Any popular cosmetic surgery is bound to draw just as much negative attention as positive attention. Abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck procedure, is no exception to this rule. Over the many decades since this surgical procedure was introduced in plastic surgery clinics across the country, many critics have made false claims about the dangers and risks associated with abdominoplasty. If you’ve been thinking about a tummy tuck but have been held back by fears, it’s time to put these myths to rest once and for all. Get informed about abdominoplasty so you can make the best decision for yourself and your body.
Myth #1: A Tummy Tuck Will Leave Huge Scars on Your Stomach
Large-scale plastic surgeries such as abdominoplasty always come with the fear of large, noticeable scarring. A traditional tummy tuck procedure does involve one long incision that stretches between the hipbones, but it is typically well concealed at the pubic line. For most people, the incision won’t be seen when you are wearing clothing. Your plastic surgeon will do his or her best to make these incisions along the natural creases of your body so they are even less noticeable. There is no slashing scar across the middle of your stomach that you will need to hide, so there’s no need to worry. Most of your scarring, which will be minimal, can even be hidden with the right style of bikini bottoms.
Myth #2: A Tummy Tuck Will Make You Lose or Gain Weight
The abdominoplasty procedure should not affect your weight in any way. While some fat and excess skin will be removed during your surgery, these are often not enough to cause a noticeable drop in weight. Likewise, a tummy tuck will not suddenly spark your metabolism and help you shed extra pounds. You will have to stick to the same healthy diet and exercise routine that you were using to lose or maintain your weight before your surgery. If you’re worried that tummy tucks can make you gain weight by overeating, don’t worry about this myth either. In fact, you may experience a slight loss of appetite following your procedure. Work through this temporary side effect and try to eat as healthfully as possible without over-feeding yourself. Once your appetite resumes, get right back on track with your regular, healthy day-to-day routines.
Myth #3: A Tummy Tuck Will Make Your Whole Abdomen Go Numb, Permanently
During a tummy tuck surgery, your surgeon may need to cut through nerves to achieve your surgical objectives. This is commonly done in many medical surgeries as well, so it is not unique to abdominoplasty. Still, as a result of minor nerve damage, you may experience some localized numbness following your procedure. The claim that this numbness will engulf your entire abdomen and remain permanently, however, is just not true. Permanent nerve damage is possible, although very rare, and would only include the area of your surgery. It cannot spread to cause numbness within a larger area of the body. In most cases, however, the numbness is only temporary and feeling will be restored to the area when your nerves have repaired themselves and their connections with other nerves in the network.
Myth #4: A Tummy Tuck Plus Liposuction Is Extremely Painful
There are some cases where your plastic surgeon might recommend the use of liposuction to remove some of the stubborn fatty deposits that settle around the tummy, flanks, and hips. Liposuction and tummy tucks both have a false reputation for being very painful, so the idea of enduring both procedures may be enough to make some would-be patients pass out. The truth is that both procedures can cause some discomfort individually, but you will not be rendered motionless if you receive an abdominoplasty with liposuction assistance.
Your recovery from such a procedure will include a period of rest and minimal movement, usually a few days following your surgery. Most patients easily manage any discomfort they experience with cold compresses and pain medication prescribed by their physician. Adding liposuction to your tummy tuck will not add more time to your recovery period, nor will it extend or intensify the discomfort you would already be experiencing. If these procedures are recommended to you together, trust your physician’s advice so you can get the best results for your body.
Myth #5: Tummy Tucks Have a Higher Risk of Complications
Many critics believe that a tummy tuck procedure can pose a higher risk of complications to the patient. Your plastic surgeon will go more in depth about the risks associated with abdominoplasty, which are similar to those posed with other surgeries. These risks may include scarring, bleeding and hematoma, infection, the accumulation of fluids, poor healing, skin loss, numbness, blood clots, bad reactions to anesthesia or medications, changes in skin color, prolonged swelling, asymmetry, persistent pain, fat necrosis, and looseness of the skin. That sounds like a scary list, but in reality, they’re the same fine print listed at the bottom of the paperwork for most major surgeries. The rate of these risks actually occurring is actually very rare.
Any surgery, cosmetic or medical, can open up a patient to certain risks and it’s up to you to educate yourself and decide if they are worth the benefits you will experience. To help protect yourself against such complications, choose a well-respected and experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in procedures like abdominoplasty. Be open and honest about your personal health and fitness, any medications you’re taking, and whether you drink or smoke. By having a conversation with full disclosure, you and your doctor can work together to achieve a safe surgery with a minimal risk of any complications.
Where Can I Find a Good Abdominoplasty Surgeon?
When it’s time to find the right plastic surgeon to perform your abdominoplasty surgery, contact Dr. Rubinstein to schedule your tummy tuck consultation at Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists. Using this, Dr. Rubinstein will be able to give you a preview of your expected results by making changes to your image. This technology can help put your mind at ease and also motivate you to schedule your surgery to make that image a reality.
Renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Ran Rubinstein at Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists, located at 200 Stony Brook Court #2 in Newburgh, New York. Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists is the only specialty plastic surgery practice in the Hudson Valley area with an on-site joint commission certified surgical suite. To contact Dr. Rubinstein for a consultation, please call (845) 863-1772.
