A Complete Guide to Getting a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

There is no substitute for feeling great about the way you look. It’s human nature to want to look your best, and more often than not, it’s not about vanity. It’s about confidence. When you feel confident about your outward appearance, it has positive effects on your inner self. As we age or experience pregnancies or weight loss, our bodies are changed in permanent ways. And, flabby excess skin will not go away not matter how much you diet or exercise.

When you carry around an extra load of saggy skin, it can affect your self-esteem as you become increasingly unhappy about the contour of your body. If you feel frustrated when your best efforts don’t yield the results you want, it might be time to consider a tummy tuck in Lubbock. A tummy tuck isn’t a weight loss surgery but rather a procedure to remove excess skin and improve your quality of life. It is a great support to your weight loss goals and healthy habits.  

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty, better known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure for removing up to 10 pounds of skin from a patient’s abdominal area. Weakened and separated abdominal muscles are tightened and repaired during surgery as well. Tummy tucks are also often paired with liposuction to further enhance the contouring effects.

Things To Consider Before Your Surgery

A Tummy tuck is a major surgery and should be considered carefully with plenty of education and counsel from Dr. Jane Rowley. During your preliminary evaluation with Dr. Rowley, she will prepare you for what to expect, and ensure your health and body are right for plastic surgery in Lubbock. Plan to discuss the following topics:

• Your weight – Tummy tucks don’t require a certain number on the scale, but you should be close to your goal weight. It is important that you are able to maintain a stable weight to keep your surgical results intact.
• Your eating habits – A healthy and sustainable diet is essential for a healthy recovery and lasting results.
• Whether you smoke – If you do, consider quitting or make a plan to stop for a while because nicotine can interfere with the healing process. Expect to refrain from smoking, nicotine patches, and nicotine gum for several weeks before and after the surgery.

What Happens During a Tummy Tuck?

Surgery is performed with the use of general anesthetics. A standard tummy tuck in Lubbock begins with a horizontal incision running between the hip bones. The plastic surgeon lifts the skin and tightens the abdominal muscles underneath. The extra skin is removed and the navel is repositioned to match the new shape of your tummy. Surgery is wrapped up with the closure of incisions.

Tummy tucks can address varying degrees of hanging skin; some people’s excess skin is only beneath the belly button and others have flab that extends all the way around their back. Depending on how extensive your surgery is, it can take anywhere from one to five hours. You will need a driver to take you home.

Planning For Recovery

You should not spend your first night alone, make sure you have someone to help you throughout the night. Your incision will be stitched and bandaged. It is important that you follow Dr. Rowley’s specific care instructions to ensure a healthy recovery. Moving will be tough during your recovery. Plan on wearing loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Make sure your phone is in reach if you need it. A hand-held shower head and bathroom chair are ideal.

Plan for several weeks of recovery, and take off plenty of time from work for an uninterrupted recovery time. Too much activity following the surgery before you are completely healed can complicate your recovery. Give you body the time it needs to rest and heal.

Look and Feel Better With a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

Patients who have lost significant amounts of weight can feel happy about the weight loss but discouraged about the saggy stomach skin that is left behind. Getting rid of that extra skin gives your body the flatter tummy you had hoped to have after your weight loss. A tummy tuck will strengthen your body’s core and improve your posture. Extreme weight loss or c-section surgeries can lead to a lapse in muscle control that can lead to hernias. A tummy tuck in Lubbock can also repair ventral hernias and improve bladder control. The procedure is about more than just flattening your belly – it’s a surgery for repair and healing.

The Gift of Confidence

Excess belly skin can be an emotional and physical annoyance that can damage self-confidence. As this holiday season approaches, give yourself the gift of confidence as you move forward in your health, wellness, and appearance efforts. Dr. Jane Rowley is the leading plastic surgeon in Lubbock who carefully discusses the options that best match the cosmetic goals of her patients. Meet with Dr. Rowley to learn about options for plastic surgery in Lubbock that are right for your needs. At Rowley Plastic Surgery, you can feel confident knowing you are in good hands. Contact our office today for a no-obligation consultation.