How do I know if I need a Tummy Tuck – Abdominoplasty.
When women or men come into my office seeking information on a tummy tuck I often hear them say, “My spouse says I just need to work out more and my stomach will be flatter.” Women who have had children or in people who have gained and lost a large amount of weight, this just is not the case. The human skin is an amazing organ, but once it is stretched past its elastic threshold, it can no longer resume its previous shape or more simply put, if the skin is stretched too far, it can no longer snap back.
Furthermore, during pregnancy the abdominal muscles often get stretched out as well and the six-pack muscles get pushed apart in the midline. The medical term for this is a diastasis and it can create a loose or pudgy appearance of the abdomen. When the skin and muscles have been stretched too far, no amount of crunches, running or sit-ups is going to restore the pre-baby shape of the abdomen, and a tummy tuck (also know as abdominoplasty) is what is required if there is going to be any hope of restoring the abdominal shape.
How does a person know if they need a tummy tuck? – Tummy Tuck – Abdominoplasty
This is a more difficult question because some women can have 3 or 4 children and either because of prenatal skin care or luck or God’s grace, their abdomen may look like it did before they were pregnant. However, this is definitely not the norm or even the average and in fact, most women have some degree of excess skin or muscle laxity after having children. Only a qualified plastic surgeon will be able to determine whether or not a person is a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Factors I consider during my consultations include health status of the person, amount and location of excess skin, the elasticity of the skin and amount of abdominal muscle laxity, just to name a few. I also think to myself whether liposuction needs to be included with the tummy tuck or if possibly a mini-tummy tuck might be better. One thing is for certain, all shapes and sizes of patients are candidates for tummy tucks. I see good candidates who claim they thought they were either too heavy or too thin. The only way to know for sure is to schedule an appointment for a consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss it.
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