So you’re finished having children and you want your abdomen to look young and refreshed like it did before pregnancy. So what do you need? What can you do? Many patients I see ask these very same questions.
When examining the abdomen it comes down to one simple question, do you need to have skin removed? In other words, “to tuck or not to tuck”?
A tummy tuck, or an abdominoplasty, is the direct removal of both skin and fat from the lower abdomen as well as tightening the muscles of the abdomen. This allows for skin tightening, flattening of bulges, and removal of stretch marks of the lower abdomen which can dramatically improve the appearance of the abdomen and give it that youthful appearance again. The procedure is normally done on an outpatient basis. Abdominoplasty leaves a scar on the lowest portion of the abdomen, most commonly from hip-to-hip, which is covered with most underwear and swimsuits.
Do all women who have had children need a tummy tuck for improvement of the abdomen? Women without loose, hanging skin and stretch marks may not need a tummy tuck. These women can often benefit from liposuction by itself. Liposuction can also dramatically improve the appearance of the abdomen, however, does not significantly tighten skin.
Liposuction is commonly performed in combination with an abdominoplasty. In this way, areas not treated by an abdominoplasty can be improved with liposuction. Liposuction is often used to treat the hips, back and thighs simultaneously and generally is done on an outpatient basis as well.
Recovery time for an abdominoplasty can vary, but generally requires about two weeks off of work. However, it usually takes about six weeks before women are feeling close to 100% again.