How to choose the surgeon for the hourglass tummy tuck
How to choose the surgeon for the hourglass tummy tuck
Introduction
Hourglass procedures are more and more in demand nowadays as they allow for a significant remodeling of the body in one operation. By undergoing these procedures, women can get close or get the body they have always dreamt of, with curves in all the right places. A hectic lifestyle, multiple pregnancies, weight fluctuations, and even genetic inheritance can cause an unsightly appearance of the body, but nowadays it can be corrected with the help of plastic surgery.
The hourglass tummy tuck aims to correct the imperfections present on the abdominal wall, while also removing the excess of fat from the midline and waist and adding more volume to the hips to create beautiful curves and definition of the body shape. The procedure is recommended for women who want to improve the overall appearance of the body while also correcting the marks left behind by pregnancy or weight fluctuations on the tummy.
In this article, we will discuss more about the hourglass tummy tuck and how to choose the plastic surgeon to play out your procedure.
The hourglass tummy tuck
The hourglass tummy tuck can take two to five hours to be performed, and it requires the medical equipment and devices that can only be found in an accredited medical facility. The procedure is a complex one (maybe the most complex that is performed nowadays), and this is the reason why you will find just a few plastic surgeons who do it routinely.
The hourglass tummy tuck is actually a combination of three different plastic surgery procedures: liposuction, abdominoplasty and fat transfer. These are also the stages of the procedure. The plastic surgeon will start with a liposuction that aims to reduce the dimensions of your midline and waist and keep and process the fat to be used for fat grafting to the hips that will create beautiful curves. The classic abdominoplasty methods are also required to achieve the flat, firm and toned appearance of the tummy by strengthening loose abdominal muscles and eliminating the excess of skin tissue.
A pre-operative consultation with the plastic surgeon will allow him to perform a medical examination on the patient and measurements that are necessary before deciding on the surgical plan to be followed during the procedure. Another consultation will be scheduled with the anesthetist a few days prior to the procedure to discuss anesthesia options. Make sure to tell both the plastic surgeon and the anesthetist if you are suffering from a medical condition or if you have allergies as the surgical plan needs to be created according to the health condition of the patient. The hourglass tummy tuck is a complex and lengthy procedure, so the recommendation would be for the patient to be in top health and emotional condition. However, with the developments of modern medicine and anesthetic substances, nowadays we can safely perform the procedure also on patients confronted with chronic conditions such as diabetes for example.
It is also during the pre-operative consultation that the plastic surgeon will present you the details of the hourglass tummy tuck as well as the instructions for pre-operative preparations. Patients need to follow strict rules before the hourglass tummy tuck to avoid complications. An experienced plastic surgeon will tell you about the need to stop taking birth control medication a month before the procedure, to stop smoking at least three weeks before the procedure, and to avoid anti-inflammatory medication and natural supplements ten days prior to the hourglass tummy tuck.
The patient will find out what is to be expected after the procedure during the pre-operative consultation. Again, there are strict requirements for the post-operative care to keep the patient safe and avoid potential severe complications. The patient will need to avoid sleeping on the tummy or the sides of the body for at least three weeks after the procedure. Walking and lying in bed should be done with a slightly bent forward position of the upper body to avoid unnecessary pressure on the incisions that would cause them to open. Sneezing, coughing, laughing, and any type of intense exercise of the abdominal muscles is to be avoided for a few weeks post-op as to not rupture the incisions.
Just like any other surgical procedure, there are risks and complications associated with this procedure. Because we are actually talking about three different procedures performed as one, there is a potential risk of developing a complication on each area operated on, and this is why it is crucial to get an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to play out your procedure.
How to choose the surgeon for the hourglass tummy tuck
Choosing a plastic surgeon to perform your hourglass tummy tuck can be a difficult task, but keep in mind that this is the most important decision you will take by yourself. All other decisions will be discussed and made together with the plastic surgeon. If he has plenty of experience, the process of undergoing the procedure and recovery period will be smooth and uneventful for you. Even if complications occur that are out of our control, an experienced plastic surgeon will help you get suitable treatment in a timely manner to avoid more severe consequences.
So, how to choose the plastic surgeon for the hourglass tummy tuck?
- Research online
The internet is a good place to start your research. Here you can find information about plastic surgeons in your area and what services they offer. Make sure to find a plastic surgeon who offers the hourglass tummy tuck, and you might discover that there are not many in the United States or around the world because the procedure is rather complex and delicate. If you can’t find a plastic surgeon providing this service in your area, then you can look for someone a reasonable distance away. For example, you should not give in to temptation on spending less money and going abroad to get your tummy tuck as there are dangers associated with getting plastic surgery outside the United States. The trip back home might also be more difficult than you can imagine now.
- Look at before and after pictures of former patients
Once you have one or more plastic surgeons in mind, you can start looking at their sites, Youtube channels, Instagram, etc. to see before and after pictures of former patients and also their take on the procedure. You might notice that different surgeons have different views on the matter. For example, some would consider the combination of liposuction with a classic tummy tuck as being enough to create the hourglass body, while others will deem as necessary the whole three stages of the procedure. Experienced plastic surgeons will have plenty of information for you to check and compare videos, brochures, infographics, and before and after pictures. When assessing the pictures, make sure to find a patient with similar characteristics as yours.
It is important to mention that you should be aware of surgeons or clinics who use pictures stolen from others or have no pictures or videos to show on their sites. This can mean that they offer the service, but they don’t have enough experience performing it. And you certainly don’t want an inexperienced plastic surgeon performing your hourglass tummy tuck surgery.
- Check for accreditations and recommendations
The plastic surgeon should also be board-certified and have recommendations from former patients. The board certification is important as it stands for hundreds of hours of both practice and theory. Also, the surgeon should have accreditations to perform the procedure in a hospital or medical clinic that has all the necessary accreditations. The hourglass tummy tuck is a complex procedure, and you can’t have it in just any condition. The plastic surgeon should be performing it routinely to be able to foresee potential complications and help you minimize the risks associated with this procedure.
Conclusion
The hourglass tummy tuck is popular nowadays due to the spectacular results it can deliver on patients with a strong medical indication for the procedure. The procedure can sculpt the body while correcting loose abdominal muscles and an excess of skin on the inferior part of the body. Patients can enjoy a more beautiful and alluring shape of the body and also a flat and firm tummy after the procedure.
Choosing the right plastic surgeon is crucial for the success of your procedure. The hourglass tummy tuck has a distinct component of aesthetics, aside from functionality and spectacular results that can only be achieved when the procedure is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who plays out this procedure routinely.
