Everything You Need To Know About Tummy Tuck And Tattoos

Tummy tucks are beneficial for a number of reasons. We hear a lot of questions regarding tummy tuck procedures, including how they work, the results you may anticipate, and the recovery period, but one of the most common ones is about what happens to tattoos. These patients expressed an interest in learning if and how surgery would influence their tattoos. We’ll go over all of the specifics concerning tummy tucks in this blog, including how they may affect your tattoos if you have any.

CAN TUMMY TUCK MODIFY OR REMOVE MY TATTOO?

If you have a tattoo on your stomach and you’re planning on getting a tummy tuck, it’s normal to wonder what will happen to it. The extent to which tummy tuck surgery alters a tattoo is determined on the size and placement of the tattoo, as well as the quantity of skin and fat removed during the surgery. Without a comprehensive in-person examination with Dr. Gartner, it’s impossible to comment on a given instance since every patient is different.

Typically, a tummy tuck entails the removal of a substantial quantity of skin from the lower abdomen. For individuals with tattoos on the lower abdomen, removing the skin may result in the removal of a significant piece or perhaps the whole tattoo. This may be advantageous if the patient no longer enjoys the tattoo, or it may result in a hardship if the patient wants to retain the tattoo in its entirety.

Occasionally, tattoos stay intact after a tummy tuck but move closer to the underwear line or seem more stretched-out than usual.

Patients whose tattoos are partly removed following tummy tuck surgery have the option of leaving the region alone or having the tattoo recreated.

GETTING A TATTOO REDONE OVER A TUMMY TUCK SCAR

Adding a tattoo to conceal a tummy tuck scar is a personal choice and is left to the patient’s discretion. However, Dr. Gartner gently cautions patients to evaluate this choice carefully. In fact, concealing a scar with a tattoo may draw more attention to the scar. Additionally, damaged tissue does not absorb ink as effectively as healthy skin. Indeed, tattooing delicate scar tissue is not only difficult, but it may also cause the scar to thicken or the tissue to get infected. Finally, scars diminish dramatically with time, thus scars that are just a few years old may become less concerning after a few years.

REDUCE TATTOO INK DISTORTION

While it is unlikely that tattoos will be totally untouched by tummy tuck surgery, some precautions may be taken to reduce stretching, tugging, and distortion of your tattoo. Discuss your worries regarding tattoo preservation with your plastic surgeon during your appointment. Depending on their placement, he may be able to slightly adjust the site of skin excision, which would imply that he might take skin from another area and reduce the amount of “pulling” done to your tattoo. While it may not be able to rescue it entirely, discussing it honestly may help you hear some good news.

THE TUMMY TUCK PROCESS

Now that we’ve gone over the specifics of what can happen to your tattoo, let’s go over some of the fundamentals about the procedure itself. There are a few points to consider about the procedure, including the following:

THE TUMMY TUCK SURGERY

A tummy tuck procedure is used to tighten abdominal skin and muscle, resulting in a smaller, more contoured waistline. Your surgeon will create a horizontal incision low on the belly, following a natural skin fold, during the treatment. Additionally, there is an incision around the navel. Liposuction is often used to contour the abdomen and waist by eliminating extra fat pockets. Following that, your surgeon will tighten loose muscles, draw the skin down, and cut away extra skin to produce a smooth, firm appearance. Sutures are used to seal the incision, leaving a scar that may be concealed behind a bathing suit or underwear.

For men and women who want to treat just issues below the belly button, we may do a mini tummy tuck, which requires less skin stretching.

LOCATION IS CRITICAL

The extent to which surgery will influence a tattoo is largely determined by the tattoo’s location.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR LARGE TATTOOS

Along with location, the size of your tattoo might influence how much it changes after a tummy tuck. While tiny tattoos located low on the belly may be completely removed during extra skin removal, bigger tattoos provide a greater difficulty to the surgeon.

