Are you struggling to lose the last little bit of weight to reach your goals? Do you feel trapped under sagging skin after a significant reduction in your weight? Do you feel uncomfortable with your stomach’s profile after having your children, but find that you aren’t able to snap your skin back into shape no matter what you try? Fortunately, there’s an answer to all these issues. Let’s talk about the tummy tuck – and why it might be just what you’re looking for.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
During a surgical tummy tuck, the excess skin and tissues of the lower abdomen are removed, and the remaining skin and muscle tissue are tightened. Once healed, the stomach looks smoother, is often smaller in size, and no longer has the sagging profile that it once did. Patients typically lose an additional 5-15 pounds after this procedure as well, although it is not designed for weight loss. This surgery provides a new look for a body that has already finished losing weight after childbirth, gastric surgery or major dietary and lifestyle changes.
Who is Eligible for a Tummy Tuck?
While getting a tummy tuck is elective surgery, it’s not the right choice for everyone. Your surgical weight loss provider can offer you guidance on whether you’re a good candidate for this procedure, but some general guidelines for choosing a tummy tuck include:
- Patient has a good diet and exercise routine already.
- The Patient has finished the bulk of their weight loss after weight loss surgery, childbirth, or another major life event that has led to losing weight.
- Patient does not intend to have any more children.
- Patient has had little or no success in tightening the lower abdomen with diet and exercise or has excessive, saggy skin.
Determining whether a tummy tuck will work for you is between you and your doctor, but if these descriptors sound like you, you may be a great candidate for this procedure. You took back your health through weight loss – now take back your body with a little nip and tuck!
