Is a Tummy Tuck Right for You | Park Avenue Tummy Tuck

For most people, achieving a flat, firm, and defined midsection is difficult even through exercise and diet. A rigorous weight loss regimen and a healthy diet are the most effective ways to lose weight and tone your figure. However, these measures can fall short of getting rid of stubborn pockets of fat that cling to the belly. Fortunately, a tummy tuck can solve the problem of stubborn belly fat and loose skin.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure done to improve the abdomen’s appearance. During the procedure, cosmetic surgeons remove excess fat and skin from the abdominal area. They then tighten the connective tissue in the abdomen and reposition the remaining skin to create a toned look.

Why Tummy Tucks Are Popular

You might have excess fat, weakened connective tissue, or poor skin elasticity in your abdominal area due to several reasons. Some of these include:

Aging.
Significant weight changes.
Abdominal surgery.
Pregnancy.
Natural body type.

An abdominoplasty can get rid of fat and excess, loose skin to tighten the connective tissue in your abdomen. It can also get rid of excess skin in the lower abdomen, in addition to stretch marks. But if you are considering undergoing this cosmetic treatment, you should understand that it does not remove stretch marks outside the treatment area.

If you gave birth to your baby through C-section, your cosmetic surgeon might be able to incorporate your existing scar into your abdominoplasty procedure. Your surgeon can also perform this procedure in combination with other cosmetic treatments like breast surgery.

Is a Tummy Tuck Right for Everyone?

It is important to understand that a tummy tuck is not for everyone. Your cosmetic surgeon might caution against this procedure in the following circumstances:

You still plan to get rid of a significant amount of weight.
You are a smoker.
You are considering future pregnancy.
Your body mass index is greater than 30.
You live with a severe chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease.
You underwent a previous abdominal procedure that led to the formation of significant scar tissue.

Good Candidates for a Tummy Tuck

You may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if the following applies to you:

You Are Near or at Your Goal Weight

Many people assume that a tummy tuck is a form of weight-loss procedure. However, this is not the case. Furthermore, it is not a substitute for leading a healthy and active lifestyle. Thus, ideal candidates for this procedure are those within 15 to 20 pounds of their goal weight.

You Do Not Plan to Get Pregnant Again

If you are healthy, you can undergo an abdominoplasty at any stage of your life. But if you are planning to get pregnant in the future, you should wait. Pregnancy can cause repaired abdominal muscles to separate, which will reverse the results of your surgery. However, previous abdominoplasty procedures will not harm the health of your unborn child in the event of an unplanned pregnancy.

You Want to Get Rid of Excess Skin on Your Abdomen

While tummy tucks aim to remove stubborn belly fat, good candidates must still have enough excess skin on the abdomen. If you have mildly stretched skin below your belly button and still want to undergo this procedure, you should opt for a mini tummy tuck.

You Have Realistic Expectations

In undergoing any type of cosmetic surgery, you need to have realistic expectations. This cosmetic procedure is not a quick fix. Results will gradually become apparent over several weeks. You should understand that a tummy tuck can provide a significant improvement to your self-esteem and figure. However, it will not drastically change how you look.

To learn more about tummy tuck procedures, visit Aron Kressel, MD, at our office in Park Avenue, New York. You can call 212-772-6968 today to schedule an appointment.