Is a Tummy Tuck Right for Me?​​​​​​​

If this is a question you have been asking yourself for a while, perhaps it is time for you to know more about the procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a tummy tuck procedure removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen. It also revitalizes the detached or impaired muscles, forming a firmer and smoother abdominal shape. Since you are considering a tummy tuck procedure, here’s what you need to know to decide if it is truly right for you.
 

Good Health

Cosmetic surgeons strongly advise against having a tummy tuck if you have a serious health condition. For this procedure, you must be under general anesthesia. This means that you should have healthy lungs and a strong heart. You should not have connective tissue or autoimmune disorders because these conditions impede healing. If your skin forms thick, dark, and raised scars (keloids), you should tell your plastic surgeon about it before the procedure.
 

Loose Skin Around the Abdomen

Experts say that you should have a notable amount of excess skin surrounding your abdominal area to qualify for a tummy tuck procedure. The surgery requires the surgeon to make a large incision for the tummy tuck. If you lack excess skin in that area, there will be tension in your scar. This will result in an undesirable stretched appearance.
 

Significant Weight Loss

Weight gain and pregnancy can both damage your abdominal area. They could stretch your abdominal area so much that they damage the muscles and the skin permanently. Even if you give birth or return to a healthy weight, the loose skin will just hang around your belly. This will qualify you for a tummy tuck, which can repair the damaged tissues.
 

Realistic Expectations

A tummy tuck surgery may improve your appearance, but it should not be a solution to weight gain. Also, it will require a lengthy time for recovery. The results will appear gradually as you heal. You should also keep in mind that you need to commit to exercising regularly and eating healthily to maintain the results of your tummy tuck.
 

Ideal Weight

Surgeons recommend that you should stay within 15 to 20 pounds of your healthy weight before you have a tummy tuck. If you lose at least 30 pounds more after the procedure, then there will be more excess skin and muscles around your abdomen. It would only lead to the failure of the tummy tuck.
 

Pregnancy Is Not in the Immediate Future

If you are planning to get pregnant soon, you should wait until you give birth before you get a tummy tuck. In case you have the procedure, but you decide to get pregnant, your renewed abdominal skin and muscles will tear again. You will then go through a second tummy tuck after you give birth.
 

In the event that these apply to you, then you can look forward to a tummy tuck procedure. At Jason K. Potter, MD, DDS, we make sure that our patients are ready before they go through a tummy tuck procedure. Please visit our clinic in Dallas, Texas, for a one-on-one consultation. You can also contact us by dialing 214-892-2474 if you want to schedule an appointment. We can answer your questions regarding our tummy tuck packages.