What a Tummy Tuck Can Do for You

As you age, your life choices, and gravity, can take a toll on your body. To the outside world, it might seem like the first signs of aging are the laugh lines, crow’s feet and other tiny wrinkles that show up on your face. One of the first things you might notice, though, is that extra skin that pools around your stomach after you’ve had several children. If you still have that loose skin after you’ve religiously completed your routine of sit-ups, you might consider a tummy tuck to remove some skin and tighten your abdominal muscles so that your stomach is flatter.

You’ve probably heard the term “tummy tuck” many times, but do you really know what’s involved? Do you know what you can expect as far as the surgery itself as well as your recovery? These are all questions that you will want answers to so that you can make an informed decision about whether such surgery is right for you.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

In addition to women who have had a few children, there are other people that make good candidates for a tummy tuck. Men and women who were previously obese and who retained fat deposits and have loose skin after their weight loss also make suitable candidates for a tummy tuck, though women do make up 97 percent of those who get a tummy tuck.

There are also some people who should reconsider getting a tummy tuck. If you are a woman who plans to get pregnant in the future, the tummy tuck surgery will tighten your vertical stomach muscles. A future pregnancy can separate those muscles.

It’s important to try other weight loss methods first, then consider a tummy tuck if you have loose skin AFTER your weight loss.

For those people who still need to lose weight, a tummy tuck is not a good method to do so. It’s important to try other weight loss methods first, then consider a tummy tuck if you have loose skin after your weight loss.

Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

Of course, removing excess skin and fat deposits, which will then give you a flatter abdomen, is the primary benefit of a tummy tuck. Your clothes will fit better and you might feel comfortable enough to wear a bikini to the pool or beach. However, after the tummy tuck, you will have scars that could be visible. Discussing the placement of those scars with your doctor might help minimize their visibility.

Tummy Tuck Surgery

The preparations for a tummy tuck actually begin long beforehand. You’ll need to arrange for help with small children as well as for someone to drive you home after the surgery. In most cases, this surgery is an outpatient procedure. However, if a tummy tuck is more involved, your doctor will likely admit you for at least one night so that you can be observed.

A tummy tuck surgery is major plastic surgery and your smooth recovery requires that you follow the instructions of your surgeon. You won’t be able to drive for at least two weeks and lifting must be strictly limited to avoid ripping your stitches. While the average recovery time is between six and eight weeks, it might be longer than that before you begin to feel like your old self.

While the average recovery time is between six and eight weeks, it might be longer than that before you begin to feel like your old self.

Are you ready to have a flat stomach again? Revere Health has board-certified plastic surgeons who can help you look and feel your best with a tummy tuck.