After significant weight loss or pregnancy, you might consider a tummy tuck procedure to reduce the amount of excess skin and small deposits of fat that have been resistant to diet and exercise.
As we age, our body produces less collagen and elastin. These proteins are responsible for skin tone and elasticity. Significant weight fluctuations, such as weight loss or after pregnancy, can result in sagging, loose skin when the body’s elasticity cannot recover.
A mini tummy tuck in Parker County could give you smoother skin and flatter abs without the downtime required after a full tummy tuck. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew H. Steele can explain which procedure will best suit your needs.
Both the mini tummy tuck and the full tummy tuck address abdominal skin looseness and bulging, but in different ways. During a full tummy tuck procedure, known as a full abdominoplasty, Dr. Steele removes excess skin and fat and will repair separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) that can result from pregnancy, significant weight changes, or aging. A mini tummy tuck does not address the muscle separation and is limited to loose skin in the lower abdomen. Liposuction is often combined with a mini tummy tuck to address stubborn fat deposits.
Whether you have liposuction on the flanks or love handles with your mini tummy tuck depends on your goals and anatomy. The results are long-lasting when you maintain your weight and exercise regularly. However, if you get pregnant again or gain significant weight, the results of your mini tummy tuck in Parker County will be negatively affected.
The mini tummy tuck is a good choice for people with a smaller frame, who are within their goal weight range, and who have some loose skin and fat around their lower abdomen. Additionally, they have minimal muscle separation and good abdominal wall tone.
Candidates should generally be in good health with well controlled underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease or Type 2 diabetes. They will be non-smokers since nicotine increases the risk of complications during surgery and recovery.
It is important to stop smoking and use all nicotine products four weeks before and after your mini tummy tuck in Parker County. This includes any tobacco product, vaping, nicotine gum, and nicotine patches.
The mini tummy tuck does not address a major portion of the abdominal muscle, and the recovery time is shorter and less difficult than that of a traditional tummy tuck. You may have some discomfort, and Dr. Steele will make sure that you are comfortable.
After surgery, you will be given detailed instructions on how to care for yourself and your incision. It is essential to follow these carefully to reduce your risk of complications, including infection.
You must have a friend or a family member who can drive you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours. You may not be able to stand up straight in the first day or two, but this will improve over time. You may drive once you are no longer taking any sedating medications.
Dr. Steele will instruct you on how often to get up and walk to help you regain normal movement. Once the drains are removed, you can shower but should not take a bath until the incisions are completely healed.
In many cases, you can resume light activities in roughly two to three weeks but must avoid strenuous activity or exercise for at least six weeks. You will wear a compression garment for up to eight weeks to help reduce swelling, compress your abdomen, and enhance your results.
After significant weight loss or pregnancy, you may be left with excess skin or fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. While a full tummy tuck can help flatten your stomach from your sternum to your pubic bone, a mini tummy tuck is not as invasive, has a shorter recovery time, and can provide significant improvement in the right patient.
During your consultation for a mini tummy tuck in Parker County, Dr. Steele will answer your questions and make the best recommendations to achieve your goals. Contact our office today to make your appointment.
