Tummy Tuck-Getting A Consultation
If you've ever considered a tummy tuck, but never discussed your options with a surgeon, there is a lot of information you should know about what happens before the actual surgery. While you may have an idea of how you would like to look after surgery, only the plastic surgeon will know for sure if they can help you achieve this look.
Therefore,
an initial consultation with the surgeon will both help determine if you are a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery, and allow the surgeon to assess your abdominal area. This initial consultation helps the surgeon to understand your expectations and determine what is realistic.A good candidate for a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty will have several conditions related to excess skin and fat. Additionally, separate and weakened abdominal muscles, as well as a protruding abdomen can make one eligible for this reconstructive surgery; for both men and women.
Visiting a surgeon for a consultation can determine if a patient has these conditions. The first part of this consultation involves getting information from the patient about their medical history and expectations of surgery. This will be important information for the surgeon because a patient with a history of asthma or smoking may have difficulty with the use of anesthesia and healing after the surgery. Furthermore, patients who plan on losing weight or becoming pregnant will be limited in their surgical options. Therefore, it is important to give the doctor a full medical disclosure, because any withheld information can result in complications.
This part of the consultation is only one step to help determine a patient's eligibility for tummy tuck surgery. The surgeon must then thoroughly examine the abdominal area. Unfortunately, some patients may see this as a little invasive. First, the surgeon will examine the abdomen while lying down and standing; this allows them to assess the amount of excess skin. They will also evaluate the amount of excess fat, as well as the condition of the stomach muscles. The surgeon may also need to take photographs and outline the abdomen with a plan for surgery.
There is a lot of planning and preparation that goes into getting a tummy tuck. However, this only helps to create better results. Even during the initial consultation, it is important to be candid with the surgeon and ask many questions. This may be a little uncomfortable for some patients, but the surgeon's number one goal is to create realistic results that are close to what the patient has desired.
