Approaching Your Tummy Tuck With the Right Outlook

One of the most important things a plastic surgeon looks for in his tummy tuck patients is a positive, but realistic outlook. This means being frank with the patient about the risks, the recovery time, and the probable outcome. Being in good physical health is a must, of course, but being in good psychological health is perhaps just as important. Those patients who think they will walk out of the operating room with the body they had in high school need to adjust their expectations before going forward. The same is true for a number of factors. Here are some things you should know so you can approach your procedure with the right outlook.

Patience is a Virtue

All plastic surgery takes time for its full effects to reveal themselves. For the tummy tuck, this might be more true than for other procedures. It is a very complex procedure and recovery takes time. During this recovery, you will probably be unable to work, and even after returning to work it may take some additional time for you to feel completely like yourself again. Some patients grow depressed during this time and regret their surgery. If you're properly prepared for the extensive recovery, however, you will know what you're in for and you won't regret a thing.

Cost

There are a number of costs associated with getting a tummy tuck that may not be explicitly mentioned in the bill. The surgery itself is already pricey, but you'll need to budget beyond that. You may require special clothing during the time where swelling is still a factor, and you may need an entirely new wardrobe when all is said and done. There is also the cost of the medications you'll need to make a complete recovery. Follow up appointments should be included in the cost of the surgery, however.

Obesity

Getting a tummy tuck is not a shortcut to getting skinny. If you're overweight, you may need to address the underlying issues either before or after having the procedure. Having abdominoplasty surgery isn't going to do anything for excess weight in your thighs, arms, and buttocks. A good exercise and dieting program, however, can address those issues. You might want to consider losing as much weight as possible on your own. In fact, many people go in for abdominoplasty after having lost weight on their own, looking to surgery to correct problems such as loose skin. This is a healthy way to go about it, and something you should consider before setting up your appointment.