Things to Know About TUMMY TUCKS

In the world of cosmetic surgery...the tummy tuck (which is technically known as abdominoplasty) is not as many individuals believe a method of weight loss but instead is geared towards removing fat, tightening stomach muscles and strengthening the walls of the abdomen. In most case studies, it's all about the abdominal skin that has lost elasticity and no longer responds to the efforts of diet or exercise could benefit tremendously from a tummy tuck. Dieting and exercising of course are very important to lose weight and tone muscles but they cannot tighten loose flabby skin or improve the part of the abdomen known as the inner girdle. Let's face it, we all have a flaw here or there. Especially after pregnancies and weight loss/gain we run into this problem and if can seriously affect our confidence. What can we do about it? What is a tummy tuck? Here's the 4-1-1:

A tummy tuck will tighten your inner girdle and therefore give you a flatter, smoother looking stomach. How many of us want that flat stomach? Everyone that I know does....but how much do we really know about this topic? I'm about to embark on some things that I recently learned about this procedure. Although the results of an abdominoplasty procedure are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies may be advised to postpone abdominoplasty surgery.

 A tummy tuck can get rid of almost all of the fat in your lower abdominal area and stretch marks will become a thing of the past. Plastic surgeons believe that the effects of pregnancy cannot distort a woman’s abdominal area so badly that it cannot be repaired by a tummy tuck. Besides women who’ve given birth, tummy tucks are favored by men and women alike who have lost a great deal of weight and are left with an excess of loose skin around their mid section.

Speaking of the inner girdle, we all have one, both men and women alike. The inner girdle can be found extending from your ribcage, down the length of your abdomen to your pubic bone and also from one side of the abdomen to the other. The inner girdle is situated between the abdominal fat of your body and your rectus muscles. The inner girdle is tough and sturdy and its primary job is to support the abdomen’s contents in order that they do not protrude outward. The gristle that is obvious on a piece of steak is the exact same substance that your inner girdle is made up of. Plastic surgeons have devised their own special name for this layer of skin- they call it “fascia.”

When a woman becomes pregnant her inner girdle stretches to accommodate the fact that the uterus is becoming bigger. After the baby has been born, with exercise and diet her muscles will regain some of the tone they once had, however her inner girdle will not fare as well. After pregnancy the inner girdle often does not go back into the proper shape it was in beforehand as it is not as resilient or as elastic as the abdominal muscles. For this reason after a woman has finished having her children she may decide to have a tummy tuck because the operation will allow for the tightening of the inner girdle in order to give it a flatter, smoother, and more attractive appearance. It is important to note that what a tummy tuck is all about is tightening the inner girdle and not tightening the muscles.

The abdominal muscles in fact are below the inner girdle and are never exposed at any time during the surgical procedure.

Tummy tucks can indeed do wonders however they are not miracle cures by any means, and do have their limits. The stretch marks on your lower abdomen, as previously mentioned, will disappear with a tummy tuck procedure but the same cannot be said for your mid or upper abdomen, although the tummy tuck will move stretch marks in these areas down lower on your abdominal area. If your upper abdomen consists of a thick layer of fat then unfortunately abdominoplasty will not get rid of the thickness. Liposuction may be out of the question as well due to circulation and healing problems as well as other complications. 

Tummy tucks can be broken down into three different types. There is the mini tummy tuck, the full tummy tuck and the ‘fleur de lise’ tummy tuck. The mini tuck is the best choice for those individuals who have only a little bit of loose or flabby skin in their abdominal area. In this case a low short transverse scar is made in the line where underwear sits and from here the plastic surgeon can take out excess fat and skin and tighten up the muscles. The most popular kind of tummy tuck which is also the one that has the most dramatic after effects is the full tummy tuck. When performing a full tummy tuck the plastic surgeon uses a similar scar as in the case of the mini tummy tuck but the surgery involves a larger area. The skin is elevated all the way up to the bottom of the ribcage and skin from the belly button to the pubic area is taken out creating a flatter appearance. The patient’s original belly button is gone with this procedure and a new one must be created by the surgeon. The last tummy tuck, known as ‘fleur de lise’ is the best bet for patients who already have vertical scars from past stomach stapling surgeries. With this operation the surgeon uses the pre-existing scar to fold in the skin including the sides of it. 

Abdominoplasty is a good option for you if:

• You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
• You have realistic expectations
• You do not smoke

Although the results of an abdominoplasty procedure are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies may be advised to postpone abdominoplasty surgery. 

 

What a tummy tuck won't do:

Tummy tucks are not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. Also, tummy tuck operations cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be excised, generally the treated areas below the belly button.

