Loose, sagging skin, excess fat, and muscle weakness in the abdomen can cause deep frustration for many individuals, especially those who have tried to solve their body sculpting issues through dieting and exercise to no avail.
Whether you’ve noticed contour changes in the midsection due to aging, pregnancy, or massive weight loss, a strategically performed NaturaTuck® abdominoplasty can help restore your physique and your confidence. In fact, many patients can go down 2-3 pants sizes after their procedure. In this blog, our team at Alizadeh Cosmoplastic Surgery in Long Island & NYC will discuss in more detail how many sizes you can drop after undergoing abdominoplasty.
First…What Exactly Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon to reshape the midsection, providing the patient with a flatter belly and a more youthful, sculpted physique. The surgery can address sagging skin and separated stomach muscles while also repositioning the belly button in a more aesthetically pleasing location. Tummy tucks are often combined with liposuction to eradicate stubborn, exercise-resistant fat. Types of tummy tucks include standard abdominoplasty, mini-abdominoplasty, extended abdominoplasty, reverse abdominoplasty, and Fleur de Lys abdominoplasty.
Dr. Alizadeh Explains the NaturalTuck Procedure
What Concerns Can a Tummy Tuck Address?
In addition to removing hanging, loose skin from the abdomen, tummy tucks are ideal for restoring abdominal muscle strength. Many women suffer from a condition known as diastasis recti after pregnancy, in which the belly muscles become weak and separated. A tummy tuck can help. In general, abdominoplasty can address the following concerns:
- Sagging skin
- Unwanted wrinkles and folds
- A “muffin top”
- Stretch marks
- Chafing, irritation, and discomfort
- Stubborn, excess fat
- A poor fit in clothing, swimwear, and lingerie
- Weakened, separated stomach muscles
- Loss of stamina and vitality
- Self-consciousness and a poor self-image
How Much Weight Can Patients Shed With a Tummy Tuck?
While a tummy tuck is not considered a tool for weight loss, it can help to reshape the midsection and create a flatter, more sculpted belly. Patients typically lose a few pounds due to the removal of excess skin, tissue, and fat during the abdominoplasty process. However, for most, dropping a few pants sizes is one of the most rewarding benefits of undergoing a tummy tuck. The procedure can help men and women go down around 2-3 pants sizes while also reducing the circumference of the waist. These results will be influenced by how much skin was removed during surgery and how well the patient adheres to their post-surgical maintenance plan. By following a healthy diet and exercise regimen and avoiding weight fluctuations, patients can typically expect their tummy tuck results to last for decades.
Real Patient NaturaTuck® Abdominoplasty Results
What Role Does Liposuction Play in the Body Contouring Process?
Liposuction and abdominoplasty go hand in hand. The tummy tuck process removes excess sagging skin and firms the underlying stomach muscles, while liposuction works to eradicate stubborn, excess fat that compromises a streamlined silhouette. In some rare cases, the patient can achieve their body sculpting goals using liposuction alone. Most will need a combination approach to create the flat, toned stomach they envision.
Belly fat is notoriously difficult to get rid of through dieting and exercise alone. With liposuction, patients can accomplish their aesthetic goals and regain motivation and stamina for their workouts. In summary, liposuction is a critical partner to abdominoplasty when it comes to helping patients drop several pants sizes and look their absolute best.
How Easy Is It to Hide Abdominoplasty Scars?
In addition to wondering how many pants sizes they can do down, many patients question what types of scars they can expect after abdominoplasty. Regardless of the type of tummy tuck undergone, a rather large incision must be made, so it is natural to have concerns about scarring. During the consultation process, each patient is evaluated physically to discern the best location for the incision so that scarring will be as inconspicuous as possible. Most abdominoplasty incisions are created at the lower edge of the stomach within the pubic line. This means that scars are not visible when the patient wears jeans, underwear, or bathing suits. Incision placement falls under the artistry of your plastic surgeon, so it’s critical to choose a provider who has a refined eye for detail and precision.
What Will Tummy Tuck Recovery Entail?
The recovery process for each patient will be individualized, as factors such as age, overall health, skin quality, the type of techniques utilized, and whether other procedures were added on will affect the amount of downtime required. After surgery, patients are fitted with compression garments, which help to reduce postoperative swelling and keep the newly sculpted abdominal contours in place.
Sitting and bending can naturally be uncomfortable for a few weeks after abdominoplasty. You will be able to take prescription pain medications to help offset soreness. Most people can return to work within around 2-3 weeks after abdominoplasty. Strenuous exercise should be postponed for 4-6 weeks. Of course, every patient will receive a customized healing timeline after their treatment plan has been mapped out.
Get Ready to Shop for New Clothes, Long Islanders!
If you’ve been longing to update your wardrobe, understand that a tummy tuck can help you to drop 2-3 pants sizes. While not a weight-loss procedure, abdominoplasty can positively affect your waistline, allowing you to enjoy a greater variety of outfits, swimwear, and lingerie. The first step is to contact us at Alizadeh Cosmoplastic Surgery to set up a private consultation with award-winning, board-certified Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh, a body sculpting expert serving NYC, Long Island, and the greater New York region.