You've scheduled a tummy tuck, and you cannot wait to finally have the slimmer, more toned waistline you've been dreaming of. However, if you are like most patients, you also have a few concerns as you approach such an intensive procedure. Here is a look at four common concerns patients have before a tummy tuck.
Will you have to buy new clothing?
The short answer is "probably." You will likely need to buy new pants and skirts since a tummy tuck removes skin from your waistline. If you are having a post-pregnancy tummy tuck to restore your pre-pregnancy look, you can expect to go down one or two sizes in pants. However, if you have having a more extensive tummy tuck in response to major weight loss, you may go down a few more sizes -- depending just how much skin you have removed. Your best bet is to wait until after your surgery to go shopping. You won't mind trying on clothes and updating your wardrobe a little since you'll be so proud of your new body!
What happens if you become pregnant after a tummy tuck?
You surgeon probably recommended that you only have a tummy tuck if you are finished having kids. This causes some patients to worry what will happen if they do end up with an unplanned pregnancy after the surgery. But while such a pregnancy may negate the effects of the surgery, it won't be any more dangerous for you or the baby than any other pregnancy. Your skin will still stretch out as normal. This is not ideal for your aesthetics, but it is not a medical emergency.
Will recovery hurt?
You will have some pain during recovery, as is true with almost any surgical procedure. However, as long as you follow your doctor's instructions and take it easy after surgery, you should not be too uncomfortable. Pain relievers will help take the edge off, and staying in a reclined position for a few days will help, too. Have a friend or family member around to care for you; they can help you prepare food and otherwise care for yourself so you do not strain your incision and cause more pain.
How will the scars look?
Most patients do have some scarring left after a tummy tuck, but the scars fade incredibly well after about a year. You will always have some sort of mark, but this is usually far preferred to the sagging skin that the surgery removed.
Share16 April 2018
All of my life, I was picked on for having a larger nose that most other people. I had dealt with picking and torment throughout high school and college, but once I graduated from college, I decided to make a few changes to the way that I look. Some people are not so open to cosmetic procedures and gave me a hard time about my choice, but after the procedure was complete and my nose was healed, they could see why I did what I did. You can follow my story on my website. Here, you will learn what I went through before, during and after my procedure.