As with all surgeries, think, before you DO. Get more than one opinion, and always seek advice from a professional. 

www.simplydeliciouslingerie.com

 

Cosmetic Enhancements...Are they Necessary?

Do you look in the mirror some days and wonder what you would look like with a firmer ass,  larger boobs, no flab on your tummy or thighs, perhaps a smaller nose? Of course you have... Everyone has thought of making changes to their appearance at one time or another and often women and men decide to just go a head with a cosmetic surgery. The things is...you can't let others tell you what to do or what not to do. It is your body and only you can choose if you wish to enhance it. In my honest opinion, I think that some people get carried away with their looks.

My grandmother used to say "Be grateful for what God has given you and accept it." For the most part I think we do accept our bodies, but in some cases there are times that we need that extra boost for our confidence...and my grandmother was very old fashion. If we don't like our looks we have weaknesses and insecurities. An enhancement is something that you should do if there is a reason for it, not because you are bored with your body and want to make changes. Some people are born with features beyond their control. Some people have been in accidents and need surgeries, others are just obsessed. Once you have made the decision to get cosmetic surgery, it is time to decide who to contact for your cosmetic surgery needs. When choosing a surgeon consider following the step by step guide below: 

Do some research: If you need to know who the best surgeon in your area is for the particular type of change you want done on your body, ask one of your friends, check the local hospital, or search the Internet. All these methods of cosmetic surgeons are legitimate. Get a second opinion if it gives you a peace of mind.

Check the surgeon’s credentials: Furthermore, you should check the surgeon’s credentials. It is important not only that this type of surgeon is a medical doctor, but that this medical doctor has training specifically in cosmetic surgery. Usually when you interview with a doctor, you will see on the wall that doctor's practicing licenses, as well as the areas of medical study the doctor has expertise in. You may even ask where else the doctor has worked, and follow up on a reference check. 

If you are sent to a doctor to whom you were referred by a friend or family member, you can ask the person who referred you some questions. Remember, no question is a dumb question, and you should ask that person everything you want to know, in order to make sure that doctor is also right for you. 

Take a look at photos of previous patients: Often a cosmetic surgeon will have before and after pictures of reconstructive surgery of patients. Some patients have had wrinkles removed, breasts enlarged or reduced, hair transplants, liposuction, jaw surgery, buttocks reshaping, and fat transfers. If you are impressed with the change of these people, then you are most likely to feel comfortable with this surgeon's work. 

See how you may look after surgery: Some of the best cosmetic surgeons will show you a computer simulation which will represent how you will look after surgery. This has helped many people decide if the surgery is worth the time, cost, and energy. 

Find out about recovery plans: Big issue here...make sure that you get all the information otherwise you may not take enough time off of work. This is the most important aspect of choosing a surgeon for your reconstructive needs. A good cosmetic surgeon will tell you what to do during the weeks proceeding and following the cosmetic surgery, such as the affects of surgery, and what to expect during the healing process. In addition, that surgeon will also need to know how long before and after you will be allowed to eat, what diet you should be on, and the emotional effects of patients after surgery. Likewise, that same doctor will guide you in how to deal with the reaction of family, friends and co-workers who may have mixed feelings about your decision to get cosmetic surgery. 

Find out what technical procedures are used: Modern technological equipment used in cosmetic surgery includes lasers, endoscopes, computers and more. Equipment such as this will speed up the surgery process, shorten the recovery time, and reduce the amount of pain following surgery. Make sure that you find out the risks and benefits of each type of surgery equipment before committing yourself to the surgery.

Furthermore, make sure that you pick a cosmetic surgeon who will use the safest, least invasive, and most advanced techniques available. You owe it to yourself to get what you put into your surgery; because it costs you time, money, energy, and also will affect your future. 

Inquire about the outcome: A good doctor, no matter what the field that person is an expert of, will tell you the possible outcomes of having cosmetic surgery. He will tell you thoroughly what to expect, including possible ways to fix any flaws afterwards. That way you will be prepared for what ever may come to mind, and will not be shocked if something goes wrong. It is important for you to know exactly what you are getting into, so be sure to ask the surgeon, or potential surgeon as many questions as possible. 

In fact it may be best for you to make a list of questions before you go in that way you are prepared. Some examples of questions you may ask the surgeon are how long the recovery time is, or whether or not there will be any pain. You can also ask whether or not their will be any scars, bruises, or swelling, and how long it will last. Do not be afraid you will be asking too many questions. It is the surgeon's job to make you feel comfortable, and to be honest with you. 

