Tummy tuck surgery is often confused with liposuction, though they are entirely different procedures—though it is not uncommon for the two procedures to be combined. Where liposuction removes fat deposits within the body, tummy tuck surgery Chicago Illinois works on removing surface skin. Often this skin has lost elasticity due to age, pregnancy, or weight loss and cannot be alleviated via traditional exercise.

The main reason that a tummy tuck and liposuction are combined is that the removal of fat deposits within the body can then result excess skin that needs to be trimmed away. At other times, there is no problem with fat deposits so only the exterior skin needs to be trimmed and removed. Discuss with your surgeon which type of surgery will be most beneficial for the abdominal region.

After extreme weight loss or pregnancy, there can be a problem with sagging skin. In either case, tummy tuck surgery Chicago Illinois will not be recommended if the patient wishes to become pregnant in the future, as the stomach area will need to expand. Again, this is something to discuss with your surgeon in your initial consultation. If pregnancy is not an issue, tummy tuck surgery Chicago Illinois is a good choice for people with a protruding stomach, weak abdomen, loss of elasticity, or other issues that cannot be fixed without surgery.

Normally, an incision is made at the base of the stomach, beneath the bathing suit line, so the scar will not show. This depends on the nature of the problem because the surgeon may need to make a higher incision if the problem area is well above the navel. During tummy tuck surgery Chicago Illinois, the skin is stretched flat and the excess skin is then trimmed away.

Often, tummy tuck surgery Chicago Illinois can be performed on an outpatient basis—the patient can go home the same day as surgery. There will be some pain for the first few days after surgery and limited activity is recommended for a few weeks after the surgery is done. Normally, patients can resume their normal routine after two weeks time. As time goes on, the incision scars from tummy tuck surgery Chicago Illinois will fade.