After having a baby, many women struggle to lose weight and regain their former shape. It can be very difficult to take off pregnancy weight, and even when you finally do you may not be completely satisfied with how your body looks. One popular cosmetic procedure that can help is called abdominoplasty. Also known as a tummy tuck, this surgery removes excess fat and skin around the abdomen. Afterward, the muscles in this area are tighter and the stomach looks better. Women who have just had a baby are patients for this kind of surgery. A tummy tuck is usually recommended only when diet and exercise have not been successful in taking off the weight. Tummy tucks are also good for removing excess skin around the abdomen, particularly when a large amount of weight has been lost.
There are several methods for performing a tummy tuck. In the case of what is known as a complete abdominoplasty, the surgeon basically cuts out an entire swath of skin, including the bellybutton. Then he tightens the muscles and removes the excess fat and skin. After that, he puts the skin back on and creates a new bellybutton. Abdominoplasty can also be combined with liposuction to removes fatty deposits in the hips and thighs. Another option is known as a partial abdominoplasty, which gets rid of the hanging skin left over from when your stomach was much larger.
Before deciding to have an abominoplasty, be sure to understand that the recovery time is up to one month, and that you will spend a lot of time in bed or at home. You will not be able to do exercise or lift heavy objects until your surgery is fully healed. You will have to watch your diet and avoid alcohol and tobacco as much as possible. Make sure that you take your time and research the pros and cons of having a tummy tuck before you proceed.
In the United States, tummy tuck cost is around $3,500 and can be much more than that, depending on your particular set of circumstances. That is just for the surgery itself. The prescriptions and follow-up visits will cost extra. The cost of a tummy tuck is more expensive in big cities like Chicago or Atlanta. Much of the surgeon’s fee will depend on his or her reputation and experience. Experienced cosmetic surgeons are able to charge more for their services.
Of course, if you can lose weight after pregnancy without having to resort to surgery, that is the best-case scenario. But for women who can’t seem to take off baby weight no matter what they do, an abdominoplasty may be a viable option in order to reclaim their former slim figure and restore their self-confidence. Take your time and think it through before you proceed. And be sure to get a 2nd opinion from another doctor before making the final decision. A tummy tuck can help you to recover your former body shape after having a baby, but you need to choose your plastic surgeon carefully.