If the appearance and feel of your abdomen leaves you in despair, rest assured that you aren’t alone. When it comes to parts of our body that we dislike the most, the abdomen area is usually somewhere near the very top of the list. There are a range of different reasons why people dislike their midsection, but regardless of the cause of their discomfort, the fallout of being unhappy with this aspect of our appearance can be difficult to live with. You may find that you don’t feel that you can wear the clothes that you would like to, or that any clothes that you wear draw attention to your abdomen. Some people refuse to let others around them and even their partners see their stomach. Loss of confidence, feeling unattractive and even depression can occur.
Fortunately, there is a solution that can transform the way that your abdomen looks and even feels – tummy tuck surgery.
About tummy tuck surgery
A tummy tuck is easily one of the most commonly requested types of cosmetic surgery, reflecting the high number of patients adversely affected by this aspect of their appearance. The procedure, which is also known as abdominoplasty, is designed to remove excess fat and skin from the midsection, creating a smoother, sleeker and more streamlined appearance. It is not, as some people believe, a quick method of losing weight from your stomach. Instead, many patients who opt for tummy tuck surgery have previously lost large amounts of weight and have been left with excess skin that requires removal in order for them to see the full benefit of their weight loss efforts.
Many patients who choose tummy tuck surgery have:
– Weight that has yo-yoed throughout the years causing them to develop overstretched skin as a result of their abdomen growing and shrinking.
– A ‘mom tum’ that simply will not snap back to how it was pre-pregnancy.
– Problematic stubborn fat around their midsection.
– Excessive stretchmarks which make the patient self-conscious or embarrassed.
A tummy tuck is considered a major surgery and does require the patient to take plenty of time to heal and recover. Exactly what you need to know about recovering from this surgery will be explained to you by your surgeon ahead of approving your candidacy, and this should be something that is carefully considered by anyone wishing to undergo a tummy tuck procedure.
Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
Before you can be approved for any sort of cosmetic surgery procedure, your chosen surgeon should insist that you attend a consultation appointment. This is a meeting to discuss your reasons and expectations for the surgery, and for your doctor to assess your health and suitability for the procedure. Although all candidates are assessed on a case by case basis, there are some traits that all potential patients should share.
Realistic expectations
One of the most important things that a good tummy tuck candidate has is realistic expectations for the outcome of their procedure. The outcome of every tummy tuck really depends on the patient’s starting point and how well their body responds to the procedure. No cosmetic surgery can work miracles and while your abdomen will be drastically improved, you are not going to lose weight or suddenly develop a ripped physique as a result of your tummy tuck.
You also need to be aware that in order to sustain your results, you will need to eat right and get plenty of exercise. Putting weight on could completely undo the efforts of your tummy tuck surgery.
Happy with your weight
We cannot stress enough that while a tummy tuck can remove stubborn areas of abdominal fat that don’t respond to diet or exercise, it is not a weight loss technique. Therefore, you should make sure you are happy with your weight before you press ahead with the procedure. Again, if you put weight back on, you could undo the results of your surgery. Equally, if you lose weight after a tummy tuck, you could be left with excess skin once more.
In good health
A tummy tuck is a highly invasive and serious surgery and as such, all patients who wish to undergo the procedure must be in good physical health. Your surgeon will speak to you about your medical history and take this into account when assessing your candidacy. Your surgeon should also insist, if you are a smoker, that you give up this habit for at least six weeks before and after your surgery. This is because smoking can cause complications and significantly slow down your rate of recovery.
Has a family which is complete
Most surgeons will refuse to perform a tummy tuck surgery on anyone who plans on being pregnant in the future. This is because pregnancy and the subsequent weight gain can undo all of the work of your previous procedure. Instead, it is strongly recommended that you wait until your family is complete before undergoing a tummy tuck elective surgery.
If you would to find out more about tummy tuck surgery, or if you would like to make an appointment to discuss your candidacy with our highly experienced and skilled cosmetic surgeon, Dr. David Funt, our professional and discreet team would be delighted to assist you. Contact our Roslyn Heights, NY office today.
