Baby Fat - What you dont forget about childbirth
Q. I am the mother of three children and I’m done with “birthin’ babies,” but I’ve never been able to shake off the extra weight since my last child’s birth. I don’t know why that is because I’m on the go more than ever before. What can I do about it?
A. A tummy tuck could be your solution. In 2006, 164,800 women had tummy tucks nationwide. Often their reason for desiring a tummy tuck is because their tummy area is stretched and flabby years after giving birth. A tummy tuck removes excess folds of skin and tightens the abdominal muscles to create a lean, flat stomach and sometimes diminishing stretch marks caused by pregnancy.
Q. What do I have to do to get ready for a tummy tuck?
A. If you’ve lost substantial weight recently, you’ll want to keep that new trim figure of yours for up to 6 months before having a tummy tuck. If you intend to have more children, you will want to wait until you’re done with the child-bearing phase of your life before choosing a tummy tuck. The reasons for that are obvious: your tummy area will stretch again and if you’ve already had a tuck, you’ll be disappointed that your firm tummy is once again compromised. Plus the vertical muscles that are tightened during a tummy tuck procedure can separate during pregnancy. If you’re past child-bearing and in good shape, but still can’t lose that baby fat, you are an ideal candidate.
Q. Are you a candidate for a tummy tuck?
A. If you are at your ideal body weight and have maintained that weight for 6 months, don’t smoke, and have realistic expectations, talk to your doctor about this surgery.
Q. Where is the incision made for a tummy tuck?
A. There are many variations both to the design of the incisions and the technique itself. In some instances, it may be possible to avoid an incision around the navel. When the amount of loose skin is minimal and the excess fat deposits are located below the navel, a short horizontal incision is all that is necessary. This procedure is called a partial, or “mini” abdominoplasty.
During a traditional abdominoplasty, a long incision is made from hipbone to hipbone and a second incision is made to free the navel from the surrounding tissue. The skin is then separated from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribs to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are pulled close together and tightened and then stitched into their new position providing a firmer abdomen wall and a narrower waist. The skin is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed, a new bellybutton is created and the incisions are stitched shut.
Sometimes, a tube is inserted to drain excess fluid from the incision.For optimal results, liposuction may be used or in conjunction with abdominoplasty, to remove abdominal fat. Endoscopic abdominoplasty is another technique for minimizing scars and may be useful when patients have only a mild degree of excess fat and muscle laxity.
Q. What are the risks?
A. Risks associated with a tummy tuck are:
- Aesthesia reaction
- Belly button death
- Bleeding
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Keloid
- Puckered skin
- Seroma
- Skin irregularities
- Skin necrosis or skin death (more common in smokers)
- Suture Rupture
- Swelling.