The reasons patients choose a tummy tuck – also known as an abdominoplasty–are diverse. Whether you’re a new mom ready to feel like your old self or you’re a weight loss warrior who shed significant pounds and wants to ditch the loose skin, the results of a tummy tuck surgery are intended to be permanent.
At Burgess Plastic Surgery, Dr. Elisa Burgess helps her patients achieve a firmer abdomen. There are a few habits you’ll want to keep up at home to ensure your results last.
Tummy Tuck Maintenance Tips
Generally, a tummy tuck surgery lasts just one to two hours. The dramatic results can feel like a huge relief, especially when you’ve been doing your daily crunches for months without a significant change.
From removing stubborn excess skin and fat to repairing abdominal walls after pregnancy, there are some things diet and exercise just can’t do. That said, diet and exercise are the main factors in ensuring your results are permanent.
Any skin or fat cells removed during a tummy tuck are gone for good, but maintaining a healthy routine after recovery is key to preventing the remaining fat cells from growing in the area.
Likewise, abdominal muscles repaired after pregnancy will maintain their integrity, but major weight gain or another pregnancy can reverse this result.
Enjoy Lasting Tummy Tuck Results
If your weight is relatively stable after your tummy tuck, you can expect to enjoy a more toned abdomen permanently. However, the natural aging process will impact your results. And if you’re considering having another child, you might want to hold off on a tummy tuck until your family is complete.
Many patients find it’s easier to maintain healthy habits after a tummy tuck. If your goal is removing excess skin or repairing abdominal muscles, exercising could be more comfortable than it was before the procedure.
Once the incision is fully healed, many patients will use Biocorneum Scar Cream to help reduce the appearance of scarring. Other options for long-term maintenance can be IPL (Intense Pulse Light) or microneedling (ex. Skinpen or Secret RF). Your provider will let you know which option is best.
Schedule Your Lake Oswego Tummy Tuck
If you’re ready to learn how a tummy tuck can give you a more contoured look, call 503-699-6464 to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Burgess at Burgess Plastic Surgery in Lake Oswego, OR. In her decades of experience, she’s helped countless patients achieve their aesthetic goals and improve their self-confidence.
