Person Hand Drawing Lines On A Woman's Abdomen

How to Decide If a Tummy Tuck Is the Right Choice for You

Have you been considering tummy tuck surgery to get a more sculpted physique? Tummy tucks are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures around the world, helping thousands of patients remove loose skin around their midsection. 

When you’re contemplating plastic surgery, especially one like the tummy tuck, you want to make sure that it’s the best treatment for your unique needs. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Brian D. Cohen, M.D. in Nassau County, NY, provides tummy tuck procedures to help patients get a flatter, more sculpted abdomen. 

Read on to learn more about this procedure and determine whether it’s the right choice for you.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is a plastic surgery procedure that aims to create a flatter, more sculpted abdomen by removing loose skin around the midsection. Excess skin can accumulate around the midsection for several reasons. This includes the following:

  • Significant weight loss
  • Weight fluctuations over time
  • Pregnancy
  • Aging

Loose skin around your abdomen can give you an unflattering, sagging appearance. Unlike excess fat around the midsection, diet and exercise cannot eliminate excess skin. 

However, Dr. Cohen can resect, remove, and reposition this skin during a tummy tuck procedure to create a flatter, more toned appearance. The underlying abdominal muscles may also be repaired and enhanced during these procedures, giving the midsection a more sculpted and defined look.

Tummy Tuck Results

Patients can enjoy permanent results as long as they maintain a stable weight and have healthy lifestyle habits. This procedure is not recommended for women who may become pregnant, as pregnancy will stretch the stomach muscles and skin.

You’re a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck If…

If you’re wondering whether a tummy tuck procedure is the right choice for you, a consultation with a cosmetic medicine professional can help. Prior to scheduling your consultation, check out three of the biggest factors that determine who is a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery.

There Is Excess Skin Around Your Midsection

Do you have excess loose skin around the abdomen and flanks? Loose skin can accumulate around the midsection due to significant weight loss or weight fluctuations in pregnancy. This excess loose skin around the abdomen can add pounds to your stomach and give you an unflattering appearance. 

Unlike fat around the midsection, you cannot use diet or exercise to drop loose skin. This is the primary function of tummy tuck surgery. If you have been struggling with loose skin on the stomach, a tummy tuck may be the best solution.

You Are Within Range of Your Ideal Body Weight

Tummy tuck surgery is not weight loss surgery. It does not remove excess fat from the body. 

Instead, tummy tucks are intended for patients already within range of their optimal, healthy body weight. The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck is not looking to lose weight but rather to tighten up and firm their midsection.

Patients who still have a moderate to a significant amount of excess fat will likely be advised to lose weight or seek a weight loss procedure like liposuction before having a tummy tuck.

Your Abdominal Muscles Have Been Stretched or Damaged

Other functions of the tummy tuck are repairing and enhancing the abdominal muscles. Some patients have stretched or damaged abdominal muscles due to the weight fluctuations during pregnancy. These patients can lose weight but still find that their abdomen appears soft and undefined. 

Once muscles have been damaged and stretched, no amount of crunches can restore them. This is where a tummy tuck can make a huge difference. The underlying abdominal muscles can be repaired and enhanced during a tummy tuck procedure, which helps create a more sculpted and defined look in the midsection. Get in touch with our office today to learn more.