Tummy tuck surgery FAQs answered

If you are looking to get or have gotten a tummy tuck surgery, you will probably have a lot of questions and need answers. By knowing more about the surgery, it will help you to decide if you really need it and/or know what to expect. So here’s a list of tummy tuck surgery FAQs and its answers.

Common tummy tuck surgery FAQs

Are you a good candidate for a tummy tuck surgery?

The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck is one who is in a good health condition with a normal BMI. If you are too overweight, you might be advised you to lose some weight before getting a tummy tuck. Ideally, you are suitable for a tummy tuck surgery if you are less than 10kg above your recommended weight.

What’s the difference between a full and mini tummy tuck surgery?

Both full and mini tummy tuck surgeries remove excess belly skin and fat tissues, and also tightens abdominal muscles. The main difference is in the amount of excess belly skin that needs to be removed.

A full tummy tuck involves the removal of large areas of flabby skin and the repositioning of your belly button. Whereas, a mini tummy tuck is for those who do not have too much saggy skin (usually thin body types) and do not need any repositioning of their belly button.

What are the benefits of a tummy tuck surgery?

It’s not all just aesthetics! Getting a tummy tuck surgery is actually beneficial for your health and generate benefits such as relieving back pains caused by a big belly, improving body posture, restoring a positive self-image and more. Find out how tummy tuck surgery can help you by getting to know more about the benefits of a tummy tuck surgery.

Can you get tummy tuck surgery and liposuction together?

If you have a lot of excess tummy skin as well as stubborn fats which cannot be removed by dieting and exercising, one of your best option is to get a tummy tuck with liposuction. This perfect combination tightens loose abdominal muscles, and removes not only excess belly skin, but also stubborn fats. The result – a new, sexy and contoured waistline.

Can tummy tuck get rid of stretch marks?

Tummy tuck is not a stretch mark removal treatment. That said, a tummy tuck can potentially hide and reduce stretch marks, especially when your stretch marks are on the excess skin that is to be removed.

Is it a good idea to get a tummy tuck before having kids?

While a tummy tuck does not affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant, it is recommended that patients wait until they have decided to stop giving birth before undergoing abdominoplasty. That is because pregnancy will re-stretch your tummy and undo your tummy tuck surgery results.

How soon after pregnancy can you get a tummy tuck?

In general, it is recommend to wait at least 6~12 months after pregnancy before getting a tummy tuck. You will need ample time to heal from your pregnancy, as well as to breastfeed and bond with your newborn.

Undergoing a tummy tuck too soon can result in unsatisfactory results! Because your body will continue to change, and abdominal skin will contract back to your pre-pregnancy body over the course of several months after giving birth. By waiting, you allow your body to return to its pre-pregnancy state and gives you time to decide if you really need a tummy tuck or not.

Can you get a tummy tuck after a C-section?

Yes, you can get a tummy tuck after a C-section but do wait at least 6~12 months after giving birth. This is to allow your body to heal from the pregnancy first. In addition, it’s best to plan an abdominoplasty only if you are not planning on giving birth again. Otherwise, you would have to go through extra costs and the recovery process again.

Should you get a C-tuck?

Sometimes referred to as a C-tuck, a C-tuck is a tummy tuck surgery performed during your C-section. This combination may sound ideal, combining two operations into one, but we do not recommend it.

This is because C-sections and tummy tucks both come with risks and recovery process. Combining these surgeries could increase a woman’s potential for complications, including bleeding, infection and poor healing.

What is recovery like?

After your tummy tuck surgery, you will experience bruising and swelling at your abdomen which should subside over several weeks. Typically after the surgery, drain tubes will need to be left in place so you would need to carry a drainage bag (small version of a urine bag) with you for about 2~3 days.

Most patients will be able to return to non-strenuous jobs and activities after 1~2 weeks. However, there will be restrictions for movements around your abdomen area, such as sitting up, turning to your sides etc. Excessive movements, heavy lifting and strenuous physical labour and activities are strongly discouraged for at least 6~8 weeks.

Get more post-op tips by reading our article on tummy tuck aftercare and post-op instructions.

Can you smoke or drink after a tummy tuck surgery?

The success of your tummy tuck surgery not only lies in the hands of your plastic surgeon but also on how well you recover after surgery. Smoking and drinking alcohol disrupts your healing process by slowing down healing and prohibiting healthy blood flow. This in turn, increases the risk of infections and increases the susceptibility for scarring.

So avoid smoking or being around a smoker, and drinking alcohol for at least 1~2 months. In fact, you should refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol at least 2~3 weeks before your surgery as well. Or better still, use this opportunity to quit smoking in all.

Are tummy tuck scars noticeable?

Typically, tummy tuck incisions are made low on the abdomen and near your panty line so that scarring can be concealed by bikinis and underwear. Additionally, if you have gotten a C-section previously, the tummy tuck scar can also be incorporated into your existing C-section scar.

What are dog ears on a tummy tuck?

Dog ears are the triangular-shaped excess puckered skin at the end of the tummy tuck incision line, and can occur on one or both sides. This can be a sign of cheap surgery or that the incision was too small. Generally, they will subside within 3~6 months after your abdominoplasty but scar revisions may be necessary for big dog ears.

How to reduce scars from a tummy tuck surgery?

To help reduce the appearance of scarring after your abdominoplasty, it is important to eat and rest well. Do keep your skin moisturized and not subject your incision to excessive force or tension during the recovery period. By giving your body ample time to recover and limiting strains on your abdominal region, your scar will heal nicely. So, remain patient and don’t rush the recovery process!

Should you go for suntanning after tummy tuck surgery?

We all love the sun but sun exposure can create permanent discoloration of scars, and increase your risk for infections and complications. So it’s better to stick to the shade, especially during recovery. Even after you have completely recovered, we recommend that you always use plenty of sunscreen with a high SPF. This will help reduce and lighten scarring.

How long should you wear the abdominal compression garment?

Wearing an abdominal compression garment will provide abdominal support, prevent fluid buildup, and maintain the shape and contours of your new waist line as you recover. So wear it for at least 1~2 months after your abdominoplasty, and longer if possible. Compression garment needs to be snug but not too tight to the point that it causes discomfort.

Will your pant size drop after a tummy tuck surgery?

Depending on how much excess skin you have removed, but you can expect to drop 2~3 pant sizes after a tummy tuck.

Will you lose weight after a tummy tuck surgery?

A tummy tuck surgery is not a weight loss program so you will not lose much weight after the surgery. While the only weight that you will lose is the weight of your excess skin, instead, you will lose a few pant sizes.

When can you start driving after a tummy tuck surgery?

Do wait for at least 2~3 weeks before you start driving after a tummy tuck surgery.

Can you get tummy tuck twice?

Yes, you can get a tummy tuck surgery twice. This typically happens years down the line when a patient decides to get pregnant or undergoes a significant weight gain/loss journey. Hence, if you are looking to get pregnant in the future, it is generally not recommended to get abdominoplasty until after pregnancy.

What happens if you gain weight after a tummy tuck surgery?

Abdominoplasty is not a treatment/procedure that stops you from gaining fats. Hence, if you gain weight then go on a weight loss journey again, you might be left with excess skin again.

Conclusion

Many factors can lead to a stretched-out stomach and flabby skin, which turns into a daily struggle for most. But if dieting and exercising doesn’t help, tummy tuck surgery is generally the best option to overcome this.