Prepare for a possible letdown: There is one more thing you should keep in mind when you decide on a cosmetic surgery. Some patients have been known to be depressed after surgery. This is often caused by the fact that you may expect to look like a totally different person as soon as the surgery is completed.

A good cosmetic surgeon will have prepared you beforehand for this possibility. Therefore, make sure that you end up with a cosmetic surgeon who encourages you, guides you, and comforts you through the entire process, as well as educates you on what to expect. 

Common reactions from friends and family: Oh, most often they will give you a lot of negativity. Most well educated and experienced physicians who perform cosmetic surgery will prepare you for every aspect of the surgery. Many people think it is wrong to have this type of surgery, ( I say to each his own, and that is their opinion...BUT it is YOUR body!) and they will shun you from doing so for a variety of reasons. They may say that if you receive surgery you are no longer your true self, and you no longer have the body you were born with. Others might say that the procedure is a waste of money, or just may not think that you need the surgery. It is important for a cosmetic surgeon to prepare you for the wide range of reactions you may witness in people, before, during and after your surgery.

Furthermore, the well-respected, compassionate surgeon will make sure you are doing this for yourself, and for no one else. If you have this surgery done just because someone else does not think you are pretty enough, or that something is wrong with you, you may never heal emotionally from this instance. A good surgeon will tell you that you should do what is right for you, and make sure that this is really something you want to follow through with. Not only that, but he will also tell you that even if others react negatively, it does not mean that you should not have the surgery. In this case, he will most likely have access to a support group or advise you to connect with people who will support your decision.

Now, please be sure that you follow the above procedures for finding a qualified cosmetic surgeon. If you make a well thought out decision, your chances of having a successful surgery will increase. Not only will your surgery be successful but your overall quality of life will often take a turn for the best. You owe it to yourself to look into all of your options. Any of us has personal reasons to make a plastic operation. Sometimes we can hesitate as there are a lot of unpleasant stories about unsuccessful results of the operation. But frankly speaking plastic surgery is one of achievements of scientific progress. As we use gadgetry, we can use the new ideas in medicine. And it is really a sweet feeling when some feature in your appearance that made you feel so uncomfortable one day disappears!

www.simplydeliciouslingerie.com

Has Society Sucked You In?

Lets talk for a minute, just for the health of it about something; enhancements? The dictionary says that this an improvement, an exaggeration....... I ponder the question most often, why? Why do people go under the knife to change?

Why do people get enhancements? Sure as we get older things being to sag, bag, and droop, and after having a baby or two or five, women tend to droop in ways that they never imagined, Hey that wasn't in the 'what to expect when your expecting/having a baby book!' …..I get that, and maybe it is nice to get that quick fix to raise ones spirits. I understand that enhancements often are because of deformities, accidents that on has sustained, I get that too...but what I don't get is why someone with a beautiful shape or exquisite features already goes under the knife to change his or her image that was created just for you? No, we weren't all perfectly designed, but who we are defines us. I am a perpetual believer in thinking things through., you should be too.

You are alluring, attractive, adventurous, optimistic, grateful, classy, witty, perhaps even; exciting, intoxicating, innocent, spunky, amorous,vivacious, vociferous, stellar, meticulous. These are characteristics that are in you, and people love you for these traits. They individualize you. These are your invisible branding. I see beauty in so many people and now I find myself looking at those enhanced and wondering why? Why did they do it, why did they want it? Is it because reality has changed the world so much that we feel that if we don't stay one step ahead of the game we lack something? Is it because we are trying to compare ourselves to someone else? Is it because we are trying to stand out and be noticed, and if so, what for?

 My grandmother used to always say, "Stop trying to fit in, when you were born to stand out." I know, sounds like something out of a Lady Gaga song.....which touches on another note....for years people thought that they had to look better, act differently so that they'd fit in. There were times that I felt I never fit in, even with my family I have been the black sheep. Society says enhance., I say insecurities cause this as well as low self-esteem. No more, and gone are the days when getting bullied or taunted belittle you. Please do not misconstrue what I am trying to say. I'm not condemning what you choose to do to your body, afterall it is yours not mine. I'm simply trying to understand why? Beauty is only skin deep, yet below the exterior there is a hidden treasure in each and every one of us. 

I guess my question here is simple; are you doing it for health reasons, aging reasons, childbirth issues, or just to stand out because you think big boobs are great or to earn a few more bucks in your career, get a better partner that loves a perfect body and wants a trophy rather than a real woman? Personally, my overview is that you feel tied to this certain need, this particular notion that this will get you noticed, or make you more popular,....are you a prisoner of your own body? Are you one of those people that drag the ball and chain around with you because you let society suck you in?