After significant weight fluctuations or pregnancy, you may have noticed excess skin and small fat deposits that you cannot seem to get rid of with diet and exercise. Advances in surgical techniques have contributed to the growing popularity of tummy tuck surgery to achieve a toned abdomen for men and women.

Tummy tuck surgery is also called abdominoplasty. The results of the surgery can help you feel more confident, enhance your self-image, and improve the way your clothes fit. However, before choosing surgery, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of tummy tuck in Denver to help you make an informed decision. Reach out to our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Saad Alsubaie, for more information about what you want out of your body sculpting procedure.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that helps create a firmer and smoother abdominal profile. When you have excess skin and fat that is not burning off with a healthy lifestyle, this surgery can assist in revealing the results of your hard work. Tummy tucks can benefit people in other areas as well. It can help repair diastasis recti, a condition in which the abdominal muscles separate, which can occur with significant weight gain or pregnancy.

There are two main types of tummy tucks: full and mini.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck is more extensive and typically involves tightening the skin, removing fat, and tightening muscle from just above the pubic bone to just under the rib cage. Since there is a large amount of change, the belly button typically must also be repositioned during the surgery.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck procedure only removes excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen—below the belly button. The incision is smaller, and the surgery is less invasive.

During your consultation at our Denver office with highly trained plastic surgeon Dr. Saad Alsubaie, you could discuss the pros and cons of a full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck procedure to determine which is best for you.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

An ideal candidate for tummy tuck surgery in Denver is someone who has achieved their desired weight goal and maintains it for six months before attempting surgery. This is because any weight fluctuation, either an increase or decrease, can significantly change the results.

Those seeking abdominoplasty should be in good physical health and have specific abdominal concerns that can be addressed using the tummy tuck procedure. It is important to remember that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss option. Instead, the procedure helps to remove excess skin and small fat deposits that are not responding to natural methods of removal.

Candidates must also quit smoking four weeks before and after the surgery. Nicotine increases the risk of complications during surgery from the anesthesia, impairs the healing process, and increases the risk of infection. This includes any nicotine product, such as tobacco, vapes, nicotine gum, and nicotine patches.

How To Prepare for Surgery and Recovery

The results of your tummy tuck surgery in Denver are significantly impacted by the steps you take to prepare for the procedure and its recovery. Before surgery, you will have a comprehensive consultation with your plastic surgeon to ensure that you are a good candidate. Once approved, Dr. Alsubaie will give you preoperative instructions that provide guidelines on:

  • The effects of smoking
  • Medications to take and avoid
  • Over-the-counter drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding

You will also be advised to achieve your desired weight and maintain it for several months before surgery.

Set up an area at home where you can recover in comfort. This might include a reclining chair where you can easily reach books, your phone, water, and other entertainment. Nutrition plays a crucial role during your recovery, so it is important to eat a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and proteins to help support healing before your surgical procedure. After your surgery, you will need a friend or relative to drive you home and someone to stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours.

Dr. Alsubaie will also write prescriptions for medications or products you will need at home as you heal, like pain medication, dressings, or compression garments. Before going home, our team will provide post-operative instructions that include how to manage pain, wear a support garment, and when to return for a follow-up appointment. Support garments help reduce swelling, support your abdomen, and improve healing.

It is also important to get adequate rest, take care of your incisions, and avoid strenuous activities. While the recovery process might be challenging, most people find the results are worth the effort. It is important to remember that recovery times vary between individuals, and you will need patience as your body heals and adapts to its new contours.

Consult Dr. Alsubaie in Denver About a Tummy Tuck

It is not uncommon for men and women to have a belly pooch after significant weight loss. The loss of collagen and elastin with age can make it difficult for your skin to rebound to a lighter weight.

There are options to help you regain a smooth and toned abdomen. Our talented plastic surgeon, Dr. Saad Alsubaie, could answer specific questions to provide clarity and the best recommendations for your situation. Schedule a consultation today to determine if a tummy tuck in Denver is right for you.