WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK?
When Dr. Davila performs a tummy tuck, his goal is to undo the effects that weight gain or pregnancy have had on your abdominal skin. When you gain weight quickly, your skin may be stretched beyond its limits and the wall of muscle in your abdomen can separate. The combination of weakened muscles and skin that doesn’t readily bounce back can leave you with folds of excess skin.
A tummy tuck is designed to remove this skin and bring your muscles back together, giving you back a more toned look and a slimmer profile.
It’s important to note that a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss technique. If you’re overweight, Dr. Davila recommends that you get to your ideal weight before he performs the procedure.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TUMMY TUCKS?
Dr. Davila offers two types of tummy tucks:
Full tummy tuck: With a full tummy tuck, Dr. Davila makes an incision along your lower abdomen and peels your skin up to your rib area. After pulling your muscles back together, he pulls the skin back down and eliminates the excess. Dr. Davila then makes a new hole for your belly button and stitches it all in place.
Mini tummy tuck: In this procedure, Dr. Davila makes a small incision just above your pubic mound and tightens the muscles under your belly button. He then pulls your skin taut, removes any excess skin, and stitches it back together.
WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?
The answer to this largely depends upon which procedure you choose. In either case, you should plan on limiting your activities for at least a month since your abdominal muscles need time to heal. After your muscles heal and your skin settles in, you’ll see the full benefits in a month or two after your procedure.
Please note that a tummy tuck won’t prevent your skin from stretching again, so it’s important to maintain your weight afterward.
If you think a tummy tuck might provide the best solution for your abdomen, call Houston Cosmetic Surgery Center, call our office to make an appointment.
