Categories: Blog

How Painful Is a Tummy Tuck?

Whether you have recently lost weight or you have endured one or multiple pregnancies that have left you with loose skin, there is an effective solution to help you reach your ideal image. At the practice of Dr. Gutowski, in Glenview, IL, we offer the tummy tuck as a way to tighten and tone your stomach to regain your confidence, look better in your clothes, and finally reach your physique goals without having to spend hours in the gym or endure restrictive diets.

How Painful Is a Tummy Tuck?

As with any elective surgical procedure, there is some discomfort involved in the recovery process as your body begins the healing process, but you will feel no pain during the actual procedure itself. You can rest assured that the experts at Dr. Gutowski’s practice will do everything possible to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible immediately following your procedure, as well as during the recovery period.

The “No Drain” Difference

One aspect that sets Dr. Gutowski’s tummy tucks apart from other surgeons is that he uses a “no drain” approach, which allows for faster healing, shorter recovery time, and therefore, less pain. Drains are typically inserted into the surgical sites to allow for fluid drainage post-procedure, but Dr. Gutowski has perfected a different approach that does not require drains but instead uses a progressive suturing process that prevents fluid draining and promotes healing.

Most people associate pain with the recovery process, but Dr. Gutowski uses his expertise, skill, and experience to take every approach possible to shorten the recovery process so that you can get back to your life faster and enjoy your results as soon as possible. This “no drain” approach results in a shorter recovery time and a faster return to all of the activities that you enjoy, including physical activity.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

This procedure is one of the most popular elective, cosmetic surgeries. It is a procedure that removes both excess fat and skin from the abdomen and then tightens the remaining skin to create a smooth, flat, and firm stomach. It is an effective solution for both men and women who are at a healthy weight but have had trouble reaching their body goals through diet and fitness alone.

 

The Different Types of Procedures

There are three different types of tummy tucks. These differ based on the needs and goals of the patient undergoing the procedure. During your initial consultation, Dr. Gutowski will analyze your abdominal area and discuss your goals to determine which of these three procedures will best help you reach those goals.

The Full

This procedure is typically performed on women who have had multiple pregnancies and have excess folds of skin as a result. It involves the use of liposuction to get rid of excess fat, secures the abdominal muscles to create a toned appearance, and repositions the belly button to look as natural as possible.

The Extended

This procedure is typically used for those who have recently lost a significant amount of weight and need a lot of contouring and skin tightening. It uses liposuction to remove fat, repositions the belly buttons, and removes and tightens excess skin.

 

The Mini

This procedure is the alternative to the traditional version and is designed for those who are in good shape and only have a small amount of fat and skin that they want to be addressed and corrected. It does not involve the re-positioning of the belly button but instead simply tightens the skin and lower abdomen creating a flatter and firmer appearance.

 

Ways to Make Your Recovery Process Easier

When you work to make your recovery process is a smooth one, your body will heal quickly and you will be able to resume all of the things you love and enjoy your results as soon as possible. By focusing on a healthy lifestyle including a healthy diet, adequate movement, and being disciplined in following the aftercare instructions given to you by our office, you will make your recovery process a quick one and avoid as much discomfort as possible.

Move

After an initial rest period of 48 hours, moving your body is the best thing that you can do, even if you don’t feel like it. This doesn’t mean that you should go for a jog, but you need to move your body to promote blood flow to avoid potential blood clotting. Focus on doing light movements and walk at a leisurely pace. We will give you specific instructions on how long to move each day during your recovery period.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Diet is an essential part of your recovery process. A diet filled with foods that will nourish the body will make all of the difference in how quickly your body heals. Fuel your body with complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, natural sugars, lean proteins, and lots of leafy green vegetables. Take vitamins and a probiotic to offset any effects from medications. Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake. Increase your water intake and drink herbal teas to help promote healing.

Avoid processed foods, empty calories, foods high in sugars, and any other unhealthy foods that would unnecessarily tax the body and detract from your recovery and healing process. When you make sure that your diet is a healthy one, you’ll recover much quicker than you would if you did not eat healthy foods during this time.

Enlist Help

Before your procedure, arrange for someone to come to your home to help you with household duties and meal preparation for the first few days. This will make all the difference and will allow you to rest and focus on your recovery instead of trying to pack lunches or do loads of laundry. When you spend the first 48 hours resting as recommended, you will be on the road to a healthy and quick recovery. 

Try to find a friend, family member, or even a babysitter who can come over for a few hours and do the things that you can’t and shouldn’t be spending energy on at this point in your recovery. As you continue to focus on moving each day, eating a healthy diet, and taking care of your body, you will slowly regain your ability to resume your daily activities and perform the daily necessities required of your household, and they won’t feel as difficult.

Stay in Contact With Your Surgeon

It is important to stay in close contact with your surgeon during your recovery period. Make sure that you are following all of the aftercare instructions and that you are attending all of your follow-up appointments after your procedure. Follow all of the aftercare instructions given by our office and take all of the recommended medications, wear your compression garment as directed for the amount of time required, and don’t hesitate to call us.
If you have any questions, concerns, or issues with any of the aftercare instructions, we will be happy to help you in any way that you need. If you are in any pain or something doesn’t feel right, you can call us immediately and schedule an appointment with Dr. Gutowski if needed.

 

Am I a Candidate?

Contrary to popular opinion, this procedure is not a solution for those who need or want to lose weight. Instead, the ideal candidate is someone who is in good health and is near their goal weight but needs some additional help reaching their ultimate physique goals. Other candidates include those who have recently lost a lot of weight and have excess skin they cannot get rid of on their own.

 

Pregnancy

It’s no secret that while pregnancy ends in a baby, it also results in loose skin. Whether you have had one pregnancy or multiple pregnancies and you’ve been left with loose skin on your abdomen as a result, a tummy tuck may be just a thing you need to help you feel your best, look better in your clothes, and help you feel like your old self again.

However, if you are interested in this procedure but are still planning on having more children, it is advisable to wait until you are done having children first. If you get a tummy tuck and then get pregnant again, you will be left with more loose skin and you will not get the most optimal results from your procedure.

Recent Weight Loss

If you have just come to the end of a very significant weight loss journey, and as a result are left with excess skin, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck. This procedure will help you reach your aesthetic goals by getting rid of the loose skin surrounding your abdominal area and tightening it, creating the abs of your dreams.

A Little Bit of Loose Skin

If you are at a healthy weight and are in good health, but you have some fat and loose skin on your stomach that you just can’t seem to address on your own, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck. If you’re a perfectionist and want to reach your aesthetic goals, this procedure will help you do just that.

Even though you may have less fat and skin than the typical candidate does, you will still get results that you may have never dreamed possible. And all of it will come without having to do any crazy diet or intense exercise.

The Importance of a Consultation

The best way to determine whether or not you are a candidate for this procedure is during an initial consultation with Dr. Gutowski. During this time, you will be able to express your concerns and your ideal physique goals, as well as ask any questions you may have regarding the surgery. Dr. Gutowski will analyze your abdominal area, review your health history, discuss the different procedure options, and explain the surgical process.

This will help you become fully informed about the procedure so that you know exactly what to expect and you can get a realistic understanding of what goes on during and after the procedure.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today

If you want to reach your physique goals, there is a way to get the midsection of your dreams without spending another day performing endless amounts of sprints on the treadmill or restricting your eating to the point where you can’t enjoy your life. Contact the practice of Dr. Gutowski in Glenview, IL, and schedule your initial tummy tuck consultation today.

Dr. Karol A. Gutowski

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