Who Can Benefit from Tummy Tucks?

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A tummy tuck procedure removes skin from the midsection, creating a more taut, toned appearance. It is a pretty advanced cosmetic surgery technique that involves large incisions, requires general anesthesia, and has a relatively long recovery time. However, for patients who have extra skin around their abdomen, a tummy tuck can be very worth it. This article will take a closer look at patients who are good candidates for a tummy tuck.

1. People Who Are Done Giving Birth

Tummy tucks are common among mothers who are finished having children. Pregnancy often leaves women with loose skin around the belly, and no amount of diet and exercise can tighten that skin completely. A tummy tuck will stretch the skin tighter and allow the abdominal muscles to show through once again. Many women also suffer from a separation of the abdominal muscles after pregnancy, and this can be repaired at the same time that the tummy tuck is performed. 

While women are typically advised to wait to have a tummy tuck until they are finished having children, it's not dangerous for a woman to become pregnant again after the procedure. However, another pregnancy will stretch out the skin and probably make a second tummy tuck necessary.

2. People Who Have Lost a Lot of Weight

Both men and women who have lost a significant amount of weight are also good candidates for tummy tuck procedures. Once the fat is lost from beneath the skin, it often remains very loose and saggy. Diet and exercise won't correct this, so surgery is advised. Note that a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure, so those embarking on a weight loss journey are advised to get within a few pounds of their goal weight before scheduling this procedure. Often, it is this surgery that finally gives patients the trimmer look they crave and the confidence to show off their new bodies. 

3. Patients in Good Overall Health

Whether they're pursuing a tummy tuck after pregnancy or weight loss, patients undergoing a tummy tuck must be in good overall health. They typically need to be free from conditions like diabetes, lupus, and HIV, which may impede the body's ability to heal from such an invasive procedure. A surgeon will typically order a range of blood tests to ensure a patient is healthy enough to undergo a tummy tuck before scheduling the operation.

Tummy tucks are a good choice for many types of patients. Talk to your doctor or a cosmetic surgeon to learn more.


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