Many women have benefited from tummy tuck surgery. It is an advanced procedure that tightens your abdominal muscles by removing excess fat and skin. The primary objective of tummy tuck is to have a slimmer, well-toned, and more contoured abdomen.
A tummy tuck is also an excellent way to remove creases on your abdomen caused by aging, pregnancy, or rapid weight loss. Women who want to remove excess fat from their belly after pregnancy or childbirth undergo liposuction or tummy tuck. While many surgeons prefer liposuction, others favor a tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck is a reliable and safe procedure to improve your physical appear and achieve your cosmetic goals. However, it requires careful postoperative planning and preparation.
Women who fail to follow their health providers’ guidelines have an increased risk of injuries, incision reopening, fluid accumulation in the belly button, infections, and decreased chances of getting a tattoo.
In addition to these issues, some women experience a hernia after a tummy tuck. The condition occurs when your stomach pushes through a muscle opening and holds it in place.
The primary cause of this condition is weakened muscles in the stomach, appearing in and around your belly button. Remember, it is crucial to seek treatment on time to avoid severe discomfort and complications. Read on!
Can I have a hernia after a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is a safe procedure with a reduced risk of hernia. A growing body of research evidence shows that developing a hernia is an uncommon and rare complication after a tummy tuck.
In simple words, most patients do not experience this complication. So, it is a misconception among women that a tummy tuck can cause a hernia. However, this problem can occur after a tummy tuck, especially when patients choose an amateur surgeon with no experience.
Incisional hernia is the most common in the abdomen region after a tummy tuck. For example, if your surgeon has not used the sutures properly, they won’t tighten the stomach muscles and damage the surrounding muscles.
On the other hand, you may have a hernia for another reason before undergoing a tummy tuck. However, it becomes prevalent after the fat tissues and skin removal. Anyway, if you notice swelling or bulging in your abdominal area after the surgery, make sure you contact your health provider. The surgeon may prescribe you to undergo a CT scan or MRI to determine the cause of the hernia.
How can I avoid a hernia after a tummy tuck?
Although a hernia is a rare complication after a tummy tuck, some patients experience the condition due to poor postoperative care. Generally, a hernia develops six months after a tummy tuck when your abdominal area heals.
Some patients experience incisional hernias after the procedure. The most common cause of this condition is ineffective rehabilitation, poor health, older age, and weakened muscles.
We recommend following your health provider’s instructions to avoid a hernia during rehabilitation. Your surgeon will ask you to limit your activity level, avoid sexual activity until your wound heals, prevent constipation by eating fresh veggies and fruits, avoid putting pressure on the incision site, and seek treatment for common conditions like allergies, coughs, and sneezing.
Some studies show that weight gain can increase the risk of a hernia after the tummy tuck. Consuming a healthy diet, including fresh veggies, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, are an excellent way to maintain a healthy weight. So, when you maintain a healthy diet and optimal body weight, you can reduce the risk of developing a hernia.
Avoid constipation by consuming high-fiber food to ensure smooth and trouble-free bowel movements. When you need to go to the bathroom, avoid straining your abdominal muscles to reduce the chances of hernia development.
If you are a smoker, you have a higher risk of developing a hernia. Because smokers have increased and severe coughing spells, they are more prone to developing a hernia. Therefore, it is crucial to quit smoking at least two weeks before tummy tuck surgery.
What to do Next?
A tummy tuck is a reliable cosmetic procedure to remove excess fatty tissues and skin from the abdominal region. However, it requires a lot of care during the recovery period to avoid complications, such as injuries, bacterial accumulation, fungal infections, fluid buildup, and a hernia.
Therefore, it is vital to make an informed decision by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon for a tummy tuck. Miami Lakes Plastic Surgery Clinic has a team of professional, skilled, and experienced surgeons who can perform the surgery safely and give you a detailed postoperative care plan.
That way, you can speed up the recovery process and achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday to Friday if you have any questions or schedule an appointment with our qualified and reputable plastic surgeon.