If you are contemplating a tummy tuck and are worried about how it may affect your tattoo, the best way to get tailored information is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gartner. There may be a technique to alter the incision location and amount of tugging to prevent the tattoo from being overly distorted.

RECOVERY TIME

There is no definitive time frame for recovery following a tummy tuck. As with every surgical operation, there is a broad time period for recovery, but individual recovery times vary significantly depending on a number of circumstances, including the following:

POSTOPERATIVE CARE

After the treatment is complete, your surgeon will discuss a more precise recovery timeframe with you, although most patients resume normal function around the eight-week mark.

WHAT TO ANTICIPATE DURING THE HEALING PERIOD AFTER A TUMMY TUCK

The most critical thing to remember during this procedure is to attentively follow your surgeon’s recommendations. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our clinic at any point.

Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon for your tummy tuck is usually suggested, since they have passed severe training and safety criteria that other surgeons do not. Your board-certified plastic surgeon can provide postoperative counseling and help at all times during your experience.

Dr. Gartner, a board-certified plastic surgeon, has decades of experience performing tummy tuck surgeries, which has equipped him with skills unlike other surgeons, making him an excellent choice for your treatment regardless of whether or not you have tattoos on your stomach.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER SURGERY

Your abdomen will be covered with surgical covering immediately after a tummy tuck. Often, thin, little tubes may be inserted around your incision to remove any fluid that accumulates. This is perfectly normal and should cause no extra pain.

For the first few days after recuperation, you will need to rest at an angle and will be instructed to walk about to help avoid blood clots. But don’t worry, you will be given all of this information again during your consultation.

YOUR RECOVERY PROCESS AT HOME

It’s essential to arrange for assistance from a family member or friend for at least the first day or two after surgery. You will be given pain medicines and will have certain movement limitations, making it impossible for you to drive yourself home.

Once you return home, you will likely have difficulties bending, lifting, or standing for extended periods of time, so having someone to assist you around the house during the early recovery period following a tummy tuck surgery may considerably ease your rehabilitation.

THE DAILY UPKEEP AFTER YOUR TUMMY TUCK

Throughout your recuperation, your doctor will show you how to properly care for your incision and drainage tubes.

The majority of patients are prescribed antibiotics and anticoagulants for a certain period of time, and others are prescribed topical creams to apply to the incision site.

You will have an abdominal support garment or wrap that will aid in the reduction of swelling and pain during recovery, therefore it is critical that you wear it for the suggested period of time each day.

Smoking and drinking alcohol have been shown to significantly impair healing, and should be avoided for at least three months after surgery.

RETURNING TO A REGULAR ROUTINE AFTER A TUMMY TUCK

If you have small children, you will want to request assistance with childcare, since squatting or lifting up children or other heavy items is strictly discouraged during the first several weeks. However, after a week or two, driving, cooking, and shopping are often doable.

The majority of individuals choose to take up to a month off work to recuperate. If you work in a physically demanding profession, it’s critical to take enough time off to avoid jeopardizing your recuperation. Additionally, you should abstain from activity during this time period for the same reasons. .

REMEMBER THAT RECOVERY IS AN ONGOING PROCESS AFTER A TUMMY TUCK

Collaborating carefully with your plastic surgeon and surgical team to comprehend and plan for post-surgical living may assist you in ensuring a smooth recovery. A tummy tuck may be an excellent approach to reach the cosmetic objectives you’ve set for yourself; just remember to be gentle with your body and to concentrate on properly recovering after the treatment.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURES AND HOW THEY COULD AFFECT YOUR TATTOO

We hope that this quick blog provided you with the information you needed about tummy tuck procedures and how they can affect a tattoo. That being said, if you believe you might benefit from a tummy tuck in New Jersey but are hesitant due to tattoo concerns, schedule a consultation at Gartner Plastic Surgery to learn more about how to attain your ideal physique. To schedule an appointment, please contact us directly on our website.