When your abdominal area becomes a problem due to excess skin and a sagging bulge, and diet and exercise offer you little to no help, you may feel the urge to seek cosmetic solutions. Though you might have shed pounds by dieting and putting in effort at the gym, your abdomen could still refuse to cooperate after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
Fortunately, there is help in Chicago for your aesthetic concerns. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat offers two popular procedures for patients who want to look fit and feel attractive in their personal or professional lives. Liposuction and abdominoplasty are excellent cosmetic enhancements that have proven to deliver outstanding aesthetic benefits.
Liposuction for Tummy Sculpting
When excess fat is the primary reason for your belly bulge, liposuction is an excellent option. It involves tiny incisions that allow Dr. Mussat to insert a specialized device known as a cannula. After introducing the thin, hollow cannula into the incisions, she suctions the unwanted fat cells. Dr. Mussat may use a tumescent solution comprised of saline and a local anesthetic or choose ultrasound-assisted liposuction for fat removal.
Once Dr. Mussat has removed the stubborn fat, she will apply soft bandages and an overlying compression garment to support incisions as you heal. Because the incisions are so small, they typically require no sutures. Though you will notice an immediate improvement, it will take a few months to realize full benefits.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
Reducing excess skin in the abdomen requires a more intricate procedure. Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and reinforces the abdominal wall. This plastic surgery requires lifting the skin to expose damaged abdominal muscles stretched by pregnancy or weight fluctuations.
A tummy tuck uses internal and external sutures, and recovery is longer and more involved than liposuction. Dr. Mussat employs multiple techniques for tummy tuck surgery, including a mini tummy tuck and a traditional tummy tuck. The primary difference is that the mini tuck only addresses the lower abdomen below the belly button.
Combining the Two
There are advantages to combining aesthetic procedures to address multiple cosmetic concerns. Such is the case with adding liposuction to tummy tuck surgery. Here, you can resolve all the problems associated with a post-pregnancy stomach – excess skin, fat, and a damaged abdominal wall.
Dr. Mussat typically employs liposuction with mini and traditional tummy tucks. It makes sense to remove lingering fat, even if you’ve lost most of your belly pouch.
Pairing procedures will reduce risk and save you time and money. Less time in the surgery room means a more affordable cost. And by combining your surgeries, you will only have one recovery time, which will be no longer than a tummy tuck recovery when performed as a stand-alone procedure.
What’s Best for You?
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Mussat and learn more about liposuction, abdominoplasty, or a combination procedure, contact us or call (312) 751-9000.
While Dr. Mussat will make every effort to ensure you get transformative, beautiful results from your tummy tuck surgery, you must do your part during the recovery process. You can achieve optimal benefits and avoid challenging complications by following post-surgery instructions, so it’s essential to understand the healing process to ensure a successful outcome.
Abdominoplasty is a complex cosmetic surgery that aims to eliminate excess abdominal skin and fat tissue and strengthen abdominal muscles for a firm, flat tummy. While you’re healing, you must pay extra attention to how you perform your daily activities. Let’s examine some tummy tuck recovery dos and don’ts and learn more about recovery after a tummy tuck.
Are you interested in a Tummy Tuck? Learn more about tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery or schedule your consultation by contacting us online or calling (312) 751-9000 today.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Do’s
Eat Fiber-Rich Foods to Avoid Constipation
Constipation is one issue that could occur after your surgery. While this condition is usually not severe enough to need medical attention, it could be a challenge while you are managing pain after your abdominoplasty.
Constipation may lead to excessive contracture of the abdominal muscles, which is the type of pressure you should avoid for the first few weeks until your incisions heal. To prevent bloating and constipation, eat a fiber-rich diet and drink plenty of water.
Sleep With Your Knees Bent
Lying down perfectly flat while resting or sleeping could be somewhat uncomfortable after your tummy tuck. The position can pull on your incisions and even cause the sutures to rupture. You should sleep with your knees slightly bent during the first weeks after surgery. Also, you could elevate the upper part of your body with several pillows for comfort and to prevent putting pressure on the surgical wounds.
Wear Your Compression Garment
We recommend a compression garment after your abdominoplasty because it helps reduce swelling, minimizes bruising, and makes you more comfortable. In addition, wearing this garment enhances your tummy tuck benefits while protecting and supporting the incisions.
Walk Regularly
Dr. Mussat suggests taking a gentle walk as soon as you wake up from the general anesthesia used during your surgery. As you heal, you should walk a little more each day. For example, you can start with a few steps around your bedroom, then around the house, and next, venture out of the house for a short walk. Walking helps reduce the swelling after your tummy tuck surgery and prevent blood clots.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Don’ts
Walk With a Straight Back
Tummy tuck incisions often extend from one hipbone to the other. After Dr. Mussat eliminates your flab, you may feel the remaining skin is too tight. Dr. Mussat will advise you to avoid walking with your back too straight for a week or two after surgery to avoid unnecessary pressure on your incisions.
Laugh, Cough, or Sneeze
It’s essential to avoid any kind of excessive pressure on your abdomen, so try not to laugh, cough, or sneeze for the first few weeks after surgery. Doing so can cause pain and even rupture your incisions.
Take Hot Baths
Taking a relaxing bath might seem like the reward you need while recovering from major surgery. Still, we ask that you do not submerge your incisions in water of any temperature. You can take showers instead. In addition, hot water promotes infection and excess bleeding, so settle for warm water to start.
Exercise
Don’t do any strenuous activities for six to eight weeks after your abdominoplasty. Stretching, twisting, and lifting heavy weights will cause discomfort and slow your healing process. Dr. Mussat will let you know when you can ramp up your activity level above light walking.
Learn More About the Best Tummy Tuck in Chicago
Contact Dr. Florence Mussat to learn how she can help give you your perfect body contour today. Schedule a private consultation with Dr. Mussat or callÂ
