For individuals who experience loose or stretched skin and the appearance of a “pooch” on their abdomen, a tummy tuck can be just what the doctor ordered. Regardless of whether this skin laxity is a result of considerable weight gain and loss, pregnancy, or natural changes that occur over time, it can be impossible to improve the appearance of your tummy with diet and exercise alone. During a tummy tuck (using my signature Scarpa fascia technique for waist enhancement), I am able to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, while tightening the underlying abdominal muscles to provide a flatter, more toned belly. Still, there are limits to what this procedure can do for patients. Continue reading for more details on what can and cannot be accomplished with a tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck can… help women regain their pre-baby bodies following pregnancy. Because of the strain put on a woman’s abdomen over the course of her pregnancy, the skin and abdominal muscles can become loose and require tightening after childbirth. This is especially true for women who have experienced multiple pregnancies. Tummy tuck surgery can help restore their pre-pregnancy figure.
A tummy tuck cannot… help patients lose a considerable amount of weight. While it’s true that fat is sometimes removed during the procedure, the amount of total fat and skin removed during a tummy tuck doesn’t weigh very much. A tummy tuck is considered a body contouring procedure, not weight loss surgery. This is why I advise my tummy tuck patients to reach their ideal weight before undergoing their surgery.
A tummy tuck can… be a major component of a mommy makeover. Mommy makeovers are combination procedures designed to provide even more comprehensive body contouring results by combining a tummy tuck with liposuction and cosmetic breast surgery. The ability for patients to customize each procedure to their unique needs is part of what makes the mommy makeover so popular.
A tummy tuck cannot… be used to treat larger hernias. Although a tummy tuck can have the ability to treat smaller ventral or umbilical hernias by repairing the abdominal wall, larger hernias will likely still require a visit to a general surgeon.
I believe a tummy tuck can be a legitimately life-changing procedure for many patients, both male and female. However, when considering cosmetic surgery it is always important to gain a thorough understanding of your desired procedure and to keep your expectations realistic. If you are interested in a tummy tuck and would like to learn more, please contact me, Dr. David Whiteman, at Southern Plastic Surgery today to schedule your complimentary plastic surgery consultation. And follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google+ for even more plastic surgery tips, photos, news, and more.