Is tummy tuck good for you...

Most patients who come in for a tummy tuck have had children before, but not all. They may have excess fatty tissue, excess or loose skin, and possibly loose abdominal muscles or separation with or without stretch marks. This operation will address all of these issues.

Some women are fortunate enough to retain a tight abominal core following childbirth and may retain good elasticity and thus only require liposuction, this is often good metabolism and genetics. It's not necessarily related to how much you worked out, so don't feel bad for the way your abdomen has loosened. It happens to many, many patients.

Have your board-certified plastic surgeon evaluate your abdomen to see if liposuction may also be an option for you.
Best wishes,
DoctorMeade

...but they are also well suited for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight.  A tummy tuck addresses three issues with the abdomen:

1. It removes excess skin - this can decrease visible stretch marks and "resets" the skin tone by tightening it up
2. It "thins" the abdominal skin -  even without liposuction for fat removal.  If you consider removing the skin and fat from the lower half of your abdomen and then resurfacing the region by redistributing skin from the upper abdomen, this will have the apparent effect of thinning the fat below the skin surface - watch the patient 3:30 minutes into my video.
3. It allows the abdominal muscles to be tightened.  If the muscles have been stretched out (typically from having a baby, or sometimes from being overweight for a period of time), surgical repair might be necessary to reestablish a strong abdominal wall.

If your weight is relatively stable, your abdominal wall is intact, and you have good skin tone, then abdominal liposuction might be preferred over a tummy tuck, as it does not require such a noticeable scar.

Aside from the "reasons" to have a tummy tuck, you have to remember that this is a surgical operation and has associated risks - you should be of good general health before considering any type of surgery, and a tummy tuck is a significant operation.

I advise you to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and to see what they recommend for your specific situation.

Good luck!

Dr.B

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