your surgeon understands your situation and your desires from this surgery. It is a permanent operation, it’s best that you feel confident about your practice of choice. They must exhibit consideration for your current and past medical history as well as your reasoning for pursuing this surgery and your intentions to follow.

Before your procedure you should:

Quit Smoking – smoking can slow the healing process and increase the chance of infection
Preferred Medicines – depending on their patient’s current health and blood pressure, doctors may advise against some anti-inflammatories or blood thinners such as aspirin, which can increase the rate of bleeding. On the other hand, if you have a history of low blood pressure, you may be guided to take anticoagulants to reduce the possibility of blood clots during and following your surgery.
Weight Loss – if your BMI surpasses 30, you may be advised by a doctor to lose weight before your procedure
Sedation – given the circumstances of a Tummy Tuck, you will be sedated with anesthesia. If you are unable to take anesthesia, then you will be given pain medication and be minorly sedated by other means.
Post-Surgical Assistance – following your operation, you should have someone who can drive and aid you throughout the healing process. Straining and exerting too much energy can cause unwanted damage.

After Your Tummy Tuck Surgery

Your physician may insert small tubes inside of your abdomen to regulate the blood flow and remove excess blood, preventing potential blood clots. These will stay with you for as long as directed and you will be guided on how to care for them. There will be pain, but your doctor will prescribe the appropriate pain reliever and daily practices to reduce any unpleasant sensations, this includes antibiotics to reduce the possibility of infection. To reduce undesired pressure, you may be advised to wear a waistband that provides extra support. You will have consistent follow-up appointments, but if you ever feel excessive pain in the healing process, too much bleeding or an accumulation of fluid, contact your doctor immediately.

What To Expect

Following your successful procedure and recovery, you will be standing confidently with your new, slimmer and tighter figure. Your abdominal walls will be stronger and more toned. In some cases, this procedure will affect the hormones, resulting in a loss in appetite, while in most others, you will need to eat healthily and, carefully, exercise to maintain the desired weight. Our surgeons recommend at least one year of weight maintenance to guarantee the best long-lasting results.