Does a Tummy Tuck Remove Stretch Marks?

Pregnancy and drastic weight loss are two of the most common reasons patients have for requesting a tummy tuck in Tampa. In both cases, patients aim to remove extra skin, and preferably, the commensurate stretch marks at the same time. Is a tummy tuck for stretch marks myth or reality?

Tummy Tuck for Stretch Marks

Fortunately, there is some good news on this front. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the procedure will remove many of your problem stretch marks. Essentially, a tummy tuck for stretch marks will alleviate stretch marks between your bikini line and your belly button. Stretch marks outside the area of excised skin will remain, but they will be moved lower as the remaining skin is stretched down. To learn more about undergoing a tummy tuck for stretch marks, reach out to Tampa Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery today.

The Benefits of the Tummy Tuck

Even if a tummy tuck for stretch marks won’t solve all of your aesthetic issues, it will solve a lot of them. A tummy tuck procedure doesn’t just remove excess skin. Dr. Brown will also want to do minor liposuction as well as muscular repair of the abdominal muscles. Together, these three adjustments work together to give your tummy the flatness and contour of a younger you.

Is the Tummy Tuck Right for Me?

The tummy tuck is ideal for both men and women who wish to get rid of excess skin and small amounts of fat due to drastic abdominal expansion or the aging process.

However, you must be at or close to your ideal weight prior to receiving a tummy tuck. It is not a replacement for weight loss. It is a procedure through which your surgeon re-contours your body.

For new mothers, surgeons require that they wait at least a year after giving birth. Many mothers wait until their children are more independent, as the recovery can make caring for young children more challenging than usual.

Finding the Right Surgeon

Before undergoing any plastic surgery, it is paramount that you find the right surgeon for you. Industry expert and plastic surgeon, Joseph M. Brown M.D. F.A.C.S. urges patients to look for properly licensed surgeons in their area. Anyone offering a tummy tuck procedure should be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and hold membership at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Both certifications ensure that you are dealing with an industry professional who specializes in the field and has undergone extensive ethics training.

Dr. Joseph M. Brown also advises speaking to multiple surgeons. Ask them for a look at their portfolio to ensure that their work matches the results you’re seeking. Then have a candid conversation with them regarding how your own results may differ due to your unique body.

What to Expect

Skin Removal

During a tummy tuck, your surgeon will make two incisions, as shown in this video by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The first incision will go from hip to hip along your bikini line. This is the point at which excess skin will be removed.

The second incision will go around your navel, as it will need to be re-positioned after the skin is stretched down.

Liposuction

It is important that you are at or close to your ideal weight when you undergo a tummy tuck procedure. However, your surgeon may need to perform some liposuction to remove the stubborn fat from your lower abdomen and hips to give you the desired look.

Muscular Repair

If you’re receiving a tummy tuck after pregnancy or drastic weight loss, it is also likely that your surgeon will need to address the abdominal muscles prior to completing the procedure.

In cases of drastic abdominal expansion, the muscles become physically separated along the center of the body, a condition known as diastasis recti. In these cases, the surgeon will stitch the musculature back together, tightening the core and giving you back much needed abdominal support.

Aftercare

Recovering from a tummy tuck procedure generally takes a few weeks. Make sure that you already have all of your post-op supplies ready at home and arrange care for yourself and any dependents during your recovery period.

Muscular Tension

If your abdominal muscles were repaired, you will not be able to sit up straight for a while. Many patients find that their bodies are not prepared to handle the renewed tightness of the core, and it will take your lower back muscles a few weeks to fully adjust.

It will be uncomfortable, but you should not struggle to sit up right away. Your abdominal muscles will need to heal in the contracted position before you can start testing their strength and stretching them out.

Drains

In some cases, your surgeon will place drains at the sites of the incisions. These are a vital part of your recovery, so you will need to keep them securely in their place. Loose-fitting pants with large pockets or a bathrobe with interior pockets will work.

Let gravity do its job, and make sure you follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding cleaning and bathing.

Scar Minimalization

Of course, there is a risk of scarring with any incision-based procedure, but you can minimize its effect.

1. Bring your bikini to your surgeon to show them where they can most effectively hide your scars.
2. Follow all post-op instructions. You’ll have a lot of dressings to help the healing process and protect your muscular repair. Respect their necessity, and don’t remove them before your surgeon allows you to.
3. After the dressings have been removed, keep the scarring areas moisturized and out of the sun. Apply Vitamin E for an extra boost of moisture and nutrients.