The best candidates for tummy tuck surgery are those who would like to have fat and/or loose skin removed from a concentrated area around the stomach or abdomen, and who are in relatively good shape, not obese. They may be concerned about an isolated area of fat that refuses to disappear, even after diet and exercise have been repeatedly tried.
Skin Stretched Severely During Pregnancy
Repeated pregnancies, or just one pregnancy where the woman has put on a lot of weight during gestation and lost it rapidly after giving birth, can leave some women with very stretched, loose skin around the stomach. Abdominal muscles can be left over-stretched and sag down, giving the stomach a loose, baggy feel. Tummy tuck surgery can provide these women with a tighter, more attractive stomach and waist.
Weight Loss
People who have lost a lot of weight and have kept that weight off, either through age, surgery, or an improvement in their eating or exercise habits, might choose to have a tummy tuck to remove the excess skin that once contained the fat that is no longer there. An abdominoplasty can greatly improve skin’s elasticity.
Tummy tuck surgery can remove excess skin, tighten muscles, get rid of concentrations of fat, and flatten a protruding, out-of-proportion stomach. People who undergo tummy tucks may feel a great boost in self-confidence and will be able to wear clothes they wouldn’t dream of wearing before the operation. They also find a freedom to indulge in new sports and activities such as sunbathing or swimming that they would have previously have avoided. Tummy tucks can make you feel much more comfortable in your clothing and open up the possibilities of different things to wear.
Although the scars are permanent they will fade over time to faint lines, and after several years may be hard to spot. In addition, they will be located in areas least exposed, such as the bikini line and very low stomach area, and are usually easily concealed under bathing suits and underwear.
If you are considering either mini tummy tuck surgery or a full procedure, it is important to let your surgeon know if you plan to become pregnant or lose weight again in the future. If there is a possibility of needing a further abdominoplasty, the success of the operation may be limited by a previous tummy tuck surgery. It’s also important to remember that gravity and the aging process may mean that you may become dissatisfied with the shape of your stomach again in later years. Reading this tummy tuck information will give you some idea of what to expect, but for answers to specific questions we recommend you talk to your surgeon.
