Are you unhappy about the appearance of your abdomen? Has your once svelte belly been undermined by childbearing, yo-yo dieting, age, gravity, or major weight loss? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you are not alone.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2013, a total of 111,986 tummy tuck procedures were performed in the United States, up from 106,628 in 2012. As you can imagine, these numbers are only expected to grow as more patients realize how amazing this procedure is.
If you lost all hope in looking and feeling your best in and out of clothes – think again.
If you have had children, or if your stomach has grown as you've gotten older despite eating healthy and exercise, or if your genes are the culprit, or if you've never enjoyed a well-toned abdomen, then tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty could be the procedure that you have been waiting for, and you know what? You deserve it.
What is a tummy tuck?
With a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), the excess fat and skin is removed, and in many cases the weakened or separated muscles are tightened, thereby creating a beautifully reshaped abdominal profile that is smaller, smoother, and firmer.
Even individuals with a healthy body weight can develop an abdomen that is loose, sagging, or out of proportion to the rest of their body, especially after multiple pregnancies.
The most common causes, include:
- Pregnancy
- Genetics
- Prior surgeries
- Significant weight fluctuations
- Simple aging
Should you postpone a tummy tuck?
The best candidate for a tummy tuck is someone who is healthy and at a stable weight. If you are planning on losing a substantial amount of weight in the future, or if you are a woman who is planning on becoming pregnant, we advise that you postpone your tummy tuck.
If you are hoping that a tummy tuck would eliminate stretch marks, while some of the marks may be removed, it depends on their location. Essentially, if the marks are located on excised skin, then those would be removed. As we all know, any reduction in stretch marks is a welcomed change.
To learn more about tummy tucks, contact our office to schedule a consultation with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Yuly Gorodisky.