Tummy tuck blog posts and news

Claim Check: Tummy Tightening Without Surgery

The Claim: You can tighten your tummy and erase stretch marks -- without surgery

The Background: Alternatives to tummy tuck surgery -- cheaper, without scarring, and quick recovery time  -- certainly sound compelling. There are no shortage of clinics that tout “no downtime” using new technology with names like "ThermaFrax."

A check on the claim that surgery alternatives can make a big difference to the belly came to RealSelf by way of Los Angeles community member "Catcat" who states she "doesn't want scars" when asking about an alternative to a full tummy tuck.

The Reality: No matter what the promises made by clinics or products, the fact remains: "If we could figure out how to make skin contract like shrink wrap without incisions, we wouldn't have to perform forehead lifts, face lifts, midface lifts, eye lifts, breast lifts, tummy tucks or thigh lifts," according to Otto Placik, a Chicago Plastic Surgeon. Catcat learned from our docs that, when it comes to stomach tightening alternatives to tummy tuck surgery, exercise may be the only answer.

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RealBuzz: Could Plastic Surgery Help Me Quit Smoking?

Yes, some people still smoke cigarettes -- but plastic surgery just might be one way to help them dump the habit for good. In one of the livelier and most thought-provoking Q&As on RealSelf, our doctors help answer the question,

How do plastic surgeons feel about operating on patients who smoke?

RealSelf's MDs, like Bellevue, Washington's Dr. Richard P. Rand, say it's "imperative" prospective patients kick the habit "a month after and a month before" they go under the knife. Dr. Athleo Louis Cambre in L.A. explains that for facelifts, breast lifts and reductions, and tummy tucks, smoking causes "constriction of ... small blood vessels [under the skin] as well as reduced oxygen carrying capacity," which can have "catastrophic" effects because of the "diminished blood flow."

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The Rise (and Fall) Of The Muffin Top

The rise

They might not admit it exactly, but Aussies brought the rest of the world the “muffin top." The Oz sitcom "Kath and Kim" is cited as the source of the term that now refers to the roll of fat that overflows out of the top of low-cut or too-tight jeans (and recently, shoe overflow!)

Many years later, muffin top is climbing the charts for Google trends, with oddly, Boston named the leading city for “muffin top” searches.

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My Tummy Tuck: A Weight Has Been Lifted

What made you decide to have a Tummy Tuck?

I've always wanted to have the Tummy Tuck done.

Between having children and being a bit overweight, I just felt embarrassed--really only in front of my husband. It didn't show under my clothes, but you could see my saggy skin and stretch marks when my clothes were off.

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Quick Fix: 25% Of Women Open To Cosmetic Surgery

The Associated Press recently released a poll regarding women's perceptions of their bodies and health in general. The survey found that approximately 50% of women in America have negative feelings about both their weight and their figure. 

One of the more interesting results from the survey found that 25% have considered getting some type of cosmetic surgery, with a tummy tuck as the most desired treatment. Breast augmentations come in second.

Women appear to be looking for a quick fix instead of committing to long-term changes.

• Just 8% of women eat the recommend number of fruits and vegetables daily

• Women only spend 20 minutes on any type of daily exercise, while most spend around 27 minutes on their beauty regime

•  Exercise-related purchase and services amount to just $17 a month for most women, while they are spending upwards to $50 on beauty items and services.

But is cosmetic surgery worth it?

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A Sale-rack Dress: The Final Straw To Getting A Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck surgery is often offered by plastic surgeons under the cutesy name, “mommy makeover.” But make no mistake—it’s serious surgery. For many women, having a Tummy Tuck goes well beyond a bit of back-in-bikini vanity; it can be a truly life-changing experience.  To get the inside scoop of the Tummy Tuck experience we interviewed Cherita, a RealSelf.com reader who posted a review about her Tummy Tuck surgery with Illinois Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Joseph Daw.

RealSelf (RS): It’s been about 4 weeks now since your Tummy Tuck—how are you feeling?

Cherita: Good—but now that the stitches are breaking down, I’ve developed some blisters at each hip. It’s uncomfortable, but my doctor and his staff have been wonderful. I can call any time, day or night, and he’ll get back to me within a half hour. He examined me and gave me some bacitracin ointment to apply and it’ll just take time—it’s part of the normal healing. But I still don’t regret one minute of it!

RS: Sounds like quite a recovery process

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Who Will Pay For Octo-Mom's Tummy Tuck?

Widespread speculation about Nadya Suleman's changes in appearance has led to the inevitable question: will she seek a tummy tuck next?

TMZ's shocking photos of Suleman just eight days before giving birth make it painfully clear that she won't be bouncing back to her pre-baby body without some help from a plastic surgeon.

Life & Style magazine has outlined Suleman's "creepy" similarities to Angelina Jolie and many have questioned how she could have possibly had the money to have expensive manicures, lip augmentation, and a nose job while her children are receiving public assistance.

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VASER High-Def Liposculpture: Surgery For Six-pack Abs

How many sit-ups would you be willing to do for that coveted rack of six-pack abs? Quite a bit, I would think. However, this might not be the only way to get 'em. Colorado plastic surgeon Dr. John Millard  offers as an alternative a procedure called the VASER High-Def Liposculpture.

Basically, the VASER High-Def Liposculpture sculpts your problem spots - including your abdominal area. According to Dr. Millard's website, the technique uses deep and superficial liposculpture "in specific anatomical areas…to create a more natural muscular appearance."

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British Women Crave Tummy Tuck Surgery

The demand for cosmetic surgery in the UK is strong.  Mintel research says 22 million Brits desire some form of cosmetic surgery.

Women who seek body reshaping operations (tummy tuck and liposuction) are the key to an expanding cosmetic surgery market.  Procedures for body shaping surgery, led by tummy tuck surgery which increased in surgeries performed by 29% from last year, totaled £148 million for 2007.

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Numbness, Seroma And Necrosis, Oh My!

We have written about the risks associated with plastic surgery here on RealSelf, and Forbes has a new article out entitled, “Ten Plastic Surgery Risks You Need to Know.” I’d like to highlight three of the risks they mention.

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